Thursday, July 17, 2008

Wacky Wahaka...

Life is fascinating when you're traveling/visiting/living in another culture.Seb and I are constantly amazed at some of the things we encounter in daily life here.Of course, we LOVE to glamorize, just a wee bit but truth is stranger than fiction!
Here are a few of our favorite "Wacky Wahaka" things:

What to do about dirty laundry?I've been using the lavanderia across the street from where we live.Their sign proudly boasts that they have been in business since 1948.We suspect, however, that they also have a black market ropa interior (underwear) business. The first load of laundry I took over came back minus a pair of my ropa interior.Second load came back minus Seb's pj bottoms.However, the third load came back WITH the missing pj bottoms. Seb suspects the owner may just have wanted to try them on.

One of Seb's favorite treats- paleta de leche quemada con tuna - ice cream bar of burnt milk and prickly pear fruit.

One of Karen's favorite's- nieves de las rosa - ice cream made from rose petals.

The last two Mondays of this month is the Guelaguetza - a dance festival where people come from all seven regions of Oaxaca state to perform here and people come from all over the world to see it.This has become a huge commercial tourist venture.Since the conflict of 2006, when the governor cancelled this festival, there have been TWO Guelaguetzas- one sponsored by the governor ,which is very expensive to attend and one sponsored by the teachers, which is free to all.Of course the governor has a bit more money to promote his event, so several days ago, the zocalo was plastered with huge colorful posters of dancers from different regions in traditional costume.Someone in PR must have an incredible sense of humor because this is the poster that seems to have attracted the most attention- it's our personal favorite. I wondered exactly what this had to say about the Guelaguetza. Seb seems to think it's to show the REALLY huge diversity here.