Oaxaca - 6/26/08

We have been back in Oaxaca since Monday when we managed to dodge highway closings by the teachers' union (free political prisoners) and arrive happily to our new homes in Oaxaca. Without Mary(we miss you every day and hope you are well - Patrick has taken to recording the journey in your absence so there are many pictures to come) we rearranged ourselves but can be reached at all the sites on the itinerary.
On Monday we drove up into the mountains to Hierve El Agua, the site of the remarkable petrified mineral falls and the pools of mineral water perched on the side of the cliff. Some of us held our breath most of the way up (and down!) but once reaching the top, thoroughly enjoyed our picnic prepared by Enid and swimming in the mineral pools. On the way back from our adventure we stopped at an archaeological site -Yagul- and explored it alone since the highway was closed to most tours that day. While some climbed to the fortress at Yagul to capture the view of the entire valley and facing mountains, others explored a sweet serpent which our guide found in an orchid! From there we swept back through Teotitlan to pick up luggage and headed back to Oaxaca.
Today was our second day of working at the Ophanage. After three days of rest and exploring Oaxaca, we sat down to plan new activities with the 50 orphans. While we entered feeling well prepared we met with the unexpected and all felt a bit daunted by our first efforts. Today was much more satisfactory - we felt we had reached the children and that they enjoyed the opportunity to work with us. The age range is 2 to 17 which challenged us all.
Yesterday, Mary Hills and Sandy walked from our home to the center in the city. It was early morning with the streets very quiet and the Zocalo wet in the shade of the giant laurel trees. We found coffee and strolled the streets in the morning cool - a delightful start. After the orphanage where we sang ¨Head, shoulders, knees and toes¨, created scrapbooks, taught English basics and yoga, we made our way back to the same Zocalo to watch all generations dancing the regal ¨danzon¨ to a band with three marimbas - an inspiring spectacle. We closed the night with pozole. a traditional soup with hominy, chicken and vegetables.
This morning saw us on top of one of the highest points in the valley of Oaxaca looking down from the ruins of Monte Alban. It was a beautiful morning with cloud cover that protected us as the young ones jogged up the pyramids and listened to the history of this remarkable site. Going up was far easier than coming down for most. The whole site was softened by the green that comes with the early rain in this season. After all the anticipation the site did not disappoint.