This past week, after recovering from last weekend's foray into the mountains (more about the mountains soon), I dug into a book Entre Caracoles, (Between Snails), fictional interior monologues of five women that take place as they are attending a recital. I had to finish reading most of the book so as to not appear like a knucklehead when I met the author, Lety Ricardez, in her home this morning.
by Lety Richardez
Un Caracole
I had bought the book during our first week here on the recommendation of the hotel manager and during the course of that week asked her help to understand some of the symbolism. Ultimately, the author, who is also the hotel owner and a poet, invited me to her home for breakfast. It was a super treat, also a challenge to talk with Lety about her writing.
Our big breakfast -- tamales with vegetables and rice.
Lety autographing my book.
This is a 75 million year old snail , a caracole, found in Alberta.
Going Back to Last Saturday Night
We stumbled back to our cabin, grateful for a hot shower, after an amazing experience and the luck to be still in one piece.
Entre Caracoles came with me.
Our spiffy cabin in the mountains.
We stayed in bed again for twelve hours Saturday night to keep warm and slept the whole time. Crazy. Here are some photos from our Sunday hike to a lookout.
200 year old trees.
From the top of a mountain.
The bark of these trees is like our B.C. Arbutus trees, all peeling.
A small ecotourism community.
"Welcome to the lungs of the World."
Mountain flower.
A beautiful home being built with the help of family members living in the U. S.
The eight year indigenous girl who later gave of a tour of her new home to be.
The Sierra Norte is an important area because of its 400 species of birds, 300 species of butterflies, cactus, and animals such as the jaguar and ocelot. It goes from 100 to 3,300 meters above sea level and is Mexico’s largest natural corridor of preserved forests and jungles. But as with so many other places in the world, many of the species are endangered.
The people in the six Mancomundados live very simply. They have electricity and running water, but grow their vegetables and raise the animals they eat. They dress simply and replace their clothes when they wear out. After two days there I realized how much I'm attached to comfort. I'm a creature of comfort and always have been. I couldn't live so simply and I feel badly about that.
Back in our starting point town.
Saying Goodbye to Oaxaca
The city grows on you. It's diverse, lively, rich in culture and history. Tonight we saw a stunning performance by the Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra with a full choir and four soloists about 100 performers.
Tonight's performance
Making Tortillas
Pressing round balls of dough.
If you lived here you would invite lots of people into you home and for large occasions would cook in huge pots like these below.
With Claudio one of our favorite servers.
Another favorite server.
Our favorite restaurant.
Wiring leaves a lot to be desired.
Alebrijes
I almost bought this beautiful creature. We were told it took the artist almost a year to complete. Alebrijes are brightly coloured Oaxacan-Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. They are first carved from a local wood called copal. After a few more laborious treatments, the wood is ready to paint.
Making delicate jewellry.
See you in Mexico City!!!
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