Since relocating to Mexico, I, perhaps like many others, have developed an unexpected passion for crafts. It’s impossible not to, with the plethora of stunning “artesanías” the country has to offer. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the town of Cuetzalan, Puebla.
“Crafts” is not nearly adequate enough of a word to do justice to Mexican artesanías. It brings to my mind childish “arts and crafts” or knick-knacks from a fair. In Mexico, artesanías are more akin to exquisite handmade arts — very intentional creations for display or usage, of admirable quality and materials, often using near-ancient methods passed down from generation to generation for centuries.
It’s particularly delightful when one encounters talented artisans experimenting with modern designs using traditional production techniques. From region to region, artesanías vary, reflecting the area’s native materials, its style, and traditions. It was this allure of artesanías and fascination with indigenous culture that drew our trio — Lourdes, Bethany , and myself — to Cuetzalan, though crafts as I had imagined them were not quite what we found there.
We set out from Mexico City on a Thursday morning. I had packed my habitual giant bag of snacks: raisin and walnut baguettes from Rosetta, bananas, dates, dark chocolate and a relatively unappetizing Cliff bar for emergencies. The plan was to drive to Puebla, the halfway point, spend a night and continue onward to Cuetzalan the foll.