March07_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Photos - Views of the Iglesia de Santo Domingo church three blocks south east of the Zocalo in the City of Oaxaca. Situated between Fiallo and Armenta Y' Lopez streets with the entrance on Guerrero, this impressive green stone church was mainly built between 1570 and the early 1600s and was the church of the cities Dominican Monastery. Artisans were brought in from Puebla and other villages in Southern Oaxaca to help create this work of art. Typically, this church is built in an earth quake zone and the walls are built with immensely thick stone walls. During the 19th century wars and anti clerical movements this was used as a stronghold and stable. Acacia Greggii (Catclaw Acacia) trees laden with seed pods provide much desired shade outside front. During spring time, the trees have long cylindrical shaped, yellow flower spikes that contrast in color to the blue sky behind which make this a very beautiful tree. Be careful if you want to climb this tree because it is armed with stiff, 1 inch spines.

Photos - Frames left and right: Folks in the street selling their goodies. The Bimbo sign on the cart at left is a hot-dog stand that uses Bimbo hot dog buns.

Center frame: Windows and a door in Adobe glazed with plaster and painted to protect from the weather. Adobe is the perfect building materiel for this dry climate - the adobe protects the inside of the building during the daytime from the hot sunshine as the adobe takes a long time to heat up. At night, the adobe keeps the building warm because it takes a long time to cool down. Buildings, homes are designed so that they get the maximum ventilation according to the prevailing winds and sunrise, sunset.

Photos - Frames left and right: I have never found out what the celebration was this day, but some folks are walking around with larger than life, paper mache costumes outside the San Agustin Church in downtown Oaxaca.

Center frame: Caseta Telefonica building at Av Morelos in Oaxaca. Garbage is thrown into the streets and workers are supposed to deal with it. Thankfully, I don't have to work with the City garbage crew.

Click here for more photos of Oaxaca, Mexico for this day.