Tag: art

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Xunantunich

This ancient Mayan site is 70 miles west of Belize City located atop a ridge on the Mopan River within proximity of the Guatemala border. The first modern explorations of the area were conducted in the mid-1890’s, and according to our guide [Jerson] excavations are still taking place. They have revealed small family-based villages [residential groups] and farms that spread out over the landscape.

Xunantunich was built as a ceremonial center at the end of the Late Classic Maya Period around 600 AD, but the site has a long settlement history dating to the Early Pre-Classic [1300-1000 BC] period. The property encompasses 22 acres with the center being relatively small in comparison to the overall structure. Our guide barely touched on the specific rituals that took place, but indicated sacrifices were amongst the protocols.

Though the area is steeped in history, it was breathtaking to be able to hike and climb the ruins or see archeologist tucked into a space unearthing finds for the day.
For additional information pop over to Yoair Blog for more travel information on Central America.

Travel safely,
Kathleen

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Weekend in D.C.

This past weekend, a few of us got timed entry tickets to the National Gallery of Art. On Friday the museum reopened after a six-month hiatus due to a surge of varying viral strains. There were no current exhibitions to view, but while triangulating the galleries one can always find something exciting to see within their “special installations” such as, Marc Chagall’s Orphée mosaic wall c.1968 which was a gift to the Nef family for their Georgetown garden. The artist project — SORRY outside the East Wing by Sarah Cain, Avish Khebrehzadeh, and Kay Rosen. The East Wing is undergoing transformative construction and this artist sign will be up until summer. I’ve listed a few favorites from the outing starting with the colorful banners brightening the outside of the gallery.

The National Gallery of Art and East Wing located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets, NW in the District of Columbia. Still life with figs and bread by Melendez c.1770. The Game of hot cockles by Fragonard c.1775/1780, the colors in this painting are intriguing and make for a summer palette guide.  

The Empire Style has always intrigued my attention, especially since visiting the Borghese Gardens in Rome. Seeing Paolina Borghese reclining [nude] in Canova’s depiction of Venus is breathtaking. The Classical world greatly influenced France and its new emperor, Napoleon.  This settee or couch by Hugh and John Finlay is Greek inspired from the 1780’s, and lastly The Square of Saint Mark’s, Venice by Canaletto c.1742/1744.

  • The 33-foot Buddha heightens your dining experience, as well as adding a level of charm.
  • Lunch at Grace’s Mandarin on the National Harbor
Grace’s Mandarin
  • Shanghai Sweet & Spicy Chicken Wings
  • Szechuan String Beans with Shrimp

After several hours of perusing art, it was now time for a bit of Pan-Asian ambiance from Grace’s Mandarin. We ordered appetizers; shanghai chicken wings, salt & pepper wings with popcorn shrimp to share over glasses of Sauvignon blanc and martinis. Lunch was the Szechuan string beans with shrimp and the jumbo lump crab-meat fried rice. I even ordered a few items to take home for dinner to share with family, which by the way was the perfect end to an extraordinary Saturday!

Venture out safely,
Kathleen