The Oaxacan Break-Down
So, I don't really feel like putting this all in one post. Oaxaca was too wonderful to cramp into one space, so I’m going to spread all the info and photos out! Enjoy!
First, before anything, let's learn some pronunciation! Hoorah! Oaxaca is pronounced "Oh-hah-kuh." It's a state to the south of Puebla, and it took us about 4 hours to get there. The bus ride was EXCELLENT though, because when I wasn't sound asleep (it's actually pretty comfy), I got to look out the window at the crazy beautiful mountain range! This is not a very good pic, but you can pretty much get the idea of what it was like:
However, our first real stop was Monte Alban, the famous archaeological site located in the mountains above the city. It was REALLY hot there, so a lot of us purchased hats to ward of the sun (although that sadly did not keep me from turning into a lobster).
Monte Alban used to be the central hub for the Zapotec tribe back in the day. It was AMAZING. These photos can't do it justice.
View from the top of one of the pyramid-like structures they constructed.
Two friends, Dominique and Jessica, and myself-- inside an underground tomb! How cheery :)
The Zaptotecs had a curiositiy for the human anatomy and did many etchings of people and processes in these stones. To us, however, it looked like they were engaging in some pretty cool dance moves.
Back then, athleticism required true sacrifice... Aka, the losing team was "gifted" to the gods. Eek.
The group at the top of one of the pyramid structures! <3
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