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Published: September 16th 2011
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So, Zipolite. Seems ages ago we were there now, and yet it was only about a week ago… time flies aye. Since we have moved on a fair bit round Mexico since our stop in Zipolite, I will try not to bore you too much with the details, but will give a brief insight into the places we have stopped, and what these places were like, along with any other random stuff that I enjoy talking crap about.....hope that’s OK!.
Zipolite – Great little beach town just an hour or so away from Puerto Escondido. Much more the sort of thing I was expecting from the South beach towns of Mexico… slow pace of life, nice beach and food, with friendly locals…..and this is what we indeed found. For anyone who is reading this who is thinking of going to Zipolite, I would like to recommend the Hotel Las Casitas. This was a great little place in the hills up the west side of the beach. We had a type of half open-air cabin that overlooked the beach, which came with a full kitchen, and outside area including hammock. It certainly wasnt 5 star, but it was peacful, and had
so much charm. It really was a great little retreat in the hills, and since we were the only guests (due to be being out of season, nothing more!), we had it all to ourselves!. This was of course except the double friendly and polite couple that run the hotel Bruno, and Danielle. They really couldn’t do enough for us, and were really great hosts. Not only were the hotel staff friendly, but even the local opium dealers on the beach were pleasant and courteous!. Even when I turned down their offer for some of the hard stuff, they happily shook my hand, with no hard feelings, and went merrily on their way, but not before admiring and praising both Donna and my tattoos!. Thoroughly nice young chaps, even if they were Rascals!. Anyway, the whole place retained a really old school vibe with no high rises, and everything was still wooden and shackled, which was also great to see. Add this to the abundance of wildlife on offer, and the amazing waves crashing on the beach, this really was a great little stop.
After Zipolite, we took the 12 hour overnight bus to San Cristobel de las casas,
which I won’t go into much detail about, but was again a great little place with loads of character. Plus is a great jumping off point to the villages surrounding the area.
From San Cristobel, we did a trip out to the villages a little outside the city to see how some of the villagers lived, watching them weave all their clothes by hand old school style with no machines….pretty impressive!. This was also accompanied by a trip to another village, namely Chamula. It was here we come to see their famous ‘hospital’ Templo de San Juan, which was located in the middle of the village. This place was absolutely nuts!. You were not permitted to take pictures inside, hence why there are none of this place in the blog I’m afraid (the fine was MXN 50,000, and a week in the local jail!). Basically, if any locals had an issue be it financial, health related, relationship problems, whatever, they would go this ‘hospital’, and see a ‘doctor’. The doctor is in inverted commas because they were not the type of doctor that received a graduation from medical school!. These doctors were more like shamans, who after hearing what
issue a local had, would prescribe them what they felt was needed in order to sort the issue out. These prescriptions generally consisted of several candles to burn in the hospital, some offerings to the saints of the hospital such as crisps, fizzy drinks etc., and if the problem was a big one, then they also usually prescribed the sacrifice of a chicken!. This was done after several prayers, and after the chicken had been passed of the candles various times. It was then sacrificed in the name of the problem. This, we actually witnessed about three times, we were told was lucky!. The crazy thing for me in all this, was if the problem wasn’t solved a week or so later, they would go back, and ask for another prescription! (Of which the local had to pay for as well as the candles, chickens etc.). To me, it was an amazing place to go, and something that I really wasn’t expecting!. Strange, but great experience none the less!.
Anyway, trying to keep up this blog, but is proving difficult due to our hefty schedule of chillin, seeing stuff, and moving in, so will try get the next one
out soon, so it will be more up to date!. Until then, hope you are still reading, and getting a little peak into Mexico from blighty!.
Next move is onto Palenque, Mexico……
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Valerie Dawson
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Las Casitas
Hi! Do you have a contact number for them? I tried the one on FB but it seems to be not working. I would love to stay there!