When city-building Spaniards came to the New World, they required skilled craftsmen willing to make a drastic life change and relocate to the other side of the globe. Ceramic tile was a popular staple for builders in Spain, so talented artisans who took the risk were ceramics workers from the internationally renowned city of Talavera … Continue reading
Talavera … the word just rolls off the tongue, promising something exotic. In Puebla, Mexico, this elegant, yet earthy, ceramic tile blankets the walls, flows over fountains, and carpets the floors. Tiled church domes shimmer in the sun. From murals and mottos, to angels and addresses, no surface is left unadorned. Continue reading
Whether you’re a student of history, wannabe archaeologist, or a sunburned beachgoer looking for a break, the Maya ruins in Mexico are a unique and fascinating sight to see. Continue reading
“What’s up with that dinging?” It was Monday morning coffee time and the iPad’s annoying chime was disturbing the quiet before the storm. We’d spent the weekend ripping up old carpet, and our floor guy, Sean, had just arrived to install our new bamboo floor. Continue reading
Honestly, you never know what those wacky Mayanist scholars are going to say next. In their book The Maya, authors Michael Coe and Stephen Houston describe a stone relief as “God L, the patron of warriors and traders, smoking a cigar,” The minute I read this, I knew that I had to see it. I … Continue reading
Travelers are thrilled when world-class attractions are easy to visit and not overrun with tourists. We were certainly surprised by the ancient city of Uxmal because it’s just this type of rare gem. Continue reading
To the delight of modern tourists, Maya kings sought to outdo each other with more and more impressive temples, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uxmal (pronounced oosh-mal) is an outstanding example. Continue reading
