Monte Alban and Gualegetza
Oaxaca, Mexico |
Oaxaca, Mexico
May 25
I got up early today. It was very noisy outside that I had intermittent good sleep.
Monte Alban
I found Casa de Angel Hostel fairly easily. Met Jan, then we headed off to the autobus for Monte Alban. It is located at corner of Mina and Diaz Ordaz. We caught the first bus which left at 8.30AM, and returned 12 noon. Return ticket cost $40.
That left us nearly 3 hours to spend in Monte Alban. It is a vast complex of pyramids. The complex is located on top of a hill with a 360 degree view of the surrounding villages. Stunning vista.
The entrance is $57. The museum was the logical first stop. It is very small compared to the national anthropology museum.
Very few tourists around. There were moments where Jan and I had a place all to ourselves. It’s a very peaceful, the silence only punctuated by the cicadas. Reminds me of my grandparents’ place in Isabela, Philippines. With plenty of time, we sat under a tree drowning the harping of cicadas with our conversations.
It’s good to go in the morning while it’s still cool.
Jan and I parted ways after lunch at Nobiembre 20. He had to rush back to Mexico City. It was really nice meeting a fellow independent traveler.
Arrived at the apartment around 2:30PM and had a nap. Later in the afternoon, got together with Zoe and Gilbert, another couchsurfer visiting town. He’s French. They invited me to have mezcals which I politely declined – not only don’t I drink, mezcal is just sheer poison! One sip went straight to my head like wasabe!
Guelaguetza
I had to see it. The real thing happens in July every year. Zoe, my host, explained to me that the dancing is part of the contribution to the community. Each member of the community has to contribute hours, sort of like a ‘timebank’ – and this is one way of fulfilling one’s share. Of course, the performance I watched at Camino Real doesn’t count. But the dancing and costumes are authentic nonetheless, representing eight regions in Oaxaca.
The dinner buffet and performance cost $365. I realised later, you could just pay to watch the show. I did not ask how much that would have been because I would only feel bad. The dinner was atrociously disappointing. Given that I don’t eat meat, the only hot food I had was rice and black beans. At least the desert made up for it. The buffet from the tour to Hierve was way better, with more choices for only $150.
After the show at around 10:30, I went to La Candela, the recommended place for salsa dancing. I had jamaica tea at a corner cafe to pass the time. Live band started at 11:30PM. Agreed to meet with Gilbert and other ouchsurfers there, but when I went in, I couldn’t see any of them. I typically would have stayed and danced with anyone anyway, but didn’t feel like it. I didn’t want to stay too late and walk home alone. Luckily, the guy at the door refunded me the $50 when I said “cancellar, por favor”. Ah, my halting Spanish – enough to get me by sometimes!
It was drizzling as I walked back to the apartment, but happy to be back around midnight, safe and sound.
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