Cultura.
I was really hoping to condense my Oaxaca travel photos into two posts but as I have an inability to streamline, curate and edit this will be post two outta three. Apologies, I think I would have been those Aunties who would make friends and family sit through a slideshow of boring holiday snaps pre internet times. However, with free will and all, I will post and you guys can choose to view. So here we go.
One of the reasons I have so many photos is because we visited the extraordinary Monte Alban, an archaeological zone 10 km from the city centre that used to be the center of the Oaxaca valley region with evidence to life from 1500 BC! Up on the mountain/hill was a city thriving with people, commerce and politics with views of the natural plains that was used for agricultural farming.
Our tour was in Spanish so I zoned in and out but I do remember that the trees were a big deal, we stopped by at least 5 different types and the guide talked about them in depth for about 5 minutes each.
One of the reasons I have so many photos is because we visited the extraordinary Monte Alban, an archaeological zone 10 km from the city centre that used to be the center of the Oaxaca valley region with evidence to life from 1500 BC! Up on the mountain/hill was a city thriving with people, commerce and politics with views of the natural plains that was used for agricultural farming.
Our tour was in Spanish so I zoned in and out but I do remember that the trees were a big deal, we stopped by at least 5 different types and the guide talked about them in depth for about 5 minutes each.
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Nuestra guia. Our guide...And a statue of some French guy, I forgot what he did.
The plain overhead were for farming and agriculture. Produce was brought up the mountain to the centre to be sold and exchanged.
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Some really old...but important leaves.
The centre of the city. Imagine this place in it's full glory, filled with people buying and selling goods. In the spring all this yellow, dried up ground is actually a lush green.
 |  Hola guapo. |
Uno hombre esperando vender cositas a los gringos. / A man waiting to sell trinkets to the gringos.
Oh haaaay. Welcome, I will be your tour guide today.
Tios y Tias.
A whole load of old ruins and tombs to explore in the crazy sunlight. Where the shade at?
Couple and a view.
Away from Monte Alban and toward the city centre stands the Templo de Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán known for it's interior of gold and next door stands the Culture Museum of Oaxaca. The museum not only boasts great architecture but a series of great collections from Oaxacan graphic design and animation down to Zapotecan armoury and adronments.
Just appreciating an illustration of Emiliano Zapata one of the leaders of the Mexican revolution.
More tours.
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Mr and Mrs Mexico.
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Beautiful white stone walkways and pillars, making welcome shade from the burning sun.
Next to the museum was the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the main church/ex temple of Oaxaca. The design inside the Church was so ornate and very very gold. Built in 1551 the Church took decades to complete and suffered through two earthquakes until it was officially completed in 1666.
SO.MUCH.GOLD
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The history steeped into the city of Oaxaca is undeniable and there was so much to take in. Unfortunately as most of our tours were in Spanish I am sure I have missed a lot of really interesting and important information but just staring at these things were enough to appreciate how awesome it all was.
The centre has lots of things walking distance to each other from the Mercados, numerous Museums and Churches. Part 3 will feature some of my favourite things. Shopping - Food - Cacti! So adios until then.
The centre has lots of things walking distance to each other from the Mercados, numerous Museums and Churches. Part 3 will feature some of my favourite things. Shopping - Food - Cacti! So adios until then.
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