Mexico part 2

Our bus to Oaxaca was comfortable and relatively quick at 6 hours.  It gave us a good chance to really appreciate the urban sprawl of Mexico City as we snaked through favela after favela on our way through the mountains.  Everywhere you can build, someone has built.  Unlike Asia however, the structures seem solid (made of concrete not wood) and the ubiquitous satellite dishes are ever present.

Oaxaca was a beautiful city and my favourite place so far.  It is a good example of colonial architecture with a vibrant square where there seems to be regular parades, street entertainment and always lots and lots of music.

Unfortuately I was struck down with my first bought of dicky tummy (I think from soured cream on my enchilada) and spent the next day doing very little.  This was fine however as our guesthouse was in the hacienda style which meant I had a beautiful cool courtyard in which to read and catch up on my journal.

The next day we took a trip to see the widest tree in the world (yes really), some Mayan ruins, a local Zapotec village, a bubbling cold spring and a mezcal (type of tequila) distillery. 

That night we took a night bus to Puerto Escondido.  This is a low key Pacific coast resort with huge waves.  Swimming was interesting but fun, but it was mostly watching the surfers that provided entertainment.  The next most energetic thing to do was lying in a hammock with a cerveza.

We stayed there three days before catching another night bus to San Cristobal de la Casas.  This is the famous heartland of the Zapatista rebels and there is a local hero known as Subcommandante Marcos who holds the same position in the hearts of the local indiginous people as Che Guevara in the hearts of the Cubans.  There are dolls and t shirts everywhere.  The only difference is that Marcos is still in the mountains waiting for his time to strike again…  The fact that the locals are so fond of fireworks makes it constantly feel like the time might be now!

Tomorrow we head to the jungle ruins of Palenque for our last stop in Mexico.  We have decided we don´t have the time or inclinantion to fight the US tourists in the Yucatan Penninsular so we will cut through the top of Guatemala into Belize.  Thanks to everyone who gave us Mexico advice, particularly Sara and Cathryn!