La Vida Buena

2021 - A New Era: Other Places, Travel and Projects. >>>SEE https://tinyurl.com/TracyNovingerOnlineBlogs Some years ago we moved our things from our house on Av. Lázaro Cárdenas to our house on Calle Esperanza 30 aka Callejón del Sol 3 (at "Sol y Luna") in Patzcuaro's Centro Histórico. It has now been sold We loved its colonial style, the way it captures light and sun--but we especially liked the easy two-block walk to Plaza Grande. There is always something going on in Patzcuaro's  trio of central plazas that start just two blocks away. We sold this gem of a house. Now, we are traveling to many places we want to visit and see and spend more time in France. Check it out.

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$$$ Price $$$

Safari on Plaza Grande

Patzcuaro's Plaza Grande never fails to entertain. Safari? Safaris? Yes, a Volkswagen Safari contest, what else. Great cars!
















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A Colonial Pueblo

When I am out patzcuareando, street scenes like this remind me that Patzcuaro still offers a look at traditional Mexico in a small and very livable colonial pueblo. Horses are a daily and important part of local culture.

Fashion

On my way to the market building I cut through all the roofed wooden stalls on the west side of Plaza Chica. I could see from this mannequin that I am just not in vogue. Maybe I need a new look.

Mmm…maybe not.

A Living Catrina?

There is always a surprise on Pátzcuaro’s Plaza Grande.

A what?

One never knows what one will see when out and about, patzcuareando. Yes, that is an elephant ambling along Patzcuaro’s Libramiento. I particularly like the yellow chair.

My Film Career un-Début

I was finally discovered. A woman chased me across the Plaza Grande and followed me down a side street as I headed for Plaza Chica. She entreated me to be an extra in a documentary to bring visitors to Michoacán. I was well-qualified for my road to stardom: I looked foreign and I was to be a Turista.

To make a long story shorter, we agreed that, although I was not available that day to go to Santa Clara, we would meet the next day and I would go with the film crew to the Yácatas at Tzintzuntzan. I invited good-natured and, as it turned out, hapless friend NV to share in the glory of a Turista part, as well. This was lucky for me, but we will get to that.

The next day we were to meet at Noon. The time was changed to 5:00 PM, then re-changed to 6:00 PM. We were flexible. NV and I hopped in a van with film crew and took off, on our way to fame and fortune.

The film crew had a lot to set up.

Pelota de Fuego players wait.

We arrived at the Yácatas. The Director did not like the blouses we were wearing with our capris and we were decked out with something else. We finally passed muster.

The dressing-room.

We got to see the rehearsal for the Pelota de Fuego. I captured this short video clip, but when I wanted to get more I was shooed away. The Director did not want to burn up the Turistas he said. “Mala publicidad.” (Note the singed grass.) I like the coup de grâce when the Pelota de Fuego is smothered with a bucket.

We went back to the dressing-room to wait. Another Turista, JA, was re-dressed several times. Then final touches were added to his hair with gel.

It got later and darker.  When will we start I asked. “Just another thirty minutes.” It got much darker. Just another hour they said.

At some point, after being dressed and coiffed, these lovelies were dismissed; it was decided they would not be used.

It was now pitch black outside and the time was 9:30 PM. My friend’s husband had arrived—in his car!—earlier. I talked to a sub-director and said that we could only wait another thirty minutes. He talked by radio with the Director. We would start in an hour. And the shooting would only take two hours. We would be on our way back to Patzcuaro before 1:00 AM. I said that I was sorry, that I wanted to give my apoyo for a documentary to promote Michoacán, but that I needed to leave by 10:00 PM if shooting did not begin by then. (I had been up since 6:00 AM; I had commitments all day the next day.)

Some of the last comments I heard from the Director over the radio were to send “Felipe” (or someone) to find another Turista. And to go get carnitas for dinner for the crew and the extras. As NV’s husband drove us back toward Pátzcuaro, I wondered where one snatches up wandering Turistas at that time of night at the Yácatas or in the little town of Tzintzuntzan, and where does one buy carnitas?  Or how would I have gotten a taxi if I were not riding home with friends?

I realize that there was a cultural disjuncture in this scenario, but probably not the one which first comes to your mind. The principal disjuncture was between Pátzcuaro and the D.F. At 10:00 PM in the D.F. the crew members would probably normally think about getting dressed and where to go for dinner. The night would be young. Patzcuaro rolls up its sidewalks by 9:00 PM.

This film crew worked in Pátzcuaro and surrounding areas from April 16th to the 29th. They were very nice. I am sure the documentary will be well done and I very much look forward to seeing it. I wish I were in it. I am matutinal, not a night owl. Darn. Tell me if you see the documentary.

You, too, can patzcuarear.

Pátzcuaro is Special

An inveterate traveler posted this on a message board that I happened upon:

Typical architecture in Patzcuaro. All buildings must be painted white with with dark red bases. The lettering must all be of the same style and painted red, black and white. All of the lanterns lining the streets are identical.

To me, Patzcuaro is a VERY SPECIAL, enchanting place. When you enter the city, you can imagine that you’ve gone back 200 years in time. Of course, there are automobiles, electricity, and other modern conveniences, but the basic aura of the city is timeless. It exudes feelings of a simpler time when people spent time together and engaged in ages old occupations ~ farming, fishing, weaving, and hand-crafting items for use in every day life. I’ve NEVER seen any city that has a bulk SEED STORE located on their main plaza. Apparently it’s been there forever and ever, and has been run by the same man for generations. In Patzcuaro, you still see MANY Tarascan people in their traditional clothing out and about.

Patzcuaro is a place we WILL return to ~ hopefully over and over again…

Post by JoanieBlon of maison-t-bayou.com/ to www.zihuatanejo-ixtapa.com.mx/wwwboard/messages/181505.html

A place in Patzcuaro for you.

The Face of Patzcuaro

People: the face of Patzcuaro and surrounding areas.

El Potro

I always enjoy listening to El Potro de Pátzcuaro, Gregorio Rodríguez, while sitting at La Surtidora with my cafecito. He said he is available for parties and special occasions, and with my cousins we purchased his CD. You can contact him at elpotro1_1 [insert at sign] hotmail dot com.

Got Electricity

This caught my eye.

Cozy Company

It is not easy to load seven adults into a Nissan Pathfinder for our short jaunts. Actually, we look just like many of the vehicles that circulate to places around Patzcuaro, except with not so many people.

Visit Patzcuaro

Find your house.

Sing for your Supper

One evening recently, we opted for a big Patzcuaro night out and went for a bowl of soup on the Plaza Grande. The customers at the next table stopped a strolling guitarist and the three of them regaled us with all of the couple's favorite Mexican ballads for almost half an hour. We enjoyed listening and watching them have such a good time.

Come to Patzcuaro.

Patterns and Textures of Michoacan

Click for slideshow: Images of Michoacan.

The order of patterns is visually pleasing to the eye, and the eye can also evoke palpable texture.

Live in Patzcuaro.

Brunch at Mansion de los Sueños

A group of Patzcuaro women who can claim diverse countries of origin and who use English as their lingua franca gathered today for brunch in Priscilla Madsen's elegant dining room at Mansion de los Sueños. Future brunches are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month.

These Flores de Pátzcuaro are searching for a good name for the group.

The monthly brunch is a good venue to meet interesting people, for enjoyable conversation and to glean practical tips. Mark your calendar.

Cross cultures.

Live in Patzcuaro.

An Abundance of Good Things

I am thankful.

Live in Patzcuaro.

Patzcuaro: Four-Wheeler for Sale

Here is a good way to go Patzcuareando. Glen is selling (NOW SOLD) his Yamaha Four-Wheeler (su cuatrimoto). It is great to zip around town and easy to park.

Specs: Yamaha YFM250 2005. It cost Pesos $51,500.00 new and has been gently and seldomly used to run errands around the Centro. Price Pesos $35,000, or make offer.

Glen is available to show it this week. Contact glen.novinger {at} gmail (dot) com.

Dia de la Raza

Something is always happening around the trio of plazas in the centro of Patzcuaro. Yesterday around 6:00 pm there was a parade of balloon-festooned vehicles--which must have included every taxi in town. Lots of horns and people having fun. Of course, it made it impossible to drive into the Centro. We intended to go in by car, rather than walk, for the Gala of the Friends of the Library, because we would be returning home "late" (by our and Patzcuaro norms)--after 8:00 pm. So we took a detour, and parked far enough away from our destination that we should have walked in the first place.

A good time was had by all.

The Juan O'Gorman Mural

Juan O'Gorman painted a magnificent mural in the colonial pueblo of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. This monumental work of art depicts the history of Michoacán from the Purhépecha creation story to the Revolution.

You can now enjoy the mural online from the comfort of your chair, wherever you may be. See this study that interprets O'Gorman's creation using text as well as photos that zoom in to show details.

Juan O'Gorman - The History of Michoacán

Click on link: Live in Patzcuaro