Monte Alban ruins, Oaxaca City


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North America » Mexico » Oaxaca » Oaxaca » Monte Albon
November 5th 2008
Published: November 18th 2008
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I only had 2 days in Oaxaca which made the morning lost in locating my day bag left somewhere the night before and the hostels padlock that had gone awol. Having found the bag and bought a replacement padlock I spent the remainder of the day visiting the ruins of Monte Alban. Like, Teotihuacan, not that much is known about it but it's glory days were between AD 450 and AD 600. It sits 400m up a steep mountain and overlooks the valley that hems in Oaxaca City. Much smaller (pop of 30K at peak compared to Ts 250K pop), younger and less deadly than Teotihuacan , Monte Alban also attracts many fewer tourists. There are signs that tell you what the buildings might have looked like and their purpose, but you end up just appreciating the ruins for their staying power rather than past glory. A few of the tombs were excavated and gold and precious stones are in the museum that I visited the day before, but I was way too tired to register anything. Met a nice French couple in the chocolate shop, ate some chicken and after listening to an awesome rhumba band consisting of 3 xylophones,
Ball CourtBall CourtBall Court

Main sport of the times involved 2 teams of 4 using mainly hips to knock a rubber ball through a ring on the side wall. If game goes against the direction of sun (?), someone gets sacrificed and their blood must touch the ground.
bass and drums that were providing free entertainment on the Zocalo, got a taxi to the bus station for the overnighter to Puerto Escondido.


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View from South Platform of main PlazaView from South Platform of main Plaza
View from South Platform of main Plaza

Not a lot is know about what the space was used for
Chicken, rice, mole & beerChicken, rice, mole & beer
Chicken, rice, mole & beer

Mole is made of cocoa beans and is a big deal around here. Lots of chocolate factories


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