Thursday, September 30, 2010

El Tule- 2000 year old tree in Oaxaca

El Tule in Oaxaca is one of the 7th Wonders of the Tree World!!
http://friendsoftrees.org/blog/2010/03/19/the-seven-wonders-of-the-tree-world/

EL Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico
Church in background, beautiful decorated for Semana Santa



Angel in front of Church
Beautifully decorated for Semana Santa




Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Landslide in Oaxaca

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/100928/world/international_us_mexico_landslide

Today I would like to express my deep sadness for the people of Oaxaca for their loss and I would like to tell you that we are sending prayers and positive energy to you so that you may be protected and recieve the help you need.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Mexican Artisans Market





Semana Santa






During Semana Santa - Mexican people who follow the Catholic faith create or purchase these small decorations, then they take them to the church and have the priest bless them and then create little shrines altars in their homes with them.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Clowns, Balloons & Parades - Oaxaca City 2010

Our Amigo Pepin Boom Boom

Parade in the Zocalo

Balloon Venders outside the Cathdral in the Zocalo

Clown Performers and Facepainters in the Zocalo

Angels in the Cathedral

Angels in the Cathedral

Photos by Tina Winterlik



Monte Alban, Oaxaca City Mexico

Monte Alban Mariposa

Monte Alban, Oaxaca City

Peaking in the tunnel - Monte Alban

Neighbours

Neighbours (French title: Voisins) is a 1952 short film by Scottish-Canadian filmmaker Norman McLaren.



Warning- Definitely watch this together WITH your children. If you have not seen it before watch it first by yourself. I believe this film is a powerful tool if used correctly and it won an Oscar.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbours_(film)

I saw this short film when I was in Grade 5. It left a huge impression on me. I do not recall the very graphic ending (which I recommend is for adults and older adolescents and definitely not for very young children).

As of yesterday, over 1000 people have visited my blog since Aug 29/2010 and so since I have a little voice I would like to use that little voice and encourage my 1000 + readers to "Love Thy Neighbour!"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044958/plotsummary

When The Dust Settles


Directed by Louise Johnson

Gophers teach us a funny lesson in conflict resolution. This film is part of the ShowPeace series of animated films without words, designed as flexible tools to explore conflict resolution.

http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/...

Monte Alban- Cultural Experiences- Oaxaca City Mexico

Monte Alban


I first visited Monte Alban in 1990. I was fortunate to then visit Mitla, Tonina, & Palenque. There is so much wonderful information out there and easily found on the web, so try to research it first.

We had a great day at Monte Alban, it's very easy to arrange transporation, just be sure to bring water, it's very hot and humid. The museum has lots of interesting artifacts.

What really made it special is that the day we visited, a local family was visiting with all their children and Angel had the best time playing with them.

She sat with the littlest one on the bus, and when we arrived, we discovered baby birds and butterflies...things that if I hadn't been with my daughter and seeing it thru her eyes, I believe my experience would have been much more different.

I highly recommend visiting as many ruins as possible and trying to explain what they looked like before and how life was back then.

Understanding this rich cultural heritage with your child will open his/her mind to the vastness of the world and it's history and give them a much wider perspective than they would have just growing up in their home town/country and just learning about the world thru a classroom or from the tv or internet.

Your child may not remember all these experiences, but these experiences will impact them for the rest of their lives. I believe cultural experiences such as these are invaluable in teaching children and families to be open and accepting of differences.

Learning to be open and accepting can only help our children and future generations to accept people for who they are and not be judgemental and righteous thru ignorance.

Silent Procession- Semana Santa- Oaxaca City, Mexico

Silent Procession in Oaxaca City. This Silent Procession is held during Semana Santa. Get there early as there are huge crowds, it is a very special cultural experience that I would recommend.

Keep in mind that you may be waiting a few hours so bring something to occupy your child. Luckily we met new friends and they helped pass the time. Gracias, otherwise we would not have been able to survive the long wait without a meltdown.

Personally I would suggest this experience is more suited to older children and that you try to give them as much background as possible to what they will see...as in all performances or cultural experiences, it helps to know what it is you are about to experience.


Observing this and other local customs with your children teaches your child to keep and open mind about different cultures and customs, which helps builds bridges.

Let's go Explore- Oaxaca!!

Let's go Explore, Local Customs, Preparing for Semana Santa, Checking out the Night Life, Music in the Zocalo

Parade in Zocalo, Santa Domingo, Pony & Dulces

Watch a Parade in the Zocalo, visit Santa Domingo, Angel rides a Pony and we buy Dulces- Marizpan treats for Semana Santa

Oaxaca, Architecture, Chocolate and Semana Santa

Let's go for Walk around Oaxaca City!!

Santa Domingo - 500 year old Church - Oaxaca City, Mexico

Friday, September 24, 2010

Checking out the Chocolate!!!

Angel watching how Chocolate is Made, Oaxaca City, Mexico


Cocoa Beans

Cocoa Beans and Cinnamon

Official Chocolate Tester




Let's Learn About Chocolate!!

I have a lot more links and info that I will add later.

www.chocolatework.com

www.extremechocolate.com/make-your-very-own-chocolate-sculpture.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pastryscoop/sets/72157608748262198

http://www.allchocolate.com/understanding/how_chocolate_is_made/at_factory.aspx


Excellent account of Chocolate and History
http://www.allchocolate.com/understanding/history/pre_columbian.aspx

Wine & Chocolate Pairings
http://www.allchocolate.com/enjoying/pairings

Chocolate and Health
http://www.allchocolate.com/health/basics

http://www.allchocolate.com/health/nutrition/antioxidants.aspx

http://www.allchocolate.com/health/nutrition/fats.aspx

http://www.allchocolate.com/health/nutrition/essential_vitamins.aspx


http://www.allchocolate.com/health/nutrition/other_components.aspx

Chocolate Resources
http://www.allchocolate.com/resources

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Hot-Beverages-655/chocolate-mayordomo.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayordomo

http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/chocolateoax.html

http://ecolechocolat.com/chocolatier-school.php

This is a very good Chocolate story: Roaming the Chocolate Trail in Oaxaxa
It's funny because we just found all the chocolate by accident...just like he advises...follow your nose!!


http://www.vivaoaxacafolkart.com/travel_stories/Chocolate_Trail/chocolate_story.htm

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=281672202124

Oaxaca, Mexico: for the love of chocolatehttp://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/oaxaca-mexico-for-th-4022

I

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Equinox at Chichen Itza

Making Tamales Zipolite, Oaxaca Mexico

Making Tamales

Soaking the corn in lime, this breaks down the hard casing so they can mash it. I heard that they discouraged this step in Nicaragua for some reason and the people all ended up with vitamin deficiencies.  If it's not broke, don't fix it!
Chopping the chicken, for the filling

Everyone working together, it's a big job!!

Making Tamales- putting the masa(?) in the soaked corn husk


Muchas Gracias Amigos por letting me tomo photos y videos. Thank you so much, my friends for letting me share this wonderful experience. I miss you all so much.
Besos,
Angel y Tina (Adventurez in Mexico)

















It was wonderful to share this experience and the tamales were delicious.

El Mercado San Cristobal Las Casas 2000

Frijoles
Onions


Zahnorias

Green BeanZ!
Photos by Tina Winterlik

Beautiful Women - San Cristobal 2000



Photo by Tina Winterlik
Hermosa Mujeres!!              Beautiful Women!



by Tina Winterlik