Pronounced somthing like 'waahaka', Oaxaca State is in the south of Mexico on the Pacific side. After a 6 hour bus journey from Mexico City we arrive in Oaxaca City, its a beautiful spanish colonial town in the Oaxaca highlands surounded by lush green mountains.
However, its election day in Mexico and several military helicpoters are letting their presence be known by circling overhead, there is a protest in the main square about the the massacre of 41 students in neighouring Guerrrero state by local drug gangs, the gangs are claimed to be working with the police force which the current government failed to act upon. Here in Oaxaca a group of teachers stole some of the ballot boxes and burnt them in the square.
Politics aside Oaxaca has a rustic charm about the place, cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial buildings make up the streets with a peppering of historic churches thrown into the mix. This place feels more touristy than Mexico City.
Oaxaca and the surrounding villages
Santa Maria Del Tule
This was a nice little village with a colonial style town hall. However its big claim to fame is its incredibly large tule tree, at 2000 years old its claimed to be the worlds largest with diameter of 40m.
Its certainly very wide and shadows the nearby church but to be honest although its pretty cool I have seen enough trees lately.
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Textile Making- The Red Gold of Oaxaca
Oaxaca is famed for its textile making particularly its bright multi-coloured rugs. Red and purple can be created from the parasites found on certain cactuses, said the little old lady at the front, we were then given what looked like white pebbles and when you rub it on your hand it turns red.
In the 1500s the spanish arrvied looking for gold. Instead they found what is known as the the red gold of Oaxaca. It was imported back into Europe to colour the clothes of the ruling classes who were the only ones who could afford it. The rugs are still handmade in the same way today which of course means we cant afford them either!
Hierve el Agua – The petrified waterfall and fresh water springs.
At Hierveel Aqua there are two fresh water pools placed in the most scenic of places, what else is there to do but go for a swim.
Hierve el Agua means “the water boils” in spanish which is surprising as the water is actually cold.
This place was a great surprise and is incredibly beautiful.
In the distance you can see the petrified water fall, created over thousands of years by water rich in calcium carbonate.
Mitla
Mitla is an old Zapotec city with interesting and unique patterns built into the brick work, worth a look if your passing but not as good a Monte Alban, although you are permitted to go inside a few of the old tombs.
Oaxaca has been a culturaly interesting place considering that before this trip we had never even heard of it.
All cultured out its time to hit the beach, the next stop is Oaxaca coastal town and surfers paradise, Puerto Escondido.
