Mooching around Marseille - The Old Port....

Much has been written recently about Marseille's makeover from gritty and sleazy crime-ridden port to vibrant, dynamic City of European Culture flourishing with all kinds of new investment, architecture, projects, and events.....I have to say that on a recent visit, I was instantly charmed and impressed and ready to designate the city as my favourite place in France so far....Take the renovation of the Old Port for example as evidence of its newfound energy and beauty....

Wide open to the skies with unfettered views over the water, it is the perfect place to promenade and people-watch taking in all kinds of art trails and public sculptures....

fresh catches of fish right on the dock......

and endless entertainment from bars, restaurants and cafes to buskers, musicians, and impromptu brass bands.....

until the sun goes down!! Marseille - seriously what is there not to like?? 

Be sure to visit soon!! Enjoy!!

Mellow Yellow in Nice.................

The dominant colour on the Riviera may well be cobalt blue, but take a walk further into Nice and you will be struck by the warm yellows and dusky ochres of the buildings. Isn't the architecture stunning??

Wander down into the old town with its charming alleyways, and winding streets, and see more of these mellow yellows.....

Where have you been wandering this week??

Shadow Shot Sunday 107 - Hector Velazquez

Welcome to the unusual and rather haunting world of local Mexico City artist Hector Velazquez, whose work is currently on display in Colonia Roma at the Terreno Baldio Arte Gallery as part of the Open House Day entitled "Corredor Cultural". He is primarily a textile artist who produces these sculptural floating heads and body parts coming through the wall in tightly bound silk and cotton.....

The effect is both beautiful and disturbing at the same time, but what is most interesting is that the strong patterns of shadows that the faces and hands create are integral to the works of art themselves, due to the specific use of lighting....

I especially like this one of the dress hanging up with its shadow twin faintly discernible on the wall behind....

Here are some of the art enthusiasts out and about in Colonia Roma strolling from one gallery to the next to take in all the exhibitions and make the most of the "Corredor Cultural"on a fine, sunny evening. I hardly ever submit shadow shots of people but I especially liked this particular gentleman and his dapper outfit complete with a leafy pattern of shadows....

For more shadow shots from around the world, click here for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!

Shadow Shot Sunday 94 - Cuetzalan

Cuetzalan is a magic village way up in the mountains in the state of Puebla at the very,very end of the winding road. There are many magical aspects to this traditional Mexican village - not least of all the markets. I love this photograph above with some tomatoes illuminated from above, and others in gloomy shadow. Look what else is for sale in the markets.....

What a colourful feast for the senses!! A very common experience here in Mexico!! For more shadow shot photographs from around the world, check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking here. Enjoy!!

Welcome to Xochimilco....

Welcome to Xochimilco in the south of Mexico City where you can spend a perfect afternoon floating down the canals and picnicing aboard the brightly coloured trajineras (gondola-style boats). All the boats have these vibrant designs for their headboards and female names - choose between Lupita, Julietta, Maria, Veronica, Sabine, Monica, Teresita - even Queen Elizabeth is here...

Xochimilco means "Place where flowers grow" in Nahuatl and it is where the Aztecs first had their floating gardens (chinampas) which became the economic base of the Aztec empire. Vegetation and mud was heaped into Lake Xochimilco, an offshoot of Lake Texcoco, to create these fertile floating fields. The area is still under cultivation today and flowers, plants are produced for the whole of the city in some of the most beautiful garden nurseries (viveros) - marigolds for Day of the Dead, poinsettias (Nochebuenas) for Christmas. Many people come down here quite specifically to buy all their flowers and plants....

Nowadays much of the lake has been transformed into a series of canals - almost 180km of waterways, and they are a very popular day out destination. At weekends, the place comes alive with Chilangos (Mexico city dwellers) coming down in large family groups to hire large boats and eat large lunches aboard. There is a truly festive party atmosphere with music, singing and general carousing...

If you forget your own food there are always sellers punting up alongside your boat to sell you whatever you need to eat or drink......

And if you forget your own sounds, there are always wandering Mariachi boats packed with musicians who will always deliver you a song or two for a few pesos.....

If you are with a big group and in a party mood, then it is always wonderful, but sometimes it can get rather raucous and noisy with boats jostling for position on crowded canals. Last time I was there, I found the perfect antidote if you are in the mood for something more mellow. I took a boat trip from Embarcadero Fernando Celada at the golden hour just before sunset, and this is what I found - quiet, tranquil backwater canals with very few other boats in sight and wonderful light and reflections.....

It is difficult to believe that these scenes are from the seething megalopolis of Mexico City - we have not left the city behind yet at all. Boats seat 14-20 people and are very reasonable to hire at a fixed rate of only 200 pesos per hour per boat (17USD). You can easily get to Xochimilco by taking the metro down to Taxquena and then transferring to the tren ligero - it is the last stop on this line.

Here are all the trajineras tucked in for the night at the Embarcadero Fernando Celada. For more global glimpses this week, check out the My World Tuesday postings by clicking here. Enjoy travelling the world with the click of a button....

Communing with Calaveras.....

Day of the Dead is a unique festival celebrated in Mexico from October 31st to November 2nd whereby loved ones who have departed this world are welcomed back for a night of festivities. First come the "angelitos" (souls of children) tempted back by sugar candy...

...and then it is the turn of the adult ancestors who are honoured with "ofrendes" (altars of offerings for the dead) containing their photographs and all their favourite foods and drinks and cigarettes all in a haze of candles, copal incense, marigolds and Calla lilies....

At the cemeteries all night vigils take place at the graveside with families holding a celebration for the return of their loved ones. Graves are meticulously scrubbed and decorated with fresh flowers predominantly marigolds and lit with candles to welcome back those who have departed. Wandering graveyard mariachi bands help with the summons...

The atmosphere is one of joyous and festive celebration, acknowledging the continuous circle of life and death, with not even a hint of morbidness. There are no taboos surrounding death in this country......

I have now celebrated five Day of the Dead festivals here in Mexico in Oaxaca, Patzcuaro, and Real de Catorce, and one in Nicaragua. It is such a special festival, I would not miss it for the world, and if you get a chance to visit during this time, then grab the opportunity of witnessing something unique. This year I was down in Oaxaca and will be posting soon about the "Tapetes Monumentales"!! In the meantime get more of a global glimpse this week by checking out the My World Tuesday postings. Click here. ...and as always enjoy!!

Angels of Independence.....

Mexico has been celebrating 200 years of Independence in style this week, and local artist Jorge Marin has been giving all chilangos (citizens of Mexico City) the chance to become an Angel of Independence. His sculpture on Reforma entitled "Alas de la Ciudad" (wings of the city) has quickly become the most popular posing spot in the city....

Angels, it appears, can come in all shapes, sizes, genders, ages, and poses....

Mexican artist Jorge Marin was born in Uruapan, Michoacan and has soon made a name for himself with large strong bronze sculptures of beaked winged male creatures...

Here is the artist himself....

And here, of course, further along Reforma is the real Angel of Independence - the city's winged victory and iconic landmark which truly symbolises Mexico City's two hundred years of Independence - Viva Mexico!!

For more global glimpses this week check out My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Flags are flying....Horns are honking.....

I just nipped out tonight around six to pay my Cablevision bill at Sanborns, and suddenly got swept up in this jubilant crowd gathered around the Angel to celebrate Mexico's 2 - 0 victory over France.....

The flags were flying, the horns were honking, the drums were beating, and the crowds were chanting......

The atmosphere was electric, the high spirits infectious, and everyone was more than happy to pose for the camera...

Like in any good crowd, there was a wonderful cross section of the community - from grannies to babies, and dogs to monsters.....

But in a Mexican crowd, Land of Dressing up at the Drop of a Hat, you are also going to get the sombreros, wigs, costumes, face-paint, masks, make-up, luche libres, devils....

Even the riot police couldn't resist smiling, laughing and joining in the fun...

All the world's a stage and it is hard to see how the fans are going to up the anti if Mexico qualify for the next round. If so I shall be back here at the Angel to bear witness!! In the meantime I finally managed to pay my Cablevision bill at Sanborns after persuading them I was not a football hooligan and could be safely let in through the locked doors. On the way home I noticed that the French Bistro on my corner was very quiet....very quiet indeed!!

Viva Mexico!!

Mexico kicks off the World Cup tomorrow by playing South Africa in the opening match. Everyone is getting pretty excited....

Mexican football fans love displaying their cultural heritage and traditions within their choice of spectacular spectator outfits!!

I will be watching the match tomorrow at school on a big screen alongside all my students - the atmosphere should be electric, and of course we will all be supporting Mexico. I am predicting a 2 - 1 win for Mexico. Secretly however I wouldn't mind the final result of the World Cup looking something more like this....

All the photographs are courtesy of Mexsport (except the last which is Getty) and are currently displayed at the outdoor gallery on the railings of Chapultepec Park, Reforma until the end of the competition. Check out "Las Rejas de Chapultepec" for some great photos dating back as far as the first World Cup in 1930...For more global glimpses this week check out "My World Tuesday" by clicking here.

Food Festival on Reforma......

Mexico certainly is the Land of Fiesta and one of my favourite festivals is taking place right now on Reforma - La Feria de las Culturas Amigas...

Promoting first and foremost friendship between all the different cultures to be found here in Mexico City, everyone goes first and foremost for the food.....

With over 80 stalls from more than 50 different countries, it is perfectly possible to eat your way non-stop around the world from Argentina to Vietnam all in a few short hours!!

And likewise you will also meet colourful characters from all over the world...

The atmosphere is fun, festive, and friendly....

As well as the food and the people, the festival also celebrates art work from a wide variety of cultures such as these paintings by Bolivian artist Vargas...

..and there is a wealth of craft work for sale too...

...plus of course a fair smattering of music and dancing...

If you are lucky enough to live in Mexico City than this Festival runs right through next weekend as well (May 22nd/23rd)...if not then travel through the virtual world of My World Tuesday postings by clicking here....Have Fun!!