After our day with En Via, mom and I went home but not for long. It was Sunday evening so we headed to the Zocalo to see what was happening. It was busy!
Just as we were heading out, we noticed some young people putting on costumes in front of the Cathedral. We decided to wait and see what they were up to.
Unfortunately, once they were suited up, they moved from the front of the church to the side, with way worse lighting. My camera did not like all of the fast motion in the dark light but let's call the pictures 'artistic'.
The dancers started with 12 or so men dressed as 12 or so old men. They used their 'walking sticks' to make a lot of rhythmic noise while they twirled and marched about.
Next up was a couple in traditional dress who danced and spun and generally looked lovely and graceful.
And then a 'wedding' party, with bride, groom and a line of caballeros.
That was super fun and only cost a donation (or three).
Next day was Sunday, mom's last full day in Oaxaca. We went to Monte Alban. My third visit but the first where I wasn't concentrating on birds. We actually stopped and read the signs. I didn't take many pictures though since we have already covered this before.
After that, things were pretty low key. We went back to the 20th of November market so mom could pick a few last things. We had beer and seafood tacos in the Zocalo.
Monday, mom's last day. We headed to the Oaxaca Lending Library so mom could buy a book. She had read every book in the apartment but was not willing to get involved in the 650 pages of volume one of 'A Suitable Boy'. I bought tickets for a Thursday event which I will tell you about later. I made lunch. Tuna pasta salad. Time to start using up some supplies!
Then, as mom's time in Mexico was almost over, we went out for a beer and a snack.
I won't post this yet. I'm sure I will be doing something tomorrow to make this a bit longer.
Now it is Wednesday. To the photos to see what I have been up to.
On Tuesday, I decided to see as much of the city attractions that I had ignored for the last month. First, the giant Mercado de Abastos in the SW corner of the city. I passed through the Zocalo to get there. There was some sort of 'intercultural' event going on. There was some singing but mostly just young people yelling into a microphone. Protest? Oration demonstration? No idea. I actually passed by three times and it was going on ALL day. There were so many young people in traditional dress, it was hard not to take more pictures.
To the huge market where I bought NOTHING! Did I mention that I started packing. Yea, that blanket AND tablecloth are going to be trouble.
Back through the Zocalo. More interculturalness and a Tejate to drink.
Then home because I had a ticket to go to a Oaxaca Lending Library lecture on bird songs. I met up with some of my bird group ladies and had a chance to say goodbye to them. I am really tempted to come back next year. We'll see.
Then a wander back down Alcala to the Zocalo. This time, there was a 'parade' but it wasn't a wedding, it was a proposal. With a tourist couple no less. I'm not sure how I would feel about a loud, crowded, hour long moving proposal but to each her own. She said yes, by the way.
One more pass through the Zocalo and the intercultural extravaganza and to check out the full moon through the trees.
I think I will end it here. Today was a lot of photos (FIVE museums in five hours) so I will do that later (not that I have much later).
Here is some street art:
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| Those are balloon 'rockets' that every kid in the Zocalo seems to have to toss in the air. |
Unfortunately, once they were suited up, they moved from the front of the church to the side, with way worse lighting. My camera did not like all of the fast motion in the dark light but let's call the pictures 'artistic'.
The dancers started with 12 or so men dressed as 12 or so old men. They used their 'walking sticks' to make a lot of rhythmic noise while they twirled and marched about.
Next up was a couple in traditional dress who danced and spun and generally looked lovely and graceful.
And then a 'wedding' party, with bride, groom and a line of caballeros.
That was super fun and only cost a donation (or three).
Next day was Sunday, mom's last full day in Oaxaca. We went to Monte Alban. My third visit but the first where I wasn't concentrating on birds. We actually stopped and read the signs. I didn't take many pictures though since we have already covered this before.
 |
| Mom at Monte Alban |
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| Many carving of castrated men (likely those conquered in war and sacrificed, in brutal fashion). |
 |
| This is where I said 'I wonder when my next flex day is' Home and work are already invading my brain, a week before I leave Mexico |
Then, as mom's time in Mexico was almost over, we went out for a beer and a snack.
 |
| This is guacamole with chapulines (fried crickets, a Oaxacan specialty). Mom couldn't leave without eating some crickets! |
Now it is Wednesday. To the photos to see what I have been up to.
On Tuesday, I decided to see as much of the city attractions that I had ignored for the last month. First, the giant Mercado de Abastos in the SW corner of the city. I passed through the Zocalo to get there. There was some sort of 'intercultural' event going on. There was some singing but mostly just young people yelling into a microphone. Protest? Oration demonstration? No idea. I actually passed by three times and it was going on ALL day. There were so many young people in traditional dress, it was hard not to take more pictures.
To the huge market where I bought NOTHING! Did I mention that I started packing. Yea, that blanket AND tablecloth are going to be trouble.
Back through the Zocalo. More interculturalness and a Tejate to drink.
Then home because I had a ticket to go to a Oaxaca Lending Library lecture on bird songs. I met up with some of my bird group ladies and had a chance to say goodbye to them. I am really tempted to come back next year. We'll see.
 |
| This is Suzanne from bird group who organized this lecture |
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| And this is Jose Sosa Lopez, song bird guy, who got his PHD in Canada. |
One more pass through the Zocalo and the intercultural extravaganza and to check out the full moon through the trees.
I think I will end it here. Today was a lot of photos (FIVE museums in five hours) so I will do that later (not that I have much later).
Here is some street art:
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