Mitla and Monte Albán

Hi there, today some history class about two pre-Hispanic ruins which are both around Oaxaca: Mitla and Monte Albán....

In my next entry (hopefully sometime soon) I will then share some pictures about this weekend's trip to Tule and Hierve El Agua, so keep checking the blog for more updates!!

Monte Albán
The ancient Zapotec capital Monte Albán is on a hilltop, overlooking the valley of Oaxaca. The site was first occupied about 500 before Christ and at it's peak time about 25'000 people lived up there.
We went there early last Sunday and it was great being there with almost no other people around and enjoying the absolute silence and the fresh morning breeze. Only around lunch time more tourists and locals started coming as well; by the way, in Mexico all museums and historical sites/monuments are free on Sunday, therefore a lot of Mexicans like to visit these places as well and you can see whole family excursions and school trips.....

Mitla

On my first weekend in Oaxaca, Sarah (an American student living in the same host family) and myself did take the bus to Mitla, about one hour from Oaxaca. It was a very interesting ride with us being the only two gringos on the bus, sharing the space with local folks and some of their animals as well........ the trip did cost us about 2 CHF and you only pay the driver when you get off the bus, nothing like at home I'd say!

The ruins in Mitla are not really very big but have been a very important Zapotec religious center.

On the way back to Oaxaca we stopped in Tlacolula, where they have a very colourful market every Sunday. I will upload some images in my next entry.