| Keyword |
Description |
| Vocho |
The affectionate Mexican nickname for the Volkswagen Beetle car, derived from "Volkswagen" |
| Pueblo Mágico |
A designation given by Mexico's tourism ministry to towns with special cultural, historical, or natural significance (literally "Magical Town") |
| Magic realism |
An artistic style that presents fantastical or imaginative elements as normal parts of everyday reality |
Photographer Paul O'Connell fell in love with San Cristóbal de las Casas during a vacation, and the city's iconic VW Beetles became his artistic obsession. Over five years, he captured hundreds of photos of these vintage cars, known locally as "Vochos," navigating the narrow colonial streets. Their distinctive rounded shape and colorful paint jobs make them perfect subjects against the city's historic architecture and vibrant street art. O'Connell used magical realism—a creative technique where imagination blends with reality—to portray the Vocho as if it were the only vehicle in this Pueblo Mágico.
Organizing the exhibition proved more challenging than photographing the cars themselves. Eight months before the planned January 2026 opening, O'Connell contacted galleries and received official confirmations, but upon arriving in early January, he discovered the main venue was closed for renovations. Fortunately, with help from his Mexican agent, he secured the smaller Nauyaca Galleria on Real de Guadalupe, and the exhibition opened on January 29. The event attracted enthusiastic crowds, including members of a local Vocho owners club called "Bad Crew," who drove their customized cars past the gallery to promote the show.
The exhibition's title, "El último de los Vochos" (The Last of the Vochos), reflects an important reality: the final classic VW Beetle rolled off Mexico's production line in 2003, meaning every surviving Vocho is at least two decades old. Many of the photographed vehicles are even older, raising questions about how much longer these beloved cars can remain on the roads. While strict emission regulations have made Vochos rare in Europe—where they're mainly collector's items—Mexicans still use them as everyday transportation. O'Connell's work documents this unique cultural moment before these cars potentially disappear from daily life.
The exhibition received glowing reviews and enthusiastic responses from visitors, with some people excitedly discovering photos of their own Vochos. The show runs at Nauyaca Galleria until February 12, then moves to Centro Cultural Carlos Jurado and El Paliacate Espacio Cultura, with free admission through February. O'Connell hopes to create an even larger exhibition in Mexico City for 2027, marking the 60th anniversary of when VW Beetle production began in Mexico.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Obsession |
Obsesión |
| Collector |
Coleccionista |
| Enthusiastic |
Entusiasta |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think the VW Beetle became such an important part of Mexican culture and daily life?
- Should older cars like the Vocho be allowed to continue driving despite emission concerns, or should environmental protection be the priority?
- How does photography help preserve cultural history, and what other aspects of your own culture might be important to document?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Imagine you're the owner of a 40-year-old Vocho in Mexico City. Write about a typical day using your car and what it means to you personally and culturally.
- Research and write about another iconic vehicle or object from your own culture that represents an important part of your community's identity. Explain why it matters and whether it faces similar challenges to Mexico's Vochos.
