I have been home for a week, back to work, got a cat, you know the usual. But I do want to finish this blog up with my last day in Oaxaca and my flight home.
As you may recall, I was checking the Oaxaca Lending Library for their talks and various random events. Well, I saw a day trip that seemed interesting but it was on Thursday, the day of my flight home. It was scheduled for 8-4. My flight was for 6:45. I decided I could maybe do it. Then my better judgement/critical thinking functions were completely overwritten when I went in to see if there were any seats left. I was pretty sure it would be sold out and then it would be easy, no can do. But instead of no seats, there was one left. And I got in just before some other guy was asking about the same tour. My competitive side came out and I took the ticket. I am a jerk. A jerk who will cut off her own nose to spite that other guy who just wants to go on a day trip to San Juan Teitipac for their Language festival.
I packed the night before. I looked up alternate ways back to Oaxaca in case things went wrong (no bus, only taxis for 400-600 pesos, more than I paid for the whole day). I showed up at 7:45 for the bus. I asked the leader, will we actually get back at 4? She said, and I quote "We are aiming for 5" Hmmm. I mentioned that I had a flight home at 6:45. She was the first of many who expressed surprise that I am such an idiot. She mentioned that the last time they came, there was a road closure that delayed them a few hours. Hmmm. I hadn't considered that even if I took a taxi, I still might not be able to get back. Oh well. I went anyway.
San Juan Teitipac is only about an hour away from Oaxaca city so we arrived a little after 9am. Nothing in Mexico starts that early but we were greeted by some town official (I recognized him as another 'uses and customs' 'volunteer' but no one mentioned this specifically). We got a little talk about the history of the town and then a visit to the church. Remember back when I visited the church in Teotitlan with all of the flowers. It turns out that the flowers are placed on the alters by more uses and customs volunteers who are assigned an alter. This church was the same, so many flowers. Also, there were some original paintings of the Passion of Christ from the brothers who built the church in the 16th century.
Then we headed back to the basketball court/performance venue. But first there is a parade. And we are invited to participate! The visiting ladies can carry candles. That sounds easy. Nope, not easy, those candles were huge!
No worries, I was able to take many photos of the parade, even with one hand taken up with a giant flower candle. It was so hot and those poor dancers had to stop FOUR times to dance for like 10 minutes each time. We did a 12 block square that took over hour. None of the non-tourist participants were smiling by the end.
Finally back to the venue. But no, first to the food stalls for early lunch (is 10:30 early lunch or late breakfast - can huaraches be brunch?)
Then some weird ritual where we all had to stand (so I assume it was religious, since religion always involve standing up for some reason) and point to the four directions and thank someone for flowers? conchs?
Finally, dancing!
Another food break. But the group organizer came over and told me that the wheelchair van was going to head back to town early and did I want to go with them. Umm, yes! So, I crammed in the back behind the wheelchairs and made it home by 3:30! Time to even change my clothes and eat an egg.
Taxi to the airport by 4:30 where, of course, I discovered that my flight was delayed by an hour. Not a problem, I had a book. I checked one bag but my carry on was very heavy. I may have bought too much. But I was sure that I would be offered the chance to check my carry on at the gate. Unfortunately, that offer never came so I was stuck with that million pound bag for the whole time!
My flight out of Mexico left on time - 1:01 am. I was smart (this time, there's always a first time). I took a gravol on the tarmac and never turned on the tv. I was asleep minutes after we were in the air. And I didn't wake up until we landed. I missed the 3am dinner/breakfast. It was perfect.
Perfect until I got to my gate in Vancouver. Flight cancelled. I was rebooked on the 10:30am (instead of 8:30). Since I was now back in Canada, I texted Judy who was picking me up. No problem. But then that flight was delayed til 11am. Still good. Then 11:20. Nope, Judy was out, she had to be at work in Oak Bay at 1. Scramble to find someone, anyone who wasn't working in the middle of a workday (Friday).
Then they delayed to 11:30 and then 11:45. Bahh! I was so tired and I had finished my book in Mexico city (never take a large-font book on vacation!). And my heavy, heavy bag made it difficult to walk around so I just sat there and bitched about my flight on Facebook.
Fortunately, Alisma was my saviour. She cancelled a meeting and left work mid-day to come and pick me up and take me home. I had a quick nap before I headed out to the opera (it was good but I had a hard time staying away through Act 3).
Next day, I was at the SPCA for opening and got myself a little cat. Her name is Pigeon.
Here is the very last picture I took in Mexico. Street Art!
See you all next time.
As you may recall, I was checking the Oaxaca Lending Library for their talks and various random events. Well, I saw a day trip that seemed interesting but it was on Thursday, the day of my flight home. It was scheduled for 8-4. My flight was for 6:45. I decided I could maybe do it. Then my better judgement/critical thinking functions were completely overwritten when I went in to see if there were any seats left. I was pretty sure it would be sold out and then it would be easy, no can do. But instead of no seats, there was one left. And I got in just before some other guy was asking about the same tour. My competitive side came out and I took the ticket. I am a jerk. A jerk who will cut off her own nose to spite that other guy who just wants to go on a day trip to San Juan Teitipac for their Language festival.
I packed the night before. I looked up alternate ways back to Oaxaca in case things went wrong (no bus, only taxis for 400-600 pesos, more than I paid for the whole day). I showed up at 7:45 for the bus. I asked the leader, will we actually get back at 4? She said, and I quote "We are aiming for 5" Hmmm. I mentioned that I had a flight home at 6:45. She was the first of many who expressed surprise that I am such an idiot. She mentioned that the last time they came, there was a road closure that delayed them a few hours. Hmmm. I hadn't considered that even if I took a taxi, I still might not be able to get back. Oh well. I went anyway.
San Juan Teitipac is only about an hour away from Oaxaca city so we arrived a little after 9am. Nothing in Mexico starts that early but we were greeted by some town official (I recognized him as another 'uses and customs' 'volunteer' but no one mentioned this specifically). We got a little talk about the history of the town and then a visit to the church. Remember back when I visited the church in Teotitlan with all of the flowers. It turns out that the flowers are placed on the alters by more uses and customs volunteers who are assigned an alter. This church was the same, so many flowers. Also, there were some original paintings of the Passion of Christ from the brothers who built the church in the 16th century.
No worries, I was able to take many photos of the parade, even with one hand taken up with a giant flower candle. It was so hot and those poor dancers had to stop FOUR times to dance for like 10 minutes each time. We did a 12 block square that took over hour. None of the non-tourist participants were smiling by the end.
Finally back to the venue. But no, first to the food stalls for early lunch (is 10:30 early lunch or late breakfast - can huaraches be brunch?)
Then some weird ritual where we all had to stand (so I assume it was religious, since religion always involve standing up for some reason) and point to the four directions and thank someone for flowers? conchs?
Finally, dancing!
Another food break. But the group organizer came over and told me that the wheelchair van was going to head back to town early and did I want to go with them. Umm, yes! So, I crammed in the back behind the wheelchairs and made it home by 3:30! Time to even change my clothes and eat an egg.
Taxi to the airport by 4:30 where, of course, I discovered that my flight was delayed by an hour. Not a problem, I had a book. I checked one bag but my carry on was very heavy. I may have bought too much. But I was sure that I would be offered the chance to check my carry on at the gate. Unfortunately, that offer never came so I was stuck with that million pound bag for the whole time!
My flight out of Mexico left on time - 1:01 am. I was smart (this time, there's always a first time). I took a gravol on the tarmac and never turned on the tv. I was asleep minutes after we were in the air. And I didn't wake up until we landed. I missed the 3am dinner/breakfast. It was perfect.
Perfect until I got to my gate in Vancouver. Flight cancelled. I was rebooked on the 10:30am (instead of 8:30). Since I was now back in Canada, I texted Judy who was picking me up. No problem. But then that flight was delayed til 11am. Still good. Then 11:20. Nope, Judy was out, she had to be at work in Oak Bay at 1. Scramble to find someone, anyone who wasn't working in the middle of a workday (Friday).
Then they delayed to 11:30 and then 11:45. Bahh! I was so tired and I had finished my book in Mexico city (never take a large-font book on vacation!). And my heavy, heavy bag made it difficult to walk around so I just sat there and bitched about my flight on Facebook.
Fortunately, Alisma was my saviour. She cancelled a meeting and left work mid-day to come and pick me up and take me home. I had a quick nap before I headed out to the opera (it was good but I had a hard time staying away through Act 3).
Next day, I was at the SPCA for opening and got myself a little cat. Her name is Pigeon.
Here is the very last picture I took in Mexico. Street Art!
See you all next time.
