Sunset Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

This is an absolutely wonderful and relaxing way to end a great day in Puerto Escondido.

Finding Nancy…

Can you find Nancy
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

How long did it take you to pick Nancy out of the crowd?

Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido - Sunday Fun
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

We arrived in Puerto Escondido during a fishing derby and beauty pageant. The beach was jam packed with families having an absolutely fabulous Sunday afternoon playing on the beach.

Mazunte Beach

Mazunte - Nancy
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Mazunte is a lovely village on the pacific shores of Oaxaca. The beaches are stunningly beautiful.

Zipolite

Beach Bums
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Is that a bear naked bum!

Zapotec Shaman

Maria Sabina - Healer
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Mushrooms, Marijuana, all for the spiritual quest…….. The jungle holds many mind and body journeys. Many flock from the west for answers including many famous musicians. Hmmm, what were they looking for?

Cable Bridge

Boys on Cable Bridge in Mtns
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

The boys playing on this cable bridge are having so much fun swimming, teasing, and hanging around. At one time this cable bridge was the only way the people had to cross the river – now there is a bridge.

Just Beach

Huatulco
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Hot, nesting turtles, really hot, long, long stretches of beach…

Huatulco – Agua Azul

Aqua Azul - Great B&B
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

We reached Huatulco after an 8-hour bus ride through the mountains from Oaxaca City. Our retreat was Agua Azul, owned and operated by Richard and Brooke Gazer. They offer their home as a B&B but really it is a truly peaceful sanctuary that is beautiful and incredibly relaxing. Perfect in every way I’d say…

Teotitlan Del Valley

Naturally dyed yarn
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

One day I strolled into a small shop, off a street in Oaxaca city, and met Janet Chavez. She is a very proud and very talented weaver in her own right from the village of Teotitlan. Speaking with such passion, respect and admiration of her father and grandfathers work, Janet showed me her families weaving and invited us to her studio. The hand dyed wool created from plant fiber to cochineal cactus parasite is absolutely beautiful.

El Tule

Tule - Cypress Tree
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

This Cypress tree is said to be 2,000 years old and towers 15 stories above the village of Santa Maria del Tule.

Yagul – Archaeological Site

Maise
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Due to the incomplete excavation of this site it has remained simple in its exposure but dramatic and completely breathtaking in its presence.

Revolutionaries!

Revolution - November 22
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

November 22 is the anniversary of the Mexican revolution. The Museo de la Culturas de Oaxaca has an outstanding black and white photo exhibition depicting the peoples struggle.

Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca

Decorated Skull in Jade from Monte Alban
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Treasure from Monte Alban tomb number 7 – Why was it so important to adorn this skull with Jade? Who was this person?! WOW!!!

Monte Alban – The Hidden City

As described by Bruce Whipperman, author for the Moon Handbook Oaxaca, “Monte Alban ranks among Mesoamerica’s most regally spectacular ruined cities. Known in ancient times by its Zapotec name, Danni Diapaa. This great city atop the hill reigned for at least 1,200 years. The buildings were finished with sloping staircases, corniced walls, carvings, ball courts and hieroglyphs – inscribe stelae depicting gods, kings, and heroic scenes of battle.”

Santa Maria Atzampa – Pottery Village

Pottery
Originally uploaded by Aishihik

Families from this wee village make cooking pots, bowls, platters, light and garden decorations on their pottery wheel. I could not resist buying a cooking dish!