Blogs from Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico, North America

I don't know the first thing about parenting, but I can only imagine that years of dirty diapers, sleepless nights and spilled Cheerios can't begin to compare to the burden of having to explain to your child why all the other kids still have mommies, and why his had to die so early in her life. I recently lost a very old and dear friend who left her son here on earth, along with many other confused and sad people who loved her. Receiving news like this from thousands of miles away seems more difficult. The positive side is that the tragedy truly does bind us together. Through this horrible event, I have reconnected with some people with whom I may not have otherwise. Momma always told me to focus on the positive, despite how challenging ... read more

Oaxaca City Colonial Oaxaca (Wa-ha-ka) City, the capital of Oaxaca State is a very nice little place. Sun-drenched, a little dusty and very cozy, it had more tourists than we’d seen anywhere outside Mexico City since getting to Mexico. We quite enjoyed our hostel, which had an atmospheric central common room which was actually a covered courtyard that kept the sun out during the day, but still had a fresh air feel to it. It was fairly cheap, and it was nice to have a kitchen again after several weeks in hostels and hotels without one. We walked around town looking at their many churches and colonial buildings, went to the central market for food, and enjoyed a couple of cafés with free wifi. There isn’t really anything in particular to see in town, so we ... read more

Zipolite Christmas Playa Escondido started filling up with people on Sunday, December 21st. We left the next day and drove about an hour further down the Pacific Coast to Playa Zipolite. Zipolite was a much smaller beach town. We made arrangements to park our van in the parking lot of San Cristobal Posada and Restaurant. We had a shaded spot with full access to bathrooms and showers for roughly $15.00 per day. This was a nice, clean and welcoming establishment right on the beach and the main road of town. The water at Zipolite was more calm than at Escondido with waves that broke farther out from the shore and less chance for Leila to drown. We went for walks, did some reading and enjoyed the laidback atmosphere. For Christmas Eve dinner we shared a lobster ... read more

Took a trip out to some small coastal towns south of Puerto Escondido. Went exploring Zipolite, San Agustinillo, Mazunte, Playa Ventanilla, and La Copalita river. The beaches were very cool! Nothing but sun, babes, waves, and cheap Mexican beer. Playa in San Agustinillo was my favorite, but Mazunte is right behind it. Got to see some wild crocodiles and beautiful flowers and birds in a lagoon off Playa Ventanilla. Cool stuff. Also took a tour out to see hundreds of turtles come ashore and lay their eggs. That was awesome! Got to hold baby turtles and pet mama turtles. The pics do no justice. Being there and experiencing their natural instinct was indescribable. They only come to shore and lay their eggs during a certain period of the year, plus, the temperature and the time of ... read more

The days have started to melt together in the beach paradise of Zipolite. Typical day starts early, we are staying at A NICE PLACE ON THE BEACH. It costs us 3 bucks each a night. Spend the day jumping in and out of pristine warm water with huge waves, huge surf, and a crazy dangerous undertow. The town itself is about one block long and the beach is lined with cheap cabanas full of travelers from all over the world. Americans are outnumbered savagely but we tend to be teh loudest ones in the bar. The sunsets are incredible and usually are met with a beach full of silent people appreicating the beauty of it all. The place grabs you in like some kind of drug and I had serious thoughts about ending my journey here ... read more