| We didn't spend all our time looking outside. This is the Museo Zacatecano in the Casa de Moneda, a building dating back to 1802.
It used to be the Mint! This is a model representing the Last Supper with
the twelve disciples. |  |
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The main reason for visiting this museum was the display of Huichol
embroideries. There are hundreds. I think Jan would have been here all day if
left to her own devices. Her camera almost overheated, she took so many
photos. |
| They are mainly panels showing different traditional
designs, most of which are geometric, although they do include some plant
and animal shapes. They are done 'sampler' style, so they are not always
symmetrical in design. |  |
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They also use glass beads, and here this has been used as ornamentation for
bowls and plate and is glued in place. |
| There are examples of other more useful items
displaying their craft skills as
well. |  |
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This is a modern piece using glass beads, with a name which we cannot read. |
| There is also a collection of photographs of the
Huichol people, some dating from 1934 when explorers first interacted with
them. This one (by John
Lilly - 1983), is of a very highly respected
shaman of the tribe. He is the Nauxatame of the peyotero group, second in
command and keeper of the myths. He is painted with colouring from a ground
up yellow root found on the route to the desert where they collect peyote, a
plant whose extract is hallucinogenic. This is an illegal substance in
Mexico, but because it is an integral part of this people's religion they
are allowed to still use it. |  |
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Even with the aid of the internet we have been unable to determine the exact
use of these 'trimming scissors'. |
| This is a flagelo - an instrument for discipline -
strange ideas they had! |  |
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We moved on to the theatre building (Teatro Calderón),
which is also impressive. In the foyer was an exhibition of vases and large
plates painted with metallized paints by a modern artist, José de Jesús
Luna Moya. |
| And so to the cathedral with its stupendous main
facade. Built between 1729 and 1752 on the south side of the Plaza de Armas,
it is the ultimate expression of Mexican chirriguresque. |  |
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.The towers are equally ornate with dozens of intricately carved facets. |
| The twelve apostles are amongst the statues in the
niches, along with angels, Christ and above them all, God. |  |
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After the overwhelming intricacies of the outside, the inside is
refreshingly
plain. Yes, it is on a grand scale, but it is really very simple. |
| The Palacio del Gobierno is on another side of the
Plaza with the coat of arms of the city above the entrance. |  |
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Inside are more murals depicting scenes from the history of the state of
Zacatecas, Spaniards, Independence, Revolution etc. |
| The stairways are particularly intricately carved.
This is fairly recent work. The mural is by Antonio Rodriguez and was
painted in 1970. |  |
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We often hear of Mexican trucks being overloaded, none more so than this
rubbish truck although there is obviously some separation for recycling as
they go. Note the piles of cardboard etc. There are probably a couple of men on
top somewhere. |
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