Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:37 PM
Rob Kinnon
Feria Artesanias de Oaxaca in Playa del Carmen
If you've ever been to a fair here in Playa, then you know how much fun they can be. Frankly, only one time have I ever actually found anything I though was actually worth buying. Nevertheless, they are very entertaining, a great people watching opportunity at very least. Tonight, we spent several hours wandering through a really good fair, set up in the new park on the corner of Avenida 15 and Juarez, the one we refer to as Parque los Trabajadores for the migrant workmen who were recently displaced from this very visible, high traffic spot. It's actually a vast improvement over the shabby basketball court that once stood there. Tonight, the park was filled with tents and tables filled with handmade clothes, toys, crafts, food, and traditional medicinal items all brought here by a traveling group of artisans and craftsmen from Oaxaca. It's too bad they weren't here a few weeks ago as they would have has a booming business selling the beautifully knitted and appliqued sweaters, shawls and mittens. Of course, there was more, and we spent several hours going from booth to booth taking it all in. The kids had fun amusing themselves on the climbing walls and nets and bugging us for candy and churros. There was a mime comedy show, karaoke, portrait sketch artists and regional food vendors. I even finally got to try chapulines!! A successful family outing by our standards. If you are in Playa and you have some time, head over to the park and check it out. They are here until Tuesday February 17th.
Mmmm. Nothing says "carnival" liked fried dough!
Moles, chiles and other seasonings
Fresh baked breads.
I should have gone back to buy some of this stuff.
Me thinks they have had problems in the past.
Budding young artisans.
Chapulines!! Small grasshoppers fried with chile and lime. A classic W.W.M.D. moment.
She's her mother's daughter for sure.
Luis from Ecuador with his beautiful sweaters.
I picked up a few of these clever finger puppets. 10 pesos a piece.
Cheesy engraved pendants. Of course, Birdie had to have one!
Oh yeah. We blend.
Churros! The perfect end to a perfect night!!
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