Climb Every Mountain

I am happy to say that this morning I awoke WITHOUT a headache or hangover. I did have a questionable stomach, and lackluster energy, but am quite proud of my avoidance of a hangover from hanging out with "the young kids" last night. After another delicious breakfast from Perla, Mike, Vanessa and I, met Jeremy and Christine at the school for a trip to Monte Alban, a significant archeological site here in Oaxaca, just about 20 minutes away. Getting going wasn't easy, but once we were there, it became obvious to me that it was well worth it.

We paid our 50 pesos ($5) to enter and chose an English speaking guide (for $25 for all 5 of us). Though none of us got his name, his English was somewhat comprehensible, and he was certainly knowledgeable about the site. So, as it is... Monte Alban was the site for 3 different civilizations, the Olmat, Zapotec, and Mixtec (spellings all questionable). It's huge, it's old and more than that, I can't really tell you because of my self-diagnosed Adult ADD which kicked in. Actually our guide told us many interesting things that I could share, but without being there, it wouldn't make any sense. If you're interested in ancient civilizations, google "Monte Alban". This time, differently from my visit to Chichenitza (sp?), I climbed the pyramid (see photo). The stairs weren't as narrow as last time and it wasn't as tall as in Cancun, but the stairs were tall, and it was a strain on the cardio-system and the knees. Still... I made it with our whole group and we celebrated at the top. It was VERY hot while were at Monte Alban, and despite an effort to cover with sunblock, I managed to get a lame "red neck" and probably added to my still unrelenting "farmer tan". It's humid today and I could take a few more showers, but it's such a production in my place, with the 5 streams of water spraying down, and water on the bathroom floor, etc... I probably won't do it again... just a wash down before we meet up with the others for dinner tonight.

Speaking of dinner, have I mentioned that Oaxacenos eat 4 meals a day??? Yes, it's trouble for me... and I am trying to make good choices but it's getting pretty hard because the food is soooo good here (have I mentioned that one or 10 times yet?). I just finished eating my favorite meal, a latte and the mushroom empanadas at Los Cuillos (where I am now), and Mike and Vanessa stopped by to iron out our plans for dinner at 7pm. Aye curumba!!!!

Tonight we are getting a new house mate... a woman named Susan, who is a teacher (join the club Susan, we're all teachers here). I suppose we'll be getting to know her better tomorrow. We are supposed to be hiking up a mountain nearby with our school's director, Enrique. He's bringing meat and charcoal (his words, not mine) so I guess we are BBQing at the top. I don't know about it, because it's supposed to be pretty steep, but CLEARLY I need to be hiking after all the eating here. It's just really HOT now, and you all know me... and how I (don't) tolerate heat.

I'm getting ready for Mom to come next Wednesday (miercoles). I've been holding off on shopping pretty much so that I can do most of my buying with her. Today at the ruins, I bought a beautiful Zapotec mask to hang on the wall, and of course there was all the rediculous mezcal that I bought last night (got to watch out for that "drunk shopping"). I'm not really keeping track of my spending because there are approximately 10 pesos in $1, so it doesn't seem like much to spend 50 pesos when you know it's only $5. It all adds up though. I'm off for a siesta before the next meal...
Adios!