Colour Me Mexico

Our home in the cove is in a valley of the shadow, consequently we are still snowbound. This dreariness led me to review images from our March trip to Mexico and gaze at bountiful colour, like these plastic shopping bags.

DSCF6593

The bags are at a stall in the market in Coyoacan, a beautiful 17th century suburb of Mexico City. We were based here with Sheila’s cousin Betty who has lived in Mexico since the the 1970s. Another market stall had colourful piñatas including an outstanding topical figure, right there with Miss Piggy and Mickey Mouse.

DSC03364

Walking the tree lined streets of Coyoacan there are many colourful, visual treats: early Spanish colonial houses showing Moorish influence. . .

DSC03381

the strident blue of Frida Kahlo’s house. . .

DSCF6381

and everywhere bougainvillea spilling over walls or climbing in trees.

DSCF6399

The major theme of our trip was a drive around the Yucatan to look at Mayan sites and spend a few days on a beach. It was our first time in a part of Mexico that many of you know well.

We had not expected the port city of Campeche to be so charming. Gulf of Mexico oil money has apparently made the community prosperous.

DSC03045

This looks like a collage of two images but it’s not. Strong colours make good friends in the hot, clear light of the tropics.

DSC03048

Walking in the midday sun calls for some bright coloured sherbet. The vent holes in my new hat (Cuban style) provide a surprising amount of ventilation.

DSC03055

Monumental Mayan architecture was often originally covered with brightly painted stucco and decoration. A hint of salmon colour survives on the “palace” at Sayil, (a thriving community 1100 years ago).

DSC03006

We also saw striking contemporary architecture like the green strapped Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida designed by Grupo Arquidecture in 2012.

DSC02970

We stopped to meet this colourful ocellated turkey but it started attacking our car and chased us down the road, so no formal portrait.

DSC03128

When the sun is shining in Mexico even white looks colourful. The wedding photos were happening while we ate delicious Thai food in Tulum.

DSC03236

DSC02919

Compare all this brightness to the view from my desk today. Sad.

DSC03491

Postscript

  • Often when you travel south in winter the visual fiesta begins on the tarmac when the plane is sprayed with green, de-icing gel.

DSCF6083

  •  If it makes you feel better, not everything we saw in Mexico was colourful and beautiful. One evening we waited to watch 1000s of black bats emerge from a cave for their evening meal. They brought with them a strong smell of bat guano.

DSC03104

By the way, do you remember Colonel “Bat” Guano and the Coca-Cola machine?

 

About the author

Stephen Archibald

It’s Stephen Archibald doing the noticing. I’m a huge fan of Nova Scotia’s material culture and cultural landscapes. Twitter (@Cove17 ) made me realize I could share what attracted my attention (perfect for my very short attention) and I’m gratified when folks enjoy my content. Pleased to meet you on the internet.

Twitter