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

Dzisiaj po szkole lecę wykupić trekking w jednej z agencji. Zdecydowałem się na dwudniowy (weekendowy) trekking w górach z noclegiem w jednej z wiosek Zapoteków. Rekomenowanym miejscem do odbycia trekkingu w poblizu Oaxaca sa Pueblos Mancomunados w górach Sierra Norte. Pueblos Mancomunados to nazwa pewnej inicjatywy wymyślonej i wdrożonej w życie przez osiem wiosek ją tworzących. Zainwestowano pieniądze w wybudowanie schronisk (cabanas), wytyczenie tras, informację turytyczną i przewodników. Góry oferują wiele możliwosci trekkingu i fajnie byłoby mieć trochę więcej czasu niż dwa dni, żeby sie tam poszwędać :-) Góry leżą na płn.-wsch. od Oaxaca. Na dojazd potrzeba około dwóch godzin. Koszt takiego trekkingu to 1350 peso. W cenę wliczone są: przewodnicy, wyżywienie, nocleg i ubezpieczenie. Dojazd we własnym zkresie. W Oxaca są dwie agencje organizujące trekking... read more

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

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

Is been an interesting few days in Oaxaca (pronounced o-wack-a). Firstly, the noise: the Guelaguetza has been getting into full flow, and this mostly means, from our hostel where we have been getting in pretty knackered by about 9pm each night to sleep at 10pm, we start to hear the fireworks going off from about 10.05. When i say fireworks, I'm talking serious explosions here, that sound as though your garden has just been blown up. I imagine this is a little like what it must feel like to be living in a city under siege, but without the fear. Then the car alarms start, then the bank alarms go off, then Gigi and family get back from their celebrations and talk loudly until they go to bed. Safe in our little cocoons (Mum and Dad, ... read more