TEOTITLAN, OAXACA

 We took a "collectivo" (taxi) to this family's home where they have been weaving rugs for 5 generations. Rosalito spent 2 hours showing us how they prepare the dyes for the wool. The cochineal is the bug that grows on the cactus & is used to make the various shades of red. The indigo plant makes all shades of blue - a very expensive & time consuming process & then there were the yellows & the greens, etc. all made "au natural". Absoulutely fascinating.

Ernesto is an award winning weaver. He was making a spectacular rug which he figured would take him at least 4 months. It was incredibly intricate.

This is the rug we bought for the boat. The pattern signifies the mountains and the rain.