The Beckoning of the Open Road

Well, not quite the “open” road, but there surely were a few roads heading north towards Mexico City.  In order to find new adventures I scour the two guide books I have been using, one called Viva Oaxaca and the other the Moon Oaxaca book.  The first book is a bit strange as to its organization, so Moon Oaxaca usually is more helpful.  We bought the most recent edition as a kindle download from Amazon, and it works great on the iPad. 

So I find that about 10 km north of us and to the east of Villa de Etla, there is a village named San Agustín Etla, and a suburb of the village called Vista Hermosa.  Now this should be a no brainer as it shows the road going off to the east just before Villa de Etla and the guide books says it is a paved road.  We felt very smug (our downfall) when we spotted a very large sign over the highway saying San Agustín Etla and with an arrow to the right.  Off we go and surprisingly we come (on the nice paved road with a sign saying 4 km to San Agustín) to a very high gate and fence with a guard which appears to be some sort of police academy.  Interesting, but this was not our destination!  We turn around and return to the main highway.

About a mile further north (this is the free road to Mexico City) we see a small sign pointing to Vista Hermosa.  Nothing ventured – nothing gained I always say.  It was an interesting winding road up into the hills adjacent to the mountains. Note the interesting 10 foot divided highway in the photo below. The higher valley was obviously well watered as the trees are very green and there are some great casas with actual green lawns. I wander around what must be Vista Hermosa, and its church and find another road making a circle around the edge of the hill and actually find San Agustín Etla (the clue:  Taxis that say San Agustín).  This area is quite a change from the usual valley village due to all the green trees and lush growth.  We even spot a golf course behind one new development. 

The guidebook had advised the area was noted for its paper handicrafts and a famous craftsman of the same.  We did not actually find any of that and I am very sure we were the only gringos within five miles.  Later, I found out one of the neighbor couples was there at the same time and found the paper crafts. Well, we easily can go up there again.  With a pleasant drive down into the lower valley we come to the carretara.  Needless to say there was not a sign to be seen at that intersection saying that was the road to San Agustín.  We then drove several miles to the north just for fun.  We went beyond where the carretara became a two lane on the free road to Mexico City. 

Upon the return we stopped in Villa de Etla and bought a barbecued roasted chicken from a Pollo Rosteceria for dinner.  All this exploring can make you hungry!

 

The green view of Vista Hermosa

 

The church at Vista Hermosa

 

Quirky Living Note

 

Two squares or three – In the Casa de Artesanias in downtown Oaxaca, the sanitarios has a sign that one square of toilet paper are 3 pesos, two squares are 4 pesos, and three squares are 5 pesos.  I have to presume that certain male functions are free.  Mary Ann, in one of her rare frugal events went for only two, knowing that she had tissue paper in her purse.  What a woman!