Jon: Off to
Oaxaca (photos), we keep hearing about how beautiful it is, and most likely a pleasant departure from the humidity of Veracruz. Our bus left late from Veracruz, and took longer to arrive in Oaxaca, where our friends were meeting us, but once again, ever so gracious, they were not bothered by the fact that we were an hour later than planned. What an interesting trip through the mountains, we crossed some very high mountains, with long drops to the valley below. Fortunately the buses have controlled velocity, so the drivers can only drive so fast. Coming into Oaxaca, there is a great view of historic downtown, which not surprisingly, centres around a church.
After seeing a bit of downtown Oaxaca, we took a taxi back to Mitla. These taxi drivers believe all road markings and signs are suggestions and only apply to taxis when traffic is so heavy that they can't break them. So screaming along at 140km/h making a third lane where there is only two lanes, crossing double solid yellow lines, we zoomed off to Mitla. The next day, our friends decided they wanted to accompany us to
Monte Alban (photos). This is one of the most important historical sites in the state of Oaxaca, and very interesting ruins to see. We spent our morning exploring pyramids and strolling through the site. We were glad we arrived early, as the tour buses start arriving around 11 or 12, around the time we were ready to leave.
The next day, we spent our mornig strolling through the ruins of
Mitla (photos). Very interesting. Not big, but interesting, very intricate stonework. Those nasty spanish tore down a lot of the structures to erect Catholic churches. But from what is left, it is quite interesting. Especially going into the tombs! The Zapotec people were obviously not very tall.
After our time at the ruins, we took a trip to a place called Hierve El Agua. Driving through 18km of high, windy, dusty mountain roads in the back of a truck, we wondered if this place existed. Through dusty little towns with ramshackle houses, seeing these little towns, I was realizing just how rich Canada is. There are a few pictures of these places. Some funny experiences, such as a runaway burro (donkey) in front of our truck! For some strange reason, I find these donkeys kind of cute and endearing, in their stubborn sometimes disobedient ways. They sure work hard when they are forced to. They can carry huge loads! And then there's the villagers who are akin to bandits, setting up a roadblock and deciding they will charge to drive through their town to get to Hierve El Agua
(photos).
Anyway, we finally arrived in this high mountain Oasis, overlooking the valley, and the view is incredible. I can only imagine what it would have been like to discover this place for the first time. These incredible amazing petrified waterfalls hanging off cliffs, with bubbling pools of mineral water for swimming in. I have to admit, I felt a little nervous standing on the edge of one of these cliffs, it was a long way down and no safety barricades, and rather windy. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. But this gem is incredible and definitely worth visiting!
Jon: Off to Oaxaca (photos), we keep hearing about how beautiful it is, and most likely a pleasant departure from the humidity of Veracruz. Our bus left late from Veracruz, and took longer to arrive in Oaxaca, where our friends were meeting us, but once again, ever so gracious, they were not bothered by the fact that we were an hour later than planned. What an interesting trip through the mountains, we crossed some very high mountains, with long drops to the valley below. Fortunately the buses have controlled velocity, so the drivers can only drive so fast. Coming into Oaxaca, there is a great view of historic downtown, which not surprisingly, centres around a church. 
After seeing a bit of downtown Oaxaca, we took a taxi back to Mitla. These taxi drivers believe all road markings and signs are suggestions and only apply to taxis when traffic is so heavy that they can't break them. So screaming along at 140km/h making a third lane where there is only two lanes, crossing double solid yellow lines, we zoomed off to Mitla. The next day, our friends decided they wanted to accompany us to Monte Alban (photos). This is one of the most important historical sites in the state of Oaxaca, and very interesting ruins to see. We spent our morning exploring pyramids and strolling through the site. We were glad we arrived early, as the tour buses start arriving around 11 or 12, around the time we were ready to leave.
The next day, we spent our mornig strolling through the ruins of Mitla (photos). Very interesting. Not big, but interesting, very intricate stonework. Those nasty spanish tore down a lot of the structures to erect Catholic churches. But from what is left, it is quite interesting. Especially going into the tombs! The Zapotec people were obviously not very tall.
After our time at the ruins, we took a trip to a place called Hierve El Agua. Driving through 18km of high, windy, dusty mountain roads in the back of a truck, we wondered if this place existed. Through dusty little towns with ramshackle houses, seeing these little towns, I was realizing just how rich Canada is. There are a few pictures of these places. Some funny experiences, such as a runaway burro (donkey) in front of our truck! For some strange reason, I find these donkeys kind of cute and endearing, in their stubborn sometimes disobedient ways. They sure work hard when they are forced to. They can carry huge loads! And then there's the villagers who are akin to bandits, setting up a roadblock and deciding they will charge to drive through their town to get to Hierve El Agua (photos).
Anyway, we finally arrived in this high mountain Oasis, overlooking the valley, and the view is incredible. I can only imagine what it would have been like to discover this place for the first time. These incredible amazing petrified waterfalls hanging off cliffs, with bubbling pools of mineral water for swimming in. I have to admit, I felt a little nervous standing on the edge of one of these cliffs, it was a long way down and no safety barricades, and rather windy. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. But this gem is incredible and definitely worth visiting!
Hey monkeys, great photos. Monte Alban was probably my favourite ruin. Photos don't do it justice (mine or yours!), the place is just too big... Very jealous, wish we could have popped in for a visit while you were there. Now that I've discovered your blog, I'll check in more often. Keep writing, it's good to hear you're alive still!
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