Bar La Fuente, Guadalajara, Mexico photo

I have generally found that bars are the most interesting places to visit when travelling. There if it’s not a tourist hot spot, you usually get to see the locals at play. In Guadalajara the guide books direct you too Bar La Fuente and yet when we where there the were no tourists to been seen. Just guys sitting up at the bar and mixed groups at tables all singing along to the live singer and his small two piece band. When the music stops the guys get up and sing to any female close by and this case it was one of us who was treated to a Spanish version of what sounded like That’s Amore but in truth could have been anything. One of these romantic boys was actually a tourist guide who earlier that day took us on a tour of one of Guadalajara’s impressive buildings that contained murals by the famous 1940′s Painter & Muralist Orozco.

Bar La Fuente in Guadalajara, Mexico

Bar La Fuente in Guadalajara, Mexico

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Day of the dead models in San Miguel de Allende Mexico photo

On a previous post on San Miguel de Allende I mentioned that I was there for the day of the dead (Día de los Muertos) festival. Everywhere you go in Mexico in the weeks preceding the festival, you will find various incarnations of skeletons from full size to these small models I came across in San Miguel’s market. The origins of the skeleton used in this festival are a bit hazy but are considered to be as recent as the 18th or 19th century when a newspaper published a poem about a cemetery. Whatever the reason is, it makes for a colourful and almost macabre sight. 1/60 @ f4 75mm ISO 250

Small models on sale In a San Miguel de Allende market in Mexico ©2013 Nick Katin

Small models on sale In a San Miguel de Allende market in Mexico ©2013 Nick Katin

To buy a print of this photo go to San Miguel de Allende photo. To licence this photo email or contact us

Gran Pyramid Uxmal, near Merida, Mexico photo

Gran Pyramid Uxmal, near Merida, Mexico. is one of the top Maya digs © 2010 Nick Katin

Gran Pyramid Uxmal, near Merida, Mexico. is one of the top Maya digs © 2010 Nick Katin

The Yucatan peninisula is home to some of the worlds greatest pyramids. Chichen Itza is the most famous but this one at Uxmal near Merida is, in my humble opinion, just as gob smacking and without the tourists. There are many other ruins but the Gran Pyramid is the show stopper. Despite it being the middle of the day I was able, with the aid of my trusty polariser, to capture some good light and the white fluffy clouds.

Native Indian dancing at San Miguel Allende

For anyone looking to visit Mexico but is a bit unnerved by the bad press Mexico gets these days, they should go to San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato. Located 274 km form Mexico city, it’s as western as it gets with its large population of foreign retirees, artists and writers, most of whom come from the big country to the north. It’s a beautiful spot and has lots of festivals. These dancers were part of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) festival. Couldn’t resist the angle!

Native Indian dancing At the Day of the Dead festival in San Miguel de Allende © 2010 Nick Katin

mexico!!

last year we spent a few weeks in mexico. we were there for dia de muertos (the day of the dead) festival which was fascinating.
there were only two photographic challenges for me in mexico:
what not to shoot and to make sure that we did the country and its people justice. you’ll find some of our best efforts here.
this one of a catrina (skeleton or skull) was taken in guadalajara, mexico’s second biggest city and arguably the most mexican. its the home of tequila, mariachi music and the mexican hat dance.