March 1-8, 2016:
On this trip to Mexico we started in Mexico City and took a bus to Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende, then returned via bus to Mexico City and flew to and visited Oaxaca, then visited the nearby towns of Teotitlán del Valle, Santa María del Tule, Mitla and Monte Albán, before returning to Oaxaca and heading home.
Our bus ride to Querétaro was eventful. It rained hard on the way, and the other side of the freeway was blocked due to a crash of a bus similar to ours…
Bus crash on the freeway
QUERÉTARO:
The town’s historic heart is characterized by charming andadores (pedestrian streets), gorgeous plazas and historic churches.
Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Merced
Jardin Del Arte
El Mesón de Chucho El Roto Mexican Restaurant
Anubis Statue, Ancient Eyptian God of the Dead
Fabrica de Chocolate
Jardin Zenea
Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “Of St. Claire”
Hotel Villa del Villar
A Statue of Otomí Indians outside the Holy Cross Church and Franciscan Convent
(aka Templo y Convento de la Santa Cruz)
Statue of Santiago Apostol with Santa Cruz Convent
Templo de San Agustin
Woman with Harp by Gogy Farias
Plaza de Armas
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE:
San Miguel de Allende, a colonial-era city in Mexico’s central highlands, is known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals.
Regional Bridge Tournament:
Playing Bridge at a Regional Tournament in San Miguel de Allende
Hotel Rosewood:
Hotel Rosewood
Authentic Mexican Bakery:
Two pastries, American coffee for $2.75!!!
Mexican Bakery
Walking Tour of San Miguel de Allende:
We did a self-guided walk of San Miguel de Allende.
Church of Our Lady of Health
Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri
Statue of Priest in front of Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri
San Agustín Chocolates & Churros
Aztec Dancers
Museum of Popular Mexican Toys
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
Balloon Vendor
Wedding Celebration:
We were fortunate to witness an elaborate wedding celebration in San Miguel de Allende…
Wedding Celebration
Aztec Dancers:
We also saw several Aztec Dancers…
Aztec Dancers
San Miguel de Allende Sunset:
Sunset in San Miguel de Allende
La Parada Restaurant:
Fantastic Peruvian Food!!!
La Parada Restaurant
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel:
This church was beautiful at night…
Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
OAXACA:
Easygoing and vibrant, Oaxaca offers the best of southern Mexican charm, pairing lively festivals and entertainment with fantastic cuisine and unique cultural attractions. Oaxaca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hotel Trebol:
Our accommodation in Oaxaca.
Hotel Trebol
Art de Oaxaca Galeria:
This gallery had a lot of unusual contemporary art…
Nancy Shopping in Oaxaca:
Those of you who know Nancy, know she collects Oaxaca figurines. She was in Heaven in Oaxaca!
Oaxaca Carved Figurines
Walking Tour of Oaxaca:
We did our own self-guided walking tour of Oaxaca.
Quinta Real Hotel
Colorful buildings
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Colorful Banners
Museo de Sitio Casa Juárez
More Banners and Colors
Iglesia Sangre De Cristo
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Spanish Colonial Courtyard
Mexican Tuk-Tuk
Band in the Park
Catedral Restaurante:
We tried the grilled octopus – very good!
Grilled Octopus
TEOTITLÁN DEL VALLE:
Handmade spinning, dying, and weaving demonstration.
Handmade Rugs
SANTA MARÍA DEL TULE:
This small town on the outskirts of Oaxaca has the widest tree in the world; over 14 meter diameter; 2,000 years old.
The Tree of Tule
MITLA:
One of Mexico’s best known ruins, Mitla (Nahuatl: Place of the Dead) was established as a sacred burial site probably by the Zapotecs, whose influence was predominant until about 900 AD. Between 900 and 1500 the Mixtecs moved down from northern Oaxaca and took possession of Mitla; it is the Mixtec influence that is most pronounced on the existing ruins.
Mitla Ruins
MONTE ALBÁN:
Inhabited over a period of 1,500 years by a succession of peoples – Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs – the terraces, dams, canals, pyramids and artificial mounds of Monte Albán were literally carved out of the mountain and are the symbols of a sacred topography.
Monte Albán Ruins
OAXACA:
We returned to Oaxaca and had one last delicious Mexican dinner before flying back home the next day…
Last Mexican Dinner in Oaxaca
Goodbye Oaxaca… (At Oaxaca Airport)