...the bus ride from hell...the Night of the Raddishes... and Feliz Navidad from Oaxaca!!

Christmas in Oaxaca!

We thought we were being really smart by going to Oaxaca from Zipolite by van instead of bus! We soon found out that two doses of Dramamine wasn't enough to ease the pain of being thrown hard lefts and rights (and stops) for over 5 hours. I found myself searching for a new religion at every turn when I could look down and see the severe mountain dropoff below. Luckily, we made it and had a quick beer to celebrate being alive! We hurried to Casa Colonial where we spent the past fantastic week...

 View Past Lobster Updates:
» PERU
» HONDURAS
» COSTA RICA
» GUATEMALA TO BELIZE
» LAGO DE ATITLAN, GUATEMALA
» PALENQUE TO GUATEMALA HOT SPRINGS
» CHRISTMAS IN OAXACA, MEXICO
» MEXICO: TAXCO AND BEACHES
» MEXICO CITY TO THE SILVER CAPITAL

Casa Colonial is a great Bed & Breakfast owned by Jane and Thorny Robison who are friends of the family. It truly is a rare gem in this artsy and cosmopolitan colonial town. Behind the great colorful door was a lush courtyard, squawking birds, and the best food in town! This mural was just one piece of the many artistic findings.

We set up home in the back house that had a huge veranda and shade from a couple of banana trees. We then added our own accent of the travelling inflatable pink flamingos. Every morning at 8, the breakfast bell would ring, and we would wander out with all the other guests and plan our daily adventures.

Jane and Thorny just celebrated their 19th anniversary!

Who knew there were "ten toes of Christmas"...? Donald, from Seattle, sported these 10 festive digits on Christmas Day. They strangely reminded me of my grandmothers feet...

If we could, we would eat Tacos al Pastor every day. It is pork cooked on an upright spit and usually seasoned with pineapple and served on a soft taco shell topped with cilantro and onions.

The Night of the Raddishes
(La Noche de los Rabonos) was held on December 23rd. It is quite an usual Festival where people carved raddishes and created scenes such as the nativity, (or simply a bunch of little raddish bicycles going uphill) and put them on display in the town Zocalo (or town center). These raddishes were HUGE, about as big as a turnip...And all I remember them for was the little carved flower decoration on my school lunch.

Monte Alban was the ancient Zapotec capital from about 200 BC to about 700 AD when it was abandoned. It is only a 25 minute drive from Oaxaca and has some spectacular views. This here is the observatory.

 

A bunch of us piled in a suburban and took a day trip to the Friday market at Ocotlan. On the way, we stopped by this fantastic chuch painted by Rodolfo Morales. We met a local family while there (below right) who invited us into their home and showed us how they cooked Tlayudas, which is a big crisp tortilla served with salsa and chili. Another specialty is the chapulines-or GRASSHOPPERS!! (below left) I tried one and it was actually tasty. They are served fried, with chili powder, onion, garlic, and a squeeze of lime and are a high source of protein.

Brian, myself, Thorny (with a bouquet of fresh basil), Jane, and Elle ( from Seattle) pose for our last group shot before the holiday ended.

Thanks so much for everything, Jane and Thorny! We had an awesome visit...

Back to the current BEARINGS page...please.