[BcDano]

After a longish delay for the bike repairs in Mexico City we finally made it to “Southern Command” just north of Oaxaca city.


Screen Shot 2012-11-03 at 4.13.44 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


plate by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We were so grateful for the chicken mole dinner with a Birthday cake made by our friend Deb (last seen in Moab).


mole by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We had a week to spend with friend here for the Dias de Los Muertos. Iwona whipped us up some Delicious Pan Francais with crème fresh.


pan Fransais by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The gang headed into the city and stopped at the Mirador to overlook Oaxaca and the view of Monte Alban.


Mirador view gang by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mirador view by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The Church of Santa Domingo, has one of the most ornate interiors. Located next door in the ex-convento is the museum of Culture that houses many of the relics from the ruins at Monte Alban.


Iglasia Santa Domingo by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Iglasia Santa Domingo 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Museo de la Culturas courtyard by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Museo de la Culturas garden by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Museo de la Culturas by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We wandered thru the downtown where there were several marching bands following groups of children in costumes. We explored the Zocolo and the Juarez Mercado.


Day of Dead Parade by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Costumes 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Costumes 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Day of Dead Parade 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mercado 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mercado day of the dead bread by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mercado 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mercado by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mercado 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Mercado 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Later at the church there was a very festive atmosphere with food, music, and dancing. The local young people had a street dance and offered us Tequila and Squirt!


Day of Dead parade 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


teen party 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


teen party 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Riding up to the parking lot at Monte Alban we met our first over-landers, Ulrich and Michael from Germany. This is an impressive site perched atop the mountain and overlooking the city of Oaxaca. Besides being one of the earliest cities of Mesoamerica, Monte Albán's importance stems also from its role as the Zapotec political and economic center for close to a thousand years. The city was founded around 500 BC.


Monte Alban by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Monte Alban 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Daniel and I explored some of the local Villages in the Oaxaca valley. In Zaachila the market was full of very decorated breads, flowers, and candles.


Zaachila flowers 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Zaachila flowers by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Zaachila bread by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Zaachila chocolate by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Next we rode to Cuilapan de Guerrero to visit the never finished convent who's construction started in the 1550's.


Cuilapan de Guerrero 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Late in the day we made it to Arrazola where they were having a big party in the square. We made friends with some of the kids. There was an entire family dressed in amazing zombie costumes and the kids even walked and moved like the living dead.


Arrazola kids by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


best hallowen costumes ever by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Later in the week we ventured farther from town to Ocotlan de Morales where there is a lovely church and a museum in the ex monastery next door. Next we headed to San Martín Tilcajete where they craft the colorful alebreje or painted wooden chimeric animals.


San Martín Tilcajete by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We really got into the spirit of the day of the dead with a visit to the San Agustine Etla cemetery. They have a massive battle of the band here where they wander from town to town and play all night long. There are lots of people in amazing costumes. They are famous here for dancing all night long in very heavy"suits" that are covered with bells. We had some great tacos with cervesas. You can buy a coke bottle full of mezcal from the tienda for 20 pesos (1.50$). They have painted the walls around the Zocolo or main square with several very cool murals for the day of the dead.


San Agustín Etla cemetary by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


San Agustín Etla parade by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


San Agustín Etla altar by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Day of the dead by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


San Agustín Etla beers by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr