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Information about Oaxaca, Mexico
 Oaxaca, the State Capital of Oaxaca, declared Humanity’s Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO, owes its fame to the beauty and harmony of its architecture, which still conserves its colonial touch and its tranquility, the richness of its cultural traditions, the wide variety of its typical foods and its soft temperate climate, spring-like throughout the year. Oaxaca is a world-class destination for tourists, featuring archaeological sites, museums and craft work of the highest quality. Oaxaca City is said to have a festival every week, as one of Mexico's folkloric art centers and with over 15 distinct language and cultural groups, the festivals are extremely unique and magical.
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Faces
of Mexico - Oaxaca
by
Bill and Dorothy Bell
 Just
sitting in the zócalo drinking a coffee is entertaining in Oaxaca City.
In the day or evening, the
ambience is superb. The main square is the centre of city life and always an
entertaining place to people watch. Oaxacans promenade around and around the
square.
Tourists and backpacker lug
their belongings hoping for good lodgings. Children run and play tag or
throw great long balloons into the air. A protest is...well ...protesting
something in front of the Governors Palace with participants sleeping beside
the grand bandstand in the middle of the zócalo.
Vendors sell all kinds of
candy, toys and snacks along the streets. Nick knacks and tourist items are
everywhere. Giant Indian Laurel trees provide shade during the day and a
cover at night. Bougainvilleas of all colors blossom throughout. Concrete
benches provide places for lovers to snuggle and old men to watch the next
generation of kids grow older.
On one side of the centre is
the State government building. To the North flanks the Cathedral of Oaxaca
built in 1535. It is the heart of the city and parades and celebrations all
begin or finish here.
We have been blessed to see
many celebrations here including the Radish Festival and Christmas parades.
They are taken very seriously and with tremendous enthusiasm. Another plaza
opens to the side with small stands and even more vendors.
Oaxaca is the capital of the
State of Oaxaca with approximately 250 inhabitants. Many tourists have now
become permanent residents and a large gringo community stays year round to
enjoy the spring-like weather and Mexican culture that this warm city
offers. It is a city rich in history and steeping with Mexican culture.
The
City was declared Humanity’s Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO; the architecture,
the varieties of foods; the interesting people with rich traditional roots
make this city a gem to visit.
The name was given by the
Aztec who built a fortress in 1486 on the summit after conquering the
Mixtecs and Zapotecs. Later the Spaniards built Villa de Antequera next to
the fortress and later on the original Aztec grounds built Villa de Oaxaca.
Designed by architect Alonso
Garcia Bravo (who also designed Mexico City and Veracruz), the plaza was
designed with cord. The main Cathedral was built over the Aztec's place for
their dead. The government buildings on the other side balance city affairs;
church and state; religion and politics.
There are many things to do
in this wondrous city. Many art galleries and other cathedrals are waiting
to be discovered. Take good walking shoes and explore all day. Taste a
variety of Mexican cuisines along the way. Visit the marketplace - one of
the best in Mexico. There are numerous day trips with different things to
do. Spend some time at one of the many ancient cities wonders, Mitla, Yagul,
Lambityeco of course Monte Albán - one of the best wonders of pre-Hispanic
Mexico. Visit the countryside or Santa María de Tule and its legendary
tree. Or then again, sit still and watch the ambience of a wondrous city as
you sip your coffee at the cafe.
(RV Camping is not first
rate. The Oaxaca trailer Park is run down and on the verge of it's last
days. An office tower has been built and the RV Park appears moments away
from being a concrete parking lot. The other RV park is hard to reach
because of the narrow and sometimes curvy streets. Vans and small campers
can access the park but it is often not open. Too bad.)
Information about Puerto Escondido, Mexico
 Puerto Escondido ideally located on the Emerald Coast of Oaxaca, just 324 km south of the city of Oaxaca and 110 km west of Huatulco, is a paradisiacal spot for both the solitary traveler and the adventurous family. Its jade green waters that have earned it the nickname of the Emerald Coast, together with its impressive waves, have attracted the notice of local and foreign visitors alike.
Click
here to read more on Puerto Escondido
Information about Huatulco, Mexico
 Huatulco means "the place where wood is adored" in the Mixteca language. It is situated a little less than 300 kilometers from Oaxaca, the capitol of the state of Oaxaca, where the foothills of the Sierra Madre meet the waves of Mexico's Pacific. Originally a small beach and fishing village, Huatulco was carved out of the coffee jungles of southern Mexico, Today, Huatulco invites its visitors to explore the secret coves and hidden lagoons within its nine bays that are conceived for tranquility, rest and relaxation...more
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