Went to visit a spring about an hours drive from Oaxaca. There is a calcified waterfall, El Agua, and a failed attempt by the Mexican Government to make a resort out of this place. It is a very pretty spot though. The town centre of Oaxaca has a great square or zocala where it all happens. Music, eating, drinking strolling and of course people selling. Last night we ate chaupalinos (grass hoppers) at the square. They are a bit dry so you have to drink more. Also paid an old man playing a trombone to go away. It worked.
22 April Caught a local bus to some Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban. Spent hours there taking a tour via the Lonely Planet book. Fabulous site! Had an early dinner, again at the zocala. Somebody else paid the trombonest off tonight. Caught the overnight bus for San Cristobel at 9.00 pm. 11 hours later and with very little sleep we arrive.
23 April Our hotel is just 50 metres from the town square. The room is basic but it is all about location. Had a coffee overlooking the square and then joined a tour with 3 other people to go and visit Zapatistas in the hills, about an hours drive from town. They are a rebel group which is negotiating with the Mexican government for some autonomy. Apparently they
took over this town in 1994 before the Mexican Army forced them out. Bit strange because most of the people we visit were wearing balaklavas and spouting some Cuban like manifesto´s. Also visited a church which on the outside looked normal but different inside. No pews, pine needles all over the floor, candles burning, people praying to saints and killing chickens to make things better. On refection I guess it was not so much different to the catholic church. Very strange day.
24 April. Pretty much a chill out day. Went across the road for an extremely filling breakfast, which cost about $10, including the 10 pecent tip. We then wandered through the streets and local markets until we found a museum concerning Mayan medicine. Had a look in. The most interesting bit concerned birthing where the man sat in a chair whilst the woman was kneeling with a mid wife assisting. In the afternoon we walked in a different direction to a church. To access the building you had to climb 60-70 steps. No wonder congregation numbers are dwindling. San Cristobel is a really nice, relaxing country town with lots of lovely buildings. Interesting to note that there a lot of Mayan decendants in this part of the world and the average hight of people here is 1.6 metres.
22 April Caught a local bus to some Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban. Spent hours there taking a tour via the Lonely Planet book. Fabulous site! Had an early dinner, again at the zocala. Somebody else paid the trombonest off tonight. Caught the overnight bus for San Cristobel at 9.00 pm. 11 hours later and with very little sleep we arrive.
23 April Our hotel is just 50 metres from the town square. The room is basic but it is all about location. Had a coffee overlooking the square and then joined a tour with 3 other people to go and visit Zapatistas in the hills, about an hours drive from town. They are a rebel group which is negotiating with the Mexican government for some autonomy. Apparently they
took over this town in 1994 before the Mexican Army forced them out. Bit strange because most of the people we visit were wearing balaklavas and spouting some Cuban like manifesto´s. Also visited a church which on the outside looked normal but different inside. No pews, pine needles all over the floor, candles burning, people praying to saints and killing chickens to make things better. On refection I guess it was not so much different to the catholic church. Very strange day.24 April. Pretty much a chill out day. Went across the road for an extremely filling breakfast, which cost about $10, including the 10 pecent tip. We then wandered through the streets and local markets until we found a museum concerning Mayan medicine. Had a look in. The most interesting bit concerned birthing where the man sat in a chair whilst the woman was kneeling with a mid wife assisting. In the afternoon we walked in a different direction to a church. To access the building you had to climb 60-70 steps. No wonder congregation numbers are dwindling. San Cristobel is a really nice, relaxing country town with lots of lovely buildings. Interesting to note that there a lot of Mayan decendants in this part of the world and the average hight of people here is 1.6 metres.
