...going "downtown" is like going to another country.

OK, maybe it's not exactly another country, but it is a sanctuary for many walks of life who often celebrate the existence of other countries and cultures. Here's a short montage of the highlights of Downtown Tucson:

Courtesy of You Tube user Guerilladigital

On Sept. 15 at Presidio San Agustin del Tucson in Downtown Tucson, the Tucson Guatemalan community gathered together for a cultural celebration.

Some attendees dressed in traditional garments and danced. Guatemalan traditions stem mainly from Spanish, Mayan, and even some African influences.


















In addition to dancing, food, music and drinks, the event, sponsored by the Consulado General De Guatemala of Phoenix, offered governmental services including assistance with passport extensions and civil registration of birth certificates, marriage certificates and more.



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Last weekend, I traveled downtown to explore Downtown Tucson's Barrio Viejo. My friend thought the streets and architecture were reminiscent of a foreign country (thus this post's title). I'm not sure about another country--but there were two strange bird/turkey-like creatures walking around as if they owned the place...




I asked a women who was walking through the neighborhood if she knew whose/what they were. She replied in Spanish, saying that they were always around the neighborhood and that they lived by eating food off the ground in the neighborhood. Anyone know what they are?

But what makes this neighborhood unique--besides the wildlife--can be seen in more than just the shapes and vivid colors of the homes. The Mexican influence of the neighborhood couldn't be denied, seen in the brightly pained religious murals, front porch cacti, Catholic icons and the Spanish language that rang through the streets in both audio and print.

It was almost like taking a step back into the past, where children played in the streets, homes had as much personality as their owners, and front porches not only still existed, but were a common gathering place.

To see more of this neighborhood, visit the Photomondiale Web site of Jerry Peek. Or, watch the neat You Tube video below. Courtesy of You Tube user bumruntry While the neighborhood was alive with people and culture, evidence of its slow decay was also very real, much like Downtown Tucson in general. For years the City of Tucson has been working to restore downtown to the bustling hub of commerce and entertainment that it once was. Spearheading these efforts is the Rio Nuevo Project. Visit their Web site to learn what they have accomplished, what they are working on, and how they are doing it. Or better yet, visit Downtown Tucson and see the heart of Tucson for yourself.

...a neighborhood is called a barrio

Barrio is the Spanish word for neighborhood. Tucson has many distinct barrios with names like "Barrio Hollywood" and "Anita Barrio." Each has its own unique history and characteristics, as is described in Looking into the West Side: Untold Stories of the People, a detailed account of several well-known Tucson barrios.

Amanda Portillo holding a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe

I recently took a trip through a neighborhood around 36th Street and Kino Parkway with my friend, Amanda Portillo, in search of front yard shrines of the Virgin Mary, which are common in Mexico and with Mexican-American families.

Our Mother of Guadalupe is an iconic figure in Mexican culture, particularly for Catholics. To honor the Virgin Mary, some Catholics place shrines with her statue along with other religious materials like rosaries, prayer cards, statues of saints or Jesus, and even pictures of family or friends.

None we found were as elaborate as are documented here at the Web site of photographer Bryan Hansel, but it was interesting to see how the average family pays their respects to the Virgin Mary.

Below is a slide show of some of the shrines we found in the neighborhood.

Some we found were adorned with lights, and many were protected by fencing or glass, emphasizing the sacredness of the religious icons.

While strolling through, Amanda told me about her Nana, who has a similar shrine in her backyard. Her Nana and other family visit the shrine when when they wish to pay their respects or feel close to Mary and God.

"In the Christmastime, we put the manger scene out there too with the baby Jesus. Actually, we don't put the baby in His cradle until Christmas Eve," she said.

Discovering the religious undertones hidden in the barrios of Tucson is fun and exciting--and only a short drive away.

...you are surrounded by art

Traffic in Tucson is relentless. Luckily, frustrated motorists have plenty of time during the constant rush-hours to not only brush up on their bumper sticker reading skills, but to revel in the beautiful and unique murals that grace the roadsides.

Remnants of the Old West are prominent in this southwestern town.

On Grant Road just East of the I-10, the nostalgic mural below stretches along the busy road, blending into the landscape like a window into the city's past.



This Leslie Grimes mural is painted on the site of the old Farmer John Meats plant.






To learn more about the mural, visit its
Roadtrip America site.

A slide show of the mural can be found here from Tempe's Gerald Thurman.


But, more than just an old pueblo, Tucson is a border town. The influence of Mexican culture is prominent in more ways than one.

Below is a mural on the side of a video store in a southwest barrio depicting Our Mother of Guadalupe.



The iconic figure of the Virgin Mary painted here is prominent in Mexican culture. As the legend goes, a poor Aztec Indian named Juan Diego saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. The mother of Christ miraculously placed this image of herself on cloth to prove that Juan Diego was in fact her messenger.






Read more on Our Mother of Guadalupe at Catholic Online. Read more about the numerous Mother of Guadalupe murals in Tucson in this Tucson Weekly article by Margaret Regan. Or, find more on Chicano Murals in Tucson here.


These two murals are great examples of opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to Tucson art genre. However, there is no shortage of equally dynamic murals in this city. A short Sunday afternoon drive through the town is proof enough, but for more on all the Tucson art scene has to offer, visit the Tucson Pima Arts Council Web site.