Playa del Carmen Art

I didn't do any drawing while we were in Mexico (see 12/16 post). I just didn't feel like it. I did alot of reading and swimming in the pool. Out on the hotel pool courtyard, there were two artisan carts. One was a woman who created beautiful wool rugs and table runners. She had her loom set up and worked on pieces right there. We looked through a big stack of rugs that she made and I fell in love with this one. I bought it to hang in our stairwell.

I love the fish and the bright colors. It's very heavy and tightly woven - and is made from the wool of Mexican sheep! I sewed a rod pocket on the back and hung it with a curtain rod and cord.

The second artist created pottery. His cart was filled with ceramic bisqueware and he drew Mexican designs on the pieces (or you could get a blank one to create your own design). He had umbrella tables set up with paints and brushes. We painted the background colors (two coats) and he did the distinctive embellishments and flourishes. The pieces were glazed and fired overnight, ready to pick up at 10 AM the next day! It was a great way to spend two afternoons.

I painted this platter and a blue bird/flower vase.

      

While painting I met some interesting folks: A woman from Canada whose friend won a free trip to Mexico and invited her along. A newlywed from Ireland who was there on her honeymoon. A couple from Wisconsin who are planning to start a winery on their farm. Two young women from Japan.

So, even though I didn't draw, I did do some art!

Emma Pod

Playa del Carmen Trip, December 2007

We recently returned from a week in Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. We stayed at the Secrets Capri Resort, which is about five miles north of Playa (and about 25 miles south of Cancun). The hotel is away from the bustle and noise of the city and was very relaxing.

Here are a couple of shots from the hotel, pool, bar and beach. The ocean waves were high, so our beach was closed for a few days. There were storms farther east and we got some wind, rain and churned up water. The pool was OK, but we had hoped for that clear, turquoise Caribbean Sea to swim in.



 

  

Below is 5th Avenue, a marketplace in Playa del Carmen. There lots of activity and things were alot more expensive than I thought they'd be! You can't take five steps without someone crying, "Amiga! Amiga! Lady! Come look!!!"


On the left below is a Mayan bench on Mamitas Beach in Playa del Carmen. We wish we would have discovered this beach sooner because the water was beautiful! I didn't take a shot of the beach, but here's a beach pic I borrowed from Karen's Public Gallery found on Picasa Web Albums.

  

One day we took a snorkel trip from Aqua World in Cancun - we used Jet Skis to get to the reef. The snorkeling was not great because of the high waves and murky water, but at least we got into the water! Because of the choppy waves, it was hard to keep the jet ski level. One couple capsized and we almost did when our front end went under a wave.

Here are shots of ruins at Tulum:



Even though the weather was not the best, we had a nice time! The hotel was great! We relaxed! We got some sun and shopping! The people were friendly! The food was great! And we weren't at work! What's not to love?

Emma Pod

EDM #147: Draw Something Made of Wood

Here is my drawing for the Everyday Matters Challenge #147, to draw something made of wood. I bought this carved wooden monk a long time ago at a monastery - I can't remember which monastery or even in which state. It may be from New Melleray Abbey in Iowa, or Blue Cloud Abbey in South Dakota, or Mount Angel Abbey here in Oregon.

Emma Pod


PS - Snakebite writes...maybe it's from Abbey Normal. And I think, what the heck is Abbey Normal??? So I do a Google search.

Abbey Normal is:

• a Belgian-style beer from Cambridge Brewing Company
• a bit from the movie Young Frankenstein described in this entry on the I Live on a Farm blog
• a You Tube dancer Just Call Me Abbey Normal
• a strange woman on iLike
• a coffee cup with a brain on it
• a number of zombie-loving people on myspace
• a t-shirt company and an ID tag for another company with t-shirts
• a mountain that is just left of "Cow Patty".
• a cover band that made a record called Mr. Pickle
• a published author Pneumanaut: a thesis by Dr. Abbey Normal
  

Who knew???