Blogs from Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, North America - page 13

While I have only been in Oaxaca for 4 days, it has been absolutely insane. It is nearly impossible to list all the things that I've done in this short time, so I will try to be organized and give a small flavor of each major event. Maybe if I am really lucky, I will even sneak some pictures in for you all. But enough chatting. The Trip- I left for Oaxaca early Monday morning and proceded to travel like crazy- first MSP to O'Hare in Chicago, then Mexico City, and finally, Oaxaca. After a near heart attack at O'Hare (why is it that American airports are more difficult to navigate than ones where much of the staff doesn't speak English?), I made it to Mexico City. I was served a delicious lunch on the plane, ... read more

Hola from Oaxaca again! Well, had another great tour...went to Monte Alban...Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. the site is located on a low mountainous range rising above the plain in the central section of the Valley of Oaxaca. The present-day state capital Oaxaca City is located approximately 9 km (6 mi) east of Monte Albán. The partially excavated civic-ceremonial center of the Monte Albán site is situated atop an artificially-leveled ridge, which with an elevation of about 6,400 ft above mean sea level rises some 1,300 from the valley floor, in an easily defensible location. It was very peaceful and parklike. The next stop was down a long dirt road to a place where they paint carved wooden things (mostly ... read more

Yesterday we made the 8-block trek to, what I think anyway, one of the biggest farmer’s/flea market I have ever seen! I knew we were getting close when I noticed that all the taxis, probably about 75 of them, were stopped either dropping off or picking up fares. Most of the market was under a tarp, which was a good thing, as it must have been about 85 degrees with the same humidity. When we first got under the tarp, I couldn’t believe the throngs of humanity! The people in Oaxaca are mostly indigenous and they were even shorter than me, a fact I really liked! I now know how David must feel (he’s 6’4”). Anyway, the market is divided up into sections, although there’s nothing in writing that says what section you’re going in to. ... 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

After regretfully leaving Mazunte, we headed to another place we had previously visited and loved. Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca) is a beautiful central Mexican town famous for its chocolate and mezcal production. After a tiring 10 hour bus journey through the mountains we were eager to relax in our hotel. While we were heading to the city centre our taxi passed the hotel we stayed in the last time we were in Oaxaca. We could not remember its name but we recognized the street and were keen to go back as we enjoyed our stay last time. The hotel, Las Golondrinas, is set in a beautiful old building amidst lush gardens that make it a peaceful retreat from the busy streets. After settling in we headed out for some dinner and immediately noticed an increase in the ... read more