Day 9 Oaxaca Mexico

Hi,

Today was lots of fun and very packed. It was our first day in Oaxaca, and we started out visiting Monte Alban, which is the site of the capital of the Zapotec. It existed from 500 BC until 800 AD, and at its peak had 35,000 inhabitants. There are amazing buildings here made entirely of stone. It is on the top of a mountain, which the people believed allowed them to see in all directions and would protect them from enemies. A new discovery in 1931 was one of the richest burial sites ever encountered and contained a vast collection of pre-Hispanic jewelry. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to visit the museum there to see it.

This was our guide Victoria.

This is where we were on a map

These are the temple buildings

This is the playing field for a ball game that the people of this area played. Sometimes it took the place of war when opposing teams were from warring states.

Now we're on the bus and I am showing you lots of images from the areas we passed through so you can get a feel of the area... I hope.

Now we have arrived at the glass-blowing factory called Studio Xaquixe. This was a kind of amazing place, mainly because of the work they have on recycling. The pile of glass you see behind our guide is collected every week from restaurants and bars and reused in their kilns.

They also collect used cooking oil, which they use to fire the kilns.

One of the kilns

Our companions on the visit

Their glass

This flame worker is making a ring. A lot of people bought rings in the shop at the end of the visit.

Then it was time for lunch, but first we heard about how they make Mescal from the agave plants, which is somehow related to the glassmaking, but I am not sure I can tell you exactly how. But I can testify that the mescal was delicious.

Serving lunch

Then we got back on the bus, so I am showing you more of the areas we traveled through.

We arrived at the CaSa Arts Center of San Augustin.

And saw a wonderful collection of photography and learned how important Francisco Toledo was to the whole cultural life of Mexico, but especially Oaxaca.

There are images of Francisco

Corn is a hugely important crop for Mexico, and so there was a series of images of corn. I am not sure what they all mean, but I thought they were interesting.