cocopuff
david Valentine Joined: December 17th 2005
Logged in: January 24th 2009
Logged in: January 24th 2009
David and Carol are taking a second trip through Asia.. this time up through Thailand by train and into Laos.
Travel Blog Posts
This morning we caught the ADO bus, first class, back to Mexico City. Initially they couldn´t get the DVD machine working, so they announced that we had a choice to wait another half hour for another bus. Everyone shouted, "No" and then clapped when the bus backed up and started down the highway. The trip is 6 hours and goes through the greatest variety of cactus in all of Mexico. At times it was like driving through a forest of cactus some of it in bloom. I was quite sad yesterday, anticipating leaving Oaxaca City, it is such a beautiful and clean colonial city. In contrast as we approached Mexico city, the sides of the highways were littered with garbage, bottles, plastic, etc. Every night in Oaxaca city the sweepers would be out sweeping the parks ... read more
On Monday, David and I, with two other people from our hotel went to cooking school again. Our teacher greeted us at the door of her home, she was beautifully dressed in a red and white Mexican dress and had striking Mexican designed jewellery on. Not once did she put an apron on, nor did she get food on her clothing. We have always wanted to learn how to make flan and that was the first thing we learned. The most interesting part was carmalizing the sugar and water to the point where it was burnt slightly and then she coated the pan with it. Then she poured the flan mixture in, put it into a double boiler and cooked it for 30 minutes. Then we went on make squash blossom soup, made from a receipe ... read more
Yesterday, we stood by the main highway, scanning all the names of villages on the buses as they raced by. Finally the one we wanted came by, we were on our way to the largest Indian Sunday market in the state of Oaxaca. We had to step over open boxes in the isle to get a seat, an ice cream man in a purple uniform with his cart got on. Even though the trip should be about 30 minutes, it took much longer because anyone who wanted to take the bus would flag it down. It was quite exciting to be going to a new village, I didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately my guide book is in our room and I am too lazy to go and get it in order to tell what the ... read more
Five years ago David and I flew into Oaxaca, from Puerto Escondito in a small plane that had all instrument panels broken. The pilot flew over the mountains, skimming over the tree tops until he dipped into the valley where Oaxaca is located. I am not sure which is worse, coming in by bus through continuous windy mountainous roads for 6 hours or flying in by plane. When we arrived, those many years ago, we caught a taxi with another couple who were staying at a bed and breakfast. Once we settled in at Nora's home, we went for a walk to Juarez Park where there was a Friday market. In one section there were 20 people running a barbaque and taco stand. People stood in lines waiting to order. Mexican dance music was bellowing out ... read more
It has been a busy week since I wrote last. On Monday a group of us from the hotel hired a van to take us up to an ecological reserve where a number of villages have come together to offer one day or four day hikes from village to village. The drive was about an hour and a half up into the mountains. When we arrived we hired a guide to take us on a vigorous hike, he also identified planets as we walked through a forested area not dissimiliar to British Columbia. One can chose an easy or difficult walk, you can also walk from village to village, on trails where only people walk, sometimes with donkeys. The area is very isolated, is in a cloud forest and is quite primitive. Our group chose a ... read more
We have moved into our room at Las Mariposas. Our room is simply appointed, Mexican style, with a bed which has a soft matress which is quite a contrast to the hard beds we have been sleeping on. Our room is upstairs. To get up there, I have to pass by flowering purple bushes, and potted geraniums. We share a large sun filled patio area with two other suites The sun in the morning pours through our double doors warming up the tiles, which keeps the room warm throughout the night. As usual we have met interesting people here at the breakfast table. Every morning I wake up to the smell of coffee and the sounds of people talking down below. Yesterday, David and I walked to an organic farmers market, on the way there we ... read more
Thank you for the responses. Yes, Joan I got your e mail, which I have read numerous times, I would love to hear more. Congradulations. Of course Mike can use our place, our bed or the guest room. Oaxaca city: We are so happy to be here. We left Puebla two days ago, we decided to take a chance with no reservations. We found a lovely little hotel within 30 minutes of arriving. We weren't booked for Las Mariposas until today, Jan. 9 and will be here until the 19th. We stayed at this delightful hotel last year where we met so many people. One of the reasons we come here is because of the hotel. Every morning there is breakfast served from 8 to 9:30, there is a central courtyard where everyone gathers and sits ... read more
We got to Puebla yesterday and I have been struggling to like the city. It is the first time that I have experienced this in Mexico, where I want to leave as soon as possible. So tomorrow, without reservations we are leaving for Oaxaca City. A four hour bus ride through the mountains. We are staying in a hotel which intially was convent in 1750. They have not changed the structure. The walls are very thick and the rooms are huge and furnished with some of the original furniture. It is near the center of the city. The problem with our room is because of the thick walls and the tiled floor, it remains cold, and the room is huge (25 by 15). We leave the bathroom light on at night so we can find the ... read more
Hi Joan and Mike: We noticed we didn´t include Shirley on our blog, could you forward them to her. Thanks, carol... read more
Hello Everyone: I have 15 minutes to write my blog. I will start with Romon. The other night on the way home from supper we paused to watch tacos being made at a little hole in the all restaurant. There was a crowd of people sitting on those little plastic stools that I mentioned in my other blog. The cook whose name was Romon was the center of attention. He moved like a dipping bird, bobbing up and down, hands moving in all directions. He looked like someone who had to pee or like he was about to tip over at any moment. When he dug out the tortillias out of a bag when flip them on to the pan like a player dealing out cards. When everything was put on the plate it looked like ... read more
