Ryan Tingle Photography

04/16/2026

In Teotitlán del Valle, this kind of textile work comes from Zapotec communities that have been passing it down for generations. Not as a trend or business idea. Just as part of life. This craft was incredible to experience in person with Nazaria, as it’s a mix of artistry, tradition, and a hell of a lot of hard work and patience.

Wool is carded and cleaned, pulled apart, and spun slowly, with a lot of muscle, into thread. The colors don’t come from bottles of synthetic paints, they come from the landscape. Añil for deep blues, the cochineal insect blood for reds. Plants, nuts, bark, minerals, fruits, each creating their own tones and hues. And when mixed together, they create an entirely different spectrum.

And then it’s woven manually, by hand. One thread at a time.

After spending time with Nazaria, it was obvious. There’s not much separation between craft, art, and culture here. It’s all the same thing. This work is learned at a young age, repeated daily, and carried forward with passion, love, and ritual.

You don’t really understand it by looking at the textiles themselves. You understand it by watching the hands and every expression on her face.

Video - https://youtu.be/sHJ4p0RDwkM?si=HxORPmhp10vo7WPO

04/15/2026

In November, I spent a week in Oaxaca. A region I somehow missed out on when I used to live in Mexico 🇲🇽

I spent my time visiting archaeological sites, collecting alebrijes, searching for incredible ingredients, and obviously indulging in regional dishes. If you know anything about Oaxaca, then you understand that it is at the top of Mexican gastronomy. The food here is absolutely incredible, and each bite will live endlessly in my brain. But the moment that stuck with me most came by complete chance.

I met the extremely lovely Nazaria while walking through a weekend market in Oaxaca City. I saw her explosion of colors, and I was pulled in right away. There are textiles everywhere in Oaxaca, but hers felt different. You could see it immediately. The texture, the detail, the way everything was made by hand, with patience, and without factory machines

I couldn’t help myself but talk with her. She told me about her work, her process, her culture, the Zapotec dialect, and just like that, she invited me out to her home.

A few days later, I found myself in Teotitlán del Valle, a gorgeous area about an hour outside of Oaxaca City. I sat with her while she carded wool, spun thread, and worked with natural dyes like añil, all while telling me stories. This is a place where weaving isn’t just craft, it’s history. Zapotec families have been doing this for generations, passing it down, thread by thread (literally).

For me, this is priceless. Stumbling into someone’s world. Being invited in. Sitting, watching, learning, even if it’s just for a moment.

Those are the things that stay with you. Not the material items. The moments. The connections. The experience to pass on to others.

Full video with Nazaria on YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/sHJ4p0RDwkM

04/14/2026

Sun. Salt. Simplicity. The three pillars to a happy and healthy life 🇬🇷☀️🐠🍋⛵️⚓️🍷

04/10/2026

Flying around Kalamos on a perfect day 🇬🇷🐠🫶 It’s been awhile that I’ve taken the drone out for a flight. Not a better day to capture beautiful colors of a stunning island 🙌

03/20/2026

Last March, while I was in Puglia, I took a day to drive out to the towns where my great grandmother and grandfather were born. Carmela Cavallo from Colliano in Campania and Domenick Garofalo from Tursi in Basilicata.

I was searching for their birth certificates as part of the journey to claim citizenship through our family bloodline. It was something I had always wanted to do while living in Italy, but I waited until it truly felt right. For me, I couldn’t go and experience it at it’s best until I could speak the language better. By March 2025, I felt ready, so I went.

I spent the entire day driving through the countryside where a part of our family’s story began. It was an incredible and unforgettable day walking through their towns and talking with locals. Finding those certificates felt like holding a small piece of history that had been waiting to be found again.

Even though it is no longer possible for me to claim citizenship through my family line right now due to new rulings and restrictions, it doesn’t make me feel any less Italian. New rules don’t change anything, the connection is always stronger, each and every day 🇮🇹

One way or another… I’ll get it 😉

12/20/2025

11/07/2025

The sounds of Mexico City. Forever ingrained into my body and soul since 2017 🇲🇽🌮🫶

08/10/2025

🥖🍇 Tuscany in a nutshell: stunning vineyards, hearty cuisine, timeless traditions, vibrant culture, warm hospitality, diverse geography, hidden gems, bustling piazzas, and wines that tell a story with every sip.

Looking for a quick, vivid snapshot of this magical region?

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Whether you’re daydreaming from your desk or planning your next adventure, this little guide is your perfect travel appetizer.

Your pocket-sized sip of the region — grapes, towns, eats, and when to visit. 🍷

08/10/2025

🍂 There’s never a wrong time to visit Tuscany—just different flavors of beauty. The region shifts with the seasons like a fine wine in evolution: vibrant, moody, and full of surprises.

🏛️ Tuscany isn’t just a region. It’s a mood, a memory, a meal. Each town holds a story, and a reason to stay just one more night… or a lifetime ;)

From the sun-kissed vineyards of Chianti to the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia, and from the buzzing piazzas of Florence to the peaceful shores of Maremma, there’s a slice of Tuscany waiting for every traveler—whether you crave festivals, food, or quiet reflection.

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Discover the best times to explore Tuscany’s towns, vineyards, and culture

08/10/2025

🌻 Tuscany isn’t just a region. It’s a feeling — a dream that just so happens to be real. A sun-drenched swirl of vineyards and villages, bowls of hand-rolled pici , and conversations that last longer than the bottle on the table (which, let’s be honest, is probably a good thing). 🍷

From rolling hills to rustic trattorias, Tuscany tastes like sunshine , history , and passion in every bite and sip.☀️ 🍝

Want to experience it like a local?

Dive into The Grapestained Guide to Tuscany — your insider’s map to must-visit places, unforgettable dishes, and wines that capture the heart of the region.

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Where to go, what to eat, and which wines to spill on your shirt. A fully immersive journey into one of Italy’s most beloved regions.