A Town of Color, Tradition, Art and History | Photo Essay Todos Santos

Photo Essay Todos Santos, Baja California

Surrounded by 7,000 foot-tall peaks, Todos Santos is a palm oasis town nestled amid the palm groves near the southern tip of Baja California. About 6,000 people live here. Fishing, agriculture, and increasingly, tourism drive the local economy.

Todos Santos is one of those places where nature puts on her best show, all in a small space: mountains, desert, ocean.

Recently I was among a group that took a half-day photography workshop with New York-based photographer Judith Farber.

The pictures on this page are by myself and my wife, Penny. We hope you enjoy them!

Todos Santos Photo Essay

Photo Essay Todos Santos

This beautiful woman lives in a tiny home next to the bank on the main street in Todos Santos. I love the sense of calm in her deeply furrowed face. It's my favorite photo of the day

Photo Essay Todos Santos

Penny snapped this picture, which captures the interplay of the talavera-ware plates on the wall. In the foreground... a turquoise blue Mexican hat and a wisp of dark hair

Photo Essay Todos Santos

This is my favorite kid picture of the day....and there were many from which to choose. The olive-skinned young girls meet the camera's eye with confidence and curiosity.

Photo Essay Todos Santos

Big smiles, and bubble-gum blue lips as these kids left the ice cream store in the late afternoon

Photo Essay Todos Santos

Stacks of hats await their new owners at a streetfront shop in Todos Santos

Photo Essay Todos Santos

The succulent colors of the Hotel California

Photo Essay Todos Santos

Colorful talavera-ware jars contrast with rough wire fencing and adobe brick wall at a shop on the main street of Todos Santos

Photo Essay Todos Santos

A kid....a slide....an equation for pure joy on a warm afternoon

Photo Essay Todos Santos

The front wall of Gabo's art gallery carves geometric shapes into the perfect blue sky

Photo Essay Todos Santos

Rhinestone heart earrings adorn a local Todos Santos beauty

Photo Essay Todos Santos

Thanks for a GREAT photo class Judith!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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La Encantada: Euro-Style Wine Bar | La Paz

La Encantada: An Enchanting New Wine Bar and Deli in La Paz, Baja

La Paz

The Entrance to La Encantada Beckons Diners and Art Lovers

Looking for a Mediterranean-style gallery that combines fine art, a relaxing sculpture garden, an incredible delicatessen and a tempting wine menu?

Then look no further than La Encantada which was recently opened in the fascinating historic district of old downtown La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

From the bright desert sunshine of La Paz, a visitor to La Encantada passes through two large, softly lit gallery rooms. Featured sculptors and painters change regularly, typically every three months.

La Paz

La Encantada Owner Lila Magallon

“I have always wanted to help advance the culture scene in La Paz,” says Lila Magallon. Lila, who brings previous experience running a gallery in Morelia on the mainland of Mexico, returned to La Paz. “My parents live in this area, and I have always loved La Paz,” she says.

Lila completely renovated the La Encantada structure but kept the best elements. For example, the building used to house a music school, and she has preserved the remarkable acoustic properties of the place. La Encantada frequently hosts live music events.

La Paz

The Beautiful Patio Garden at La Encantada

“Musicians love the resonant acoustic properties of this place,” Lila says

La Encantada has playful elements as well, such as a swing suspended from the stout limb of an ancient tree. After dark, the garden comes alive with soft, indirect outdoor lighting that invites you to linger.

No detail has been overlooked in the renovation. Soothing water sounds trickle from concrete fountains that also double as casual bench seats. There’s a large shady sitting area

Great Food and Wine

The deli menu at La Encantada changes according to what’s in season. In our party of four, Lila prepared a beautiful plate consisting of two types of salami, proscuitto, gorgonzola and parmesan cheeses, green olives and nuts. In addition, there was candied bisnaga, a type of Baja desert cactus that was sugar-crystallized and delicious.

La Paz

Our Waiter, Gerardo, Presented us with this Tempting Plate of Meats, Cheeses, Fruit and Olives

La Encantada is located in the old historic center of La Paz at:

Belisario Dominguez 1245
el 5 de Mayo 4
Callejon Constitucion

For more information, visit www.galerialaencantada.com.

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