A belated post on our summer family vacation

 Wow... I am always amazed at how much we do, with so little time! Haha! We are crazy, but I love it. This is a vacation trip I have been wanting to go on for decades- it goes all the way back to my own HS graduation, and my family's trip that year to Mexico City and Oaxaca. While there, we realized we had arrived into town right after (or before? I think right after, because decorations were still up) the biggest cultural event of the year, the Guelaguetza. Even as late (or early) as we were, we got to see a LOT of the street culture and fun things happening all around, and that little taste of it made me dream of it for years after. I have been wanting to go to back to Oaxaca for the Guelaguetza ever since. 

My parents have been on a "we must travel while we still can" kick, and travel all the time, and invite us to join them. And this was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up on. I also think it was so great to revisit my own history, and tell my kids about it, and share my stories of my own travels with my family. So much joy and nostalgia.. 

Well, here come all the pictures... 

First we flew from our new home in KS to El Paso :) that was peaceful, as you can see...

Haha we came home to a great welcome- carne asada with abuelitos.

After a night at the local fare, we went back on a plane, this time to Oaxaca

And then the adventures commenced!

The first few days, we stayed at a small but beautiful resort at a beach off the coast of Oaxaca, and spent our days eating delicious room service or cafeteria food, chilling at the pool, and going to the beach. El says this was his favorite part. He enjoys the relaxing time a lot more than the touristy stuff. Haha.

Breakfast there was SO SO GOOD!!

That's our room on the first floor (below) and El's friend he made at the pool during the visit (above)

Seriously, top notch food every time. 

We also saw the bioluminescence in a local lake.

We also went on a boat ride to watch the whales, turtles, and even saw flying stingrays. I did not even know those existed. 

Más tiempo de relajación...

Then we drove to Oaxaca City, eating street food along the way, and arrived at our Airbnb. We stayed at a very traditional house that was extremely well located. We could walk to downtown if we wanted and we were close to an arty district- really cool place.

That same evening we did walk around and met a local family, who took us to our first calenda.

They were so friendly to us and explained stuff, showed us where to go and told us what to do... We kinda followed their advice for the next few days and it helped things go smoothly. They were also prepared for the rain, thankfully :')

After that, we made our first mini daytrip, to San Martin de Tilcajete, el pueblito que inspiró la película de Coco, y que es famoso por sus alebrijes y sus talleres de artesanos. También compramos artesanías de barro en un lugar que encontramos por el camino.

There are picures and videos on the fb post that I would like included, so..

I am realizing at this point that my posts on FB were actually really great! I will add those here instead of more pictures without videos. It was just so epic that videos are necessary. 

Monte Alban

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19meQRG6sq/

Mitla 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15C7cHN6A5/

Convites y excursiones en Cd. de Oaxaca 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15G1xkXjhS/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAUEVTZL3/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19TPnos685/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15J6BQYbSv/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15FD3w9nNn/

Las cascadas petrificadas

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GT9u6nCD6/

El museo

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Aa9qM786m/

No terminaría de explicar todo que vimos, y creo que si nos quedaremos un año, habría todavía más que ver. Tal es el valor cultural y la incredible cantidad de eventos y tradiciones del lugar. Por algo es mi lugar favorito en el mundo. Algún día llevaré a Quijote a verlo 🥲