Last week of July, as I mentioned before, we escaped lockdown for a week, renting a house in Malinalco, 2-3 hours away from Mexico city. Though we did stay mostly in the house, garden, pool etc. we did “escape” a few times, duly masked, to the streets of Malinalco. A cute little town. Horses on the street. Old colonial houses. Colours. Street art.
“Business is slow today.”
Intriguing door knocker.
“What’s on your mind?”
The Virgin of Guadalupe. Remember my personal definition: anything on the street is Street Art.
“Gifts, copies, binding”… Note the power connection to the light meter.
“Better to die standing than to live on your knees.”
“We can do it!”
“Social security: Breast feeding is the umbilical cord that keeps us together, it is the … blood that runs through (entire) self.” Very poetic though the building looks a bit abandoned. As we all know, the longer breast-feeding lasts, the better for the baby’s health.
“Philosophy is not about creating philosophers but about shaking consciousness.” Well, well…
“Dental clinic. 9 to 5, Monday to Sunday.”
Daffy cyber… Just remembered looking for a cyber-café on a lone island in Guatemala on Christmas Eve… (Last century)
A rancher’s door. I suspect.
“Look! The stork has brought you a baby sister.”
“Everyday looks the same…”
The Devil’s house. (Has anyone seen the bottle in the wall?)
Management wishes to extend their apologies for the car stationed to the right, which required 12.7 minutes of heavy Photoshopping. (Wiping brow)
“Can I help you?” the jaguar asked.
Thank you for flying Equinoxio Airways. Stay safe. 😷
Equinoxio 
Amazing photos, as always. Thank you for your thoughtful perspective!
Thank you. It was good to go out of lockdown a bit… Take care.
How have you been? Haven’t seen a post of yours in a while? All well with you?
Thank you for asking. I am well, but so, so scattered. Work has been–unpredictable, and I just finished my first sole-authored book about planning. Hope you and your family are also well.
Scattered is the name of the current game. Congrats on the book. Now Planning? I know a few politicians who could use some training in that… Take care.
Some of these are wonderful! How exciting to wander around and discover some great bits of street art!
It is. Exciting. Apparently in recent years many small towns have developed their own street art culture.
Just great, especially the rancher’s door, and the knocker! 😀
LOL
eheh this city seems extremely rich in terms of street art, thanks for sharing, it looks amazing 🙂 regards, PedroL
It was. Rich. Hadn’t been there in a while. Long before the world street art trend. Thanks for visiting.
You’re welcome 🙂 have a great day, PedroL
Nice finds, as usual:)
Dankje wel. I thought you might like it. 😉 All well?
A door knocker with a sense of humour?
G’day! You’re beginning your day as we end ours… yes, a peculiar sense of humour. I wondered about knocking on the door. How would the reception be? “Whaddyawant!?”.
Hehe!A rude finger?! Maybe it was a salute to the fact they didn’t want visitors? You might have to knock and see.
Well done on the correct Aussie Greeting, Brian!
I learnt with you… 😉
😃
Great composition and design elements for the jaguar! I also like the painting with the guy catching the butterflies! What an interesting illusion!!!
Yes, there were some very good artists. It is a traditional town that also has country homes of many well-off people from the capital. An interesting mix.
How could I have missed this. One of your finest tours mon amie Brian. Love wall art, especially Mexican wall art. Enjoyed as always. 💕
Managed to squeeze that in today in between a few crisis resolution attempts… Glad you liked it. There was some good art on that short trip. Tschüß. 💕🌹
Beautiful art Brian. Bisous. ❤️🌹
Likewise. 💕
I’m with you that this is one of Brian’s finest tours!
Ladies, ladies, I’m blushing. 😊
😀
I know, I absolutely love this! cheers!
Haha! Love that. Take good care my dear two friends.
Cheers!
Another fabulous post. The first photo is so beautiful, it’s colors fresh and bright. But each one has it’s own charm. Lovely.
So glad you liked it. You can imagine the sensation to get out after months of lockdown. Plus seeing such great art on the street on the way to the house we rented. We only sneaked out twice with masks and gel to go art-hunting. A touch of colour…
Stay safe.
You too and looking forward to your next wonderful post. 🙂
You guys are all putting the bar very high for the next post. 😉
I’m loving the colours…the words “Better to die standing than to live on your knees.” 🤔🤓😂 always delightful … nice space to be in for sure ~ sending joy hedy 💫
It is a strong motto. I never liked to bend my knee. 😉🌹
I would like to upgrade to the luxury class of Equinoxio Airways ! 🙂❤
Done. ✅
Congratulations for spotting these amazing grafitti !
Shukriya. Glad to share.
I loved the street art and more so your captions. A huge fan of those. The door knocker was an unusual find and so was the rancher’s door . Among so many beauties, it gets tough to choose but I couldn’t get ‘falling’ and the ‘jaguar’ out of my head. Another awesome post, Brian.
Thank you Dear. It’s nice to share those unexpected finds. Obvioulsy I like them all, but the jaguar is the most powerful in my opinion… Cheers.
Beautiful I’ve missed you either you were there or I was busy or you weren’t there but I was still busy but it’s good to hear from you and I hope you’re doing well please take care as long as we have to live in this crazy world just be safe my friend I enjoy your work tremendously keep it up 😺💃
Good to hear form you too. We all sometimes drift away. But the connection is always there. Haven’t visited as much as I would. I hope to improve.
And yes, you too stay safe in this crazy world…
🙏🏻
Lovely flight, as usual. Thank you 😊
Pas de quoi, chère amie. Tout va aussi bien que possible dans ce monde de fous?
Ma camisole printemps été est prête. Ma boîte d’antidépresseur aussi!!! 😉
Camisole de force bien sûr? 😉
Bien sûr…
😉
Absolutely love this street art! Miss Mexico 🇲🇽
And I miss France. Good to see you. All well? As much as can be?
Yes. We’re well in Denmark. Moved back from the U.S. west coast after 39 years! But we’re better off here. Am still writing my grandmother’s story. The one who went to Sumatra in 1920. Thanks for asking.
Yes, yes. I remember now. Well, stay safe. The vaccine is coming. Slowly, but hopefully surely. here in Mexico, some of our friends have already been vaccinated. A bit chaotic but we keep our fingers crossed. 🤞
Like your eye for detail and democratic definition of art. Art really is everywhere.
Merci, chère amie. Democracy is really the only wealth we have. And I’ve lived in enough rotten places to testify to that. And to the fact that our Democracy is under siege just about everywhere…
But then ‘Art is everywhere’ too. 😉
So true. The threat to art is enormous, first under-funding, and massively under-valued, now Covid.
I have to say, that having lived in post-communist countries, although the art had to adhere to an imposed agenda, it was at least well-funded and remained experimental (not necessarily true in every case, I am sure).
You have lived there? Fascinating. Do tell.
Art has mostly depended on sponsors. More inclined on their own vanity than anything else. Rembrandt’s “ronde de nuit” was ill received by its sponsors. It has now become a monument.
(I expect a full account of your post communist adventures…)
Now, today, some City Halls have seen the (political) opportunity and fund street artists for huge pieces. e.g in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. that’s good.
It’s simply that I lived in several Eastern European countries in the 1990s / early 00s. It was a great time, before cities like Prague and Budapest, though much-visited, were not simply overrun by tourism, unspoilt countryside. For the western European, too, it was still very cheap. Cannot be selfish though – obviously the tourism became a more important income source. Another industry on the edge. Another dilemma. Places like Venice and Dubrovnik were eroding, natives displaced, under tourism numbers, especially from huge passenger ships. What’s the answer?
Must have been fascinating. I didn’t go East until after the Iron curtain fell. Prague it was, I think, around 2000. Not so much tourism. I remember the shock seeing the monument to Jan Hus. I saw it. Remembered the Paris-Match photos of the Prague Spring. B&W photos of a black, sooty square. I looked up. All shining with bright colours. As if the Czechs had said, once the Russians were politely sent home: “Ok. let’s turn our sleeves up and paint everything anew.
Now mass tourism? It will be curbed for a while. One of the solutions is to expand hours. 3 shifts. I don’t mind walking Angkor at night.
Cheers Libre
And in what capacity did you live there? Erasmus?
I worked for the British Council – the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
Splendid. The BC is a great institution. Much, much better than the Alliance Française. It must have been a wonderful experience. What countries did you live in again? And for how long?
Hungary, Poland and CZR, for 2-3 years each. I was on grant-in-aid projects (non-profit side), and it was such an interesting time.
Fantastic. A good many years. When I discovered Prague years ago, I wanted to go back and stay a few months. Just wal around, and feel the place. Maybe a Dvorjack concert in a park?
Could manage picking up some of the language? Besides Dobri den?
A bit, yes. English was less widely spoken then, which helped. Forgotten a lot! But once you learn one Slavic languages, the others are a bit easier. Hungarian is another thing all together!
You would probably find, going back, that words come back to you. I imagine there are many similarities between Slavic languages. Dobri den is similar in Polish. Piva in Czech is Pivô in Russian. (I was told.) At least I know 3 key words. 😉 🍻
Encore de belles photos
Merci Brieuc
Bonne journée
Merci “ma grande.” je ne suis que le “messager”. je sors le truc rectangulaire de ma poche. Clic-clac. Et voilà… Biz et bonne nuit. 🌙
So many intriguing images! I wonder if the middle finger door knocker works better than a “No Solicitors” sign.
Yes, intriguing is the word. So was the door knocker. More than tempting though…
Yes, one would definitely be curious to see who opened the door . . .
Maybe some charming little old lady.
That’s quite a scene you’ve just planted in my head!
😉
Love those colors ! Much needed here ! Comment vas tu ? Et la tribu ? Bises Hanoiennes!
Salut! Quel plaisir d’avoir de tes nouvelles. Tout le monde va aussi bien que possible… Bises Mexicaines de retour. Je passe sur ton blog demain… Bonne journée, ici, c’est déjà la nuit… A+
J’ai essayé de visiter French touch in Cebu, mais comme d’hab, WP me dit que c’est fermé…
As I read, I thought the chicken and the devil are my favorites, but the jaguar in the end took the cake!
LOl. That’s why it’s at the end… Thanks for the visit and comment. 🙏🏻
“Better to die standing than to live on your knees”
YES!
Any time!
Interesting to see that “Better to die on your feet” in a different context. It came out of the Spanish Civil War.
It may have gone back and forth. This is supposedly from the Mexican Revolution (1910+) the Civil War which we Frogs call “la Guerre d’Espagne is ’36. But that writing is 21st century, so who knows.
“Viva la muerte” is definitely Spanish War. (One of Franco’s generals, I think).
All well Ellen?
Hanging in there, thanks. Another rejection on a novel today. So depressed, but if that’s the worst I’ve got to complain about, yeah, I’m great. You?
I sympathize. About the novel. But you do konw how it works don’t you? (I’ve given up that fight a long time ago…) But you have already published haven’t you? Don’t let the “idiiits” get to you…
Here? Solving hassles as usual.
Remember Peter Gabriel? “Don’t give up…” 🎶
Great street art, the jaguar is my favorite! So alive and predatory. Pounce!
Absolutely. That artist has much power in his/her hands. Imagine a T-shirt with the jaguar? (Make money for the artist?) (Iguana is still in the works… I haven’t forgotten you)
That would make a cool T-shirt. You’re right. Especially peeking around the side of the shirt.
A glimpse of life
Wow, some of these are truly amazing! Street art is interesting, creative and unrestricted and I can never get enough of it. Aiva 🙂
I am the same. It may be one of the powerful forms of Art in recent history.
‘Falling’ is very impressive, great photos.
Thank you. Glad you liked it. (It seems our tickets to Paris have been confirmed for this summer. I am so excited! Corollary is: YOU will find doors opening again for live performance. I think this year. 🙏🏻)
Fantastic Brian, love that jaguar, very stylish. Malinalco seems like a relaxed and interesting place to spend some time, not that I’m envious that you’ve been able to have a change of scenery or anything!
There are three or four “towns” close to Mexico city where people escape for the week-end or more: Valle de Bravo, Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán, and Malinalco. Many have country houses there.
(I know, I know. How’s Berlin in the snow and lockdown?)
Streetart in any form seems to be on the increase. i love it. There are some really creative souls in that village you visited. My favourites are the rancher’s door and the jaguar. Clever to put a sales booth right in front of it … everybody will see it.
Creativity is exploding in street art. One has to “read” street art closely these – troubled days – I suspect the sales booth commissioned the Jaguar. (My Fave too.) All well?
Tschüß
Yes we are fine, thank you! Except that my parent’s generation is dying off around us, but not because of the virus. But that’s life, I guess.
Oh yes, I can imagine. My parents are long gone already, and as far as I know all their friends. And relatives. One of my eldest cousins is 81 or 82… Only a cousin of my father remains, he was 107 last year, and fit as a fiddle… I hope he’s still around and kicking.
The last one now in my circle of that generation is my father’s sister, who was 90 last year, she has all kinds of afflictions and has had several severe operations, but she is a tough one. My parents are also long gone, they died at 83 resp. 86.
So she’s your aunt? I hope she’s all right. Problem is few people reach such an advanced age without serious health problems. Sorry about your parents. I hope they were as well as can be until the end.
My father had dementia during his last three years. That was not so funny. Sometimes he had lucid moments in which he realized his condition. He was better off in fantasy land, he seemed to have a good time there.
My mother was fine in her head until the head, but she head a tendency towards depression. So in the end she did not want to go on, and that was it.
Sad. Some people make it in good shape until very old. Most don’t. In both my parents’ cases, it was a relief when they passed. My mother had cancer. The last few months were awful. My father survived her 8 years. But he was mostly gone in his head. May they all rest now. 🙏🏻
Yes, may they rest in peace! 🙂
The jaguar is great. What a wonderful addition to a simple stall.
If only it were as easy as the stork bringing us a baby…lol.
I think the stall/shop commissioned the jaguar.
Storks were easy, right? Hey, little C. was a blessing wasn’t he? 😉💕
He sure was/is.
Like I said: 💕
Everything on the street is art…I like that!😉
It is, isn’t it? Why should we reduce art to 14th or 15th century Italian painters in a museum? Though if anyone donates a Botticcelli, je suis preneur. 😉
Another nice collection. The breast feeding as long as possible sounds idyllic until you have twins. Around the 9-month mark, the mother’s sanity becomes an even stronger influencer of the babies’ long-term well-being. 🙂
Did you have twins? 😀 “as long as possible” is the idea. In “olden” days, children could be breast fed 2 years. Great for immunity. But today? Working mothers? A few months is great. Again, compromises must be made. (Otherwise, yes the mother would go crazy)🤪
Yes. I had twins girls when my son was two. I made the mistake of trying to give my daughters all the benefits my son had had. Finally, came to my senses when a wise older woman helped me realize that there’s a different beauty to be had with three than with one. There is a ton of pressure put on mothers. Sorry if I had a PTSD moment. 😀
Not at all. It was perfectly sound and understandable. I would have done the same… 😉 So you have 3? A friend of mine, a psychologist once told me that 3 children shifts the power balance in the family. “They” outnumber the parents…
Our 3 are super close friends but so far they haven’t attempted to overthrow us. 😀 I seem to recall you mentioning kids. At least one daughter. Do you have others?
We have 2 grown up daughters. One married with 2 kids, a little boy of 4 and a little girl of 1.5. Charming. Fortunately since daughter#1 and her husbands are MD’s and in hospitals they have already been vaccinated. Daughter #2 caught the bug last month. So we can all get together periodically.
(They will overthrow you. Soon. 😉)
I suspect our daughters will lead the insurrection. 🙂
LOL. They might.
Lovely tour, gracias!
De nada chica. Esta salida nos salvó de la locura. Aunque nos encerramos en otra casa, por una semana, y sólo salimos una hora dos veces, fue un cambio de aire. Todo bien x allá?
Algunos problemas pero bien.
Lo siento. There are times like that. Then it slowly goes away. Hopefully all those problems have a solution?
It’s extended family problems. There are solutions but they aren’t quick ones.
Hmm. Family problems can be difficult. Glad there are solutions in the future. Buen fin.
Ojala que!
A bureaucrat saying: No problem left unattended long enough won’t solve itself. 😉
your comments are delightful — tx for the chuckles to go along with the oohs & ahhh 🙂
Thank you. It goes straight to my heart. I must confess writing those comments are always a pleasure. All the more so with such comments. 🙏🏻
From 1980 to 1985, I believe I commented to you used to fly often for business to Mexico city for work, but will expend the weekends, with my local friends, going to the many towns within relative short distance from Mexico city, one of my great memories were those towns like in the States of Morelos, Puebla, Queretaro, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, and even Guerrero, that was really a great time, of my life and I keep great memories, the old houses, their inner gardens, the narrow, quiet, cobbled streets, charming plazas, the old Haciendas, and even the evening rain during the Summer months, and the clear mornings after, with the nice views of the volcanos, and those Mexican style, delicious large buffet brunch, I sigh, just remembering.
I am glad you are enjoying all that. 🙂
Yes, you mentioned that. There still is this “art de vivre”. But the violence everywhere spoils it a bit. Ni modo. Hay que vivir con ello.
Simply mind-blowing! Thank you for sharing these artists and their amazing works.
Dhanyavada. 😉🙏🏻
Love these, and the great captions – I hope you’re keeping well 🤗
Thank you. This escapade in July was like breaking away from jail…
We’re waiting for the vaccine. The UK seems to be well ahead. Stay safe Cherryl
these are wonderful! I think you posted some of them before, no? which is to say that they’re memorable & worth seeing many times 🙂
Possibly. I guess I have posted so many pictures, I might repeat some without intent. Glad you enjoy them all the same.