Traditional Aztec Dress

Oaxaca State

Our last destination in Mexico has proved to be one of the most interesting areas we have traveled. The rugged southern state of Oaxaca (wha-ha-ka) is separated by barriers of sparsely populated mountains that have allowed the people to pretty much retain their traditions.
Oaxaca has a large indigenous population, which is the reason behind the fine handcrafts that are everywhere. Fine linens, carvings, paintings and jewelry are just a few of the crafts found here.
Huatulco is Mexico’s newest travel resort area. It is nine bays that have fine white sand beaches and lots of coral to snorkel around. There are family businesses and the large all inclusive hotels.
The history here to the Central Valley where the Zapotec and the Mixtec cultures entangled until the Aztecs conquered them in the 15th and 16 centuries. Today the Mixtec’s and the Zapotecs still exist but in much smaller numbers. Unfortunately this state is one of the poorest in Mexicio and land ownership still remains a source of conflict today. Many Oaxacans leave their homes to work in the cities or the USA.
This week has kept us busy walking daily into the town of La Cruceita.
La Cruceita is the town where the people working in the tourist industry live. It contains the town square, church, many restaurants, inexpensive hotels, grocery stores, banks and the mercardo. We have spent much time sourcing out things. The restaurants are wonderful here.
The cuisine here changes considerably from the cuisine we have experienced in the rest of Mexico. In fact even some of the Mexican words are different here. Good Oaxacan cooking is spicy and delicious. There are 7 different traditional Moles(sauces) that are renowned. The best (in my opinion) is the Mole Negro. This sauce can be made with up to 72 ingredients in it. Some of the ingredients are chilies, bananas, pepper, cinnamon, but the main ingredient; chocolate.
This weekend there was a competition between hotels with foods from the Aztecs. We tried many different things including drinks made from cactus however we could not bring ourselves to try one of the common dishes; chapulines (grasshoppers). They come fried, often with chili powder, onion and garlic.
The salt process is still much maintained. You will find salted fish, pork, and beef. Many of the meals use the salted dishes.
One display showed how many centuries ago, people were on the menu. We asked if now a days they use touristas!
We celebrated Ken’s birthday by being shot. Antonio’s brother, Louis dropped by DHL; picked up the serum then proceeded to pick us up and drove us to the Resort doctor. Dr Andres Gonzalez Ayvar was wonderful enough to give us our Yellow Fever shots. A great way to celebrate a birthday. The only payment the Dr. wants is updates and pictures of our trip. We then graciously were driven around and shown the wonderful area. Louis gave us the history as we went. In the afternoon we went to the Best Western Hotel where the owners have so graciously allowed us to use their pool and internet during our stay here. We had lunch and the owners (3 brothers, Carlos, Ricardo, Hector) each came by to wish Ken a Happy Birthday. When were ready to leave when a Mexican City Harley Davidson motorcyclist broke out in his tenor voice and sung Happy Birthday. All in all it was quite fun. Later in the evening, Louis, his wife Sylvia and son Daniel came to the boat. Fellow Canadian Boaters baked a cake for Ken so we sang Happy Birthday then took Louis and wife for dinner at an authentic Oaxcan restaurant. Needless to say Ken had a lot of birthday. (Actually the next day he would get sung to again!)
The Marina is in the small town Chahue. Around us are the small towns of Santa Cruz, and La Crucecita.
Santa Cruz has the big cruise ships. One day the town’s population could be 1000 and the next day 5000. It is a typical tourist trap. However it has a very safe, nice swimming beach. Chahue has mainly small hotels, restaurants but beautiful parks.
The town of La Cruceita has everything else. We love the town.
Many of our evenings have been spent playing Mexican Train Dominoes with fellow cruisers, eating and having fun. We need to be back out on the water in order to get back in shape.
We missed our weather window to leave (we had to wait for our shots) so it looks like it may be Sat or Sun. We just know it will be when it is safe.