| Within the abbey, the light was diffused by the stained-glass windows, each of which was a demonstration of refined moderation. Their overlapping circles appeared familiar, but it wasn\'t until the guide started talking about [URL=https://freegamesonline.io]free games[/URL] another resident of the orphanage that I discovered why: Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel\'s well-known emblem may have been inspired by the windows of her poverty-stricken childhood home in order to pay homage to the institution where she spent her formative years.
Since the year 600, the village of Aubusson has been renowned for the quality of its tapestries; the Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie, located there, displays a great collection of these works of art. I strolled through the years, beginning with a representation from the 16th century that showed sharp-toothed creatures feeding on tranquil prey among whirling foliage and ending with works by contemporary artists, such as Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, and Georges Braque, whose "Tête Noire," a hauntingly beautiful woman\'s head, was one of my favorites. I went to another area where I saw two artisans weaving a scene from Hayao Miyazaki\'s movie "Princess Mononoke." This massive sculpture, titled "Ashitaka Soothes His Demonic Wound," would take them a whole year to finish.
I thought I saw another tapestry hanging over our bed at La Creuzette, a wonderfully proportioned house in the town of Boussac that South African expatriates Hardy Olivier and Louis Jansen van Vuuren refurbished 20 years ago. La Creuzette is located in the region of Boussac in France. In point of fact, upon closer observation, the young guy with the artistically positioned drapes was painted. Olivier said that it was a cartoon from the 19th century and that it was one of the designs from which tapestries are replicated. Olivier had the cartoon restored. The pair, who still handle the day-to-day operations of the business despite having sold the property to an investor, were the perfect hosts. When we were in the mood to socialize, they served champagne and shared tales about the process of buying the house, such as how they found a tree growing in one of the rooms after they had already purchased it. Olivier brought wine to our room, but when we didn\'t accept it, he left without saying anything. Van Vuuren is a skilled artist as well as a chef, and he hosts painting retreats. He is also capable of preparing delectable feasts.
It may seem strange that such sophisticated people would want to live in Boussac, but they are not the first city dwellers to fall in love with this hilltop community. George Sand often visited the area and would stay at the adjacent Chateau de Boussac. It was there that she came upon the medieval tapestries known as "The Lady and the Unicorn," which are now housed in the Cluny Museum in Paris. The tapestries were saved because she showed them to her boyfriend Prosper Mérimée, who happened to be the author of the novella Carmen as well as France\'s inspector general of historical monuments at the time. This was the key to their successful preservation.
However, Sand, who was born Aurore Dupin, was much more important in the community of Crozant, which is located almost an hour to the west. She travelled there with a number of different partners, and the vivid descriptions in her book "The Sin of Monsieur Antoine," which she published in 1845, would later attract painters such as Francis Picabia and Claude Monet. |
| When it\'s time for touring outside the city, one of the top natural marvels to discover is Hierve el Agua. These cliffs in San Lorenzo Albarradas are made of calcareous limestone and seem like a cascade that has been frozen. Established hiking pathways lead you right up to the cascade\'s brink.
Monte Albán, a 1,300-foot-high plateau with a terraced pyramid and other pre-Columbian antiquities, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zapotecs, an indigenous tribe, developed a lot of the sites you\'ll see. They arrived in the area about 800 BC. It\'s the biggest of its kind in Central America\'s secondary major ceremonial site.
Oaxaca is primarily accessible through Xoxocotlán International, a regional airport in the state capital. The cities of Los Angeles, Dallas, [URL=https://dordle.io]dordle[/URL] and Houston are the U.S. gateways for direct service. If you\'re traveling to the beach, it\'ll likely need a transfer. Most Americans going to Puerto Escondido Airport will stopover in either Guadalajara or Mexico City. But that could change soon, as the Pacific coast village becomes an increasingly popular tourist attraction.
Mezcal is an agave liquor that has been produced in Oaxaca for centuries. It has been manufactured in this region for hundreds of years utilizing methods that have, for the most part, proved impervious to the advances of mechanization.
It would take its own page to include all of the "palenques" (farm distilleries) where it is produced and the charming sipping parlors (taverns) where it is served (in fact, this is a good one right here). But if you\'re beginning your liquid voyage in the city of Oaxaca, here are four sampling chances you should not go over: We recommend Mezcalera In Situ for its extensive bottle selection and focus on education, El Distilado for tastings of mezcal with regional dishes, and Selva Oaxaca for experimental mezcal cocktails.
For a drink with a view, take your thirst to the rooftop of Puro Burro, a chic watering establishment created by native agave impresario, Asis Cortes – the guy behind Mezcal Dixeebe. If you\'re okay with trekking several hours outside the city boundaries, arrange a Mezcal Educational Tour with local expert Alvin Starkman. His renowned day trips get you up up and personal with the palenque\'s traditional methods. (Scheduling is possible here.)
There has been a rise in the number of beach-goers visiting Puerto Escondido recently. And for good cause - its tropical waters are stunningly magnificent and its culture undoubtedly endearing. But the state of Oaxaca state is really home to over 300 miles of coastline, so there\'s lots more to discover beyond the famous attractions.
Mazunte is a worthy example, with its cerulean surf rushing onto the craggy beach. The people here are really kind, so you shouldn\'t have any problem fitting in. Visit the local Mexican Turtle Center, an organization that works to protect everyone\'s favorite slow-moving reptile.
If you want to speed things up a little, travel several kilometers east down the coast to Zipolite. This beach is frequented by surfers because of the tremendous waves that pound its beaches. While some choose to just sun themselves while taking in the view of the cliffs in the distance. You might also go snorkeling in the reefs of Huatulco National Park, which is close by. |
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