Old Town San Diego is the location of the first European settlement in California. It provides advantages of Mexican heritage, historical sites, colorful shops and delicious restaurants. Old Town San Diego Historic Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is a very large wall painting in the center of the old town I really enjoyed. A lady working there told me it was painted three years ago before, I visited the old town in 2020. It was printed by pencil first, then painted in.
A wide selection of unique shops offering special souvenir items were located there. The specialty items include folk art, crafts, gifts, women’s fashion, jewelry in vibrant colors and designs with Mexican styles.
There were paintings of self-portraits from Frida Kahlo in the gift shops. Frida Kahlo (6 July 1907 – 13 July 1954) has been considered as one of Mexico’s greatest artists. She is remembered for her self-portraits, pain and passion.
Although disabled by polio at the age of 6, Frida Kahlo still had been a promising student headed for medical school until she suffered a bus accident at the age of 18. Frida Kahlo was nearly killed in the crash when a steel handrail impaled her through the hip. She suffered multiple fractures of her spine, collarbone, ribs, pelvis, and a dislocated shoulder. In her lifetime, she had over 30 operations. Kahlo began to focus heavily on painting during the long body recovering. As she said, “My painting carries with it the message of pain.”
Her 47 year short life included the physical and physiological pain, the turbulent marriage and the love affairs. Kahlo did not sell many paintings in her lifetime. The feminist movement of the 1970s led to renewed interest in her life and work, and her reputation grew by the 21st century. Her life story has become almost as popular as her art. The biographical film ‘Frida’ was released on 2002 and won two Academy Awards among six nominations. Today, Frida Kahlo has been recognized not only figure in art history, but also an icon for female creativity.
June’s Travels 
About twenty years ago in Nordhausen, Germany, I saw the opera “Frida” (based on the life of Frida Kahlo) by the Texas composer Robert Xavier Rodriguez (born 1946). This opera has since been performed in Vienna, Albuquerque, Long Beach, Anchorage, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Guadalajara, Cincinnati, Long Beach and Detroit, among other places. I’m glad to see that the Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit has scheduled a revival for February 2022.
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Thank you for the info about opera “Frida”. I like to watch it if I have the chance. Her life story is heart touching and inspiring.
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Interesting. I hadn’t heard of Frida Kahlo. Sad story.
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Thanks! Her story is heart touching. I will try to find the movie”Frida” to watch.
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I just visited San Diego but didn’t get a chance to visit Old Town. It looks so amazing and the artwork is beautiful! Thank you for your post. Hopefully I’ll be able to visit next time I am in the area 🙂
Grislean | https://gemlesschosen.com/
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I really like San Diego. It is a beautiful city and there are so many things to do. Thanks for stopping by. I am going to visit your website too😊
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Definitely! Every time I go I feel like I missed something 😂 aww thanks 😊💕
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I’ve heard of Frida Kahlo through questions on television quiz shows, but knew nothing about her life before reading this. Sound as if she was a very interesting lady.
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Yes! It is sad that she had so much pain in her life. But she showed her strength and talents. As she said, “At the end of day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”
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Wonderful paintings and amazing what people achieve in life despite obstacles.
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Yes, indeed. Frida Kahlo’s life story has become an inspiration to others.
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