I see that Ailsa has also chosen ‘Round’ as her travel theme this week. I’ve already done Sue’s ‘Round’ Word a Week challenge, here, but have a few pics which I didn’t use yet.
Last year, we were in Sarchi, a charming artisan town in Costa Rica. It’s the country’s most well known art and craft centre, and is most famous for it’s colourfully painted ox carts and oxen yokes.
In one of the studios, and watched the artists at work. Those of you who saw my Silent Sunday ‘Colourful Eruption’, might guess that it was photographed in this studio.
This one was painting a lovely bird on an umbrella to be sold in the gift shop.
It must take a lot of concentration and precisions to paint something this beautiful and so very intricate.
The shop was full of beautiful souvenirs to purchase, but I decided that an oxcart was a bit big to fit into my suitcase.
Out in the garden, was an original oxcart, which would have been pulled by a pair of oxen, to transport coffee beans and sugar cane to market. In this mountainous country, these carts were the main mode of transportation. Each region of Costa Rica had its own particular oxcart design, and the driver’s origin could be identified by the patterns painted on his cart’s wheels.
Today, oxcarts play an important role in parades and religious celebrations. As were leaving the town, we passed by the ‘Worlds Largest Oxcart’, a huge brightly painted ‘Carreta’ that sits in the Parque Central in front of the church. This masterpiece was built in 2006 in order to get the town’s name into the Guinness Book of Records.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these colourful wheels for Ailsa’s challenge. To see more entries for the challenge, just click on the link.
I see that this is my 100th post on this blog. How should I celebrate?
We would love to go back to Costa Rica and this would definitely be a town I would enjoy visiting. Seeing the photo of that gentleman painting on the umbrella brought me back to an event in Sedona where these colorfully painted umbrellas could be purchased. They were beautiful but I suspect they might not compare to these. 🙂
Yes, a return trip sounds very tempting indeed. There is so much to see there. 🙂
How beautiful! I think it wonderful that the people took a bit of their history, preserved and renovated it, and gave it new life today. And we mustn’t forget that, in the process, they’ve created works of art. How cool is that?
Very cool indeed, John. Glad you enjoyed my post. 🙂
Much prettier than those that adorn the Wagon Wheel Motel at Beaufort West
Agreed. There’s no comparison, is there?
This is perfect enough for your 100th. I love the simplicity and, at the same time, uniqueness of the topic. And how so cool those designs are. It’s amazing that they hand paint it like that. Awesome share Sylvia. One of your bests.
Thanks so much, Rommel. Glad you liked the pretty colours. 🙂
I’ve been reading your blogs in reverse order and I’ve noticed orange is big in Costa Rica. Would that be true, is there a cultural reference?
Thanks so much, Ruth. As far as I know, there is nothing significant about the colour orange. They do love very bright colours though, as you must have noticed. There are many orange farms in the country. 🙂
These are gorgeous, Ad! Truly love them. 🙂 And yes, I have had the bath tub incident. Oops! Hope the packing up’s going well.
Thanks, Jo. Glad I’m not the only one. 🙂 I started packing boxes and then the removals company lady came to give us a quote and said that it’s best they do the packing because of American Customs being so fussy about what they allow into the country. Now I’m in limbo. 😯
You might know it wouldn’t be straightforward. Roughly how long do you expect it all to take? Got a move date in mind? 🙂
Not yet. It depends on how long it takes for the buyer to get the rest of the money together. I’m in no hurry. 🙂
I am so envious. I went on a day tour in Costa Rica that described part of the visit as seeing the beautifully hand-crafted oxcarts. I was very disappointed to only see one. A big one, under a gazebo in the middle of town. I wanted to see artisans painting them like you show here. I’m glad to experience them through your post until I can get back there and see them for myself.
The one you saw, must have been the giant one in my last pic. I’m sorry you never got to visit the studios and shops. 😦
Happy 100th post, Sylvia! Celebrate with chocolate 😀
The colours here are absolutely amazing!
Thanks so much, Dianne. I did, and a glass of wine. 🙂
😀 – yay, my favourite!
So you’ve finished the Lindt Chocolates now Sylvia … time to get cracking on the next milestone 🙂
…My what patience and skill with these colourful rounds … think it would send me potty … or rather – more so !
Hehehe I would never say that you are potty. I might think it, but I wouldn’t say so. 😀 Yes the chocolate bunnies are gone and also the box of Lindt chocolate balls. 😦
😦 indeed …
and I don’t mind what you think at all Sylvia Lol
Such talent, I would love to own one of the buggies.
Thanks, Catherine. I don’t have any oxen to pull one, so I’ll pass on the buggy. 🙂
🙂
My eyes are dancing with happiness. I adore color. This is my kind of shop.
For sure, I would get an umbrella to shade this HOT Florida sun. AND … I’d use it. As an artist, people in my town expect the unexpected from me. I guess Costa Rica is going on my Bucket list. WOW … great pix’s Sylvia. Bravo !!!!
Issy XD
Thanks so much, Issy. Is it already hot in Florida? Maybe I should have bought one of those white umbrellas. Glad you enjoyed the brilliant colours. 🙂
Well … the temps are in the lower 80’s (82 – 84).
There’s still a cooler breeze so it doesn’t feel hot. I’m sure it will be short lived. But … then, I can begin to use my pool ( it isn’t heated). XD
Issy
p.s. they use umbrellas all the time in Puerto Rico. I experienced that for the 1st time when I was in school there for a year. I suppose they know how to avoid skin cancer. ~~~~ : – )
Wow those colours.I remember I had a little one of those carts when I was achild and it broke. So beautiful!
Thanks, Ute. They are so beautiful. 🙂
This is very artistic work… beautiful share…
Thanks, bulldog. Happy weekend to you and Linda. 🙂
Celebrate by doing one hundred more!
Or how about a post with your favorite pics from the challenges?
I’m sure I will do at least 100 more. I had done over 500 post on my old WordPress blog. 🙂
Now – that takes a lot of patience.
Niiiice Artwork!
I’ll say! Thanks, RoSy. 🙂
There is so much creative spirit in our world – it gives me great comfort to know that there are many who add beauty to our world. You have an amazing way of putting together themes.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Rebecca. xx 🙂
That last shot is so intricate.
And stop spinning your wheels, and celebrate 100 posts in style! Wine for everyone!
Yes it is, Gemma. Wine for hubby and I, and some chocolate of course. 🙂
🙂
what a feast of colour…did you take anything home with you ?
Thanks Jo. No, only the photos. 🙂
What stunning work and the colours are gorgeous. Imagine putting all that time into a wheel!
I can’t imagine ever doing anything so intricate. They are eye-boggling. 🙂
Very artisanls thing. Gongratulations for all those beautiful and colorful photo’s
Thanks so much. 🙂
What gifted artisans…all in the round. Wasn’t aware of the artistic diversity within the community. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lynne. Glad you enjoyed these. 🙂
Celebrate? The first thing that jumped into my mind was one of your miraculous chocolate creations. Those cart wheels are mind-boggling. They must go into a trance painting them. Sort of like creating a Mandala…
Oh, I’ve just made chocolate brownies, Gunta. Want to try one. 🙂
Sure, bring ’em on over… 😀
Maybe with a ride in an oxcart? 😉 A lovely, colourful post, Sylvia!
I did get to stand in an oxcart at the coffee farm. I’ll show you sometime. 🙂
Please do 🙂
Pretty! I want one. Do I need to get an ox first?
I think two oxen would be ideal. 🙂
Now going shopping for them. Can you put an order in for me for a cart?
What a great post to have as your 100th post, so full of color and joy! Congrats on your milestone! I love the photo of the man painting the umbrella, so talented and diligent! Have a lovely weekend and maybe have some of that amazing chocolate cake you made last week( if there’s any left!) and glass of wine and celebrate with your family! Whatever you do to celebrate, enjoy! 😃🌟
Thanks, Giana. The chocolate cheesecake is long gone. Glad you enjoyed my 100th post. 🙂
You should have driven it home!
Giddy Up. 🙂
Happy 100th post Sylvia, you’ve celebrated with lots of colour, love these oxcarts, never seen anything like it! Have a great weekend and cheers to you 🙂
Thanks so much, Sherri. You too. xx
Wow! Such an interesting tradition, and so beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Sylvia.
You’re welcome, Naomi. So gad you enjoyed. 🙂
These lovely colours are a celebration on there own!
Yes, I think you’re right, Gilly. 🙂
I had no idea there was so much to know about oxcarts! Congrats on your 100 new blog posts. 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa. 🙂
Those are stunning!
I think you should bake a cake to celebrate and then show it to us in post 101 😉
You would think of something to do with food, wouldn’t you. 🙂
Of course! 🙂
These are great Sylvia
Thanks so much, Alastair. 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Sylvia, I admire the beautiful painting of umbrella, like a Chinese umbrella. They are very colourful, fantastic!
Thanks so much, Della Anna. Those artists are so talented. 🙂
I had never seen these before. So intricate. Can’t imagine why you didn’t pack one up 🙂 I think to celebrate you should book a trip somewhere.
Well thanks for the suggestion, Sue. Our next trip will be after we’ve moved out of our house here and are on our way back to Florida. A lot has to happen before then. 😯
Great pics! Happy 100th post . . . that’s calls for chocolate.
Thanks, Nancy. I just discovered that I have a box of Lindt chocolates left over from Easter. 🙂
Beautiful colors!
Thanks, NIcole. 🙂
Such lovely and lively photos! They’re very colorful. I especially like the 6th one although at first glance, I thought it was a wishing well. 😛
You just celebrated by providing artful, colorful food for the spirit! I loved these oxcarts when I saw them in Costa Rica – so lovingly and uniquely decorated. I always enjoy “practical” art, art that is used in daily life rather than gathering dust on a mantle…
This is like wonderland!!!! 🙂
Thanks, Marina. Being an artist yourself, I’m sure you appreciate the artistic talent here. 🙂
Wow, those are very delicate and beautiful paint works!
I’ve been told to visit Costa Rica — this confirms it!
You will absolutely love the experience, LIsa. It’s so diverse and there’s much to enjoy. 🙂
I love this place! So colourful, and full of rounds!
Thanks, Meredith. 🙂