tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197843122024-03-06T22:50:57.199-08:00Secret GardenKim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.comBlogger454125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-5280285274652525152017-12-24T18:36:00.001-08:002017-12-24T18:36:41.545-08:00<i><b><span style="color: red;">HAPPY HOLIDAYS DEAR ONES,</span></b></i><br />
Wishing you joy-filled holidays, good health, and especially Peace On Earth for us all this year. Of course 2017 has been a mix of the great and the terrible. For us, the big deal was moving out of our old Walnut house (me after 44 years) and moving into our delightful new home, the remodeled studio in the back yard. It is 800 square feet, and everything we have dreamed of in a small home (yes, we downsized for 2 years to make it work!). The photos below show the living room, kitchen, loft, and exterior.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYDkXZmk-DA1CUUh6UAdidElVxlJ2GzsYskmR2Qt-ahDUCxxjw0OH7kb4FBulkXk3WdXVKysQK9RA3-pBzhu2nq0U8OOWNfcf4B_xQnZ4udLbvUkry7xLAKIvhLGPqFoUxDZj/s1600/IMG_2640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYDkXZmk-DA1CUUh6UAdidElVxlJ2GzsYskmR2Qt-ahDUCxxjw0OH7kb4FBulkXk3WdXVKysQK9RA3-pBzhu2nq0U8OOWNfcf4B_xQnZ4udLbvUkry7xLAKIvhLGPqFoUxDZj/s320/IMG_2640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdaaRPEywGpYz9cx891bMbQVnydwBaBsKjheef9Yb7bqYRpLmcOu2WnVEjAGFadx4bqvmrUeCBB28pmGOmwl0caX9DRiAqnl-PRiWVZvk-DVdZ2YRIEanoYxGA0ho9c6USIyK/s1600/IMG_2643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdaaRPEywGpYz9cx891bMbQVnydwBaBsKjheef9Yb7bqYRpLmcOu2WnVEjAGFadx4bqvmrUeCBB28pmGOmwl0caX9DRiAqnl-PRiWVZvk-DVdZ2YRIEanoYxGA0ho9c6USIyK/s320/IMG_2643.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The other great joy of 2017 has been the family. Our grandchildren are now 2.5 (Addie), 5.5 (Elliette) and 9.5 (Desmond). We have delighted in watching them grow up and try out new things and reveal who they will be as they develop their own interests and personalities. We have also had special times with my 3 "kids", Annie, Tommy, Phil (and Megan). Photos below show: Desmond with his soccer trophy, Annie and Tommy holding Addie, Phil and Megan with the 3 grandchildren, Addie at the "kissing" porthole in her preschool, where parents say goodbye, Elliette dancing in blue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBxuy86LLDArtmSM5F4SW4dYRxw_n_ruOEkAogTPgIa4ABjJ7A5GiMQKEvNE3hRFAhEi8WKvKODhfM5M-JVfoA0eWuKuPOk-1Ob0Xemwk8NjpL-yKaEf7wW2NVZherDuf_d13/s1600/23376600_1682055521824843_543144574816244275_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBxuy86LLDArtmSM5F4SW4dYRxw_n_ruOEkAogTPgIa4ABjJ7A5GiMQKEvNE3hRFAhEi8WKvKODhfM5M-JVfoA0eWuKuPOk-1Ob0Xemwk8NjpL-yKaEf7wW2NVZherDuf_d13/s320/23376600_1682055521824843_543144574816244275_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgmfxt2cT3fqOFCSuxMi42-EhZBwtzwBX4IJsqgW9TBwXjLbRv1-ANijqQlYFh0y3fVsO1KniZNcGLsl5NGnvAoBOuVylr8tjOdpVEh_BYMa6FxCGU26F0m3Zy1eneAfuHKkw/s1600/IMG_3374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgmfxt2cT3fqOFCSuxMi42-EhZBwtzwBX4IJsqgW9TBwXjLbRv1-ANijqQlYFh0y3fVsO1KniZNcGLsl5NGnvAoBOuVylr8tjOdpVEh_BYMa6FxCGU26F0m3Zy1eneAfuHKkw/s320/IMG_3374.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Daniella & I celebrated 25 very happy years together. In this photo, we are watching Desmond play baseball, with Elliette and Addie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTtIM-cX80msshr5ANqcHl2vRefW3V-0bJ-SybRZs1hG0Tko-dtKOy829TROz5nE1qyiO5DL1b7PF4tMxLE4tPioIrVqxf_Oc1y_y_PNlBMBGLyqOQPaYPqsiyAc_4_gO1UF8/s1600/IMG_0967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTtIM-cX80msshr5ANqcHl2vRefW3V-0bJ-SybRZs1hG0Tko-dtKOy829TROz5nE1qyiO5DL1b7PF4tMxLE4tPioIrVqxf_Oc1y_y_PNlBMBGLyqOQPaYPqsiyAc_4_gO1UF8/s320/IMG_0967.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTComQ8WxKLeIitP2SZ0GgHt_DduV6JTE71vtIc8ud9RVktHXNLXah3BxkjUCj5tC1xJIxHpz6PftrFsRgM-8SzhbN3H2U_KU_ZM3wAnvuVPTDLnlIlRXSuQvHjO8hgO8NARwT/s1600/laili+dindin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTComQ8WxKLeIitP2SZ0GgHt_DduV6JTE71vtIc8ud9RVktHXNLXah3BxkjUCj5tC1xJIxHpz6PftrFsRgM-8SzhbN3H2U_KU_ZM3wAnvuVPTDLnlIlRXSuQvHjO8hgO8NARwT/s320/laili+dindin.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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While we have many days of total despair about the US political scene, we also hold tight to the vision of a more compassionate, generous, kind world, one where differences are celebrated and helping others is the most natural behavior for everyone. We can dream! In that spirit, we reach out to you, dear friends and family, with our love and our gratitude that you are part of our community of best pals! Let's all keep our lights shining in the months ahead!</div>
Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-68592799161450563492016-01-28T10:19:00.001-08:002016-01-28T10:19:00.703-08:00Mexico - last day<br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEzECz9bX12eaDclq8IIa-Q6BWE1VgSb37DrCHnQnUJ-N-RRNdHOBnm7NRrOMHbUaXNnCOXkug2YhZiOYDxU59_daVprOWaYcg0g0rO3xVHOkUyQG2FzXnnMosq4VgsEHAfiX/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEzECz9bX12eaDclq8IIa-Q6BWE1VgSb37DrCHnQnUJ-N-RRNdHOBnm7NRrOMHbUaXNnCOXkug2YhZiOYDxU59_daVprOWaYcg0g0rO3xVHOkUyQG2FzXnnMosq4VgsEHAfiX/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Sitting in the lobby of the Hermosillo Hilton, waiting for an airport shuttle on the first leg of our journey home today. I've gotten hopelessly behind with my intention of writing a daily blog post. First, we've been having too much fun to stop and write about it. Irregular wifi also was a factor. But I can't leave here without a few words about how great it has been. <br /><br />Mexico is a lovely country, and it's people are charming and friendly. All of us on this journey agree that we felt completely safe here, even out walking alone at night in the middle of huge celebrations or on quiet back streets. We never had a moment of doubt about our safety.<br /><br />Mexico is extravagantly colorful, artistic, playful and celebratory. There is always a fiesta happening or about to happen. We had so many days of complete surprise and delight. Just when we thought "it couldn't get any better than this", the next day raised the bar again! We had great food, dazzling river cruises, visits to many villages, and time to explore deeply the many fine parts of Chiapas. <br /><br />A lot of this is directly attributable to the outstanding preparation and knowledge of Betsy McNair, our fearless leader. She has such a zest for helping us fall in love with Mexico, as she has for so many others for the last 20 years. Her commitment to our enjoyment just shines through every moment. I can't recommend <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mymexicotours.com">My Mexico Tours</a> highly enough. We want to come back and bring friends and family to share in the fun and the pleasure and joy. <br /><br />Now we are ready to come home, tired, but eager to be back in the saddles of "real life" again. But we are so grateful for these two excellent weeks in this bright world!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDsFndfZwkjb1ozw73F29tQBtT-HhbXiPjG1Jv_vhlHhBai38How4pIB3XQfyn9-V9-ID3tc_EsZWOBkNV3uJ9-Kq4I8NltqWCPlZMbsZ40Typfq1D0s3b99OqTGfOrKo895v/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDsFndfZwkjb1ozw73F29tQBtT-HhbXiPjG1Jv_vhlHhBai38How4pIB3XQfyn9-V9-ID3tc_EsZWOBkNV3uJ9-Kq4I8NltqWCPlZMbsZ40Typfq1D0s3b99OqTGfOrKo895v/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Calle%20La%20Palma,Centro,Mexico%4017.976436%2C-92.816305&z=10'>Calle La Palma,Centro,Mexico</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-23137819953799262532016-01-24T06:22:00.001-08:002016-01-24T06:22:44.972-08:00Ai Caramba, Two More Festivals!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy5YWdca93elP-oLIRcuvbwH-8IvX6Wsjqc2b71YJ8C7ttWz4w_69k_ZldJ1UeCOiEJ0eBFbNlIBRr9aRczq3Y9uYN3fHXYQR9NfS85w3BqaM04a__mFq8CXz0TeeAlnMiJWh/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy5YWdca93elP-oLIRcuvbwH-8IvX6Wsjqc2b71YJ8C7ttWz4w_69k_ZldJ1UeCOiEJ0eBFbNlIBRr9aRczq3Y9uYN3fHXYQR9NfS85w3BqaM04a__mFq8CXz0TeeAlnMiJWh/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='236' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I could write for a week and fail to capture the full, joyful, colorful, mysterious, ancient, inscrutable mind-blowingness of this day. Two festivals, two villages, and words just can't begin to take you there. <br /><br />In the first, back at Chamula, the action was out in the plaza in front of the little church we visited a few days ago, the one with the incense, pine needles, and endless candles. Costumes, fireworks, a little band playing, all of us drinking whiskey, the saints removed from their glass cases and paraded on palenques around the square (to show them how happy the people are). Of course no photos allowed on threat of going to jail, but it was raucous. <br /><br />Then onto Zinacandan, where we arrived to a village with tens of thousands of villagers dressed in brocaded pink and red and purple flowered clothing. Men and women and children dress up this way. I have already posted numerous photos on Facebook from this day. Our mouthed were agape all day. Our brains were short/circuiting from so much visual stimulation. And this was even before the parade of clowns, the endless, ear/shattering fireworks, and the stuffed squirrel toss by the jaguar-costumed men who climbed the tree and threw taxidermied animals at each other. <br /><br />All we can say is that so far <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mymexicotours.com">My Mexico Tours</a> has provided day after day of extraordinary, and we've only been out a week!thanks Betsy (Pepsi)!<br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-50413884926764252442016-01-23T16:42:00.001-08:002016-01-23T16:42:43.944-08:00Orchids and MoreTuesday's highlights included a morning exploring an orchid rescue garden (www.orchidsmexico.com)<br />run by a charming ex-pat named Cisco, an escapee from Hollywood! Here were zillions of exotic plants that he has brought in from nearby highlands to save them from clear-cutting. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cnq_ZZ8e-oA/VqQdOuEKV3I/AAAAAAAAG10/GzyeCyGU9NY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cnq_ZZ8e-oA/VqQdOuEKV3I/AAAAAAAAG10/GzyeCyGU9NY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dbZnor0xbbI/VqQdlquyfUI/AAAAAAAAG18/826PEbe-ri0/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dbZnor0xbbI/VqQdlquyfUI/AAAAAAAAG18/826PEbe-ri0/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Then we visited a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallerlenateros.com/ingles/index_ing.php">paper making studio </a>where we were watched their entire paper-to-print process. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZDseUiFC7kPGqmWe1A7rUIwIwSUeDHSQhnVqZe70fxqvfw9lcpzwlnH6mmTZ8TPfq8xYPegF6fYHz2Ev_quNgT0N07fdP0RCz8aibfEArubjuyTCVmdcXvPlhSHyPaCZuGVX/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZDseUiFC7kPGqmWe1A7rUIwIwSUeDHSQhnVqZe70fxqvfw9lcpzwlnH6mmTZ8TPfq8xYPegF6fYHz2Ev_quNgT0N07fdP0RCz8aibfEArubjuyTCVmdcXvPlhSHyPaCZuGVX/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Later we visited a small contemporary art gallery and met one of the indigenous artists, Maestro Antún Kojtom.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBpndvFUEVEsf5sRA33W3wKAngaa4ibfyHngz-l4PzENTPPiwpVgwLAX6-v-iH8LI05zGSW6JlW0qX5qwgIDj-_q3IXp4OI2Tx9TmCrH8AbYI-6rHO58MsFXOLsDPuSeS-iYD/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBpndvFUEVEsf5sRA33W3wKAngaa4ibfyHngz-l4PzENTPPiwpVgwLAX6-v-iH8LI05zGSW6JlW0qX5qwgIDj-_q3IXp4OI2Tx9TmCrH8AbYI-6rHO58MsFXOLsDPuSeS-iYD/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-22386619369579520762016-01-23T14:23:00.001-08:002016-01-23T14:23:13.931-08:00A Little Catching Up. I'm way behind with keeping up on this blog. There are two reasons: we have been very busy, and the internet connections have been slow and spotty. At night I wake up and think about all the great things we have done each day and how much I want to write about them, and then we get up and it is off to the races again. In the evenings, the Internet is at its worst, and so nothing happens! I'll try to catch up a little, but briefly. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xffxRHHNwug/VqP8SMJuYDI/AAAAAAAAG0k/QleFx31xr1c/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xffxRHHNwug/VqP8SMJuYDI/AAAAAAAAG0k/QleFx31xr1c/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='175' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Monday, we spent a day exploring San Cris on foot, with a remarkable guide, Gabriela Gudino. She as so well versed in the language, architecture, history, culture, and everything else about Chiapas it was a fascinating day with beautiful walks around the city. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kC35sxQh0Tc/VqP8dLr4wCI/AAAAAAAAG0s/tg6Zh1Qjack/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kC35sxQh0Tc/VqP8dLr4wCI/AAAAAAAAG0s/tg6Zh1Qjack/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We saw a lot of public art work by CarlosJurado Delmar, Painter. 1996. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yypUHfcHXq4/VqP8n0cYljI/AAAAAAAAG00/8GxAejcOvo8/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yypUHfcHXq4/VqP8n0cYljI/AAAAAAAAG00/8GxAejcOvo8/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO8Wg4htLummdPXFBdTKg2UgOVLdKmZlgCPPx8el2xschN81DrU5hqstD9hvc07JjdmsGGMP2bNc-AbSDreyMz8KjfatiDVRgwreHGUFz4DQrmHBCrn-q7cOK_qFeHuLrqIcV/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO8Wg4htLummdPXFBdTKg2UgOVLdKmZlgCPPx8el2xschN81DrU5hqstD9hvc07JjdmsGGMP2bNc-AbSDreyMz8KjfatiDVRgwreHGUFz4DQrmHBCrn-q7cOK_qFeHuLrqIcV/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='232' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm the evening we visited <a target="_blank" href="http://www.yokchil.org">Sergio Castro,</a> a local legend. He has a private museum of all the regional costumes and artifacts of Chiapas. In addition he provides free medical care to anyone who needs it. He travels to remote villages in the daytime, and then holds a free open clinic in the late afternoons. He is a completely charismatic person and attracts a powerful legion of supporters and admirers.<br /><br />We punctuated the day with a world-class lunch at LUM in Hotel Bo. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd-eCL2fwvT5j-Us1xrYtHhzKI4XRBN347cyyJk9W8WcIWBe0kRtfJoZ66JufkhDcWWkhDrLx2wVcjL_LmxamXXk5nBpLgQhc48xralGIRKlOpc5Zu0-ZxOxmxYg0yGVoyIs_/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd-eCL2fwvT5j-Us1xrYtHhzKI4XRBN347cyyJk9W8WcIWBe0kRtfJoZ66JufkhDcWWkhDrLx2wVcjL_LmxamXXk5nBpLgQhc48xralGIRKlOpc5Zu0-ZxOxmxYg0yGVoyIs_/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Sent from my iPad using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=San%20Cristobal%20de%20las%20Casas%4016.737064%2C-92.637654&z=10'>San Cristobal de las Casas</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-77345186887640446262016-01-20T04:53:00.001-08:002016-01-20T04:53:15.030-08:00Two Villages -part 2Oops, it was Sunday that we visited these villages, not Monday. Time is kind of a blur in this dreamy world we are experiencing. I forgot that we visited the church in San Andres that morning. We entered the church and noticed that the front vestibule was full of homemade fireworks contraptions. These were constructions made of branches in the shape of framed buildings. All over them were small packets of newspaper tied into dumplings full of gunpowder, so that they looked like art installations of a framework festooned with paper bundles. The church was packed with people, many of them nursing mothers. Then there were a series of huge explosions that sounded as if the church vestibule was being blown up. But no, it was just the fireworks being set off just outside the entry door. The noise was deafening, but the many babies who were in the arms of their mamas hardly made a whimper. <br /><br />We spent all afternoon in San Juan Chamula, a magical place in every way. Here photos are strictly forbidden, so I downloaded these first two from the Internet. I'll try to describe it with words. As it happened, Sunday was a festival of San Sebastián. We arrived at the town square to find it full of celebrants about to hoist a huge flower garland into the arch of this beautiful little church. It was a arch made of pine boughs, with "viva San Sebastian" woven from white carnations across the archway. The villagers pulled it up with ropes as we watched, and then a small band played and people chanted. In this village everyone wears garments made of sheep wool - black for women and white for men. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sudmiHa86AA/Vp-DBEu7ofI/AAAAAAAAG0A/xelvyn5bpuc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sudmiHa86AA/Vp-DBEu7ofI/AAAAAAAAG0A/xelvyn5bpuc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='240' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We went around the crowd and entered the church quietly from the side. The inside of the church was breath-taking. Clouds of incense smoke filled the room. The walls were lined all the way to the altar with huge bouquets of fresh flowers. There were no pews, but literally hundreds of burning candles were flickering everywhere along the sides of the room. Fresh pine needles were scattered on the floor about 4 inches deep. The combined fragrances of flowers,incense and pine needles were overwhelming. <br /><br />Life-sized, white-skinned statues of various saints were displayed in glass cases behind all the candles and flowers. On the floor of the church sat a few very brown-skinned Chamulans with babies, small children, and each had a shamanic healer. They had lots of healing paraphernalia such as eggs, bottles of Coke, live and newly dead chickens (apparently killed right there as part of the healing ritual). Small candles were fastened to the stone floors and burned like fierce forests of light around each supplicant group. The people were murmuring prayers and seemed to be in a trance. Otherwise the church was empty since most people were out on the square celebrating. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTTPAr_sRZQ9klmQHsH4zKdPSNwmzzZpjjmiTRegGUKuseApkP4uLD0X1kZlvZHfBNu9d8RWjcsjdcdjejhDvvieZ4GdRYBGQtetVqknWziTTsxDjyiBtRC-cn_1PMICi6w96/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTTPAr_sRZQ9klmQHsH4zKdPSNwmzzZpjjmiTRegGUKuseApkP4uLD0X1kZlvZHfBNu9d8RWjcsjdcdjejhDvvieZ4GdRYBGQtetVqknWziTTsxDjyiBtRC-cn_1PMICi6w96/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It was very emotional, spiritual, magical. Apparently the Church tolerates these practices, and there are seldom any priests around. I wished for my camera, but was also glad not to have it so I could immerse myself in the moment. <br /><br />Then there were a series of huge explosions that sounded as if the church vestibule was being blown up. But no, it was just the fireworks being set off just outside the entry door. The noise was deafening, but the many babies who were in the arms of their mamas hardly made a whimper. <br /><br />After we left we made our way through the market stalls lining the streets outside, to "make shopping". The photo below shows Betsy buying a black wool shawl from a Chamula woman wearing a matching black wool skirt, the traditional outfit. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1MCj5w9iGA8/Vp-DNqaaOxI/AAAAAAAAG0I/3kPfABpkamE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1MCj5w9iGA8/Vp-DNqaaOxI/AAAAAAAAG0I/3kPfABpkamE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Later in the evening we went to a Zapatista cafe for a light supper. I ordered something random called a "fundita" made with cheese from Chihuahua. It turned out to be fondue, delicious, creamy good. But Judy and I started laughing at the notion of how many little chihuahuas it must have taken to get that bowl of cheese. We got pretty silly and I was reminded of traveling together in Korea when we could not stop laughing. Missed you, Wendy!<br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Calle%20Profesora%20Mar%C3%ADa%20Adelina%20Flores,San%20Crist%C3%B3bal%20de%20las%20Casas,Mexico%4016.737938%2C-92.636367&z=10'>Calle Profesora María Adelina Flores,San Cristóbal de las Casas,Mexico</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-37426149341040733202016-01-19T07:34:00.001-08:002016-01-19T07:34:03.693-08:00Two Villages -Part 1On Monday we took a little road trip to two villages in the hills surrounding San Cristobal. This region is home to many indigenous groups. they speak four different languages, and many do not speak Spanish. Each group dresses in a unique style and creates textiles accordingly. They have some affiliation with either Catholic or evangelical Christianity, but it takes a unique format where mysticism, shamanic healing, and indigenous forms of worship are practiced inside the churches. All day we were in these villages, but with a few exceptions were not allowed to photograph anything because of a deeply held belief that taking a photograph steals a piece of the spirit of the person/building/animal/tree/street. So my photos today reflect that. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-56K9N9djBfs/Vp5WU8uXQUI/AAAAAAAAGyc/A2SXe9m71-w/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-56K9N9djBfs/Vp5WU8uXQUI/AAAAAAAAGyc/A2SXe9m71-w/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Our first stop was San Andres, where we walked up this street for several blocks to visit the home of a family of weavers. (Illegal photo). <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fy6lIaqmNgI/Vp5WibZATmI/AAAAAAAAGyk/63JT_DZDkag/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fy6lIaqmNgI/Vp5WibZATmI/AAAAAAAAGyk/63JT_DZDkag/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='260' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The weavers make their own natural dyes from a variety of plants they demonstrated. They use a blackstrap loom, meaning that the weaver has a tight harness around her back to keep the loom taut. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mX0RgjHz-KU/Vp5WzQV7gxI/AAAAAAAAGys/sGDO87SlTuo/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mX0RgjHz-KU/Vp5WzQV7gxI/AAAAAAAAGys/sGDO87SlTuo/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='1600' height='1600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />They make a variety of textiles such as the gorgeous ones shown here, and the ones they are wearing. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lVxYxnCUAYw/Vp5XE7CbWcI/AAAAAAAAGy0/xIuipNSMtNE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lVxYxnCUAYw/Vp5XE7CbWcI/AAAAAAAAGy0/xIuipNSMtNE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='227' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Here is a dye pot producing purple yarn. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SILz82oVFH2FGHo18IR9zHRUVAbfdO6SeTDc1Zws-j8LzkTH-nuySYnpA7KkGey58RIiCTSBxOo2qDwWzl8-vDx5-To-3lRzgMAAWvBf9sm_5XCydndA65IEZiJTD_Xb0UaY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SILz82oVFH2FGHo18IR9zHRUVAbfdO6SeTDc1Zws-j8LzkTH-nuySYnpA7KkGey58RIiCTSBxOo2qDwWzl8-vDx5-To-3lRzgMAAWvBf9sm_5XCydndA65IEZiJTD_Xb0UaY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='201' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Daniella and Judy soaked it in. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TxQl_Qzs5NU/Vp5XaL_eMKI/AAAAAAAAGzE/q9xLN4-lCM0/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TxQl_Qzs5NU/Vp5XaL_eMKI/AAAAAAAAGzE/q9xLN4-lCM0/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='252' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This is Carol Karasik, our guide for the day, and author of a well-known book in the textiles of Chiapas. All these photos taken with permission!<br /><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Calle%20Real%20de%20Guadalupe,San%20Crist%C3%B3bal%20de%20las%20Casas,Mexico%4016.737658%2C-92.636150&z=10'>Calle Real de Guadalupe,San Cristóbal de las Casas,Mexico</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-36492587852083331692016-01-18T06:12:00.001-08:002016-01-18T06:12:34.348-08:00One more festival and then moving on. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mltYzH02qGE/VpzyE5U1eVI/AAAAAAAAGxs/HLdMIVTi3oQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mltYzH02qGE/VpzyE5U1eVI/AAAAAAAAGxs/HLdMIVTi3oQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />First thing on Saturday we visited a laquer-making family and learned all about how the famous Mexican laquer-ware is made, by hand. Our hostess went through the whole process, rubbing layer after layer onto the gourd. She starts with white powdered clay, and used a grease made from boiled insects to attach each layer. After 3 layers each, she then adds powdered charcoal to the mix. Each time she polishes vigorously with cotton to get the luster. Finally they paint designs -she used her hand as a palate!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Slb2UrfJU9Q/VpzyPC-mxcI/AAAAAAAAGx0/qqojK0tPR3M/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Slb2UrfJU9Q/VpzyPC-mxcI/AAAAAAAAGx0/qqojK0tPR3M/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Oh yes, it was also just another festival day in Chiapas (this continues until January 22). This one was called the Tuxlateros and on this day the men dress all in white, with straw hats and red embroidered sashes. The women dress in fancy white blouses, black and white checked long skirts, and black and white headdresses. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BWYly1Yh56WAYNpUKBUb5brloLwYHDmfo-F8mRfx0uAQsiE8u8oJjUC6SwFyPlrJkSv5cU2qouiN1ic-pB9fre3we8wl9JmrYQjFLXAr5VasOxDX5aQBLp-YkfSYkHQW9BO4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BWYly1Yh56WAYNpUKBUb5brloLwYHDmfo-F8mRfx0uAQsiE8u8oJjUC6SwFyPlrJkSv5cU2qouiN1ic-pB9fre3we8wl9JmrYQjFLXAr5VasOxDX5aQBLp-YkfSYkHQW9BO4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I never understood the significance of any of it, but how we experienced it was by going to a wealthy private home. The hosts were throwing an enormous party, with an enormous shrine honoring the recently deceased mother-in-law, many beautifully turned out guests, music, and generous helpings of pozole. Their version was served cold in painted gourd bowls. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQtZ4G-nL-8/VpzykHZumpI/AAAAAAAAGyE/QlAoBX-BjKQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQtZ4G-nL-8/VpzykHZumpI/AAAAAAAAGyE/QlAoBX-BjKQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Out in the street, swarms of people were filling a painted wooden cart with fresh fruit, and tying festoons of pineapples onto the sides. Soon the entire town was once Again swarming through the streets, heading on a route that would stop at all the churches to drop off fruit, load up more fruit, etc. Who knows why, but this day felt more sober and subdued than the previous day's have been. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wPgCJhAuzNM/VpzyzffmKgI/AAAAAAAAGyM/JFknixZb9Tg/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wPgCJhAuzNM/VpzyzffmKgI/AAAAAAAAGyM/JFknixZb9Tg/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We eventually broke off and went to the town food market, which was small and indoors, but had many varieties of food that we were unfamiliar with. I drank something new, tescalate, that I liked a lot. It is bright orange and includes corn, chocolate, and annato seeds, among many other ingredients. <br /><br />It was hot, so we went back to the hotel and dangled our feet in the pool and drank a margarita to cool down. At 3 pm we left Chiapas da Corso and drove up into the mountains to San Cristobal, where we will spend a week. It's a high altitude Colonial town, a whole new world. More soon on that. <br /><br />Pretty quickly we went to a place called Na Bolom (House of the Jaguar) to spend an evening. This is a guest house, cultural center, restaurant, research facility, and museum founded in 1951 by Danish archaeologist/explorer Franz Blom and his wife, the Swiss photographer and conservationist, Gertrude Duby. Here we were treated to many rooms full of artifacts from early indigenous cultures throughout the region, and tons of photos of early days in Chiapas. There was a talk on Mayan textiles and so much more, much of the evening in an elegant huge library with roaring fire in the fireplace (it's cold up here in the mountains). <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Calle%20Flavio%20A.%20Paniagua,San%20Crist%C3%B3bal%20de%20las%20Casas,Mexico%4016.738649%2C-92.636366&z=10'>Calle Flavio A. Paniagua,San Cristóbal de las Casas,Mexico</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-38002136102324981512016-01-17T05:12:00.001-08:002016-01-17T05:12:46.001-08:00First Day in Chiapas<br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw3gKngF7zLZNBNWL0O4tczQ1wqEc1e6pwmGs2FKQtmONTlOaKNLO0umuWNt5JSQMB-9eVHcFs3rSnYo8EVVO9h63EVm1wMk4xR-r49bXHfVa3yVnU9FPEgDxC0JXicVkXMoz/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw3gKngF7zLZNBNWL0O4tczQ1wqEc1e6pwmGs2FKQtmONTlOaKNLO0umuWNt5JSQMB-9eVHcFs3rSnYo8EVVO9h63EVm1wMk4xR-r49bXHfVa3yVnU9FPEgDxC0JXicVkXMoz/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Our first day here. Bad night's sleep, pretty wiped out. Nonetheless, couldn't resist going right out for a walk around town to see what's here. Everyone is getting ready for the ongoing fiesta that goes on here for the next 10 days or so. The streets were full of children in costume, vendors hawking colorful hand-made goods, and a high buzz of energy everywhere. Bird sounds abundant and surprisingly diverse. It's a party here, for sure!<br /><br />Back to the hotel for breakfast, fresh papaya, pineapple and watermelon, yogurt, fabulous spicy hot chocolate (I'm in big trouble here!). Then the main course, a huge variety of choices. I ate chilaquiles, kind of like nachos in green chile sauce, topped by two eggs with yolks the color of tangerines. It was very filling and yummy. I was also scoping out what to order tomorrow morning. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHuplac_h3ccJYyrIaPaM9SMuajHHdp1Ub0qRISiIFOYkQGSikcdvGG451CZ2OKEbiUMKCJ3VoytkPBTNux3BQLvUAKViKoJTMaiLlrdgu7Lv6GlSsMV1074FkNoEk_thtYq/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHuplac_h3ccJYyrIaPaM9SMuajHHdp1Ub0qRISiIFOYkQGSikcdvGG451CZ2OKEbiUMKCJ3VoytkPBTNux3BQLvUAKViKoJTMaiLlrdgu7Lv6GlSsMV1074FkNoEk_thtYq/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_3GFUSgjAvSmZ1NRNofapWoJ_mulDwx1LjkqLobUFOXUFW7BIk9oCCyL_e9OD_Rc0EJw7M71u9fVD5aYX17fZsE9zjKvj_DCakMv-xaUVG51sRrjh0XNrqZ9G_paOLKXgT3E/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_3GFUSgjAvSmZ1NRNofapWoJ_mulDwx1LjkqLobUFOXUFW7BIk9oCCyL_e9OD_Rc0EJw7M71u9fVD5aYX17fZsE9zjKvj_DCakMv-xaUVG51sRrjh0XNrqZ9G_paOLKXgT3E/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We spent most of the day out on the Grijalva river, going up the Sumidero canyon in a boat for just our group. We saw so many fabulous birds (egrets, herons, pelicans, cormorants, vultures, tanagers, and many more). Also probably 15 assorted crocodiles, some monkeys, iguanas, and wild, jungly landscapes growing up the cliff faces. Wild orchids and begonias were blooming and waterfalls plunged down kilometer-high cliff faces where once men, women and children (indigenous people) leaped to their deaths in numbers to avoid being captured and enslaved by the Spanish. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RwxS4X2ll1M/VpuTBV5hx5I/AAAAAAAAGw8/zHXcQkDDCoY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RwxS4X2ll1M/VpuTBV5hx5I/AAAAAAAAGw8/zHXcQkDDCoY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We stopped for ceviche and beer along the river, then returned at high speed, bumping along in our boat back to town. Having a fabulous adventure. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V6JEu_gSsi0/VpuTGf2t3TI/AAAAAAAAGxE/N1wjnVbbhHc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V6JEu_gSsi0/VpuTGf2t3TI/AAAAAAAAGxE/N1wjnVbbhHc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ILX9_Ej8c5M/VpuTNtHky3I/AAAAAAAAGxM/VYVH0HP3PvI/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ILX9_Ej8c5M/VpuTNtHky3I/AAAAAAAAGxM/VYVH0HP3PvI/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-mBzgdoyh26tb4PQVHVB_EOE5aeWTtFa_t05blHx1jW1rTIK995kd5kb1p97xvPg-JhixgTu1qZCi1atQ8Cvtbr5xz7klnk38KuOmcLd8pygXEUisSaShaS1OxKdzxfeDyfj/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-mBzgdoyh26tb4PQVHVB_EOE5aeWTtFa_t05blHx1jW1rTIK995kd5kb1p97xvPg-JhixgTu1qZCi1atQ8Cvtbr5xz7klnk38KuOmcLd8pygXEUisSaShaS1OxKdzxfeDyfj/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-87066965648400091842016-01-17T05:02:00.001-08:002016-01-17T05:02:59.430-08:00Two Days, Two Festivals<br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hgnymgag4DA/VpuQnM7zuLI/AAAAAAAAGvw/RbKjKz0M3po/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hgnymgag4DA/VpuQnM7zuLI/AAAAAAAAGvw/RbKjKz0M3po/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='250' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On Thursday night this town turned into a thronging parade of men dressed like women, heavily made up, dancing through the streets in rapture. This is an annual celebration called the Chunta parade, accompanied by reed flutes and drums. This tradition began centuries ago as a precursor to the parachico parade the next day. At that time it was thought to be improper for women to parade in the streets at night, so the men dressed as women on that holiday! It was an amazing spectacle, hundreds of burly, girly men preceded by fireworks in the streets, dancing through the town all night. They went into churches for blessings and into homes where various shrines were set up. We got separated in the crowds and I didn't see anyone from our group for hours, but I walked for many miles following the dancers and then losing them again. What a party!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bznuSm3qSw4/VpuQs-UnBAI/AAAAAAAAGv4/YMaVljAICwE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bznuSm3qSw4/VpuQs-UnBAI/AAAAAAAAGv4/YMaVljAICwE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Friday, was the next fiesta, the Parachicas. This parade was even more colorful, since everyone in town dresses up in traditional costume, even the babies. The men dance in black clothing with colorful panchos, chaps, head scarves. They wear traditional hand-carved wooden masks and sisal headdresses that look like scrubbers many of these are also festooned with ribbons. They carry gourd rattles, "chin chin", and as the drummers and flutists play, and the firecrackers explode, the Parachicas shout "viva, muchachas, viva!" The women today dress in long colorful gowns, mostly black lace with embroidered flowers. And the boy and girl children and babies are dressed accordingly. It is a flood of color and noise and joyful energy, and it will continue all day and late into the night.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPAD3eg3eh8R2hxPjfuZrYpv22YVFPD_emOHlcKx8mMBMAXMwa0pLidshtsgXLm-Ci0-SoAeVUfMi_ccoEh0OTZDxV3n6cT5H4O5tqthe2vy4J5EWgkbVXw6jOmq391_AXY4r/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPAD3eg3eh8R2hxPjfuZrYpv22YVFPD_emOHlcKx8mMBMAXMwa0pLidshtsgXLm-Ci0-SoAeVUfMi_ccoEh0OTZDxV3n6cT5H4O5tqthe2vy4J5EWgkbVXw6jOmq391_AXY4r/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We spent a couple of hours this morning visiting a traditional mask maker (age 81) who talked about his craft. Part of his centuries-old process involves polishing the painted face made from something very specific. It's a tool made from the esophagus of a bull, butchered in the night of a full moon after impregnating a cow. Something about the mix of hormones and moonlight makes this soft, satiny pouch from the esophagus, the perfect tool for this craft! Butchers all around the area supply this need for him.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8GsN2sMf3nI/VpuQ4MEhipI/AAAAAAAAGwI/4yUoM25_MLk/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8GsN2sMf3nI/VpuQ4MEhipI/AAAAAAAAGwI/4yUoM25_MLk/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />During our visit, his almost-4-year-old grandson was being dressed for the dancing, his first time, and so we got to see all that, the fitting of the headdress, and his joy when he finally got the whole outfit on and began to dance in the middle of the room. He was so excited, and by then the parades had started swarming down their street. Many dancers stopped by to pay respects to the maestro. Eventually we left and went to join the fun! <br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U-KHV7qgbmA/VpuQ7rvSrCI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/USvuGJ8AbIY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U-KHV7qgbmA/VpuQ7rvSrCI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/USvuGJ8AbIY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Parades through the streets all day and night, wild dancing (including us gringos), celebrating crowds everywhere! We went to a house where they were preparing a meal for 3000 people today. Meat from 8 cows was laid out on tables in a courtyard, and a crowd of family members was chopping up all the internal organs (Stomach, intestines, liver, etc). for a gigantic organ stew. They made us sit down and eat tamales -delicious - and nobody got sick!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TwQUNee4kxM/VpuQ__Ytr3I/AAAAAAAAGwY/Iy_lcYiKoQc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TwQUNee4kxM/VpuQ__Ytr3I/AAAAAAAAGwY/Iy_lcYiKoQc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Glorious day, maybe most colorful party ever! Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Calle%20Molino%20de%20la%20Isla,San%20Crist%C3%B3bal%20de%20las%20Casas,Mexico%4016.740583%2C-92.642802&z=10'>Calle Molino de la Isla,San Cristóbal de las Casas,Mexico</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-42627120120144318062016-01-17T04:30:00.001-08:002016-01-17T04:30:45.755-08:00Chiapa da Corso -we made it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlsAZd_bZkkPUfAYTzXAUDHwuGRjUBfxRtzlnDxxBsDphx-J70dFENivOzA1p1qPBGSS4nahS30lvJkZ1FlgwfeZ9EWJVPhKXAA6XCQVzOhv6-0FX6XryHMycBD4U78SvEyPj/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlsAZd_bZkkPUfAYTzXAUDHwuGRjUBfxRtzlnDxxBsDphx-J70dFENivOzA1p1qPBGSS4nahS30lvJkZ1FlgwfeZ9EWJVPhKXAA6XCQVzOhv6-0FX6XryHMycBD4U78SvEyPj/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We flew into Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, arriving last night at about midnight. The flight was uneventful, thankfully. The taxi ride to the hotel (about 30 minutes) was hair-raising as we raced through the night streets and along deserted highways at rocket speed. Highlights included steady tailgating until our driver could race across a double yellow line in a curve to pass the vehicles ahead of us. We peered through his fully cracked windshield and prayed to all the gods and goddesses we mostly don't believe in to deliver us safely. And we made it! Phew. Super frazzled, but there was Betsy (that would be Pepsi down here) in a blue wig with a cold pitcher of margaritas to greet us! <br /><br /><center><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCUQZnS5e4sV6-LVSDQn1fn38iZZLzu3EUaCQhpj7-gkkQBieRYtqgrfKWZ_Hd26C_cP5P_xaQBzVv1i3KVvtHAzvKI_W63c5bIXjMxmAlc0TYzeaa2tz4RZSnoSsKhuJsgzQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCUQZnS5e4sV6-LVSDQn1fn38iZZLzu3EUaCQhpj7-gkkQBieRYtqgrfKWZ_Hd26C_cP5P_xaQBzVv1i3KVvtHAzvKI_W63c5bIXjMxmAlc0TYzeaa2tz4RZSnoSsKhuJsgzQ/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='195' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Woke up this morning to see, in the daylight, our charming hotel, with tropical courtyard, exotic birds and flowers, warm air. We are indeed in a new world, in Mexico!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wk8e2YfiEY/VpuJc8lU87I/AAAAAAAAGvg/xjVZM1gaGM4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wk8e2YfiEY/VpuJc8lU87I/AAAAAAAAGvg/xjVZM1gaGM4/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Calle%20Miguel%20Negrete,Chiapa%20de%20Corzo,Mexico%4016.710465%2C-93.019525&z=10'>Calle Miguel Negrete,Chiapa de Corzo,Mexico</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-86952389449548892772014-10-15T22:00:00.001-07:002014-10-15T22:00:40.293-07:00Hamilton and then to the Airport<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/634.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_634.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/635.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_635.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />All packed and battened down. We have to return the van today at 3:30, so we have some time to enjoy our last day in NZ. First into Hamilton, for some coffee/chai, and some free community wifi, for this town is completely wired! Hallelujah! No free wifi is strong enough to post my blogs, so they are piling up and will now have to be posted from Santa Cruz. Sorry folks!<br /><br />Next stop to see the statue of Riff Raff, and it doesn't disappoint. For Hamilton is the home of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, although it is hard to imagine this lovely, normal-seeming country town giving birth to the sweet trans-sexuals of Transylvania, but then, whatever. I paid my homage to one of my favorite films.<br /><br />Today we visited the Hamilton Gardens, which have just won an international award for Best Gardens in the World or something like that. Free admission gets you into this extraordinary place where themed gardens abound. Here are some: Chinese Scholars Garden, English Flower Garden, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, American Modernist Garden, Italian Renaissance Garden, Indian Char Bagh Garden, Te Parapara Maori Garden, Kitchen Garden, Sustainable Backyard Garden, Herb Garden, Perfume Garden, Rose Garden, and so many more. They even have a gorgeous dog off-leash area and acres of rolling green lawns and woods. Again you could spend days in this city-run park, but alas we had a plane to catch. We had a superb Vietnamese lunch (Banh Mi Caphe) then raced out of Hamilton to the airport. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/636.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_636.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/637.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_637.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/638.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_638.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/639.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_639.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/640.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_640.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/641.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_641.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/642.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_642.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/643.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_643.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We bid a sad farewell to the camper van, then got to the airport only to find that our flight was going to be delayed several hours. Apparently they discovered a fuel leak, so they had to remove all the fuel from the plane, repair the leak, and then refuel. This took 4 hours, so we spent a lot of time at Auckland Airport waiting around, but also being thankful that somebody found that leak before we flew out over the Pacific! I'm writing this now in the plane after several hours sleep. We should be home soon!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/644.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_644.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='184' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Later: We Are Home!!!<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New%20Zealand&z=10'>New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-88834209061411998292014-10-15T21:54:00.001-07:002014-10-15T21:54:57.011-07:00Wanganui to HamiltonIt has taken us a few days but we finally are getting into the swing of it in NZ, now that we are nearly ready to leave. One thing we learned a bit late is that many towns like Wanganui have community free wifi in certain areas. That Tuesday morning we went to a cafe at the "i site" to browse our emails and get directions for our next destination, Hamilton. We also went into a stunning art gallery featuring the work of Liyen Chong, who spent a year in the town artist residency program (Tylee) and made exquisite pieces, such as these two where she embroidered using her own hair. They are very small and delicate.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/627.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_627.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/628.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_628.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The drive to Hamilton was, as usual, spectacular: green, green, green; winding roads between steep hills dotted with sheep and baby lambs, some so high up they looked like small white rocks up on the steep slopes. We saw a lovely waterfall, and many fabulous birds. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/629.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_629.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/630.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_630.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/631.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_631.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/632.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_632.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Driving in NZ deserves some description of its own. It is refreshing. Roads are in consistently good repair, no potholes or bad surfaces. Everything is immaculately clean. There is no roadside litter. Signage is amazing. Everything is marked clearly, every roadside picnic table indicated ( and there are many provided). People travel at moderate speeds and cheery signs remind everyone of good safe driving practices. We may have been lost a few times, but it was clearly our own doing. The signs and maps provided are comprehensive, clear, and constant. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/633.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_633.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We have seen thousands of sheep and lambs in this country. It's no wonder that every city has merino wool shops with a wide range of clothing to purchase. In the Blue Mountains in Australia we both bought merino "skins", thin wool shirts worn like long underwear, because it was cold up there. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that we both have worn them day and night ever since, with only brief breaks to launder them and put them back on again. They are fabulous for an extra layer of warmth, yet seem to keep you cool when the day warms up. They don't smell even when you have had them on for days. I've gotten kind of superstitious about my "skin", feeling safe and happy as long as I have it on! Not sure how this will work out in SC, but at least winter is ahead of us, unlike here.<br /><br />Hamilton is a big, modern town. This was our last night in our beloved camper van, and our "holiday park" was city owned and offered a wealth of great facilities. There were hot showers, laundry room, communal kitchen and dining, game rooms, kids playgrounds, places to fill your van with water and dump waste. The whole place was immaculate, quiet, and of course, green! This could really describe every one of the places we stayed. They have been uniformly great, well managed, and extremely quiet, spacious, well-thought out, and pleasant. Many are municipally run.<br /><br />We had Thai food for dinner, then went back to pack up and clean our our van, in preparation for turning it in tomorrow. Tonight we laughed for a long time when we lay in bed talking. During the last week or so I've been startled awake a few times a night by what sounded like a loud drilling sound ( think machine shop) coming from her side of the bed. I've been assuming she had developed a new and peculiarly loud snore, but haven't said anything until now. She was embarrassed, astounded, and appalled. We laughed it off comparing it to her frequent commentary on my nose hair, and threats to go after me with scissors. Yep, we both have our little physical imperfections, we said, and we laughed for a long time together. Just as we were drifting off to sleep we both heard the sound again. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrp! "Was that it?" she asked. Yes, it was, but it wasn't her after all. It was something in the camper van, perhaps a water pump or motor of some kind. More laughter, and finally to sleep.<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New%20Zealand&z=10'>New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-33939927704417704892014-10-15T21:48:00.001-07:002014-10-15T21:48:35.446-07:00Wellington, day 2 , then Wanganui<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/622.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_622.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On our second day in Wellington we visited Te Papa, the huge museum that sits on the harbor edge. Here there are exhibits of history, natural science, Maori culture, art, and so much more. You could spend days in this place and not see all of it. We decided to focus on art (surprised?) and the first gallery housed many of the prize-winning costumes made in recent years for the WOW festival. This is a huge event like Santa Cruz' Fashion Art show on steroids. Combine Project Runway with Cirque de Soleil with Hollywood, throw in a bunch of amazing international artists and performers, and the result is a show unlike anything else. We saw a video of it at Geelong and were really astounded, so it was great to see the costumes. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/623.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_623.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/624.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_624.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We also saw a lot of beautiful Maori weaving, as well as some contemporary art. We were impressed that throughout the Museum, Maori language always comes first and English second, on every sign and exhibit description. This is usually true throughout NZ, showing a huge respect to the Maori population. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/625.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_625.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The museum is currently having a huge exhibit about T-Rex, that we didn't have time to see. But outside, in front, is a huge crate the size of a railroad car. Painted on the side it says "Live Specimen" with a painting of a Tyrannosaurus. When you walk near it, motion sensors detect your presence and huge roars come from inside the crate. Little children were delighted!<br /><br />We also visited some contemporary art galleries in the city, then bought a take-away lunch and sat out in a giant sunny square on the harbor to picnic with dozens of other Wellingtonians who had the same idea. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/626.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_626.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Finally we drove out of town and headed north to Wanganui, our next destination. We found a campground right along the Whanganui River, featuring sheep and goats right outside the door. As we wandered around that town we really loved it. It is art centered (big art school here), and friendly and interesting. We had dinner "at home" in our camper van, then actually went out to the movies to see Gone Girl, which we didn't love. Oh well. It can't always be perfect!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New%20Zealand&z=10'>New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-72904357716776477162014-10-15T21:38:00.001-07:002014-10-15T21:38:17.886-07:00New Zealand, Long DriveSomehow I wrote this blog and it got lost so I'll try to reconstruct this day, however briefly. We drove from Katikati on a long haul down to the south to a tiny village called Ashhurst, near Palmerston North. It was another spectacular day. We went through Rotorua and the geothermal hot springs area. We stopped for lunch and some art-gazing at the lovely lakeside city of Taupo. In the afternoon we drove through high desert tundra where we could as easily have been in Wyoming surrounded by snowy mountain peaks. It was sunny, then rainy, then a little snowy, then sunny again. We went past innumerable small villages and grassy farms, saw the land flatten out then rise up sharply again. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/591.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_591.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/592.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_592.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/593.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_593.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/594.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_594.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/595.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_595.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/596.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_596.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Our destination was with friends, Laura and John, who entertained us for tea and then dinner and then breakfast next morning. They live out in the country. He is a retired professor, she an artist, both English born. We stayed in our van, but enjoyed hours of conversation with them. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New%20Zealand&z=10'>New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-66750499243690665882014-10-15T21:26:00.001-07:002014-10-15T21:26:00.058-07:00The Coromandel PeninsulaThis was where we woke up after our day of being lost and parking in the dark in a parking lot. We were in a secluded park on an empty, rocky beach, surrounded by birds.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/583.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_583.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='225' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/584.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_584.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='205' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/585.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_585.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This is the Coromandel Peninsula, also known as the Sea Bird Coast. It stretches along the Firth of Thames, a long, wide bay. There are thermal hot springs and mud flats at the lower end, and a mangrove forest at the northern end. In between is a spectacular drive along the water’s edge, where sea birds sit on every rock, and the trees are full of nesting white bellied cormorants and other birds.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/586.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_586.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='198' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This alternates with climbs up steep ridges where the vets of the velvety green fields below are breath-taking! This area is also known for scrumptious seafood, especially mussels and oysters. A smokehouse offers every variety of smoked seafood. Yum! We did a lot of happy tasting along this route.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/587.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_587.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/588.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_588.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/589.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_589.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Coromandel itself is a sweet small town. You can walk around it pretty quickly and explore all the little shops and eateries. Later that afternoon we drove back down the Peninsula and found a campsite called Sapphire Springs in a town called Katikati, where we enjoyed a hot spring soak before falling into our comfy van to sleep. Another delight in Katikati was finding the local farmers market, where we stocked up on fruit, eggs, and fresh baby asparagus. It is springtime, after all. Here is the brick oven on wheels at that market where they were baking fresh bread on the premises.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/15/590.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/15/s_590.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Coromandel,%20New%20Zealand&z=10'>Coromandel, New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-57318925574331114532014-10-10T12:41:00.001-07:002014-10-10T12:41:14.831-07:00Bay of Islands, then lost againThis morning we took a passenger ferry from Pahia to Russell, a thoroughly charming small town on the Bay of Islands, which like its name says, is just that: a big bay dotted with something like 150 islands, many of them tiny. This is a volcanic phenomenon. Russell is tiny and consists of many white Victorian houses and hotels that run along the waterfront. Then the town spreads gently uphill along the slopes of the hills behind. There are hardly any cars there, and many cute little shops and restaurants. You can see the entire town in a couple of hours. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/493.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_493.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/494.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_494.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/495.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_495.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/496.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_496.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />When we got back to Pahia we made a decision to head south to make up some lost time. So we drove down through Auckland, a long drive, and thought we would head over towards the east coastal area below Auckland. However our map shows only the big roads. I thought we could find our way to the sea if we just kept heading due east using my compass. How wrong I was! This time we got thoroughly lost in a winding suburb, ending up in cul-de-sacs that took us nowhere, and making big circles back towards the city. We stopped numerous times to ask for help, but many of the locals were as baffled as we were about how to get to the sea. To add to the mix, most place names over here are in the Maori language, so they are easy to mix up. So people would say "just go straight down Manawakea to Makenaroa, then turn right til you get to Takanamawa and keep going to Kawaneoa Street....." Ummmmm, yeah, sure! <br /><br />Eventually we found the sea, but long before that Daniella announced that she was planning to kill me over this little incident! We had a nice dinner and made up and laughed about our two episodes of Lost in NZ, then drove on into the night looking for a campsite. Everyone says not to park on the roadside here because there are so many campsites, and there are, but not where we were. So we pulled into a tiny regional park in an area where we had seen no cars, no houses, no nothing for about 1/2 hour. Here we spent a completely silent night, undisturbed by anyone. When we woke up, we were on the edge of the Firth of Thames, a giant bay and bird sanctuary to hundreds of wading birds and others. It was a stunning place to be. <br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New%20Zealand&z=10'>New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-27581435635973005692014-10-10T12:40:00.001-07:002014-10-10T12:40:20.384-07:00Trounson Park, Ngawha Hot Springs, to Pahia: A Lost Saga<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/488.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_488.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On Wednesday we left Christine's house with some excellent suggestions and headed north. First stop was at Trounson Park, a bush walk through a grove of kauri trees, which are NZ's oldest and biggest trees. Some are 1200 years old, 150 feet tall, and up to 9 Meters around (about 30 feet). But they are completely different from our redwoods. The bark is swirly and patterned like a patchwork quilt. The trunk often grows in a spiral. They are surrounded by tall tree ferns, and their upper branches are a habitat for more ferns and orchids -and of course a huge number of exotic birds. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/489.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_489.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/490.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_490.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/491.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_491.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had a lovely, long walk there and then headed out to our next destination, we thought. But what we had understood to be a loop leading back to the main road turned out to be about a 40 mile long dirt road through a completely gorgeous rural area of pointy green hills and valleys, endless sheep and cattle farms, and eye-goggling views. Sounds like fun, right? Wrong ! All that time creeping along in that huge van, raising up a huge dust cloud behind us, wondering where on earth we might end up (road not on our maps) had us pretty stressed. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/10/492.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/10/s_492.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We finally emerged in a bleak little town called Kaikohe, and were we ever happy to be there! We got a little lunch and drove on to Ngawha Hot Springs, where we got out of our wool undershirts and into bathing suits to sample the 8 different thermal pools at this place, everything from "the Scotsmam" which was cold water to "the Lobster", the hottest, which seemed to actually be boiling with bubbles. It was a funky place for sure, but the price was right and after our hours on a dirt road, it was just the ticket! <br /><br />That evening we found a really lovely "holiday park" campsite in the beautiful small town of Pahia on the Bay of Islands. There we were able to do laundry, have showers, and clean out the van in addition to having a delicious Thai dinner in town! Today we drove too long and saw a lot more rural scenery than we bargained for. Our internet access is sporadic, which is frustrating. <br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=New%20Zealand,%20northwest%20&z=10'>New Zealand, northwest </a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-31444580739174309332014-10-08T00:45:00.001-07:002014-10-08T00:45:01.225-07:00Te Kapuru, Glinks Gully, and another great visit. On Tuesday we left Auckland in our grand and huge and luxurious camper van, and headed north to try to find a couple of friends. Sadly we missed the first one, took the wrong road and couldn't get turned around. But we will try again soon. The rest of the day we got accustomed to driving here, the mirror image of driving at home. After the first terrifying few miles it got easier, and by today we are old hands at driving on the left side of the road in a drivers seat on the right of the vehicle. <br /><br />We drove through spectacular farm country, through tiny intersections called Dairy Flat and other colorful names that reflected the rolling green meadows full of sheep and cows. The green was electric, and the hills went up and down steeply. We finally, with great ingenuity, found our way to Te Kaparu, a tiny spot on a peninsula below Dargaville on the West coast. We had to stop and ask questions over and over again, but we made it. The map doesn't show any of the tiny dirt roads we traveled to find our friend Christine. She was a student in Daniella's class 3 years ago, and she lives in a spectacular rural area in a lovely home on a hill with a pond where swans were swimming with their babies, and the green land rolled out for miles in all directions. We could hear the roar of the Tasman Sea from her yard, and soon after we arrived she piled us into her Jeep and drove us further down her dirt road to Glinks Gully where everyone in her family has a "Bach" (beach house). This beach is huge. At low tide you can drive your Jeep for miles along it. When we were there there was nobody else at all. It was stunning.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/08/24.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/08/s_24.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/08/25.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/08/s_25.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/08/26.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/08/s_26.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Christine made us a great dinner and we sat in front of a fireplace and talked into the night before finally crashing into bed in our camper van. It was great to be with her. If anyone wants a spectacular and end of the road home in NZ, hers is for sale.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/08/27.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/08/s_27.jpg' border='0' width='248' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Puketona%20Road,Paihia,New%20Zealand%40-35.281024%2C174.081378&z=10'>Puketona Road,Paihia,New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-38660566183182142212014-10-06T01:22:00.001-07:002014-10-06T01:22:38.999-07:00New Zealand Adventure BeginsJust a quick line to say that we are safely arrived in New Zealand. Spending the night in a hotel in Auckland, the first night in a hotel since leaving home almost a month ago. Thank you wonderful Australian friends! <br /><br />This is a beautiful small city. It's cold and windy, but we are cozy. Tomorrow we pick up our camper van and hit the road. Can't wait!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Victoria%20Street%20W,Auckland,New%20Zealand%40-36.848761%2C174.763824&z=10'>Victoria Street W,Auckland,New Zealand</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-69186901613948183112014-10-04T13:40:00.001-07:002014-10-05T00:11:16.312-07:00TAFTA: Its A WrapOur week in Geelong is over. It was, in a nutshell, an extravaganza of fun, visual stimulation, great conversations with creative fiber artists, and an endless look at the beautiful hand-made garments people wear all week. <br /><br />The guiding light and CEO is the divine Janet de Boer. She is a total free spirit and improv queen, brilliantly leading and organizing the whole event. Each day she appeared in madcap costumes. She was Elvis with a black pompadour wig and white rhinestone jumpsuit. She was a penguin, a nun, a koala bear, a drag queen, an Arab princess. She sported an array of gaudy false eyelashes and wigs and hats, and she clowned for us all throughout the week. She was generous, and gave away fabulous items to people, such as the froufrou jester's collar she dressed me in one morning after pronouncing my look "a little drab". At the same time, she didn't miss a beat. She stayed on top of every detail of everything going on, and kept the Forum sailing smoothly. She has done this for many years. She is precious!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/04/551.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/04/s_551.jpg' border='0' width='600' height='600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Her sidekick right-hand-man, who is President of the Board of TAFTA, is the delightful Jude Skeers. He, too, keeps a finger on the pulse of the event and races to the rescue, effortlessly fixing everything and everybody. Jude is a knitter, and he fully participates in the joyfulness of the Forum by constantly changing his headgear. His hat collection is vast and breath-taking. I wish I had gotten more photos of this debonair sweetheart in every one of his toppers, but here is a peek. I spent a fair amount of time with Jude and found him to be a scintillating conversationalist, a great supporter of women, a possessor of a delicious sense of humor, and above all, such a kind and warm person. I already miss him!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/04/552.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/04/s_552.jpg' border='0' width='600' height='600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The last 24 hours at TAFTA were a whirlwind. Daniella's workshop ended and we had to clean and pack all the equipment and vacate the studio. At 6 pm there was a celebratory dinner followed by an amazing evening of dancing to a great live band, fashion shows, champagne, more dancing, cake, laughter, dancing - and did I mention dancing? That night everyone dressed in their wildest outfits, so it was all a feast for the eyes. The fashion shows featured clothing designed and made by workshop participants, beautiful felted woolens and Eco-dyed silks and cottons, all modeled by workshop attendees.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/04/553.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/04/s_553.jpg' border='0' width='600' height='600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/04/554.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/04/s_554.jpg' border='0' width='600' height='600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/04/555.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/04/s_555.jpg' border='0' width='600' height='600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Finally, on Sunday, the dining hall was set up as a Makers Market. Women hauled out trunks of items they had made, mostly clothing, textiles, yarns, or whatever, a huge crafters bazaar that was open to the general public. People came up from Melbourne and the surrounding area to shop at this once-a-year event, and a buyers frenzy ensued. <br /><br />We said our farewells and our friend Chae came and picked us up and brought us back to her beautiful home in Melbourne. We are staying here for 2 nights before flying off to NZ on Monday. We are thrilled that she has a dog, a beautiful red heeler named Ruby, whom we are enjoying immensely. We miss our own pets! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/04/583.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/04/s_583.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='298' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Last night we had dinner at Sabrosa, a tapas place around the corner. Our dear pals, Linda and Peter McClean met us there. We had visited them at their elegant home 3 years ago and last night we had a great reunion, so lovely to be with both of them. <br />Sorry for such a long post. I'm way behind with keeping up this blog! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Geelong,%20Australia&z=10'>Geelong, Australia</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-59554057458664085512014-10-01T02:04:00.001-07:002014-10-01T11:44:21.053-07:00My SHero<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/01/56.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/01/s_56.jpg' border='0' width='257' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I have to write a bit about Daniella as a teacher. As her steady assistant, I've probably been to 30 of her classes over the years. Her teaching has been responsible for us traveling all over the world together, most recently here to Australia where she has a five-day class. She has taught in all circumstances and situations, from the most deluxe studios, to the most bizarre and decrepit. We've been in horse stables, a warehouse at a dump, in rooms where there was never enough electricity, or where it surged hot and cold throughout the day. We have had heat waves and sub-Arctic chilliness, battering wind storms (yesterday when it sounded as if wooden crates were hurtling through the air and crashing into the building) and have had floods, fires, and meltdowns. We've been crowded into tiny, airless rooms with everyone sharing tables, and then in palaces like this one, where the facilities are vast and commodious. <br /><br />Her students have also been all over the map. She says there is always "the One" in every group who makes her want to scream. But she manages with all of them, somehow bringing even The One around to be manageable and often even pleasant. <br /><br />The students bring, literally, suitcases of items they want to use for encaustic art making. They unfold heaps of fabric, papers, family heirlooms, photos, stones, bones, woodland detritus, salvaged trash, seaweed, cat fur, birds eggs, beads and bobs and bits of everything. This they often unfurl all over the work areas, and want to know "can I put wax on this?" Daniella, patiently examines whatever it is and then explains the pros and cons of proceeding. She is the ultimate Material Girl, and she is never stumped for an answer. Her knowledge of mediums and techniques and tools is boundless and deep, and each time she amazes me with her ingenuity and resourcefulness. <br /><br />Her talks and demonstrations are masterful. She enthralls the audience with a deft combination of wowza techniques, flashy results, flawless knowledge, and brilliant/gorgeous humor. She does the equivalent of stand-up comedy several times a day, and keeps everyone relaxed and laughing. At the same time, she is immensely personal, sharing favorite stories, family history, anecdotes about the grandchildren, telling about struggles she has had in life and how she worked through them, describing both artistic and personal challenges. She always treats me as indispensable, and never hides her love for me.<br /><br />By about the third day of these long classes, we have incidents like this morning. We were on an early morning walk along the Bay, watching the black swans masquerade as rocks with their heads and necks submerged. Then we ran into one of the students in this class. She burst into tears and, in so many words, told Daniella "you have cracked open my heart. You have touched me so deeply. My life will never be the same since meeting you and taking your class. I think that my art practice will be utterly changed by what you have taught me about myself." It was so beautiful, and so well deserved by my girl. She gives her everything as a teacher, pours her whole heart into it, until by the end of the day she is often completely drained. But she sleeps, then gets up and does it all over again, with the lightest touch, the sweetest compassion for all these women, the amazing presence and showing up in every moment for whatever happens. <br /><br />And really, this describes our relationship with each other quite perfectly. It goes a long way towards explaining why I love her so much (something that needs no explanation to anyone who has ever met her). She gives it her all. She pours her whole self into loving me. She cracked my heart open from the get-go, and has taught me so much about myself. She has the lightest touch and the sweetest compassion for anything that I do/say/need. She is present. She shows up for everything. She is always up for any adventure. She is a magnet for love, and people flock to be near her. Her creativity is a bottomless pit into which she can delve to her heart's content. She is the most interesting, surprising, fun, wise, and delicious person I've ever known. She is my SHero, and I am so proud to be her life partner! Truly we are the Lucky Girls.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/10/01/57.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/10/01/s_57.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='217' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tower%20Road,Corio,Australia%40-38.071155%2C144.397656&z=10'>Tower Road,Corio,Australia</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-11323615462745404602014-09-30T04:36:00.001-07:002014-09-30T04:36:28.658-07:00Keeping Busy Day & Night at Geelong Grammar<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/53.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_53.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There are 130 people participating in this TAFTA Fiber Arts Forum where Daniella is teaching. In addition there are about a dozen fiber arts teachers from around the world. Teaching happens all day. Then late afternoons the teachers take turns giving talks about their work and their lives (usually two a day). Then there is dinner, and most every night some event going on. <br /><br />The first night it was a raffle and "garage sale" where artists brought tons of art supplies, fabrics, and art books to sell to others. On Monday there as an art gallery opening with a show featuring the artwork of all the teachers who are here. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/54.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_54.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/55.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_55.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/56.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_56.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/57.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_57.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/58.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_58.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Tonight there was a film, about <a target="_blank" href="http://worldofwearableart.com">WOW</a>, New Zealand's annual fashion art extravaganza, that knocked our schlumpy socks off. Tomorrow night it will be something else. Rest? Forget about it. <br /><br />There are vendors here selling all kinds of stuff: yarn, thread, fabric, felting materials, clothing, woolens, sweaters, books, tools, you name it. If it is relate to fiber arts, they've got it here. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/59.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_59.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/60.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_60.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/61.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_61.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />One of the huge treats is that one of Daniella's favorite artists, Dorothy Caldwell, is teaching here too, in a room right next to ours, and staying across the hallway. So we get to visit with her throughout the day. She is pictured above with Daniella. The next photo is one of her art works. The last one shows her students stitching blindfolded this afternoon. What a lovely person and great teacher. <br /><br />Very tired now. Going to end this for tonight. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tower%20Road,Corio,Australia%40-38.071168%2C144.397681&z=10'>Tower Road,Corio,Australia</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-40891613911068328152014-09-30T04:09:00.001-07:002014-09-30T04:09:49.893-07:00Geelong Grammar School<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/42.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_42.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />We've been at Geelong Grammar School since Sunday morning, mostly without wifi until now. This place is Hogwarts on steroids, a posh private school where HRH Prince Charles came as a teenager and where it costs nearly $100,000 a year to send your child. The location is beautiful, a wide green campus sitting on the Limeburners Bay, and the Bellarmine Peninsula. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/43.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_43.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The Bay is a significant wetlands area and habitat for migrating birds. There are walking and bike trails that stretch for miles along the Bay, and I walked for an hour out there early this morning. Gorgeous! There was a big flock of black swans, and so many other lovely birds. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/44.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_44.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There is a formality to the towering brick buildings that you can imagine enforces good behavior just by the way the structures are made. Upright. Hemmed in by a labyrinth of walkways. Sparsely ornamented without being Spartan. Very English prep school. At the same time, it is very deluxe. There is a world-class fitness center and pool complex, and huge sports grounds and arenas. A hug sailing club on the Bay seems to encompass a fleet of small sailboats. The dormitories where we are staying are warm and comfortable, with huge lounges, kitchens, and a laundry room too - hurray! At the same time, our small student beds, separated by a partition, are so narrow and small that they just about guarantee a celibate life for all these young future leaders of Australia. Students here wear uniforms, very starched and formal. Right now they are on Spring Break, except for a few who are here training for a triathlon. They are kept busy all day long. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/45.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_45.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Daniella is teaching a five-day encaustic class here in a woodworking studio big and grand enough to be a small airport! We, too are kept busy all day long. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/46.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_46.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Meals are communal in the grand formal dining hall, where the portraits of former Headmasters line the walls. There is a Head Table for the teachers, and the huge oak chairs at that table have small brass plaques commemorating all the teachers who have used those chairs over the years. More tomorrow!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/47.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_47.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/30/48.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/30/s_48.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tower%20Road,Corio,Australia%40-38.071165%2C144.397670&z=10'>Tower Road,Corio,Australia</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19784312.post-87930374157029538282014-09-27T13:07:00.001-07:002014-09-27T13:07:30.675-07:00Party Pies, VB, and the Grand NationalsWe spent a day in Melbourne pretty much out and about the streets, gathering supplies for the upcoming class in Geelong. Janette generously took us all over the place, and she knew just where to find everything we needed. We love the edgy and playful neighborhoods around Fitzroy.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/528.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_528.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/529.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_529.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On Friday evening we met our friends Mark and Daina for a little get-together at a place called Naked for Satan, a trendy rooftop bar that we could walk to. Later, Janette cooked us yet another scrumptious dinner (leg of lamb) and gave us the most amazing gift. She sat down at her piano and sang for us. Her exquisite voice filled the room and touched us deeply with its beauty and power. She has always been a musician and an opera singer, yet this was our first time hearing that voice. We hope it is not the last!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/530.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_530.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Yesterday morning (Saturday) we walked to the Rose Street Art Market in Fitzroy, where lots of local artists sell their wares each week. The streets of Melbourne were swarming with "footie" fans, decked out in either red and white ( for the Sydney Swans) or in gold and black (for the Melbourne Hawks.). In fact this was one of two huge sports days on the Australian calendar, the Grand Nationals. Everybody was stocking up on beer and baked goods for home viewing parties, while others were heading off to the stadium for the big game.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/531.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_531.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/532.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_532.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/533.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_533.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/534.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_534.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After lunch we said farewell to our darling Janette and were picked up by Sue, another great friend from our last trip to Melbourne. Sue and Bernie are hosting us now, and will drive us to Geelong on Sunday, bless them!! When we got to their place, the big game had just begun, so we all sat down to watch. They wanted us to have an authentic "footie" experience, so they served us Party Pies and VB. These were small, individual meat pies and Victoria Bitter beer. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/535.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_535.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The football was nothing like ours. It was fast moving and rough. There are 18 players on each side and they wear no protective gear, no helmets, just shorts and tank tops. The Hawks beat the Swans by a resounding 127 to 72, so there is a lot of scoring. Consider us initiated even more into life in Australia! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/09/27/536.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/09/27/s_536.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Bernie and I took a beautiful walk along the Yarra River, and we came home to a super Middle Eastern dinner prepared by Sue, whose great cooking we remembered well from last time here. These two are so kind and generous to us and we always love being with them. We had lots of great conversation before falling into bed!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Melbourne,%20Victoria,%20Australia&z=10'>Melbourne, Victoria, Australia</a></p>Kim Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09437705011017332871noreply@blogger.com0