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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
I heard that tourism to Mata Ortiz is way down because of general anti-travel hubbub. Also, the pottery "on the streets" is where you'll find the
potters inviting you inside their homes to see their ollas. There are over 200 potters there - at least 1/4th are noted, "collectible" potters.
Unless you know the houses of the particular potters you want to buy from, then see as much as you can, and make your selections accordingly. Many
potters display their work in a central place, such as Juan Quezada's old house and studio, or in the back section of the grocery store, but most of
the premiere potters sell out of their homes. You can buy excellent pots for $20 or less for smaller ones; and thousands of dollars on others. Mata
Ortiz pottery is some of the best in the world - collected by the Japanese who are also some of the best potters in the world (I would argue that
Koreans have better pottery than the Japanese). But part of the experience of buyng pottery in Mata Ortiz is the manner of purchasing from the
potters in their homes - where, if you're lucky, you can also see how it is fired or see them working on painting, or some other stage of creation.
You will soon see (and become hooked) on the varieties of pottery and want one of each - black on black, classic Mimbres style brownware, white clay,
newer designs with green or blue paint, stylized animals, etc. Many potters have their signature style. You can get a good overview of what is
available on eBay. Maybe even see an artist those work appeals to you, and once in town, ask where he/she lives. If you spend the night in Mata
Ortiz, you'll have even more of an opportunity to ask about individual potters that you learn about. And please take a walk down the street, across
the dry river channel to Porvenir. Many excellent potters live here. If you get serious about the ollas, Juan Quezada's brother and sister, daughter
and a nephew make very excllent pots and live in Nuevo Casas Grandes. And of coure, there are many shops between Casas Grandes and Mata Ortiz which
sell the pottery, including the museum. But the thrill of going to Mata Ortiz is meeting with the potters. Yeah, I was hooked once - I have 45 pots.
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Sorry to hear tourism is down for Mata Ortiz! Are they still running the bus tours out of Arizonia?
On our first trip there, we had the pleasure of meeting Walter Parks and for a short time we stayed in contact. So he recommended a few potters in
town and in Porvenir and it was fun to visit their homes buy directly from them. But we did learn to be selective when looking at pots on the
street.
Forty-five pots? We have some, but not that many. It is beautiful art and the pots are so thin. Since the Mata Ortiz is a revival of an old art
form, it seems that the potters do not feel the limitations of being stuck with just the old designs like one sees in pottery from some of the
pueblos. It seems like they do the beautiful old designs, but also feel the freedom to be very creative in their work with new designs.
It has been a few years since our last trip there---maybe it is time to go again! Need to buy more bubble wrap.
Blanca, I hope you get a chance to visit there-----
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wessongroup
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Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
| Quote: | Originally posted by wessongroup
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
We really like the town of Creel ---hope you enjoy it.
This may have been just a bay day....but 8 people were killed.... heavily armed men setting up road blocks and doing anything they wished to do.....
on this particular day in the town of Creel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTaS41pxf-I&feature=playe...
Looks a bit like Iraq..... but, it is in Mexico
As someone posted above, the Cartels are active in this area.... |
Kinda interesting....what sort of security camera system does Podunkville Creel have that it can focus in on a pendejo snorting coke from a baggie
????
The video was eerie for sure....and as much as I have wanted to explore CC by motorcycle and get off the beaten track, this video and stories from
riders who have come across plantations and pick-up trucks full of heavily-armed guys has dampened my interest. The train is likely a safe ride and
minding your own business otherwise is the usual good advice....just seems that enjoying the countryside is more and more difficult in many parts of
Mexico.
Que lastima 
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Hey think and do what you want... as for me.... I'll take their words and video at face value... and I think they can count to 8 without any
trouble...
I see folks around here that require military coming by about every two weeks.. in a truck with back up from a Humvee with a .50 Cal.. there is also a
Navy destroyer parked out side the Bay of Descanso ever few moths, and a string of monitoring boats at night, looks like an party with all the lights
... again.. think what you want.. as for me.. I keep my head low and my ears open.. it's worked for me all my life.... been lucky and have not gotten
"bit" yet by those flying "bees" with lead stingers...
Enjoy your driving around ..... but, be forewarned that this kind of crap does happen, and you had better have your s**t wired tight.....
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DianaT
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I wish someone would get my quote out of the box with the information about the video. It looks like I posted the link to the video and I did
not---interesting video, but I have some questions about it.
When quoting multiple people, one needs to be very careful.
| Quote: | Originally posted by wessongroup
| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
| Quote: | Originally posted by wessongroup
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
We really like the town of Creel ---hope you enjoy it.
This may have been just a bay day....but 8 people were killed.... heavily armed men setting up road blocks and doing anything they wished to do.....
on this particular day in the town of Creel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTaS41pxf-I&feature=playe...
Looks a bit like Iraq..... but, it is in Mexico
As someone posted above, the Cartels are active in this area.... |
Kinda interesting....what sort of security camera system does Podunkville Creel have that it can focus in on a pendejo snorting coke from a baggie
????
The video was eerie for sure....and as much as I have wanted to explore CC by motorcycle and get off the beaten track, this video and stories from
riders who have come across plantations and pick-up trucks full of heavily-armed guys has dampened my interest. The train is likely a safe ride and
minding your own business otherwise is the usual good advice....just seems that enjoying the countryside is more and more difficult in many parts of
Mexico.
Que lastima
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Hey think and do what you want... as for me.... I'll take their words and video at face value... and I think they can count to 8 without any
trouble...
I see folks around here that require military coming by about every two weeks.. in a truck with back up from a Humvee with a .50 Cal.. there is also a
Navy destroyer parked out side the Bay of Descanso ever few moths, and a string of monitoring boats at night, looks like an party with all the lights
... again.. think what you want.. as for me.. I keep my head low and my ears open.. it's worked for me all my life.... been lucky and have not gotten
"bit" yet by those flying "bees" with lead stingers...
Enjoy your driving around ..... but, be forewarned that this kind of crap does happen, and you had better have your s**t wired tight.....
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[Edited on 5-16-2010 by DianaT] |
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wilderone
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When you come into a couple of the towns on the rail line, the windows of the train cars and the doors between them will be locked; security guards
will be stationed, policia will gear up and be standing by while the train is at these stations, due to the possibility of banditos boarding. It has
happened. Also, I hear that some of the trails near the canyon bottom outside some of the towns are drug running routes. As a tourist, you're not
involved, so unless you get caught in the crossfire, and likely just passing through, you don't have to be that concerned - just be AWARE that such
can happen. Same as in TJ, Mexico City, Chihuahua, etc. I was told that some drug families own ranches in the Sierra Madre east of Casas Grandes. We
were just looking for turkeys - didn't concern us.
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wessongroup
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Posts: 21152
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If one has fear over a posting... my god...
It was I... Wessongroup that posted the YouTube video ..... and I got it from another person on another site... I did not understand a word and asked
what was reported by the News People in Mexico... and it was explained to me from Spanish to English
As for where the camera came from, doesn't seem to change what was shown.. and there were in fact a number of bodies recovered from the house that the
individuals are seen shooting into ..... plus another body on the road where a van was stopped and people were ordered to get out...
The intent was to provide all a "heads" up on travel issues in that area where all are talking about was where to shop and how much fun it is......
To completely ignore what is going on around you.... well, all I will say is "Go with God" and enjoy your trip
Me I'm enjoying my time in Baja, I however don't think I'm in Disneyland for God sake 
after thought on the camera... yeah, they put it up to increase tourism .... or maybe to discourage it... please...
[Edited on 5-16-2010 by wessongroup]
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wessongroup
If one has fear over a posting... my god...
[Edited on 5-16-2010 by wessongroup] |
I agree, but sometimes one does not want to be associated with a certain posting or video and quote boxes get so mixed up so easily.
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wessongroup
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Posts: 21152
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by wessongroup
If one has fear over a posting... my god...
[Edited on 5-16-2010 by wessongroup] |
I agree, but sometimes one does not want to be associated with a certain posting or video and quote boxes get so mixed up so easily.
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Yeah, I'd sure hate someone to think something about me... my what would I do... get real... everyone knows your thoughts on issues...
I all ready said I put it up... it was my error... hope you don't lose all your friends over my mistake...
You can call me anything but late to dinner
[Edited on 5-16-2010 by wessongroup]
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BajaBlanca
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we are in CREEL and it is a wonderful town...we took the slow non tourist train along with some europeans and some americans. it was spotlessly clean.
air conditioned. and was a couple minutes early at all stops !! a breeze and a pleasure and HALF THE PRICE !!!!!
[Edited on 2-24-2014 by BajaBlanca]
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wilderone
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Glad you enjoyed it. Post more details when you have a chance. So you didn't spend the night at Divisidero? where did you stay in El Fuerte? You
didn't stay overnight there? Going to Batopilas? Go!!! Take the local bus and hike to the old mission, play in the river. When I was there, one of
the children asked me if I had pencils!!! Take them pencils!!! Wish I were there.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
wearein CREEL and it is a wonderful town...wetook the slow non tourist train along with some europeans and some americans. it was spotleesly clean.
air conditioned. and was a couple minutes early at all stops !! a breeze and a pleasure and HALF THE PRICE !!!!! |
Glad you took the slow train----
Where are you staying in Creel? Glad you having a great time---
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wilderone
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I have learned that there are tour buses from Casas Grandes to Mata Ortiz. Probably hotels can give you info.
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BajaBlanca
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COPPER CANYON highlights SOL DE MAYO waterfall
THANK YOU BAJA NOMADERS .... you were my lifeline while making plans for the trip ...it was a fantastic trip - no way to describe the raw rugged
beauty of those canyons and u know what ? As one of you posted, none of the pics quite portray the beauty. You just have to go. and see for yourself
itinerary: la paz, 11 PM ferry to topolobambo, taxi to los mochis, bus to el fuerte, train to Creel. In creel we stayed at a hotel right on the
square. on the second day, we took a regular bus to Batolpilas ... the ride was scary and gorgeous, the town itself a bit disappointing. for so many
to have become millionaires and not have contributed more to the town is sad. it was outrageously hot hot hot and the airconditioned hotel was heaven
sent. back to Creel. same hotel. ate a lot. saw indian villages. saw a waterfall. bought Mata Ortiz pottery, Indian baskets which are intricately
woven, snakes carved out of tree branches. next day: took the first class train bacl to los mochis (nice but the other one was fine too). the fun part
was that I met Raquel, a fellow Brazilian on the train, with whom we hung out with in la paz !! and who is now traveling more with Dudu from la
bocana. small world it is sometimes. we got our car from the parking lot at the ferry station ....
we went around the cape and saw a waterfall in the middle of the desert...I had gotten a magazine on the train (Shari I have one for you) with
articles on the train and on Copper Canyon but it also had an article on this desert waterfall. FANTASTIC AND AMAZING PLACE. so easy to get to,
before you hit san jose del cabo, take the turnoff to SANTIAGO. follow the signs to SOL DE MAYO. pay 75 pesos. hike for 5 minutes. jump into a huge
pool of water and swim under the waterfall !!!!! one of the totally unexpected highlites of the whole trip !!!!
Again, thanks all Baja Nomaders. This trip wd not have been half as informative without your fabulous advice. MUCHAS GRACIAS 
I will be posting tons of pics on facebook if anyone wants to satisfy their curiosi
[Edited on 5-23-2010 by BajaBlanca]
[Edited on 5-23-2010 by BajaBlanca]
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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oooooh...ahhhhhh...cant wait to hear all about it in person next weekend. I so want to do that trip but sounds like earlier in the year would be
better as you mentioned hot hot hot...no gracias!...maybe next year before abalone season.
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zforbes
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What is your Facebook name? I'd love to see your pictures. Sounds like you will be in Asuncion soon; hope we can meet up.
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wilderone
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re Batopilas - "for so many to have become millionaires and not have contributed more to the town is sad"
What do you mean - who are the millionaires?
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BajaBlanca
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millionaires refer to the Spaniards but esp refers to a man named Alexander SHEPHERD, who left DC under accusations of being corrupt as governor with
his entire family and burro'd their way, even taking eventually a grand piano, to Batopilas. he mined and registered 135 mines in his name and
apparently became a millionaire - gold and silver
his son wrote a book which i am just starting to read: SILVER MAGNET BY GRANT SHEPHERD
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Neal Johns
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Silver Magnet is a great read and is easy to find now that it was republished in 1999. He talks about growing up in Batolpilas and walking ladies
around the square (under supervision). We got a tour of his Hacienda San Miguel one time by the owner who had cows residing in the ruins. The book has a nice map of the Hacienda.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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