That's a classic

Little boys playing pickup soccer in front of the Soledad Cathedral in Oaxaca City.

Photo of the day

Back in April, we came across a kindergarten "School's Out" celebration in the town square, where we were graciously granted permission to photograph these children dressed in traditional Oaxacan clothing for the festivities.

Chocolate Mayordomo!

When one finds oneself in Oaxaca, it is necessary to visit Chocolate Mayordomo ("The Chocolate Master"), a Oaxaca-based company started in 1956 that sells chocolate for drinking and cooking. In some of its many branches, you can order a ground mix from the raw ingredients, which include nuts, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and raw sugar, according to your palate. There is also a cafe serving the company's chocolate shakes and hot chocolate (for ten pesos!), as well as Oaxacan coffee.

  

First, you place your order at the counter. Then the ingredients are gathered; in this case, fresh cacao beans cinnamon, and sugar.




Then the grinders go to work.

Ready for use in drinking chocolate or mole sauce!

Chocolate shake.



The coffee is yummy, too :)

Buenos dias from Oaxaca!

Check out my adorable morning babysitting charge!  Left at the house by a catering client of Harold's mom, soon to be transported to Veracruz.

Happy Election Day (July 1)!

Then, not so happy afterwards....if you've been following the news.

Ever spent the night in a dentist's office?

We have!  And we slept on a hammock, in a dentist's office in Juchitan, Oaxaca, right by the examination chair and X-ray equipment (which is right by the fridge and washing machine).  During a three-day funeral....  Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Fruity fun in Juchitan!

A couple weeks ago in Juchitan, Oaxaca, I tried fresh rambutan (lychee) for the first time.  I have since proceeded to consume several kilos of them, offering them to all who cross my path.  One girl stated they looked "quite terrifying", but their otherworldly-looking shell contains a delightfully gelatinous, subtly sweet meat that frequently appears in juices and canned goods from tropical regions around the world.  Nothing like the fresh ones, though :)