POTD: No Means No

From 2025 06 03 Oaxaca

Today's photo-of-the-day is of graffiti in Oaxaca, Mexico. I am not an expert on Mexican political movements, but when I see "8M" alongside phrases like "Fuimos todas," "No es no," and "Oaxaca feminicida," I think it signals that the graffiti is connected to the feminist mobilizations that take place annually in Mexico on International Womens Day, March 8 (shorthand: "8M"). The graffiti says the protests were large ("We all went"), they were against violence against women ("feminicida") and they signaled demands for justice, safety, and equality. I might be male, I might be American, but I'm feeling solidarity as I read this cry for justice in a foreign land.

P.S. Today is March 8 all over the world.

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"Read the foreign words.
The meaning crosses borders.
Justice has no flag."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Volcan La Malanche

From 2025 06 03 Oaxaca

Today's photo-of-the-day is of La Malinche volcano in Mexico, outside Puebla, if you can call any volcano "outside" a city if it presents this view to the neighborhoods at the foot of the mountain. I personally find it scary, but it's probably less likely that a resident of Puebla will die in a volcanic explosion in their lifetime than a resident of, say, Richardson, Texas, will die from a tornado. I wouldn't be reassured by Wikipedia calling it an "inactive" volcano. That plume of smoke suggests to me that could change at any time.

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"They say 'inactive,'
yet smoke braids the morning air
as summit exhales."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Lucha Libre

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Arena Puebla, a regular venue for Mexican-style wrestling, called Lucha Libre. The sport is known for its colorful masks, high-flying acrobatics, fast pace, and dramatic characters divided into heroes and villains. A packed house, with a mostly local audience, many dressed as their favorite fighters, shower the ring repeatedly with cheers and boos. You can't help but enjoy the spectacle.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

POTD: Courtyard of Museo Amparo

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in the courtyard of Museo Amparo in Puebla, Mexico. "The Amparo Museum is considered one of Mexico's most important cultural and exhibition centers. It features galleries dedicated to its collection of pre-Hispanic art, one of the most significant in Mexico held by a private institution." I was won over by its beautiful courtyard.

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"Floor like cobalt sea,
Amber columns holding sky,
Courtyard a retreat."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Stopping on the Street on my Walk to Church

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the street on my walk to the Templo de Santa María Tonantzintla in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. This church was small and nice, but I had seen enough churches. A man shoeing a horse on a small, quiet street on my walk to church caught my eye. Man and horse (and tourist) all seemed satisfied.

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"Man and beast are still,
A job well done in the sun,
Church ahead can wait."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: The Great Pyramid of Cholula

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, a Catholic church located atop the Great Pyramid of Cholula, in San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. That's the church at the top of the hill. At the base is a partial reconstruction of the Pyramid that used to go all the way to the top of the hill.

Another photo is after the jump.

POTD: LEY SECA

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Puebla, Mexico, at a restaurant we chose to eat at. Food was fine, but we found it odd that the bar was closed, with "LEY SECA" posted over it. The translation is basically: "Yes, we are a bar. No, you cannot drink today." The reason was it was election day. I guess the thinking is that it takes away an excuse the electorate could use for electing bad politicians: "Don't blame us. We were drinking." Texans don't have that excuse for the results of our elections.

---

"Election Sunday,
the barroom stays out of it.
Beer can wait its turn."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Taller Talavera de la Reyna

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Puebla, Mexico, at Taller Talavera de la Reyna. It shows ceramic plates arrayed on the ground, some broken. I can't explain it (the plates). I can explain Talavera de la Reyna. "Angélica Moreno founded the Talavera de la Reyna workshop in 1990, with the objective of preserving, rescuing, innovating and valuing one of the most important artisanal processes in Mexico." Today, you can watch artisans at work and purchase their products. It's worth a visit.

---

"Not trash, not display,
just ceramics marking time
through chips and edges."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Alley of the Frogs

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Puebla, Mexico. It shows a street lined with colorful shops and restaurants. It's home to a weekend antique and handicraft market. Why it's called Alley of the Frogs, well, I think that's a relic of history long gone. Something about regular flooding or something.

Another photo is after the jump.

POTD: Biblioteca Palafoxiana

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Puebla, Mexico, in a public library founded in the 17th century. It houses thousands of rare books, naturally.

It's also colorful. Another photo showing that is after the jump.

POTD: Puebla's Calle de los Dulces

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Puebla, Mexico, along a (mostly) pedestrian avenue known for its wealth of candy stores. It's Calle de los Dulces.

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"Footsteps slow themselves
when sweetness fills the senses.
Commerce yields to joy."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Bike Lanes in the Sky

From 2025 06 01 Puebla

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the road into Puebla, Mexico. Above us was an elevated lane dedicated to bicycles. Really. I can't say what the usage is or the economics of doing it this way, but it sure looks cool. According to PedalPowerTouring.com, "Puebla definitely outdoes itself by adding a bike-path and propping it up high in the sky, about one or two stories over the car traffick. Not only do we get to enjoy stress-free riding, we also get a great view!"

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"Stress-free bike riding,
a phrase rare as quiet streets,
made literal here."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Real del Barro

From 2025 05 30 Mexico City

Today's photo-of-the-day was from Real del Barro, a restaurant in Mexico City. It's where we were served an appetizer of ground up grassphoppers on a small, flat taco shell. That's all I remember.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

POTD: Mexico City Street Food

From 2025 05 30 Mexico City

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on a street in Mexico City. Whether it's called tacos al pastor, or shawarma, or döner kebab, it's delicious.

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"Spinning spit of pork,
thin slices fall like petals,
tortillas wait warm."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Teachers Strike

From 2025 05 30 Mexico City

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Mexico City. It shows a tent city set up by teachers on strike against the government. Everything was quiet and peaceful when we walked freely in the area, but writing of the striking teachers, a report in The New York Times said, "The 100,000-strong group's demands include doubling teacher salaries and appealing pension and education laws they deem harmful. Earlier this week, the group paralyzed traffic along one of Mexico City's most emblematic avenues, and Mexican journalists reported that they were assaulted by protesting union members outside the National Palace in the old city center."

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"Banners speak of pay
of years promised, years withheld.
Hope stitched into seams."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Avenida Francisco I. Madero

From 2025 05 30 Mexico City

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in a major shopping street in central Mexico City, La Avenida Francisco I. Madero.

Another photo, of Calle de Fray Pedro de Gante, is after the jump.

POTD: Sanborns Madero

From 2025 05 30 Mexico City

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Sanborns Madero in cental Mexico City. According to Gemini, "Sanborns Madero in Mexico City is the iconic, historic first location of the Sanborns chain, nestled inside the stunning blue-tiled Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles) on Madero Street, offering traditional Mexican food like Enchiladas Suizas, a classic department store experience, and a glimpse into history with its beautiful architecture and murals, making it a must-visit landmark in the Centro Histórico."

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"A café, a store,
a museum of habits
still alive, still strong."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Goodbye to Thailand...and to John

From 2025 03 26 Bangkok (2)

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at Wat Arun in Bangkok on the morning of our last day in Thailand.

After the jump, one last photograph.

POTD: Our Last Dinner

From 2025 03 26 Bangkok (2)

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at the rooftop restaurant of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit on Ellen's and my last night in Thailand after a wonderful two week vacation. We were thankful that John and Dessy flew from Jakarta to Bangkok to be with us. Little did we suspect it was to be our last supper ever with John. Three months later, back in Jakarta, John was hospitalized after a short illness. Ellen and I made the long trip to Jakarta to be with him. John passed away, surrounded by Dessy, Ellen and me, and Dessy's family and many of their closest friends. John was only 36. We will be forever grateful for those 36 years and all of the times and places we were able to share with him.

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"Rooftop memories
where our laughter met the dark.
Love outlives the meal."
— h/t ChatGP

POTD: High Protein Refreshment

From 2025 03 23 Chiang Mai

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at a food store at the foot of Doi Suthep, the site of a popular temple. As healthful as I imagine the products on sale here to be, we didn't partake.

Bonus photos are after the jump.