'Manos Veracruzanos' highlights work of local artisans

Sunday marked the end of the week long 'Manos Veracruzanos,' or 'Veracruzanos' Hands' festivities held in Parque Juarez. The event is the State's annual effort to draw attention to the craftsmanship of the wealth of artisans that abound in Veracruz. For the week, booths were set up from which the artisans put on display and sold items ranging from hand-woven baskets to home-baked pastries. As opposed to most of the hectic and claustrophobic black-markets that normally clog the streets of any major city, this market had a more organic and local feel to it. With the aroma of locally grown flowers replacing the stench of urine that seems to accompany any illegal street market, or fayuca, 'Manos Veracruzanos' was no doubt a desperately needed breath of fresh air. Unfortunately,
I waited to take pics until an afternoon storm's torrential downpours brought the entire Plaza to a standstill. I've posted them below.








Right as I arrived, and brought with me the heavy rain, plastic sheets were thrown on top of these pinatas as protection.


After having put up with the painfully bright overhead light in my room for over two months, I jumped at the opportunity to buy one of these wickerish lamps for a mere six bucks.


The skull-shaped chocolate treats are a big hit as "El Dia de los Muertos," or "Day of the Dead," approaches.