Cannot believe it – it was so freaking cold in here this a.m. had to turn on the heater. Then I noticed we’d left the driver’s side window open. Dah. But it is much cooler here at 5000 feet.
Well it is Monday and we’re in Guadalajara at the same campground we stayed in last year. Only this year we managed to get in the front sites that has 30amps. So we can actually run the microwave and make coffee at the same time. And we have cell phone service. We have internet for 100Pesos for both laptops for three days. We are pulling off of the dish of a Texan who makes extra money that way while traveling here. Oh well – better than not having it. Which is good ‘cause I can’t get ours to work yet. Still have to call the satellite dish people. One frustration at a time. Talked to Hughes.Net and finally got so frustrated I hung up on them. I’m sorry but the accent of the person I was talking to was so bad I couldn’t understand a thing and he couldn’t understand me. Had to have told him six or seven times that the set up was on a motorhome and that we were in Mexico. When he told me he was going to send a technician to the house in Indiana – I blew it. To make the story short – he claims there is nothing wrong with the Hughes.Net connection it must be the dish. Fine – GOODBYE!
The drive from Lo de Marcos to here was a long 164 miles. I really don’t like it when we take Mexico 200 up the mountains towards the toll road. All steep grades and many hairpin turns. At least it was Sunday and there weren’t so many trucks on the road. Then the toll road into Guadalajara – another US$50. Once into Guadalajara we got on the Periferico (the ring road and this time I didn’t miss it) then on to the road south to the campground. Found it with no problems but the road into it is still narrow cobblestones with BIG trees almost in the middle of it.
Got settled in and went across the road to Applebee’s for lunch. Then to Wal*Mart still looking for an electric razor for Bill. We’ve about decided that the men here don’t use them. To get back to the campground we had to drive 3.5 miles east into Guadalajara – back under the Periferico we came in on and further up the road to find a way to cross the road so we could go west to the campground. All the streets that used to cross it are not blocked off with cement pillars. Go figure.
About our visit to Ajijic and with Jeff later.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Huichol Beaded Art
In our trips to PV we’ve discovered there are four places that sell the Huichol beaded and thread art. Every time we go there we go in them and drool. Such magnificent work they do. The cactus is about three feet high.
This animal is about 24 inches high.
A close up of the bead work.
The beads are placed one by one in bees wax that has been spread on a ceramic or paper Mache form. They demonstrated by putting some wax on my finger nail and adding the beads –
took about 30 seconds for him to finish. Notice the outfit.
We asked and he told us it took his wife about six months to embroider the shirt – about a year to finish one outfit – including pants and belt. In this picture he is working on an iguana.
Earlier he had been working on a small horse - partly done
You can see the strings of beads behind it.
He puts the beads on pins to hold them so he can press them into the wax.
The designs on the figures are all symbolic designs. Part of their religion. Most of them start with a peyote bloom. They use the plant in their celebrations. It is very hard to find and grows up in the mountains of Mexico – a baby plant.
Bill has spent quite a bit of time talking to the Huichols who are doing the work. And they’ve explained to him how it is done. So – guess what the next hobby will be? One of the Huichol men offered to take us to the place where they buy their supplies. Walking over there.
The store.
So we are now the proud owners of pounds of beeswax,
many, many strings of perfectly sized beads of many colors and several forms to place them on.
Both the men and the women work with the beads – they also make exquisite jewelry.
I got a Day of the Dead doll – with beaded skirt and sombrero – she’s about 10 inches high.
A close up of her head and hat
This animal is about 24 inches high.
A close up of the bead work.
The beads are placed one by one in bees wax that has been spread on a ceramic or paper Mache form. They demonstrated by putting some wax on my finger nail and adding the beads –
took about 30 seconds for him to finish. Notice the outfit.
We asked and he told us it took his wife about six months to embroider the shirt – about a year to finish one outfit – including pants and belt. In this picture he is working on an iguana.
Earlier he had been working on a small horse - partly done You can see the strings of beads behind it.
He puts the beads on pins to hold them so he can press them into the wax.
The designs on the figures are all symbolic designs. Part of their religion. Most of them start with a peyote bloom. They use the plant in their celebrations. It is very hard to find and grows up in the mountains of Mexico – a baby plant.
Bill has spent quite a bit of time talking to the Huichols who are doing the work. And they’ve explained to him how it is done. So – guess what the next hobby will be? One of the Huichol men offered to take us to the place where they buy their supplies. Walking over there.
The store.
So we are now the proud owners of pounds of beeswax,
many, many strings of perfectly sized beads of many colors and several forms to place them on.
Both the men and the women work with the beads – they also make exquisite jewelry.
I got a Day of the Dead doll – with beaded skirt and sombrero – she’s about 10 inches high.
A close up of her head and hat
Going to post this now -We are probably leaving Lo de Marcos tomorrow (but not sure) If we do we will probably be without Internet for a while (unless I can get ahold of tech support and get it fixed - ha ha) So will write more when I get a chance.
This is my 2nd post today so keep scrolling down for the other.
Remembering - 32 years ago today
Before I write any more I wanted to share this - 32 years ago today we were in Mexico City. Today is "The Day of the Army" well it was then too and we had quite an adventure - check it out - http://www.movingon1.com/mexicocity2.html#army
Just some more ramblings about Puerto Vallarta
100 days on the road today. Both Thursday and Friday we drove into PV. Thursday a.m. was beautiful. Bright blue sky, sunshine and not too hot. Off we went to get some more beeswax and colors of beads that we didn’t get before. Parked in the underground parking we’ve discovered. Keeps Willie from getting so blasted hot inside – and it is always almost empty. Guess people use taxies and buses to get around instead of cars. There was another cruise ship in – so again lots of tourists out and about. Seems like every other store is selling, time shares – tequila or Cuban Cigars. I talked about the guys trying to pull you in – here they are just waiting.
As we walked along we passed the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant – couldn’t resist this picture of “Bubba Driver.”
This time we walked around the main plaza. From it you can see the big church – I find the tower very interesting – it is a copy of the crown of Queen Victoria – Hum?
Also found a nice stained glass window
and the ever present shoe shine people.
Some of the buildings we passed – this hotel has been in operation since 1948 – before PV was “discovered.”
Some of the stores – purses for sale –
silver stuff for sale – what I want a silver colored Mickey Mouse – oh yah.
And a walking store – want to buy a hat?
Puerto Vallarta is very narrow along the Malecón only a few blocks are level then things start going up steep hills.
On MX200 just outside of town the underpasses are getting painted – find the colors interesting.
Later more about the Huichol beaded art - love it.
Just some more ramblings about Puerto Vallarta
100 days on the road today. Both Thursday and Friday we drove into PV. Thursday a.m. was beautiful. Bright blue sky, sunshine and not too hot. Off we went to get some more beeswax and colors of beads that we didn’t get before. Parked in the underground parking we’ve discovered. Keeps Willie from getting so blasted hot inside – and it is always almost empty. Guess people use taxies and buses to get around instead of cars. There was another cruise ship in – so again lots of tourists out and about. Seems like every other store is selling, time shares – tequila or Cuban Cigars. I talked about the guys trying to pull you in – here they are just waiting.
As we walked along we passed the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant – couldn’t resist this picture of “Bubba Driver.”
This time we walked around the main plaza. From it you can see the big church – I find the tower very interesting – it is a copy of the crown of Queen Victoria – Hum?
Also found a nice stained glass window
and the ever present shoe shine people.
Some of the buildings we passed – this hotel has been in operation since 1948 – before PV was “discovered.”
Some of the stores – purses for sale –
silver stuff for sale – what I want a silver colored Mickey Mouse – oh yah.
And a walking store – want to buy a hat?
Puerto Vallarta is very narrow along the Malecón only a few blocks are level then things start going up steep hills.
On MX200 just outside of town the underpasses are getting painted – find the colors interesting.
Later more about the Huichol beaded art - love it.
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