Tlacochahuaya

Thats right Tlacochahuaya. I dare you to pronounce it!

My 3rd and final stop on my second day in Oaxaca was Tlacochahuaya. This 16th century Church was constructed by indigenous people and decorated by the Spaniards. inside the Church is a mixture of catholic symbolism and natural elements. The Spanish thought that the indigenous people would accept the new religion if the church included natural imagery.

Sorry no flash in the church so my pics are very dark.

This church was very cool and kinda creepy. Upstairs was this elaborate 16th century pipe organ that was brought over from Spain and carried to Oaxaca on donkeys.

Upstairs there was also this strange door to nowhere

And by upstairs I mean, up the coolest, creepiest, steepest stairwell ever!

This is still an active Church that was all done up for Christmas, It was quite strange to be in such a historic in interesting place, and have it decorated with cardboard precious moments angels.

I didnt get alot of photos inside but i did get this very interesting statue of Jesus.

It also had a 400 year old sun dial that kept perfect time!
This big stump was once used to tie up criminals and leave them outside till the died.

It was a really amazing place!
On our way out of town we got a big bonus. Our van had to stop to let a heard of animal cross the road.

Teotitlán

On my second day in Oaxaca i also went to Teotitlan

Teotitlan is a Zapotec pueblo about 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca. Weaving in Teotitlan is more about family, tradition and connection with the natural world then it is about rugs. Personally I have never been a been fan of this particular type of art but after seeing the process i have a great respect for the artists.

The whole family participates is the process. Women soften, clean and spin the wool by hand into yarn, and traditionally, men do the weaving. (Though when i went all the women were weaving) Children learn the process from their parents, the help make the dyes and sometimes simple projects.

The entire process is 100% natural, they spin the wool clean it with a natural soap that is found in the woods. (my first thought when i saw it was Ah! i have to get some for Dianne and Nicki .... it was very cool even cooler than soap nuts!)

Teotitlan is famous for its brilliant red dye.

The natural dye is made from the cochinilla insect that lives on the cactus.

All the other colors are made by mixing the cochinilla with lime, baking soda, Marigold, indigo and other natural sources

The whole process was so interesting and intricate. I would NEVER have the patience for it. Some of the larger rugs can take up to six months to complete.

Yagul

On my second day in Oaxaca, I went to Yagul with my new friends from Portland Kevin and Olivia. It was kinda funny because on our tour every one of the 15 people lived in either Oregon Washington or California. Yagul was very interesting it was my first visit to a ruins site!
From what I understand Yagul was settled in the 500 CE by the Zapotec's, an indigenous community that still lives in Oaxaca.

Yagul is thought to have been a protective fortress because of the labyrinth that leads up to the palace. What remains is very short walls but originally there were very tall adobe walls atop the stone.

Yagul also has the second largest ball court in Mesoamerica. The Zapotec's played a game on this court that is similar to handball. Some people think it was just a game but other scholars believe that the winner of the game was sacrificed. Sacrifice was considered a great honor by the Zapotec's, if a person died in battle, childbirth or sport they they believed they would go to the upper level of the afterlife. Zapotec's didn't believe in hell but they did believe in an upper and lower afterlife both of which were good and better then this life. The upper level was for reserved for honorable battle deaths and the lower was for everyone else.

Near the ball court is a triple tomb with an animal figure thought to be a frog or a jaguar (looks like a frog to me). An opening bleow the alter leads to the Triple Tomb. Inside the tomb are 2 craving of human heads. When it was first found there were many artifacts and pieces of jewelry but in the 1600s the Spanish took most of it back to Spain and melted it.

primero semana en oaxaca - mi casa y escula

My first week in Oaxaca was a whirlwind of excitement and exhaustion. I was so scared stepping of the plane. My first thought was please god let my luggage be here, my second thought was please let my ride be here. Both were in great safe condition. Yolanda my señora was very nice and upbeat though i barley understood her she immediately set me at ease. I was so happy when i arrived to my house it was clean, private and had hot water!(which many of my friends do not have)

The house is very nice and comfortable, it is designed so that is stays cool with out AC. I swear sometimes it 90 degrees outside and i am wearing a sweater in my room. It is actually quite interesting the are from the street the House looks quite small but inside there are 8 bedrooms. Each one connects to these vents that lead to the roof. it is the windiest house i have ever been in.

Directly behind my house is a wonderful Park. It is a lot of fun to sit and read. On the weekends and in the early evening the park is field with families. The children ride their bike and play soccer. It is very peaceful.

I love the walking lifestyle I have in Oaxaca, It is very relaxing. Every day I walk through this park and passed this Church on my way to school.

My school is beautiful. It is an oasis in the city. It used to be an old family estate but the owner turned it in to a school 20 years ago. In addition to Spanish class we have cultural classes in the afternoon in which we learn about the art and life of the surrounding ingenious Pueblos.