Everybody Gets to go in the Van

Our Volkswagen Jetta fits five.  If you have a car seat in the middle of the back seat, then four adults can travel together. Thus, if we want to do something with all of us included we needed to solve the transportation problem.  Fortunately our casa manager Florencio suggested that his partner could take us anywhere we wanted to go in his van.  So Sebastian arrived at 9:30 a.m. this morning.  He speaks perfect English, and we found out he has lived in Seattle, and has a house in Tukwila.  He, as you might expect, loved talking with us about Washington State, and what was happening in the Northwest.  He has even been to Leavenworth.  Go figure.

One of the big things to do in the Oaxacan Valley is to head to a village market on their market day.  Sunday, the destination is to go to Tlacolulu, which is about 40 Km east of Oaxaca City.  It was good for me to see the route taking us around the edge of Cerro de la Fortin, where we stopped at the viewpoint for photos of the city.  Down below us were great views of the Zócalo and Santo Domingo church. Then onto the east highway 190 going to Mitla.  Just north of downtown I spotted the brand new 1^st Class bus terminal which was important as in a few weeks we will be picking up friends arriving on the bus from Mexico City.  At least I hope they take the 1^st Class luxury bus! 

We rode in a Nissan Quest van, and Sebastian is an excellent driver.  No accidents in many years of driving in Mexico.  A few days ago we saw the huge Nissan dealer building in downtown Oaxaca, which reminded me of the time we spent in Chihuahua at the Nissan dealer when the Maxima broke down on our drive to San Miguel de Allende.  You might remember that travel trauma, if you were reading my blog in 2007 on our first long adventure of the winter after retirement.  But, ah I digress, the next stop was at a beautiful church being restored in Tlacochahuaya, then to one of the many mescal factories outside of Oaxaca.  For the benefit of the tourists, I believe, they have the agave plants being crushed by big stones pulled by ponies.  I suspect that the big commercial operations may be crushing and distilling in a more modern process.  Very nice B-s*.

Down the highway we arrive in Tlacolulu where the Sunday market is going on.  What a market.  Blocks and blocks of vendors, many with native women in traditional costume.  It reminded Mary Ann and me of the market on the equator just north of Quito, Ecuador.  It was great to have Sebastian along as he could identify, and often sample the fruit and other unimaginable edible things.  I passed on the fried grasshoppers stacked in huge piles.  One of the most unusual parts of the market was in their daily covered market area, where you could buy hanging pieces of meat, and then barbecue your lunch right there on open charcoal grills.  A big hit with all the natives!  The shopping crew was starting to get into the mood, with purchases of a hat, jewelry, local bread, etc., while I was dispatched to an ATM machine for resupply.

Back at the van we headed off to lunch (remember the needs of a three year old) where we were just entering Mitla, we stopped for comida.  The restaurant had a huge buffet of Mexican and Oaxaca choices, and thank goodness a kid’s playground and a dandy B-s.  The most fun was watching Sebastian try to put the restaurant out of business with the quantities he was eating – just a growing boy.  Our timing was perfect, as we were mostly finished when the tour busses and vans started rolling in and filled up the place.  Onto the road and into Mitla where we visited the Mitla ruins.  Smaller than Monte Albán but nonetheless impressive.  When seeing the steps into the main temple, Mary Ann and I advised the group that we would guard the plaza.  All returned, including Eliza, safe and sound.   

Our last stop of the day, with Eliza napping by that time, was at El Tule, the 2000 year old huge cypress tree.  It was amazing in size and situated in front of a beautiful little church and park like grounds.  They were having a funeral at the church, the second one we viewed during the trip.  It was a wonderful day, and a real highlight was what a real trooper Eliza was during the 8 hour excursion.  She gets the A+ for no whining, no melt-downs, and seemingly enjoying the whole adventure with the family.

*Bob-site

 

The Sunday market in Tlacalulu

 

Quirky Living Note

 

Personal Initiative and Private Enterprise – Part I  If you have ever been in Mexico, you know that private enterprise is thriving.  An example is the vendors standing in the roadway at stop lights.  We are not talking about window cleaner kids, today’s entrepreneurs are real salesmen.  You have choices of newspapers, pineapples, coconuts, handicrafts, sun visors for your windows, and the list goes on as inventive as a department store.  They do move on to the car behind as soon as you shake your head negatively.