Es una especialidad de aquí poner en las puertas “Estire” en lugar de “Jale”. Estirar el brazo no es sino empujar. No sé de dónde venga pero está bien vaciado.
December 24, 2018
December 23, 2018
Backhoe — San Pedro Garza García 290/365
I live in Berlin, “the city which is always becoming itself”. I have been coming to Monterrey for the last 2 decades, and my impression this time is that it is experiencing a construction peak. But I’m afraid that the same error is being made here: let’s gentrificate and postpone basic infrastructure. Traffic is very bad, the sewer system is insufficient and ecological impact is poorly considered. This image summarizes my impressions of these days here.
December 22, 2018
My hairdresser — Centrito 289/365
Don Enrique established his shop in 1962 in Río Mississippi. My dad went there as a kid to have his hair done by him. A bit later he relocated to La Cuchilla in Río Orinoco, where he has been since then. He still uses the same sturdy chairs from the beginning—on this one he cut my hair when I turned 7. The interior design of the shop is now very white. In the old times it was blue, on a corner there was a TV with non stop telenovelas, a table with a generous offer of soft porn magazines, a red couch with synthetic leather and always a busty girl with many curves who took care of the cashier. This was the place where you would go if you were proud of your testosterone instead of the sissy Peluquería Americana on the opposite side of the street, which rather tried to be fresa.
December 21, 2018
Al Restaurante — Monterrey 288/365
This is one of the oldest restaurants in town. 75 years ago, the owner took off the doorknob and decided to open 24/7. Like in the Far West saloons, you just push the doors open and you’ll find yourself in the most conspicuous atmosphere. This morning, a homeless was having breakfast next to the new elected major, a large family, my historian friends, and a number of other guests you’ll never find in mainstream places. A feeling of comradeship fall upon us all as we were discussing important topics about local history and future projects and eating our beloved machacado.
December 20, 2018
La carne asada — San Pedro Garza García 287/365
Si no hay carne asada, no has llegado a Monterrey. Y estos dos gemelillos volvieron al terminar las clases en España, y aunque hayan demorado 48 horas en llegar, se asa la carne para recibirlos como se debe. ¡Bienvenidos, @montserratgdelag y @dgdelag!
December 19, 2018
My grandparents — Mexico City 286/365
Although both were from Monterrey, they got married in Mexico City in 1944. Perhaps because her father had moved there due to professional reasons. He was 24, she was 20. Anyways, today I saw pics of their wedding for the first time. Thanks to V for bringing over the visual archive!
December 18, 2018
Aldo Chaparro — Monterrey 285/365
I visited a few exhibitions today. This installation by Peruvian artist Aldo Chaparro captured my attention, because these are threads with leds. It looks amazing even though the walls should be way higher. Thanks to my friends who showed me around and walked me through the exhibits!
December 17, 2018
Our oldest building — San Pedro Garza García 284/365
Despite its ruinous condition, this is the oldest building in the Northeastern region of Mexico. Built around 1660 by the grandson of Monterrey’s founder and his wife, it was the private chapel of the family’s hacienda. Now it’s dubbed the Capilla de Doña Mónica Rodríguez. There have been discussions about preserving the building for over a decade, but little has been achieved. This reflects the broaden historical disinterest of a society which is always focused on the short term future.
December 16, 2018
Battle field — Paredón, Coahuila 283/365
One important battle of the Mexican Revolution took place here. Pancho Villa won. Not only the battle itself but also 300 soldaderas (women soldiers), who were left behind by the Federal armies. Overnight, Villa’s staff got girlfriends and wives. The picture is taken from the second floor of the old train station, which was the disputed object.
December 15, 2018
Wedding — Monterrey 283/365
My friends C and K got married today. It was a cool party with a VJ, which isn’t that common here, and music from the 70s, mainly. ¡Vivan los novios!
December 14, 2018
A social anthem — Monterrey 282/365
In December 1928, i.e. 90 years ago, my grandpa published the anthem for the workers of Fundidora, the largest steel company in Latin America. The music was composed by Armando Villarreal, well known for “Morenita mía”. My grandpa was a pious Catholic with a strong commitment to the so called social cause. He tought that progress is only possible if one could work under fair and proper circumstances, as he was a strong opponent to capitalistic exploitation. The music sheet is in the archive of the company, but there is not a single record of the music. (Interestingly, Guillermo Kahlo, Frida’s father, started to work for the same company around the same time.)
December 13, 2018
Cerro de las Mitras — San Pedro Garza García 281/365
And yet another picture of my mountains. This is what I used to have as a background picture when I played in the garden. Now it has been sunken and you can only enjoy this view from the terraces. I’ve been on the very top of this one. After a windy night and day, today’s sky was clear. As the sunset light struck the mountains, I remembered the warm summer nights having dinner outside and talking about this mountain, the witness of our daily life. And while in school, we all could hear the dynamite explosions to produce gravel and cement, the scars of industrialization.
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