Month: December 2011

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Windows, Door, and Knockers! Another look at San Miguel de Allende…PART II

Bar San Miguel...

Part II takes a look at the ‘doors’ of San Miguel de Allende. We had spent an evening on the trip with friends of Bob and Debbie who live in San Miguel. At the dinner we were introduced to a photographer whose name I cannot recall but who lives and shoots in San Miguel. He too shoots the doors and has a published book of images. I love the colors of the buildings as they highlight the entrances. I hope you enjoy!

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Part III will be of the ‘knockers’ that we found in San Miguel. I would like to post not only my images but the images of my fellow photographers on the workshop. Just waiting for them to share their ‘knockers’ with me and then I’ll post.

And of course there will be no censorship. 🙂

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Windows, Door, and Knockers! Another look at San Miguel de Allende…PART I

Keepin' an eye out...

San Miguel de Allende, as I’ve said before, is a photographers paradise. Wherever you look there is something neat to shoot. Today’s blog is the first part of three dedicated to subjects we found along our journeys walking through this town.

Windows…

Today’s, Part I, is dedicated to the interesting Windows found pretty much on every street in San Miguel. Hope you enjoy!

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Holiday Wishes!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the positive comments I have received about my blog. It has been great fun doing it. I look forward to continuing in 2012 with my visit to Cuba and my stay in my second home, Israel!

As the holidays are now here and the New Year approaches, I’d like to close with a quote from my dear friend Janice Panaro. I couldn’t have said it any better!

“For all my family and friends, whatever you celebrate – Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, Festivus, etc, may it be filled with lots of love, peace and joy!”

‘cos that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!

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Lulu…

Lulu and me...

When in San Miguel you never know who/what you’ll run into.
This is Lulu. She is an Egyptian born, Israeli citizen living in Seattle (for now). She was at an art festival we went to. She’s a hoot! Had a blast shooting her and all the others who were there. I’ll post more images in a later blog.

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Guanajuato, Mexico: A World Heritage Zone…

Guanajuato…

On Day 3 of our trip to San Miguel de Allende, the group went by van(s) to the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. Befitting its status as a world heritage zone (1988),  Guanajuato, Mexico, has many secrets to reveal: narrow alleys, churches, museums, and buildings with a mix of colors and symmetries. It is a city rich with history and legends.

Guanajuato is located in central Mexico (the geographic center) and is the capital of the state of the same name. It is located in a narrow valley, which makes the streets of the city narrow and winding…

The historic center of the city is filled with colonial area mansions, churches and civil constructions built with pink or green sandstone and small plazas….

Plaza de la Paz and the Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato

Plaza de la Paz...

The Mercado Hidalgo (Hidalgo Market) was built in 1910 over what was the site of the old Gavira bullring. The interior of the market is a giant metallic nave.  The upper floor of the market contains a large number of crafts and souvenir shops containing products such as baskets, knit items, ceramics, leathercrafts and more. The ground floor has many everyday items such as fresh and packaged food, household goods, wickerwork and hardware.

Mercado Hidalgo...

Check out the row of malted machines on the counter...

Butcher in the Hidalgo...

A funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other. I was unable to get any images from the funicular because two of my photo buddies were petrified of the ride and had to hold on to me while ascending and descending. Not that I’m complaining!!!

View of Guanajuato thru window in Funicular station...

The view outside the funicular station is quite spectacular as it overlooks the colorful city of Guanajuato…

The city explodes with color...

Just like in San Miguel and all other Mexican cities there are lots of street vendors selling everything and anything. At this time of year, the Day of the Dead candies, masks, catrinas, etc… were found all over…

Cemetery crosses for Day of the Dead...

Flower seller...

Street Vendor...

Veggies for sale...

Guanajuato is a lot larger than San Miguel de Allende. I found the people to be friendly enough, but in SMA they were even friendlier. Here’s a look at some of the locals in Guanajuato…

Paz!!!

Well since Eileen wasn't there...

Street musicians...I asked if they would pose and they gave me a concert...

Yummy...

Mindy 'crashes' the Catrina's wedding...

Marigolds...the flower of the Day of the Dead...

For lunch we were on our own. We found a hidden gem somewhere with delicious food, drinks and spectacular views of the city…

View from our restaurant's terrace...

Another view from the restaurant...

To be continued…