Again, because the ruins defy description I'll try my hand at the city ( Read more... )

The beauty of the state of Chiapas, as well as its poverty, is ever-present in this small Tzotzil Mayan village outside of San Cristobal de las Casas. As such, the village reluctantly opened themselves up to tourism, allowing guides to explain their way of life and thought to anyone that registers in the bigger city. Instead of paying, my friends ( Read more... )

I entered the city near Oaxaca, and asked directions to the site. Just around the corner from the church, where people were waving branches of leaves in response to chants. I’d heard of this, didn’t understand it, felt pictures would be insulting, and was being stared at. Gringo sense tingling- time to move on.( Read more... )

A tiny village just outside Oaxaca City that offers little except a significant archaeological site that was my Mexican first. ( Read more... )

I went on a trip to Oaxaca and Chiapas during Semana Santa, our two-week Spring Break before and during Easter. The Oaxacan markets, infamous even within Mexico, include the normal touristy essentials of food, booze, and T-shirts, as well as villages that specialize- including the textiles of Mitla and black ceramics of San Bartolo Coyotepec. These ( Read more... )

My friends at home asked me about drinking in Mexico, as did my parents, though I suspect each had different reasons. My parents’ friends, though, tended to avoid that particular question, so I tell other stories. I gained a bit of meaning from the first big round of drinking Before were more casual drinks, often enough only foreign students. But I ( Read more... )

Way later than they should be are posts about Mexico! At least this first one-- the rest will come tomorrow morning. I've been playing with them for awhile, and may think of others, but this is a good set of the ones best suitable for reading. Ask me about any others. Names have been reduced to pronouns to protect the guilty/innocent. Also to make ( Read more... )

Since arriving home from Mexico, about three weeks ago, I've been thinking aimlessly about grad school. ( Read more... )

This is onna those "I'ma tell ya this story ta tell ya another" type. Late Saturday/Sunday morning, someone broke into my Dad's car via the window and stole the satellite radio and CD...cases. Not terrible, as we have insurance for the window, the radio is like $30 bucks, and all the CDs were in a sleeve visor...attached above the passenger's seat ( Read more... )

Catemaco´s all that it´s cracked up to be, with witchcraft, tourism, and a hell of a view of a sweet lake from our balcony. Our site has mounds, a ball court, central plaza, and damn near every surface unit we "dig" has some obsidian and ceramic. Stormy season´s comin in, too, which is actually pretty sweet ( Read more... )