The Eye Huatulco November 2014 With its unique ability to manipulate light stained glass has an “ah inspiring” quality which made it popular for decorating churches over many centuries. It fell out of favor during the Reformation, when churches across Europe were stripped of their ornamental attributes, and did not regain its popularity until the late 19th century during the “Arts and Crafts” movement. This movement was inspired as a counterpoint to the mass production which occurred during the Industrial Revolution and attempted to restore handcrafted quality and design. It began in Britain with artists such as William Morris but gained momentum in Europe and throughout North America. As t

The Eye Huatulco October 2020 When Hernán Cortés sailed for Mexico, he was seeking fame and fortune, but the priests who followed had a more challenging purpose. They wanted to save souls and gain converts for the Catholic church. Many Aztec rituals, like those surrounding the Death Goddess Mictecacihuatl, appalled them, but these practices were so deeply ingrained that some could be traced back to the Toltec Period (800-1000 CE). In Mexico, as in much of the New World, conversion would require compromises and one technique was merging existing native rituals with Catholic ones. With this in mind, they moved the festival of Mictecacihuatl from July to November, and incorporated Christian con

Dave's travel corner June 2017 1. Coffee Some of Mexico’s best coffee is produced in this region. The town of Pluma Hidalgo, in the center of coffee country, is only an hour and a half inland. Visitors can take a tour, or just hop on one of the van services that leave every two hours for Oaxaca City, jumping off at the Pluma stop.  From this town you could take a taxi to one of many coffee fincas that welcome visitors.  Be prepared for a rather rough ride in a taxi however, since these roads are rustic. I will not take my car, but as someone pointed out, “Rental cars are more durable that your own”. 2. Waterfalls Three rivers drain into the Bays of Huatulco and the nearby mountains have a nu

The Eye Huatulco March 2018 The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is the narrowest point in Mexico, but its people may have the broadest minds on the entire continent. Recently, I was privileged to speak with the owner of Bidaani, a shop on Calle Palo Verde. Señora Maria de Lourdes Cristóbal Lopez is from Juchitán and she specializes in dresses typical of the region. When I commented that the Tehuana costume is the most elaborate in Mexico, she agreed. “Tehuantepec women are specialists in embroidery and take exceptional pride in their work.” Living in Huatulco, one hears different versions about this matriarchal society two hours south of Huatulco. Lourdes dispelled a few of the myths, painting a soft

From International Living January 2018 Being downsized from my job as a medical rep for a pharmaceutical company was the catalyst that changed our lives forever. In 1999, my husband, Rick, and I exchanged our hectic corporate life in Calgary, Canada, for a more relaxed one in Huatulco, Mexico. It was here that we built the ocean view villa that became our B&B, and our own perfect income. I love entertaining, but my hectic career in Canada left me with little time to do it. With a B&B, interesting people from around the world come to us—and pay for the privilege. What could be more perfect? We chose Huatulco, a small resort town in the state of Oaxaca, because it was developed as a tourist de

The Eye Huatulco October 2017 When I think about traditional Mexican design, the first image that pops into my head is a huge terra cotta pot filled with plants. This may be a personal bias because I was a potter in a former life. I learned to pot on an electric wheel, never advancing beyond a large salad bowl or a two-liter casserole. Few potters do because it takes so much upper body strength and energy to handle more clay, even if it is added in segments. This makes me I appreciate the amount of work and skill that goes into throwing those enormous pieces. Oaxaca is rich in both clay and wood, the materials used to make and fire this art form, so there are many potters in our state. Much

The Eye Huatulco January 2017 Un Nuevo Aamanacer is a non-profit organization that helps children with disabilities. This dedicated group receives very little government assistance and could not exist without the generous support of Huatulco’s residents and visitors. Eighty percent of their funding comes from two exuberant beach parties, held at playa Chachue each winter. This year, on January 11, Blues on the Beach will headline Kenny Wayne “Blues Boss”, along with David Rotundo. David needs no introduction to those who have attended previously, he plays a mean harmonica and brings a dynamic energy to the stage. Kenny is a world-acclaimed American blues, boogie-woogie, and jazz pianist. H

The Eye Huatulco August 2020 Originating in South Asia, the first mango trees arrived in Mexico via the Philippines, in 1779. At one time, China dominated world mango exports, but Mexico now holds that distinction. In 2015, Mexico exported 277,000 metric tons (±305,340 US tons) to the USA, and 368,000 metric (±405,651 US tons) in 2019 – that was 18% of Mexico’s production. While Mexico currently produces many mango varieties, the two most commonly exported are the Tommy Atkins and the Ataúlfo. Weighing up to two pounds, Tommy Atkins is a large mango covered with a green, yellow, and red mottled skin. Inside this mildly sweet fruit, the or ange flesh is juicy but highly fibrous. Originally cu