A few of my favorite Oaxacan friends

I just completed my blog for today, then hit a key by accident and erased everything--even the first photo I had downloaded! So this will probably be a lot shorter!

I had a great morning and afternoon visiting with friends from Oaxaca. And, just who are these friends?

My first stop was to spend some time with Dr. Martha Canseco. She wears at least three hats here in Oaxaca. She is a dentist, is president of the Centro de Eperanza Infantil, and is also the director of the Becari Language School near my small hotel. I love her enthusiasm and her dedication to making her community a better place. We both enjoy sharing ideas and plans for the Streetchildren program that is so close to our hearts.

Next I had a delicious breakfast at the Bar Jardin with my favorite waiter of 40 years. I always enjoy catching up with him and have to spend at least a few meals at one of his tables while I'm here.

From there, I headed to the workshop of a talented silversmith, Fausto, to talk to him about doing a repair on a pair of Ashley's earrings she purchased in Oaxaca a few years ago. He has limited hours (my guess is he is in his late 70's or early 80's), so it took me three days and three trips to his workshop to find him there. Good news! He can make the needed repair and I'll pick them up later next week.

Back to El Nahual and a visit with Alejandrina Rios (whose photo was in my blog two days ago). She has a wonderful selection of jewelry, art, and folk art, and, per usual, I left there with two more gifts for friends back in CT. She has also become a good friend both in person as well as on Facebook!

Not far from El Nahual is La Teresita, a tiny, packed shop owned by my friend Victor. I have been a customer of his for many years, and I'm sure I've never returned from Oaxaca without bringing something from his shop back to Durham. Some of my best animal carvings came from Victor's shelves. His young son, an aspiring musician, was also there this afternoon, and it was good to catch up on his activities, too. And, yes, I left there with another small gift for someone.

I also saw two of my favorite vendors who sell their products around the Centro Historico (the historic center of the city). One sells the best seed and nut bars I've ever had. They are made daily in a small village outside of Oaxaca.  Several women from that village then take the bus into Oaxaca and walk around the streets selling their products. I've already purchased from her twice in the three days I've been here. The only gift my husband ever wants from Oaxaca is her peanut bars, and he won't be disappointed, since I will bring several back for him in my luggage. For years I think I've been her best customer. As soon as we make eye contact, whether I'm sitting in a side walk cafe like today, or walking on the street, she hurries over to me asking not "Would you like to buy...?", but "How many and what kind would you like today?"

Rosario is another of my favorite vendors. She sells woven items: table runners, place mats, and small purses. She is as beautiful inside as outside, and, like all the many vendors in the city, spends hours walking in the tourist areas every day, hoping to make a sale. I purchased a beautiful table runner from her today, partly because it will look great on my dining room table, and partly because I wanted to help her with her sales. There are so many vendors selling so many products, in the streets and in the markets, that there must be days when they take home nothing. Oaxaca is one of the poorest states in Mexico, yet it is so rich in culture and in spirit, that it is easy to focus on the beauty of the people, the surrounding countryside, and the architecture of this colonial jewel rather than on the obvious poverty.

And I said this would be short? Hopefully I didn't lose my audience and you are beginning to see why I'm drawn to this city and these lovely people. Of course, it's also obvious that I'm drawn to the amazing talent of the artisans. I guess I can always rationalize that I need to shop to help the economy. That's good enough for me!