Eli - 5-26-2004 at 03:05 PM
This pix. is as good a place to start as any; it is of three very special ladies. The Virgin de Guadalupe being the lady sitting in the niche in the
middle, she is carved out of Alabaster by an artist out of La Paz named Sylvester Lucero, he found the stone at a quarry in Santa Rosalia. I know this
sound's oh so corny, but there is a light drilled into the middle of the sculpture which permits one to see a translucent lunar type glow from within
the piece, also when the light is on, one can see clouds floating thru her form which is created a milky substance in the stone. One of these days, I
will get another picture of her with the light on at night so you see the affect created.
The niche it's self was inspired by the sculptured piece, it was great fun and an honour to participate in the creation of such a wonder, to say the
least.
Don Jorge - 5-27-2004 at 06:02 AM
I love the shrines of Baja. I have a shrine at the entrance to my office on the farm. It reminds me of something I had. Probably a hangover! LOL!
Eli - 5-27-2004 at 11:01 AM
Well, What wonders to come into this morning, thank you Natalie Ann & Don Jorge!
Such innocence is projected in the sweet little Lupe painted on the wall of the Mulege jail. Any idea how old it is? Looking at it intrigues me at to
its history, was it drawn to give comfort to the artist, or in a moment of celebration of peace of mind? Expect we will never know.
Don Jorge, I Love an alter that makes me chuckle, I can imagine that it always provides you with a moment of smile every time you pass it, ah the
little blessings that make up our days..........
La India Guardia de La Esquina de La Luna;
This little lady is another special piece by Sylvester Lucero; she is carved from volcanic stone from here on the peninsula. I had this piece for
years before we finally came up with the right place for her to sit guard. Again the stone dictated the icon to Sylvester, the icon dictated to Oscar
& Me the niche that she now sits in.
BTW, The three niches that I have shown you pictures of so far were created with a Master Mason Artist named Oscar Gastelum. I have had the honor of
working with him for over 14 years now. No matter what idea he is given, he just makes it more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.
I too am intrigued, Eli....
Natalie Ann - 5-27-2004 at 12:51 PM
... and later this year when I return to Mulege I intend to get the skinny on her. Unfortunately, while mi esposo was taking that photo I was sitting
on the floor in a corner drinking oh so much water; I had become extremely dehydrated and fell right over. 
Here's another one
jrbaja - 6-21-2004 at 12:01 PM
And it's in here
jrbaja - 6-21-2004 at 12:13 PM
Carol and I had the honor of being able to stay at this OLD ranch up in the hills. The owner told us to make ourselves at home.
I opened up the closet next to the shrine and there was this picture. Carol about ran out of the room.
It was of an Indian lady, my friends great Grandmother who was more lifelike than any picture I had ever seen.
She stared right through the both of us and had we been thieves or bad people, I wouldn't have taken a thing. Talk about security!
Our Amigo got the biggest kick out of that and apologized for not letting her know we were coming. 
Don Jorge - 7-20-2005 at 07:12 PM
On the road to San Javier, mid July 2005, on a hot and muggy afternoon. I had been staying in Loreto for few days.
The trailer park in Zaragoza where I once parked a 1977 Silver Streak in 1991 for a year during my first , premature shot at retirement and fished for
a year, had been replaced by someplace called Villas de Loreto.
There were flyfisherman there whom I had met at Pam's shop.
I tried to stay away, but good manners led me there and and arriving I noticed there were still signs of Ed Tabor's pier. I told the story of the
Flying Sportsman Lodge to my friends who flyfish from Arizona. They did have the funny hats and wore the funny shirts too when fishing but thankfully
they only dressed like that when flyfishing.
The point is: I had to get out of town and see the desert.
In the late afternoon's heat and humidity I bought 3 cahuamas which the woman working was kind enough to ask, "hielo or envuelto"? Hielo, and off I
went in my rented Chevy.
The road to San Javier was all I needed. The road is great! Only went 5 or 6 miles in but it was enough. Came across this shrine, stopped and said
thanks, lit some of the candles and enjoyed the view and a beer.
I watched the sunset and went back to Loreto.
Nice town, now different but still nice. I spent some time in Zaragoza, visited with a friend, Humberto, and things are better now there, than then,
so that is good.
I love the shrines and the people who inspire and build them. That is one thing which will never change for me.
Debra - 7-20-2005 at 07:16 PM
Beautiful, thank you......
woody with a view - 7-20-2005 at 08:08 PM
we have two favorite shrines, one in bcn and one in bcs. each time we travel down those dusty roads we leave a fistful of coins (or a 20-50 peso note)
so that the keeper of the shrine can use our small donation to keep new candles burning. at least we hope that's who gets the loot!
either way, it's our own little way of saying thanks and paying our respects...