June Oaxaca Trip - Where is the Beach?

[Photos: Mitla Temple, Oaxacan Cat, Santa Domingo Church, 2006 - Click on the image to view a larger version]

My wife and I came to this Southern Mexico city so she could take Spanish classes. We rented a modest cinder-block apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. We had to dodge potholes and cars just to get to downtown Oaxaca.

The downtown Zocalo was packed during our visit, not with tourists but demonstrating teachers. I had to carefully step around these protesters who were sleeping on the ground. To avoid decapitation, I had to duck under hundreds of guy wires supporting make-shift homes.

It was more tranquil a few short blocks away near Santa Domingo Church. The church sits in the middle of the colonial and trendy part of town. Here, there were plenty of great restaurants, galleries and shops. Because of the artistic Mixtec and Zapotec Indians, the streets were very colorful. Yes, I brought home a few of mementos; they ranged from ceramic vases to colorful painted wood sculptures.

The weather in Oaxaca was predictable. Most days the rain would wash the streets around 6 p.m. Definitely, bring an umbrella during the summer. The weather is too humid for a jacket.

Would I come back to Oaxaca? I'd rather not. I suggested to my wife that we opt for less culture and more beach next time. However, my requests are often ignored. You see, my wife is an art historian specializing in Latin America and she loves this stuff. Frankly, I'd rather go fishing.

I hope you like the photos. Click on them for a larger view. Go to my web site for more: http://www.jmmgarza.com.

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