December 26 in the morning:  Mitla and Yagul

The greater Oaxaca area has three valleys that merge together, surrounded by mountains.  The first day we traveled to the East Valley of Tlacolula where we visited the Zapotec ruins of Mitla and Yagul.  Both settlements post-date Monté Albán. First we visited a big old tree near Mitla.   Then to the Zapotec ruins of Mitla, itself. Brian and Gary Guided tour of the tree Guides   Mitla ruins adjacent to town Brian speaks with Juan Manuel at Mitla.   After the Mitla tour, we went to Yagul.  The Yagul was smaller overall than Mitla (which isn't particularly big).  However, they were clearly sports fans because Yagul sports the biggest ballcourt in Oaxaca Valley (and the third-biggest in MesoAmerica). In the shade at the game court. Yuko Gary and Kevin find some more shade. Tlacolula Valley and game court Tlacolula Valley Tlacolula Valley from the Yagul overlook Stylized pic of Gary Brian and camera Blossom Tlacolula Valley from the Yagul overlook Tlacolula Valley from the Yagul overlook Game Court as seen from the lookout.

December 26 in the afternoon:  Candles and Textiles

After Yagul, we visited Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec village.  Here, we visited a family of craftspeople to see how tapestries are created from natural resources.  They also served us lunch. We actually started with the candlemaker.  The candles were made out of beeswax.  The basic candles were easy — just pour wax over a wick 500 times.  The candles were often decorated with fancier wax items.  These were made out of molds.   Gary making pineapple. Gary so proud!! Angie was the first. Kevin Kevin Sofia with an ornate candle Artsy rendering of carpet pic Then on to spinning, dying and weaving.  All under the same roof. Artsy rendering of spinning rig The master at work The master at work Gary tries. Angie tries. Gary works the native spinning rig. Different rendering of same pic Dyeing wool with Indigo Dye Red dye comes from Cochineal.

Farting around in Oaxaca

On December 27 and at other times, we had a lot of free time.  Since our hotel was about three blocks from the Oaxaca city square (Zocalo), we made a lot of trips there just to walk around.  This part of Oaxaca seemed safe, happy, interesting and family oriented.  There was a bit of Christmas, a bit of Festival and a lot of just being together. Zocalo Zocalo plaza between the church and the green Poinsettia surrounding the green Just outside the Zocalo Just outside Zocalo Native Indians Going to a party. Zocalo food Zocalo food Zocalo food Wearing her wares. Cutie Pie Women carrying kids.

December 28 in the morning: Monté Albán

Monté Albán was the center of the Zapotec civilization during its heyday.  Monté Albán was founded around 400 BC and was pre-eminent in the Oaxaca valley for 800 years, until about 400 AD.  It sits at the top of the 'Monte' with unobstructed views of the valley in all directions.  I find it especially amazing that Monté Albán has no source of running water – no springs or rivers! Mark tries a hat. Everyone at Monté Albán Everyone but Mark Gary and Kevin farting around. Gary and Kevin still farting around From the North Platform, looking southwest From the North Platform, looking southwest Narrower southest view from the North Looking directly south Looking southeast Monté Albán Monté Albán Angie and Kevin not paying attention Monté Albán Angeli Gary, the Zapotec god Monté Albán Monté Albán Hats Animated race. Panorama to the left   (Warning: 4.6M file) Angeli Panorama to the right   (Warning: 4.6M file) Wide panorama   (Warning: 6.3M file)

December 28 in the afternoon:  The smithy

In a modest house on a small street in a tiny town outside of Oaxaca, you will find this blacksmith.  In an area the size of a two-car garage, he makes swords, daggers and knives out of scraps.  Literally scraps.  Watching him work is entrancing and educational. Blacksmith at his forge Bellowing. Heating steel Hot steel Forming the steel. Smith demonstrates flexible steel     Material for a knife handle Weird demonic image of smithy Materials for a knife Knives and daggers Swords Spooky shadows

December 28 in the afternoon:  The carver

asdf asdf qwerty. Hector, the crazy dwarf Gary Gary Yuko and Angie Gary, Angie and Yuko Angie   Gary's art show #1 Gary's art show #2 Gary's art show #3 Gnome          Jackalope?     Hummingbird (original) Hummingird (enhanced)

December 29:  Montañas Sierra Madre

For no obvious historical reason, we spent the day up in the mountains above Oaxaca.  Oaxaca already has altitude; this was at about ten thousand feet.  The event was a walk around the rugged terrain, guided by a local farmer (not an English speaker).  Later we got to a town where we watched a bit of a basketball tournament and then hiked (again!) for lunch. Early in our jaunt Farm land Brian and Gary Watching Yuko Yuko playing. Angie and friend Farm in the wilderness Flower Uphill stretch Uphill stretch Pause at the top Organic plowing Organic plowing Organic plowing Gary Finally. A freeway! Huge plant Vista Vista Vista Brian and Gary Angie, Mark and Kevin Angie, Mark and Kevin Angie, Mark and Kevin Angie, Mark and Kevin

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