Clay Artist

Today we hired a guide to take us to several out of town places. This man is the creator of handmade clay pieces, most of which are human figures or part human such as mermaids and mermen. He is blind and touches his wife's face so that he can mentally visualize how to make the facial features. He is holding the piece that has a new home on our porch, and we can think of him every time we look at it. The name of his village is San Antonino Castillo Velasco.

Another very interesting place, in the town of Ocotlán, was the workshop of a craftsman who makes knives and swords from the metal in the leaf springs (and other parts) of cars. If any of you remember the movie "Conan the Barbarian" that starred Arnold Schwartzenager, long before he became governor of California, this man made the sword that was used in the movie. There are pictures of him and his products here

We also visited one of the workshops where artisan mezcal is made. Mezcal is the local liquor made from various agave (maguey) plants. It's similar to tequila, but MUCH better!

We enjoyed a tasty lunch of Zapotec style food, admired exquisite hand embroidered blouses and intricately hand painted wood carvings.

I have back blips for the last few days and will post them as soon as I have time (after the guests leave)!