A Xalapa Sunday: drought, sculpture, & a kiddie museum

[bixaorellana]

This past Sunday I left my house in Coatepec to visit nearby Xalapa, the capital of the state of Veracruz.

My objective was a ceramics fair, where I hoped to see some good stuff and perhaps acquire some pieces.
The fair was held in the Jardín de las Esculturas, which was also a drawing point.

I arrived at least a half hour after opening time to find that many artisans did not feel bound by that time & were either absent or still setting up. As it happened, I wound up falling in love with the pieces on the first table I checked out and the lackadaisical atmosphere meant I could do some exploring in the park. That's when it hit me that of course Xalapa was suffering the same intense temperatures and drought as Coatepec. This curtailed my wandering, but I will go back during better weather conditions one day.

The dry river bed in this garden is particularly effective ~


One side of the pavilion. The fair featured the usual rustic student mugs, whimsical bits, and some quite nice pieces ~


Artsy places get better bathroom signs. These are on one side of a smallish but effective salon ~


On into the garden. If you only knew how lushly green this area usually is, you'd understand my dismay ~




A closer look at a piece on the far left, above ~

[bixaorellana]

Since I had not given the poor baked garden its due, and because the ceramicists were still setting up and the band was still tuning & doing sound check, I decided it would be good to go visit the Kaná, the Museum of Science and Technology on the property next to the sculpture garden. The museum is geared to children, but I enjoyed visiting it.

The approach is wide and long, with some vintage vehicles -- bus, firetruck, etc., & this  plane along the side ~

It's an impressive complex ~


Xalapa is very hilly. Here you see where the property falls away to a wooded ravine ~


The running lights on this plane were lit and blinking. It's open for any aspiring pilot to go inside ~


Map of the complex ~


This whole giant place was almost empty except for docents and other employees ~

I did not visit or inspect everything, but it seems kids seven and up could have a ball and learn lots in this place. One section allowed people to experiment with making movies with photographs, or use radio equipment and be shown how tv works. That's the section where I got to use virtual reality for the first time.

This picture shows a whole line of demonstrations about geology and other elements of the natural world, along with things illustrating how the environment is in danger and ways to protect it.

[whatagain]

Looks quite dry indeed.
We want to see your purchases !

The biplace aircraft is a T33 Lockheed shooting star based on the first US jet the F80 designed during WW2.
T for training , F for fighter.

[lugg]

Oh yes - I am of course super excited to see this report . As ever your photos are fabulous Bixa . Enzo would love that museum as would I. looking forward to more please .

[bixaorellana]

Thank you both! I knew that you know a great deal of military history, Whatagain, but didn't know you were up on planes as well. I'm impressed!

Lugg, Enzo would be running all over. It would be great to go with a child to see what drew his attention and his responses.

We're now entering the transportation section. There are a great many boat models in glass cases ~




Up to the crow's nest! Man the yardarm! (note: none of that frivolous bs about safety) ~


Wonderful plane models overhead ~


So much interactive stuff for kids to enjoy ~


On to the old time toy and entertainments section ~



True classic Mexican toys ~


Finally, the "little cinema" for Kerouac ~

[bixaorellana]

Here are just a very few pictures to wrap up this report -- some to try to give the sculpture garden its due and one to show off what I bought at the fair.

A bit of not dead greenery -- water hyacinths and papyrus ~






The four items on the table are from the fair. They're from a two-woman workshop ~

[lugg]

Enzo would be straight up to the crows nest Bixa , with me hovering underneath trying to look nonchalant.

I love the pieces you have chosen , especially the one to the far right . Oddly enough I too went to a sculpture garden today ... you must have inspired me .

[kerouac2]

That museum seems amazingly large and varied.

[htmb]

Very interesting, Bixa. The museum looks quite nice. Too bad about the rotten weather.

[bixaorellana]

Ha, yes, Lugg -- that steep ladder and high perch must be magnet for kids & a heart-stopper for worried adults.
You also went to a sculpture garden?! Great minds, & all that. I imagine your experience was pleasanter than mine because of no brutal weather. Was the garden part well represented?
Thanks for taking note of the pieces I got. Oddly, I was drawn to them because the glazing & colors of the two bowls reminded me of Frankoma pottery, a homely brand that was ubiquitous in my youth.

Kerouac, I was quite impressed with it, especially considering its troubled economic history.
By the way, Xalapa has an astounding anthropology museum. It's consistently referred to as second only to the one in Mexico City, which is high praise indeed.

We got a heavy, lengthy rain yesterday, Htmb, so things are looking up.
Incidentally, in the picture of my dining room there is a lovely gift someone gave me.

[lugg]

Jun 10, 2024 16:20:06 GMT bixaorellana said:

I imagine your experience was pleasanter than mine because of no brutal weather. Was the garden part well represented?

The weather was cloudy and mild , the garden was lush ...I hope to do a report at some point so I will let you judge , but I really liked it.

So glad you have rain at last.

[bixaorellana]

Thank you, Lugg. And thank you for not drawing attention to my clunky hinting.