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Mexico

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: The Plaza At Night, Ajijic, Mexico

The heart and soul of village life in Ajijic, a lakeside community in Jalisco, Mexico, is the central plaza—a communal living room where camaraderie, a meal, and a smile can almost always be found.

Ajijic Plaza at Night by Ellen Barone.

For me, the plaza evokes the easy congeniality of the Mexican people and culture. There, vendors sell their wares, music fills the air, dogs roam freely, families gather and children chase and play—at loose in their world in a manner no longer trusted North-of-the-Border. 

Early evening in Ajijic, where we are living temporarily, is when the plaza really starts to buzz: School is out, the heat of the day has passed, and people arrive with the time and inclination to socialize, grab a bite, and catch up on the day’s news. 

What about you? What aspect of life in Mexico, or any favorite destination, do you love most? Share a comment below, on my Facebook page, or tag me on twitter to continue the conversation. 

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Day of the Dead, Oaxaca, Mexico

This month’s featured photography comes from photographer Eric Mindling of Traditions Mexico. 

Once a year, for the first two days of November, daily routine is put on pause in Mexico for the Day of the Dead festival. Food is made in abundance, graveyards are swept clean, tombstones washed, home altars built, and the flor de muertos (marigolds) fill every home and cemetery. It is moving, beautiful, respectful, and all about death, family, and remembering. Those who are alive, cry and sing, laugh and gossip, or stare into the skies, beside the graves of their beloved on the night when the spirits of the dead are believed to return for the party and annual feast of their favorite foods.


Oaxaca, Mexico. ©Eric Mindling/TraditionsMexico.com 

 

Day of the Dead is an all-inclusive community celebration, with friends and extended family at the tomb, and most of the villagers in the graveyard for the same purpose. Hundreds of candles, thousands of flowers, soft voices, a night sky, the spirits of the deceased in the air, and the spirit of those alive everywhere. And though the moments may be happy or sad, Day of the Dead is, above all, a celebration; a party of remembrance, appreciation and eating and drinking. And as with any good party, everyone is welcome.

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Baja Yacht Cruise: Mexico's Sea of Cortez

I’m just back from hosting a photo-themed adventure yacht cruise in the nature-rich Sea of Cortez - “Mexico’s Galapagos.” Bountiful wildlife combined with a unique landscape of desert and sea make this remote region an ideal location for a photography expedition. Click thru to view the complete gallery of images from the voyage. 

 

 

NEXT UP, Hawaii! Who’s in? To learn more, visit www.AmericanSafariCruises.com.

 

photos ©2011 Ellen and Hank Barone. 

 

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,FacebookGoogle+ and LinkedIn.

 

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Copper Canyon, Mexico

This month’s featured photography comes from photographer Greg Vaughn. See more of Greg’s gorgeous imagery at www.GregVaughn.com

Copper Canyon near Barrancas, Chihuahua, Mexico

The most famous of a series of canyons in the Sierra Madre mountains of northwestern Mexico is Copper Canyon or Barranca del Cobre. We traveled here via the “Chepe” (Chihuahua Pacific)  railroad, which winds it’s way from the coastal plains at Los Mochis up through a series of canyons to Barrancas and Divisidero on the rim of Copper Canyon. This canyon system is larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon, and the views are truly spectacular. The photo above was taken from a trailside viewpoint not far from our hotel, Mansion Tarahumara, which is perched right on the rim of the canyon.

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La Paz, Baja, Mexico

© Ellen Barone. CostaBaja Resort. La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico

I’m a sucker for Mexican design and CostaBaja had me hooked at hello. What a gorgeous new addition to the accommodation options in La Paz. Totally yummy! Better yet, the staff was every bit as warm and welcoming as the surroundings. Learn more about this resort community at www.CostaBajaResort.com.

 

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,FacebookGoogle+ and LinkedIn.

 

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La Cañada, Mexico

La casa de Doña Hermina. © Ute Hagen. texture by Insan Stock.

This month’s photograph comes from a new ‘Countryside along the Sabino River’ series of images by Mexico-based artist Ute Hagen. For the past decade, I have been blessed by Ute’s friendship, vision and passion and am honored by the opportunity to feature her work here.

Here’s Ute’s description of the experience behind the creation of the photograph:


…she [Doña Hermina] lives here alone. i saw her standing by the stone wall watching her village’s life go by. there was a can of water by her side which she threatened to throw at me if would take her picture (((((; we chatted and laughed for a while and whenever i lifted my camera she lifted her water can…….. hmm, i never got to find out if she really meant it (((;


See more of Ute’s photography and art at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uteart/

 

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