Monte Alban and the rest

Monte Alban and the rest

We keep thinking of Ricardo Montalban whenever we talk about this place, which is one of the largest archeological ruins in Oaxaca state. When we get home, I'll dig up some of the information from Lonely Planet and fill out the post -- for now, some pictures!

cute hat, right? And some cool ruins behind.

ruins

beautiful foliage -- the  light was just so nice on this

carvings -- the originals were in the on-site museum, for protection

this little guy was trying to sell us a "real authentic" thing from the site. sweet little guy,

pretty cool looking joint

this was the center of the site

one of the bigger temple sites

the playing field -- they used rubber balls, not human bodies like at Chichen Itza

the largest stele on the site -- used to mark the astronomical year

When we got back to our hotel, there was a wonderful mariachi band serenading a large birthday party. I have a video too, I'll upload it when we get home and put it here. The music was amazing.

nothing like a good mariachi band!

We ate dinner at a wonderful little restaurant called La Olla. It was sweet, the service was sweet, and the food was magnificent. We'll go back, when we return to Oaxaca.

it was a sunny, beautiful space -- these are candles hanging against the green wall

we started with guacamole -- the way I like it, limey and chunky. those dark bits? We think they're fried grasshopper. It was with all the appetizers.

camarones al diablo -- YES. HOT. DEVIL HOT. Delicious.

Then we went to the zocalo, where we listened to a wonderful marimba band. Even better, though, were the people who came to dance.

the saxophonist was full of heart

the band was GREAT. Seriously.

This couple was very formal with each other, but gorgeous dancers.

these were just so lovely -- light and loving each other while dancing.

the cathedral at night -- stunning!

Tomorrow we fly to the coast, in a little plane that seats 11 people. Over the mountains (kinda low, we hear, so we hope it's nice weather so (a) we can see, and (b) it's not scary!), to the Pacific coast. The place we're going, Mazunte, is a charming little beach town, and the place we're staying looks amazing. More tomorrow!

trip interruption

Interrupting the regular "yay vacation!" moment to say that my first grandchild, due in October, is a girl!

my little grandbaby girl

Katie was afraid for a bit so of course I was afraid too, that something had gone wrong. All day, while we were at Monte Alban (details on that to come) all I could think about was how much I needed to hear the news from Katie's OB appointment this morning. I raced back to the room, tore open the safe and turned on the computer, fingers shaking. There's a wonderful and very loud mariachi band in the courtyard, and I was praying that would be the soundtrack to good news....and it was.

Hallelujah. More on today's adventures later, after I process the news (and the photos). Whew. Nothing else matters but that all is well.

SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2012

Sunny Sunday

Sundays in Oaxaca are great; everyone comes out to the zocalo, there's always lots of live music (symphonic, marimba, guitar, guitar and pan flute, accordion, harmonica, various combinations), people buy balloons and toys, and they dance. I'd love to live here.

We walked away from the zocalo after breakfast and found a really beautiful, large church with giant tamarind trees shading the sidewalks. It was getting hot and my white legs were starting to burn, so we decided to stop and people-watch for a while. Well! Up came this enormous parade of people in traditional dress, heading for the church. We have no idea what was going on, but it was beautiful to see:

at first we just thought it was a small parade

the women had shiny ribbon woven through their braids, and their dresses were beautiful

so much color!

the all gathered in front of the church for a big photograph

they were so patient, posing and smiling in the sun

here's a close-up of the women, really wonderful-looking

after the photo, they lined up and started dancing. there wasn't actually any music playing!

It was such a great treat, getting to see this, because they weren't doing it for tourists. We don't know exactly what it was for, but it wasn't for a spectacle. We just had wonderful timing.

Then, we went back to the zocalo and had appetizers for lunch, and happened onto more dancing.

a little Aztec dancin

full-on symphony orchestra, every Sunday!

and then a little more skirt twirlin

The internet connection is so slow it's taken way too long to get these photos uploaded so I'm cutting this short. It rained a good bit this afternoon, and unfortunately we decided to walk a ways to a restaurant for dinner, in the rain, and got there only to find it wasn't open on Sunday so we turned around and ate at our hotel. Marc got a three-mole tasting sampler, and the negro mole sauce was amazing -- rich with chocolate and spices and heat and layers of flavor. The other two were good too, but the negro was amazing.

Our goal tomorrow is to head out to the ruins, so that'll be a fun day. And then Tuesday we're flying to the coast. I hope to have a better internet connection so I can get some photos up. It's really wonderful here, sweet people, good food, lovely life filled with music and walking around the zocalo. Lots of live music everywhere, my kind of place. Buenos noches, y'all.

Jump @ Pie de la Cuesta

Ivan says:  I jump at pie de la Cuesta, too.  Great Budget Backpackers off the beaten path location. Cheap Dental work can be found here.  I usually stay at roxanna's. :) 

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

Jump @ Pie de la Cuesta

2012, a special year for the mayan calendar. This year also brought a great trip to one of my favorite places. A trip next to my favorite people. This place is very close to Acapulco, not far from Mexico City. This place brings amazing sunsets, beautiful waves before a deep and vast ocean, pacific and calm. This is also a great place to jump! jump! and jump! In moments like those I wish a had a dog, jumping next to us...

Wedding Huatulco Mexico

Wedding Huatulco Mexico
Destination wedding photography portfolio for weddings in Mexico, Caribbean, Colorado and the rest of the world. Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, Denver, ...
dreamtimeimages.com/weddings/wedding-huatulco-mexico/

Packing and Leaving for Huatulco

7JUN

so this week we were very sad as we had to leave Casamar.

so on monday and tuesday we had a regular days with packing and shopping during free time. we were all trying desperately to get these tank tops that are sold in the Zicatela strip, and so there were a few fast shopping trips for gifts and also fake ray bans 8).

then we had a last day in Puerto on Wednesday morning where we had free time all morning and then we worked all afternoon putting all our food together and organizing all the dishes and packing our massive suitcases. wednesday night we all tried to go to bed early and gear up for the 2 hour bus ride to huatulco the next morning.

Thursday morning we got to the bus station by 8:30 or so and we took a bus ride for a couple hours.

When we arrived at Huatulco we were all very tired and such but we had to get a ride somehow to the hotel. Marc had arrived earlier with the van and we were all really cranky at him because he just stayed at the hotel with the 8 kids he had and the rest of us were stuck at the bus station wondering where he was. but after Mr.Smith took a taxi there, he sent Marc over to us and we loaded the van 3 or 4 times over in order to get everyone to the hotel.

We checked in and then had a few hours of free time to nap and recuperate. then we took the bus and a couple of taxis to a restaraunt with an amazing barbeque. we had salads and soup first and then they brought out these huge platters of mexican bbq. there was quail, beef, pork, sausage, and then this special kind of sausage that is only made in Hautulco or that area or something. anyways we all ate way too much and had a lot of fun. Mr. Smith also showed off a bit of his lariat skills and roped a couple of chairs and Nathan Schmid.

the hotel was nice, and we were all very happy to still be able to stay together vs homestays where we are all kind of separated. Then the next morning we all walked down the street to the port where there were three boats waiting to take us on an all day scuba trip. unfortunately it was very stormy and the wind was pretty strong. we traveled for two hours before stopping at a little beach where we snorkeled. it was a lot of fun and everyone really enjoyed it. Then we went to a second beach with a restaurant where we had a nice meal and then more snorkeling right after. Karly also found a very cute kitten that she fed and became quite attached to.

after that, it began to rain and storm really heavily so we headed back to the hotel. It was pouring rain like it does in mexico so we all jumped into the pool again. but this time at the hotel. 

we had a lot of fun and then napped until dinner. we walked past the port where we took the boats that morning to a little restaurant. Mr.Smith ordered three kinds of meals and we were all supposed to share it, but the kids didn’t really understand so the people who were sitting a little seperately outside didn’t get any of the beef or chicken, we got fish. 

marc ate like 3 servings because people didn’t really like it.

then we headed back to the hotel for class by Marc. It was good and it really focused on how to re-enter kelowna and just normal life after having learned all these cool skills and experiencing these amazing things.

Saturday morning we packed up and headed to the bus station again. this time for a 9 hour bus ride. We slept and snacked and watched movies and hung out. it was pretty fun. WE got stopped at this one military place where they made us get out and they searched all of our bags. it was kind of scary as they all had machine guns in their hands and like just the military presence was a little high.

we stopped for lunch at a very nice restaraunt but then some of the kids almost got left behind cause the bus driver just pulled away without giving us any warning. Mr.Smith almost got left behind, but we held the bus up and got them on board. Several other kids were in the van with marc and they had a great time stopping and goofing off because the bus is a lot slower than the van.

After arriving in Oaxaca we were matched up with our home stays at the church. everyone was a little nervous because some of the families spoke English and some none at all. But everyone is doing fine, and we have great adventures after every school day with them.
They’ve taken us to movies, shopping, dinner and out just to experience normal Mexican life. A few of us have gotten sick, but it hasn’t been bad, and the cold virus has settled down now.

i will update again soon. sorry its taken so long 

Mikala

Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico Sea Conditions

Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico Sea Conditions
Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico detailed sea conditions for the next 2 days in 3 hourly intervals.
www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Puerto-Angel-Oaxaca.../latest

Mermejita « San Agustinillo-Beaches-Casa Mihale-Safe Warm ...

Mermejita « San Agustinillo-Beaches-Casa Mihale-Safe Warm ... One of the world's most beautiful bays just a short walk from San Agustinillo- secluded for now ... gosanagustinillo.com/mermejita/

HOW TO GET HERE. San Agustinillo is best reached by flying to Huatulco (40km away) or Puerto Escondido (60 km away).

HOW TO GET HERE

HOW TO GET HERE.

San Agustinillo is best reached by flying to Huatulco (40km away) or Puerto Escondido (60 km away).

Flights from Canada or the USA are usually routed through Mexico City or Houston, Texas.

Three domestic carriers run daily flights from Mexico City to Huatulco.

Once at Huatulco you have 2 options for a taxi.

The airport taxi is more expensive than taking a local taxi.

 These are easily available is you walk out of the airport (300 meters) to the main road.

The picturesque ride to San Agustinillo is around 45 mins.

THE BEACHES San Agustinillo

SURFING SAN AGUSTINILLO

SURFING SAN AGUSTINILLO

Posted by San Agustinillo on February 24, 2012 · Leave a Comment 

SURFING is sensational on the beaches of San Agustinillo- and you don’t need to bring your board rentals are easy-for all levels of expertise and if you are just starting out a lesson from San Agustinillo resident David-a very qualified instructor with years of experience on the water is a must.

David has a great following from his COCO LOCO SURF CLUB-it’s a recommended way to get familiar with the waves-especially if you are new to the sport.  You need to know there is a strong rip tide at times, and respect the power of the ocean.

During High Season- the Surf School has a palapa- right on the East side of the main beach-in the Low Season- head over to Mexico Lindo Y Que Rico on the beach where the boards are rented daily-Boogie Boarding- is just as much fun-stick to the Main Bay-where the breaks are protected-really great fun for all ages- and the waves almost guarantee a good ride every day of your vacation. See video under SURF CLASS on the website Go San Agustinillo