Here is a pic of two blankets at the street market in Ajijic, the town next to me. They are hand woven in wool by little old ladies in the east of the country in the tropics. They told me it takes a month to complete one of these. Fancy ones go for as much as $500 and plainer ones for $385 usd. They are about six feet wide nine feet long and three sixteenth thick. A man could survive for a while in one of these under some pretty tough conditions.



enjoy
Hombre del Bosque

El Senior Hombre del Bosque,

They are lovely... Be sure to get at least one for you and Ms Audrey to bring home to the USA in a couple of years... Toasty!!!

That red one could pass as one of the Rio Grande blankets they have on exhibit at Bent's Fort.

OK so are you willing to ship one of them to me if I send you the money to hand to the nice ladies? The one on the right looks pretty good to me. Heck they could do a plain woven blanket in one color and I'd be happy.

LD

Wow, they do look pretty good. RD

Loyalist Dave,
The problem is: I don't know what would happen to it at customs.
volatpluvia

Try carrying one across in your car during one of your trips to PA. If there's no sweat, a whole bunch of us might send you a stash for blankets.

Sparks

How do those folks with the "fair trade" boutiques get good stuff like them blankets across? Maybe it's because they can buy in bulk?

I have always thought that a few villages in Mexico could produce some nice, plain, functional, durable blankets, selling them at what's an affordable price here in the USA, but due to currency exchange, would be a really nice profit for the folks in the villages. Maybe I'm too simplistic.

LD

LD,
I am sure there is a way to go about getting blankets from here to there. But I am here on a tourist visa and can't conduct business for a profit. Yes I could do it all at cost but IF they decide I am running a business for profit I am in big trouble. I am also here on contract with the Mision Department of my denomination and and forbidden to conduct business for profit or they will yank my contract. Same problem IF they decide that is what I am doing.
I want to thank you for your interest. I myself cannot decide at this time if I can spare the money for one of my own. And these blankets are the ONLY souvernir that I am remotely interested in owning. I pretty much have enough possessions in storage now.
My intent with the pics was just to show you fellow MLers some nice stuff.
Now, ONTOH, you could plan a vacation and purchase one to take home. It is a really fine place to come to on vacation. I would be glad to show you around and introduce you to my new friends.
volatpluvia/Hombre del Bosque

volatpluvia, is their any gunshops in or near your area ? i remimber back in 68 when i was in mexico i visited a gunshop, and at that time their was quit a few old colts winchester`s etc. for sale dirt cheap and most interesting for me was several old muzzel loader`s on the racks as well, heck they even had two old muzzel loading bronze canons.
the best deal they had was a 45/70 gatlin gun only $1,000.00 mounted on a cariage.

john,
The ony guns I have seen are on the hips/backs/in the hands of police/military/paid guards. It is my understanding that it has been made quite difficult for citizens to own firearms in Mexico. I have not seen a gunshop. I don't know if they exist.
Hombre del Bosque/volatpluvia

whereabouts is Chapala?

Rich

Idaho Sharpshooter!!!! You want to see CHAPALA MEXICO Well go to "Yahoo" and up at the top click on IMAGES type in CHAPALA MEXICO,Search.
Be ready to pack up the mule,take down your teepee and get your visa.It's tough but someone has to do it!!!!!

quote:

IF they decide I am running a business for profit I am in big trouble. I am also here on contract with the Mision Department of my denomination and and forbidden to conduct business for profit or they will yank my contract.

Well don't jeopardize your work or mission by any means! I was just wondering. I have a nice sarape myself, but I was wondering about them doing something more pliable as sarapes that I have seen are nice and stiff, shed rain and block wind well, but not so good to roll up in.

Maybe in the future I'll schlep down there and talk to the weavers in your local village. My parents went to Mexico on honeymoon, and I was born in San Diego about 9 months later. So the joke is my birthmark when looked at under a magnifying glass says Hecho En Mexico.

LD