Tag: OAXACA

SOLO TRAVEL FOR WOMEN by oldbirdtravels
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MONTE ALBAN AND AND IT’S MOUNTAIN PARADISE.

OR, A MOUNTAINTOP ZAPOTEC CITY LINKED CLOSELY TO Teotihuacán and mitla

It’s huge, it’s Zapotec and it’s completely different to what I expected.

The Zapotecs were a sedentary culture living in villages and towns, in houses constructed with stone and mortar. They recorded the principal events in their history by means of hieroglyphics, and in warfare they made use of a cotton armour. The well-known ruins of Mitla have been attributed to them.

(I will write another post about the fabulous jade and gold discoveries, that are housed in Oaxaca Palace Museum. This is closed at the moment but I’ll be able to dig up some photos from before. I really need to write a bit more about the amazing Zapotecs)

Castrated man?

I had got up ready to go to the archaeological museum but its been closed. No signs on the door except the opening hours, and through the peephole a man informed me that they didn’t know when they’d open again to which I replied rather hotly I must confess well put a sign on the door then and change the bloody Google details. He said that’s a good idea I’ll put a sign on the door, as if he’d just thought of it. Yes some people have travelled thousands of miles to see these artefacts I whined. His beady eyes perused me as if I was mad. And sort it out on Google and your site this is the second time I’ve come here. He was making me cross and I felt as if he might just let me in if I kept banging on about it.

Continue reading MONTE ALBAN AND AND IT’S MOUNTAIN PARADISE.
SOLO TRAVEL FOR WOMEN by oldbirdtravels
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PREHISTORIC CAVE PAINTINGS MITLA.

OR, HOW A OLD BIRD CLIMBED TWO MOUNTAINS IN A DAY.

The sun was shining…

When I made the decision to visit prehistoric cave dwellings that have been inhabited for 10,000 years I thought it would be a little tricky but not that hard. yesterday I worked my little travellers socks off to visit two of the major sites in Mitla. I had chosen two, maybe three places but hadn’t anticipated that they weren’t just there like most tourist sites, they are tricky to get to and a lot of leg work. I would advise not to try for them unless you’re feeling top notch and are prepared to go slowly.

Now I’ve been to Mitla two years ago to see the famous Mayan site of Mitla and also Hierve el Agua, which now sadly is permanently closed. Both were things of wonder so I was excited to be even more daring this time with a bit of pre history caves and their paintings all in the same area. I have always wanted to see some more ancient art in caves but have only once before been to an island off Sicily and no photos were allowed but here one has the privilege of getting out the old camera. I had no idea how remote they actually were and how hard you had to climb on treacherous slippery terrain after the rains. Although the soil had dried off there are a huge number of springs which are obviously spurting out excess water as you go higher up and make the soil and rocks really slick.

MY SUNDAY OUTING TO VISIT 10.000 YEAR OLD ANCESTRAL CAVES.

Continue reading PREHISTORIC CAVE PAINTINGS MITLA.
SOLO TRAVEL FOR WOMEN by oldbirdtravels
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FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD. CONNOISSEURS STEAK AND WINE RESTAURANT.

OR IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS: CARN&VORO.

I never write posts just about restaurants but I will do so now. When you find something this good it deserves applause. connoisseur

I’ve had a couple of off days after my flight. Felt exhausted but for a change I forced myself to have a siesta, it was a Margaret Thatcher one, twenty deep sleep minutes. I felt a hugely better and hungry so decided that I was going to try a restaurant with good meat, a really fine steak. Luckily just round the corner from me I saw what seemed to be the ticket the “Parilla de Barrio” or neighbourhood grill. I felt I needed a place of quality and indeed that is what I got.

Lovely team including chef Mario Ivan Garcia Vasquez, waiters Enrique and Lavra and the boss
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SOLO TRAVEL FOR WOMEN by oldbirdtravels
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MYSTERIOUS FAT BABIES. AN ART GALLERY IN OAXACA MEXICO.

OR MUSEUMS AND ART IN OAXACA

ALERT: FOR ALL ART LOVERS THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A PICTURE POST. IT REPRESENTS THE DIVERSE CERAMIC AND STONE ART ACROSS THE WHOLE PRE HISPANIC SPECTRUM. THIS WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA BEFORE I POST THE MEXICO CITY ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUMS WONDERS!

Continue reading MYSTERIOUS FAT BABIES. AN ART GALLERY IN OAXACA MEXICO.