I’ve tried to capture the color, the quirkiness, the unique in Puerto Vallarta, mostly in the old town.
Even on the Malacon one can find color and texture.
Day of the Dead has become a very popular theme.
We didn’t eat here, now I’m sorry, the sign is just lovely, yes more Day of the Dead.
Speaking of signs.
Doors are also interesting, loving the octopi.
Interiors are very colorful, this being a very hot climate, many interiors are open to the street.
Loving the color scheme.
This is a color scheme I’ve been using more, orange and Turquoise.
There is a quilt in here, need to give it some thought.
Manmade color
Nature’s color
Glass mosaic
Paper mosaic
Dragon
Tropical Santa selling silver.
Puppets.
I didn’t realize how beautiful and intricate the Cathedral cupola is until I enlarged the photo.
Category: Travel
Dance of the flyers
An ancient tradition that has survived as a performance in Mexico today. Dance of the Flyers. There are terra cotta examples of this dance from the Jalisco/Nayarit area from over 2000 years ago. LACMA has one but unfortunately do not have an image available.
What they do have is this late 17 c. painted screen, where one can clearly see how the ancient religious traditions are being incorporated into Spanish Mexican life as entertainment. And so it continues today
We were walking along the Malacon and chanced to look up to see this.
Two fellows up on top of this tall pole while another 4 men were drumming up interest down below.
Soon they climbed up as well.
Getting into position, one man in the middle and four on each side, attaching a sturdy rope to their waists.
And then they let go and slowly the large metal square started to rotate and the four men flew gracefully like birds.
This is not a rapid fall like a bungie jump. It appears that they wrap the rope around their legs to control the descent.
Arms out like birds
Almost to the ground!
And over they flip onto their feet and it’s done. Last time I was here (about 8 years ago) I do not remember this performance.
Unfortunately for me, I no longer give tours at LACMA so can’t share with the children that this ancient dance is alive and well today for any tourist to see. I’m glad it’s been revived. I can’t say anything about the authenticity of the costume, I think that is up to the descretion of the performers. Btw, this took place in the late afternoon, I have no idea if it is performed more than once a day.
LeahWhales
One of the pleasures of Puerto Vallarta in the winter is seeing the Humpback whales that come down from Alaska to have their babies. Along the West Coast, one can watch the whales migrate back north from February on. The difference is, that when in Mexico, the whales are playing. They have nothing to eat, but they also have no predators, they are not focused on moving north as quickly as possible – so whale watching in Banderas Bay is very rewarding.
It took about an hour to get far enough out and we came upon a pod of whales, spouting away.
They would surface all around us. 
And then they dive back into the water, only to resurface at a new location.
This picture is pure luck, I aimed the camera and shot non stop. I ended up deleting more pictures than I saved. 
The size and the majesty is unbelievable.
The underside of the tail is the fluke, it is the signature of the whale, sort of like our fingerprints. Here a rather dark fluke.
And here, a very white one.
On our way back we came across a two whales, I love the city in the background.
I don’t know how the tails get so ragged, but I noticed this on a number of tails. This is early in the season, the whales are mating, they will return north, the females will gorge on Krill, storing up for the journey south to give birth. They won’t eat for months on end, all that while nursing their young and then leading them back to Alaska.
LeahA little R&R in Mexico
A park in Jerusalem
I grew up in Jerusalem, I lived there for 6 years as an adult – just goes to show, that cities are not like little villages – there is always something new to discover.
In my case, it is this wonderful little Park.
To be fair, this park probably didn’t exist when I was a child, it was probably an empty field. Still it’s interesting to come across something new to me. The sign on the gate has nothing to do with the park. These are death announcements and one finds them plastered all over the city. They do serve an important purpose, when my father died suddenly it was notices like this that alerted acquaintances of mine to come by and offer condolences. So it’s hard for me to see this as blight, or graffiti.
This is a lovely well designed park. Like most parks in Jerusalem, it was donated by wealthy individuals. In this case, Doris and Chaim Morrison – because they love flowers and the children of Jerusalem. Today it was rather empty of children, probably because they are back in school.
Cats, Jerusalem is full of street cats. I think the British brought a few over to combat the rodent problem. Just like the rabbits took over Australia, the street cats have taken over Israel. At least there isn’t much of a rodent problem.
I had to take a number of pictures of this large grassy area. This is a rarity in Jerusalem. First of all there aren’t enough parks, second of all, where there are parks, there often isn’t much grass. A real treat for sore eyes, since most of the city is buildings clad in Jerusalem stone – basically limestone. So green is very very welcome.
A touch of color. For people in the northern climes – the Hollyhock is a lovely garden flower. In hot dry Israel this is one of those rare flowers that reseeds itself like a weed, yet is very welcome once it blooms
A family set up tables and food under the arbor. Friday is like Sunday in Israel – weekend. The difference is that although most people don’t work, the schools still are in session on Fridays. So I’m guessing these kids were pulled out for a family gathering.
In the wall, this wonderful mosaic. I don’t read Greek, or is this the ancient Hebrew alphabet? Probably more likely. The images are of course the 7 branch candelabra that would have been in the Temple. The yellow fruit is probably the Etrog (citron) and the branch is the palm frond that together with the Etrog are used on the holiday of Sukkot, which is coming up very soon.
The pomegranate is ripening on the tree. This is the season for the fruit. It will be displayed proudly on peoples tables (mine included) next Wednesday night when we welcome in the Jewish New Year. One of the blessing is – may your year be as full of blessings as the seeds of the pomegranate.
Back from Jerusalem
I made a quick trip to Jerusalem, one week in and out. I know, it seems crazy to go that far for just one week, but this isn’t a vacation, it was family issues. Which means that I wasn’t spending my time running around being a tourist.
I grew up here, so it is amazing how familiar I feel, even with all the big changes going on. Driving in Jerusalem isn’t easy, instinctively I seem to know how the streets work. I guess that comes from living here so long ago.
I did have time to meet my niece here for a visit. This train station was built over 100 years ago. It was quite a breakthrough to have the train come up from Jaffa to Jerusalem, I think it was about 40 years ago that the train stopped running, so now has been transformed into one of those wonderful creative urban spots.
The green painted doors and shutters are new. I’ve noticed some old photos (as in just a year or two ago) that does not have the shutters or the color.
From inside the station, looking at the building. Most of the structure is now filled with restaurants and few shops.
They have covered most of the track so it it easy to walk on, but here and there they have left the track exposed. A lot of sun umbrellas for the hot days, heat lamps for the cool Jerusalem nights as well as the cold days that are coming quickly.
End of the line train stop.
This is Israel, this little two year old was running around on his own. I never saw the parents, they must have been around somewhere. At some point he was gone, presumably with his parents. It is amazing how much freedom little children have. Six year olds take the bus alone to school and in a large open place like this (yes protected from street traffic) a little boy scoots around freely.
Weekends in Israel are Friday, Saturday. So they set up a very cute craft fair. You can also see how they have covered most of the train tracks. At night there are music performances as well. Notice the crane in the background? They are building a 15 story hotel, construction never stops in this city.
Have I mentioned how strong and hot Jerusalem sun can be? 
Mouth watering bread.
Interesting collection of antiques.
View into one of the stores. They left one wall untouched, with the old pealing paint in place.
As you walk south from the station, the tracks now become a wonderful walking path and bike path to it’s side. So far this urban walk walk way goes a couple miles south through neighborhoods and industrial areas. Full of walkers and bikers. A lovely urban renewal project. Here is the old switch station, turned into a small restaurant, appropriately named: The Switch Station.
At the first intersection with a street is a small hut where a man used to sit to signal to the traffic on the street that a train was coming. Today there is a delightful juice hut here. That is my niece in the blue and yes, we both had some very interesting juice combinations – delicious of course. Mine had melon, cucumber, mint and lemon juice. Refreshing!
We sat under the green umbrella, enjoyed our juice and enjoyed a relaxing conversation.
Chihuly Glass
Dale Chihuly is the superstar of the Art Glass world. His creations are known the world over. His exuberant use of color and massive amounts of glass pieces in each installation have become his signature style.
I have had the pleasure of seeing his installations in Jerusalem, Las Vegas and of course Tacoma WA. I’ve see individual pieces for sale at many a gallery and pictures of his work are everywhere. I get the sense that the art world doesn’t want to take him to seriously – because he is so successful, but every glass artist who does get their work into museums, must acknowledge that he is a trail blazer. 
This is probably one of my favorites, it is indoors, the darkness around just makes the spheres sing. As well as the mirror imaging. What can I say color makes me happy.
I love watching glass blowers. Glass is an incredible material, even in it’s finished state it is still somewhat liquid, well that is what physicists tell me. I can explain how the swirls and twirls are made, I have no idea how they create the spheres.
Bright intense color just makes me happy.
Seattle’s Space Needle in the background just makes the image better.
My understanding is that making these colored chunks is a lot more difficult than you’d think.
The size of this tree is mind boggling. There must be thousands of cones here.
As every quilter knows, if you want your creation to sparkle, you need a lot of contrasting colors in the composition.
Or if working with blue, you just need every shade and tint.
For a man who lost an eye in a motorcycle accident many years ago – he never lost his love of color or of the incredible material – glass. Lucky for us, his creations are all over for us to enjoy.
LeahSeattle
I’ve been to Seattle a number of times, so at some point it’s not the standard pictures I want to capture. We started our visit with a lunch at Lake Union, always fun to see the Seaplanes landing.
It’s not every day you see people moving a large lemon.
A wall of antique sewing machines in a High end Men’s clothing store. No I don’t remember the name of the store. Apparently it’s a British chain and the owner collects thousands of these machines. These were just a few in this store. Part of me wanted to liberate the machines and find them real homes where sewers would actually use them.
Yes, Pike Place Market is fun and bustling with people in the summer. Of course all I could see was the amazing flowers in the boxes overhead. That’s what a lot of rain will get you.
The Great Wheel wasn’t here my last visit – so a spin was worth while. Of course if it wasn’t closed cars – I never would have gone up.
This is what a modern port looks like. Dinosaur cranes, a lot of fancy equipment. Doesn’t hurt to have a ferry enter the picture as well.
I did take a few pictures of the space needle, but this one seemed more eclectic.
I take time to look down, this is was a very photo worthy manhole cover.
Old brick road with fancy new cars.
Public art by the side of the road. I remember using this, any guesses?? It’s a typewriter eraser – created very large by Clause Oldenburg.
Port Townsend
Our final stop before Joel’s business meeting in Seattle was Port Townsend.
We stayed in the cottage right behind the sign, adorable inside and out, no we never did sit in those lovely Adirondeck chairs. Right after checking in it time to explore.
I LOVE ghost advertising. Back in the day, before billboards, companies painted their advertising on the unused sides and backs of building. This one is clearly something you wouldn’t see anymore.
Port Townsend had the ability to be the largest port on Puget Sound, very deep harbor, but time, influence, roads and land accessibility, led to Seattle taking that role. So once again, the town fell into sleepy disuse which means wonderful Victorian commercial buildings. 
Three stories is about as high as they get, no one wants to climb higher than that to get to their office. Love the cupola and the widows walk on the roof.
Today the interior of this building is all creative businesses – yes I did buy yarn here.
At another location I stopped and added at least 10 pieces to this puzzle while Joel spoke to the proprietor.
The signage, both Ghost and Blade remain, but today this is another cutesy tourist shop, not a theater.
Interesting detail on the facade of this building.
The town was still very successful in the 20s. A wonderful example of Art Deco.
Outdoor staircases are a real magnet for me to climb, especially if there is an interesting tower at the top.
Built in 1890. this bell was rung for over fifty years to call the volunteer fire department. Fires were the biggest hazard that people experienced in both commercial buildings and homes. These kind of towers used to dot the landscape, today this is the only remaining restored tower of it’s kind in the US.
Right across the street is this little Church, straight out of New England. Built in 1865, oldest church in Washington. The Bell tower was donated five years later by a sea captain. The bell was used in foggy weather like a lighthouse warning, as well as Church bells for the community.
One block off the main street and the architecture is still Victorian but on a much smaller scale.
We walked out on the pier and looked back at the town.
On a beautiful weekend day, a lot of people were out sailing.
Remnants of the old industrial pier. Today there is a ferry to Whidby Island. In general Port Townsend is a lovely weekend retreat for people from the Seattle area. It restored it’s wonderful old buildings and is a very active busy little town.
Into the Olympic Peninsula
I love lighthouses, well, I enjoy visiting them, I doubt I’d survive living in one for more than a day. Near point Destruction we visited North Head lighthouse.
We had an unusual bright sunny day.
This time we skipped the paid tour, I already know about Fresnel lights and how they changed the industry. Of course, these days, lighthouses are a reminder of an older time, before GPS and up to date weather and terrain forecasts.
We then drove through the towns of Cosmopolis and Aberdeen. No I didn’t take any pictures, it was rather depressing. Clearly their heyday was long ago. Once again, along the main street of Cosmopolis I saw lovely old commercial buildings from the early 20th C. But trade and business have moved elsewhere. There was even less to see in Aberdeen. The Western coast of the Olympic peninsula is empty and desolate. A few towns along Grey’s Harbor, then large portions of the Olympic National Forrest and Indian reservations. This area receives 12 feet of rain a year! We happened to drive through on a sunny day but we did stop to take a walk in the rain forrest.
The soil up here must be much more acidic than what we have in CA. No matter how much acid I add to my hydrangeas, they are never this blue.
I love a good camera, I’m learning the ropes and I even managed to capture this butterfly.
Mushroom like growth and ferns.
We stopped at a few of the beaches but were too lazy to hike down, or should I say, we were concerned about climbing back up.
Love the rugged coast line.
Other people have more stamina than we did.
We drove close to 200 miles and by the time we arrived at our motel in Forks we were ready to stop and rest. No pictures, I haven’t read or seen the Twilight series so had no idea how important this town is. To me, it was the only place that had a motel for the night. Good thing I booked ahead of time, the ‘town’ was completely booked up, some bikers who hadn’t made any plans were turned away and had to go back to Port Angeles for lodging.
The motel was clean and comfortable, the food was awful. So the next morning we got up early and drove the 70 miles to Port Angeles for a nice crepe breakfast with good coffee.
A park and mural in Port Angeles. Not as sad as Forks, there is a ferry that leaves often for Victoria BC, just half an hour away. So they do get some business coming through.
Putting Joel into a mural
Once again, we didn’t go down to the beach but enjoyed seeing the early morning fog make it’s retreat from the coastline.
Old spinning wheel at Sequim’s farmer’s market. Yes, the woman is spinning, this old beauty isn’t only for show.
Sequim is lovely, the geography is such that they get a lot more sunshine than most of Western WA. Therefore a lot of people retire here and enjoy a great standard of living. It really is an adorable town, with lovely rolling hills around it. We visited the local Saturday’s farmers market, enjoyed some cute shops (including a quilt store) and spoke to people who just raved about their town.
From there, onto Port Townsend.
Leah