Beautiful Oaxaca ...

This is a wonderful city full of colour and vibrancy. The artisans of Oaxaca make beautiful things and I have been greatly inspired by the craftwork and architecture I have seen. I found Oaxacans  to be super friendly and kind and very patient with the non-Spanish speaking "gringo"!

So much saturated colour...

Paper mâché piñata . So cool!

Even street vendors need to take a break.

I have always relegated marigolds to being just companion plants for tomatoes but after enjoying their proliferation in Oaxaca I have changed my mind about them!

...and of course the Dia de Los Muertos festival was a feast for the senses! 

Homeward bound now and looking forward to seeing all my loved ones back in Oz but I think I may have left a little piece of my heart in Oaxaca ...

Bead porn ...

All of these pieces of jewellery belong to the Cultural Museum of Oaxaca. Pre-Columbian, Zapotec and Mixtec designs - they are really really old. And really really beautiful. I will let the pictures speak for themselves ...

and teeth ... Lots of them!

Also a really amazing skull covered in turquoise . That is just a sample of the Museums collection. It was really very impressive and in the most beautiful setting - part of the Santo Domingo convent built in the 16th Century. sigh - loving Mexico!

San Diego.

What a lovely beachside town. The pace here suits me I think! 

And I am fond of mermaids ...

It is kinda hard to impress an Aussie with beach sunsets but these were pretty good!

I loved that the dogs had their very own beach! Clearly humans are difficult to train though!

Lots of Halloween preparations happening and I think being so close to the border there is a little cross-over into Day of the Dead imagery here.

The zoo was AMAZING!

And the margaritas eased one day into the next ... All in all a lovely stepping stone to Mexico!

Things to love about San Fransisco ...

The weather. Moderately warm with cool evenings makes for perfect holiday weather.

The de Young Museum. Amazing architecture and full of STUFF ...

Everything about Golden Gate Park is fantastic. The sculpture, the gardens, free music, couple dancing -oh my goodness I could go on and on !

I loved the wide, hilly streets and the Spanish influences in the streetscapes.

And I really like the old school cop cars! This city was a great change of pace after New York!  I also love d the cliff walk along the coast to the Golden Gate Bridge - it is quite the icon ...

Now look out San Diego - you are next on the list!

Love love love ...

Love was in the air on my last day in New York ...

A brisk stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge revealed that romance is alive and well in the Big Apple ...

Just like their European counterparts, loves lock a padlock to the bridge and throw the key into the water to pledge their love.

Tres romantique!

I would have to write 11687.50 days and still counting ...!

And of course on the way to MOMA I stumbled across Robert Indiana's iconic sculpture. So long New York - I think I could be just a teeny bit in love with you myself!

More New York adventures (stop me when it gets boring ...)

I think today was my favourite day in New York! It all started at The Metropolitan Museum of Art...

This place is just one giant treasure box - so many amazing objects. I was in Heaven! I spent oodles of time in the Medieval area and so on. I have to admit I kinda flew through most of the painting galleries ... Well the Miro was awesome and I guess Monet has a certain appeal ... But for me it really was all about the objects from all over time and place. I was shattered by the end of the day so I strolled down to Central Park and indulged in one of these ...

...this could in fact be love! As I sat there munching on my ice cream a little Jazz trio struck up some tunes ...

There were some cheeky little visitors too ...

Now a little bead porn courtesy of those crazy guys and gals of Ancient Egypt.

Will share some more jewellery from the Golden Olden Days soon! What a treat visiting New York has been! I am ready for a change of pace though - guess I am a country girl at heart!

New York, New York

Well, having survived a flight that seemed to last FOREVER, I made it into New York - bleary eyed and a bit worse for wear. I think there are massive amounts of germs circulating on long haul flights and next time I might try a full-body condom or some such to keep them at bay!

I have walked and walked and walked some more to try and familiarise myself with at least some of the city. I survived the madness that is Times Square ...

(No need to ever do that again ...!)

I was lucky enough to catch a show that I missed when it came to Australia ...

... and yes, it really is as marvellous as everyone says! Mind boggling costumes - I was gob-smacked.

My main aim was to get to the art museums here but when I went to hit up MOMA, the queue was cray-cray and my feet were sore so I put it on the back burner for now. I am planning the better part of a day at the Met though ... 

This is a really friendly city and once you get the hang of the pedestrian crossings the traffic is manageable - although I would never attempt to drive in it - what's with all the horn tooting??

I am pacing myself nicely, taking care of my poor knee (yay for anti-inflammatories).

For the jewellery makers out there - I visited the jewellery district today and had an awesome time picking through some vintage stuff at one place and went oo and ah at others! Time now for a cup of tea (in my delightful digs), a foot soak and to plot a plan of attack for the Met!