Blogs from Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, North America - page 38

Friends, On Sunday we went to Monte Alban one of the most impressive and important archeological sites of Mesoamerica. We were fortunate enough to have a very knowledgeable guide in don Pedro lead our tour as he provided the different schools of thought about Monte Alban's ruins and their purpose for the ancestors of Oaxaca's present day Zapotecs. What is clear is that Monte Alban was unearthed by Mexican archeologist Alfonso Caso in the 1930s and that the ancient city was founded about 500 b.c. where they raised monumental platforms, pyramids, palaces, and a ceremonial ball court. Its present day name implies white mountain as it is atop a hill above the Oaxaca Valley and the reason the natives decided to build there can probably be attributed to it stategic location overlooking the valley. Whether or ... read more

Friends, Today we had the opportunity to tour a few small pueblos just outside of Oaxaca City. We met at the INstituto Cultural Oaxaca where we departed shortly after 9am. Our first stop of the day was San Bartolo Coyotepec, a village famous for its barro negro (black pottery) not so different from Santa Clara and San Ildefonso pottery in New Mexico. Upon arriving in the quaint village we were welcomed by Valente Nieto Rael, a 75 year old potter and son of Juventino NIeto and the well known master potter, Rosa Real Mateo. Our morning began with a demonstration by NIeto Real who immediately informed us that there would be no electric nor pedal potter's wheel in use, instead the potter simply had two bowl shaped plates in which he placed the first one (face ... read more

Hola todos, I have been so fortunate on this trip so far and my family here in Oaxaca is another aspect of my good fortune. Here are some pictures. ¡Disfruta! Leaving here Saturday or Sunday en route up the coast to Puerta Vallerta y Punta Mita...nos vemos luego...... read more

Ayer nuestra clase fueron a Mitla para hacer una gira alli. Las ruinas iban de A.D. 1350 y cinco grupos enormes de las ruinas se continuan en el pueblo de San Pablo Villa de Mitla. La iglesia del pueblo construyo ensima de las ruinas y esta al lado de mas ruinas. Las ruinas a Mitla conocen por sus dibujos unicos de peidras. Los dibujos se llama "greca" porque se parece los dibujos griegos. Por muchos anos, los arqueologos creyeron que los dibujos de Mitla fueron bonitos solamente. Descubrieron que los dibujos dijeron de la religion Zapotec. Nuestra guia, Juan, nos dijo que los dibujos contestaban las respuestas que cada civilizacion debe contestar: de los espacios y los tiempos. Son humanos que vivir en la tierra y podemos conocer nosotros mismos aqui y en este momento. ... read more

Friends, Just a quick EMILIO letting everybody know that we arrived into oaxaca late last night at about 1030 local time (central time in USA). The weather has been a refreshing change from New Mexico. It rained most of the night and has been cloudy all day today saturday with afternoon showers sure to arrive. Today we went to the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca for the orientation and placement exams. The students all seem to be happy with their host families thus far. No major problems have encountered us except that one of our students tripped on an uneven surface and hurt her hip. We took her to the doctor where she was examened and it appears to be soreness more than anything from her fall. The doctor says she should be fine. Lunch today was a ... read more