Blogs from Monte Albon, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, North America

Monte Albán This Tuesday, our class took a trip to Monte Albán, the largest archeological site in the Valley of Oaxaca. It is situated in the center of the valley, at the meeting of the three different valley arms. While its function is debated, it is possible that Monte Albán served as a central capital with political and military functions, much like modern Washington DC. The site consists of numerous residential areas as well as large pyramids at the city center. The pyramids, typical to many in Mesoamerica, are rectangular and are orientated with the cardinal directions. The pyramids each have a large stair case, leading to one or two platforms. While many of the pyramids were roped off to tourists, we were able to climb to the top of one at the south end of ... read more

So after a week at the beach baking in the hot sun, i decided to head back to Oaxaca for a few days to get in on a mountain bike tour... After a day of mooching around the city, i found a tour company and booked fopr the following day. Unlike most tours that pick you up from your hostel, this one would meet us at the tour destination, and i had to get a bus out to the middle of nowhere, then walk a few kms up some deserted road adn the guides would be waiting for me. After arriving at the bus station to catch the said bus, it became apparent that a million mexicans needed the same bus also. Thus there was no room on the bus for me, or the other 8 ... read more

It was time for a trip out of the city.. so what better place to go then Oaxaca to see some ruins, a giant tree and a waterless waterfall? Oaxaca is about 6 hours south of Mexico city, and is quite a traditional town known for its cheese, chocolate, grasshoppers and protesting teachers. After the long bus ride to Oaxaca, I wandered around the streets for something to eat, only to find there were hundreds of people all camped out in tents around the main town centre. Thinking I had arrived in the ghetto, I soon discovered they were teachers camping out in protest for something or another.. the locals get annoyed at it as every year the teachers are always protesting about things.. they say if they were actually good teachers they could justify the ... read more

We're ready to tackle some sightseeing, but first where to go and when? I visit the tour desk in the hotel lobby, and with a little of the lady's english and my spanish we arrange two tours for $1100 each. Today from 10am to 6pm we're touring Monte Alban, Arrazola, Cuilapan de Guerrero and San Bartolo de Coyotepec. The first place is ancient ruins on a hilltop to the southwest of the city, the second the home of the artists that create the colourful semi-mythical creatures that we've seen around. The third place is a sixteenth centry former convent, and lastly the maker of the famous black Zacatecan pottery. The van collects us a little after 10am, and Moses introduces himself. We drive into town to be met by five others for the tour. It will ... read more

Ok, this makes up for the piddly little space I left myself to explain two of the particular wonders of Oaxaca... Mitla was indeed another beautiful site, opposite another very religious symbol - a colonial church (no division there!) - with some exciting tombs underneath that I surprised myself by scrabbling around in. It was dark and damp but exciting, and you could clearly see the three main burial chambers and the marvellous stonework that had carried on below ground -very exciting to be nuder a pyramid! I also managed this time to get up the steep steps, a whole flight, so maybe this is some way forward to being less ruled by Vertigo. l'll keep practicing. There are some amazing wall designs, made by the actual building blocks; rather than be carved in later or ... read more

The days that we spent in Oaxaca were, for the most part, very leisurely. This beautiful colonial town is perfect for long strolls, with its Spanish colonial architecture, broad plazas, ancient churches, and delectable food. It feels that there is an equal part traveller or Spanish student for every native Mexican here. As many people are here studying in language schools, it is easy to find people who will converse with you solely in Spanish. So I had lots of opportunities to practice. Oaxaca is also a central location for artists in this area, and many boutiques along the pedestrian drag show this off. It is easy to take a bus to Monte Alban. There are many companies offering the service. It took us some time to find the one I had read about in the ... read more