Oaxaca and Mitla (Oaxaca)

Member Name: donruk

Product:	Oaxaca
Date:	05/05/02 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong indian influence, Great atmosphere, Pre-colombian ruins

Disadvantages: Can't think of any

Oaxaca city is the capital of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is popular for it's strong indian culture, and it's markets. The Oaxacans are desendents of the Zapotec and Miztec indians, and there is said to be 16 other distinct indian groups living in the region. Many of the people of Oaxaca still carry out their indian customs. There are alot of indian handicrafts made in Oaxaca, and you can see women in their traditional dress selling crafts, and other goods everywhere in Oaxaca.
These indian women take advantage of the fact that the city is popular with tourists.
They make a great deal of their income as a result of the foreigners. I remember when I was eating lunch in a mercado(indoor market)
and this one indian woman was selling some hand-made beads. I said no to her at first, but when she came to my table five more times, thinking mabey I didn't notice that that was the same person, I was impressed with her persistance and decided to take her up on her offer. I laughed to myself when one of the indian merchents got angry and spit on the ground when the food stand owner told her to go away. I gatherd that these indian merchents were serious.

The city of Oaxaca is warm, and has a veary pleasent atmosphere. Like most Mexican cities or towns, Oaxaca's city center sports some lovely Spanish colonial architecture with it's old colonial churches as it's focus. Check out the many handicraft markets and mercados, you will find alot of good stuff like, street performers playing their regional music in exchange for a few pesos, indian women sitting on along the walls of the mercado selling handicrafts, beads, food, or even insects. You can also find some good sweets in Oaxaca.

Santa Maria De Tule

Six miles from Oaxaca is the tiny village
of Santa Maria De Tule. Santa Maria which sports a craft market and a lovely white church, is famous for it's gigantic 2,000-year-old
tree, which is 50 meters tall is believed to be the widest in North and South America. Santa Maria has a veary peaceful atmosphere, and is veary pleasent.

Mitla

Mitla is a small town, not far from Oaxaca, where you might see things such as, indian women walking with baskets balenced on there heads, and an old mysterious catholic shrine that looks like a church atop a hill, that is used by the faithfull.
In the center you will find a pretty old colonial church built by the same stones as the old Zapotec ruins right next to it. In the inside of the church, the interior is all decked out with flowers and candles at the altar, which looks great. The court yard
is interesting, with great architecture for the walls and gates.
There are many people selling indian crafts outside the church.
Mitla is most popular with tourists, because of it's Zapotec history, and ruins. You will find some interesting pre-colombian architecture here. The Zapotec people lived, and worshiped their gods on these sites.
The Zapotec structures sit right along-side colonial and village houses for an interesting combonation.
Mitla was one of my favorite towns that I visited in Oaxaca, and no person traveling to Oaxaca city should miss out on this town, for it's Zapotec history and it's great quiet,peacefull atmosphere.

Conclusion

Many travelers to Oaxaca loved it, and wanted to return. There is alot to see in Oaxaca state, from pre-colombian ruins to modern Oaxaca life. you will love the people and the atmosphere.

Summary: