Today we're heading south of the US border - in some cases, quite a bit south! I love these vintage images of world that is so close to our own, and so exotic when compared to the generally-chillier climate of the USA.
We'll start with this cute photo from the 1940's, featuring a young boy creating surprisingly skillful woven crafts. He can't be more than 4 or 5 years old, can he? The basket he holds in his hands is already starting to shape up into something nice, and the example to his right (our left) is pretty amazing. And that hat is awesome!
The next three pictures are from August, 1952 (that's over 60 years ago!). Near the middle of Central America is Honduras, and its capital city is Tegucigalpa… that's where this photo was taken. Perhaps these fellows sold lumber, or worked in construction.
Continuing further south, we stop in Costa Rica, where three young girls are on their way to school. Aren't they cute? I wonder if that donkey-powered coach was mostly for tourists, or if some old-timer still used hay burners.
Let's keep on going until we get to Panama! Here is a group of kids selling a variety of tropical fruits. I think I recognize pomelos, and possibly mangos, and I have no idea what those tiny fruits are in the bottles. If anybody knows, please chime in.
I hope you have enjoyed your trip to Mexico and Central America!
¡Olé-!
ReplyDeleteYou know, Major, our young friend in the first picture is not only adept at weaving baskets, he also created the woven dog, just behind the amazing example. (I also understand he weaves a mighty righteous babushka-!)
Thanks, Major.
Wow! Shades of Walt's 1941 goodwill trip to Latin America. May pull out "Saludos Amigos" or "The Three Caballeros" tonight.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Nanook, well I'm embarrassed to admit that I actually looked for a woven dog in the photo. "How did I miss that?". D'OH!
ReplyDeleteChuck, it's hard to imagine that there was a real fear of our neighbors taking the side of Nazi Germany.
As an O.C. ex-pat I remember (barely) quite a few trips across the border as a young man. We'll just say they weren't *quite* as wholesome as these lovely pictures. Ahhh, my misspent youth, when I look back....
ReplyDelete