Indiana Dunes

We went to the Indiana Dunes today to enjoy the sunny fall weather and the last days of seasonal color. Even the ferns were getting into the act:

The forest was mostly quiet; we saw very few birds. But for whatever reason there were ladybugs everywhere at the beach. I was looking poking around in the dune grasses and found these. The dark blue in the background is Lake Michigan.

Mexico, 1950

Here are some of the pictures that Simeon Leland (see posts below) took of Mexico in 1950:



I've showed some of the photos of more rural areas to people who have traveled throughout Mexico more than I have, and they suggest that, based on the clothing that people are wearing, they were probably taken in Oaxaca or Chiapas. This guy, judging by his pants, has been to Los Angeles or thereabouts.

The Zocalo, Mexico's main square:

Below you can see what the same space looks like in 2007. Fewer trees, no cars, more people, a metro stop that you can't see. Another thing that you can't see: the Templo Mayor of the Mexica / Aztecs, which was thought to be lost but in fact is right next to this cathedral. It wasn't found until the late 1970s, so although you can't see it in either photo, it wouldn't have been there at all in 1950.

Comparing Buenos Aires

Here's are comparison photos from me in 2006 and Simeon E. Leland in 1950 (see post below) of the "obelisk" in Buenos Aires.

1950:


2006:


And here's one that Nicole took that lets you see the considerable increase in the use of fluorescent signs: