Mexico Continued

Following the Monarch trip, I met up in Huatulco with the gang from Chiripa. This required an early flight from Morelia to Mexico City and a 6 hour layover before flying on to Huatulco. I believe I will no longer be reluctant to fly through Mexico City. That's a good thing.

The sun rises over one of the nine bays around Huatulco.

Huatulco is on the southern Pacific coast of Oaxaca and is a "new" development. We stayed at the Princess Mayev hotel with a poolside room. 

The pool was usually hopping with Mexican families and only a couple of pale Gringos.

We did tourist things like hanging out at a couple beaches (La Entrega was best) snorkeling and splashing in the ocean. I loved the ocean water. I could float! My dense body has always sunk like a rock in water. Here I felt like a feather floating on the ocean. And I loved looking at beautiful fish just under the surface.

We hired a driver for a day and we took in an eco-preserve (La Ventanilla) where we saw crocodiles, turtles, and birds while paddling to an island where there is a coconut plantation, animal restoration, a museum, and a small restaurant. Then we drove a short distance to a turtle museum and a cosmetic factory in Mazunte. Be sure to read the story about the owner of The Body Shop coming to Mazunte and helping to establish a business to replace the turtle harvesting that was outlawed.

Our favorite meal place in Huatulco was at Terra Cotta (The link goes to the hotel connected to the restaurant. Just click on the restaurant icon.). We had a great dinner and went back for a breakfast. Air conditioned and quiet. 

Overall, the weather was hot and humid and I felt like a tourist. I'll likely not return.

Jim takes in Oaxaca with our mini-plane in the background. 

We took a small plane from Huatulco to Oaxaca de Juarez flying low enough to see the winding mountainous road we could have been on. We checked into our old favorite hotel Las Golandrinas. Here the elevation is higher and the weather is cooler and less humid (all year long!).

The breakfast area outside our door at Las Golandrinas.

We spent time visiting with our former vendors catching up on news of the families. We were lucky to find all of the Chavez family in Oaxaca although not at the same time. Janet is about to pursue her doctorate in linguistics (I think) and Omar who recently graduated with an engineering degree may be trying his skills in Monterry. Brother Eric who was our very first Chavez connection is embarking on a new position with the Alfredo Harp Helu Foundation connecting artisans with commercial vendors. And Eric's wife Elsa who manages a natural textile dying operation is pregnant with their first child. Whew! So fun to see them all!

The Chavez family L to R: Federico, Dolores, Janet, and Omar at their weaving shop in Oaxaca.

Bulmaro Perez was at his home and workshop in Teotitlan del Valle.
He can charm anyone!

A bus ride out to Arrazola took us to the workshop of the people who made the many lizards we sold at Chiripa. Josefina and Oscar were both working. If was fun to see them and meet their daughter who is continuing the tradition.

Josefina Morales and Oscar Carrillo at their workshop in Arrazola, Oaxaca.

Shopping was on the list of things to do, but it's not the same when you're not buying inventory for a shop! We also visited our favorite museums: stamps and textiles.

We took a bus from Oaxaca to Puebla and met up with the Paredes family. They took us to the new Baroque Museum where we had a spectacular meal. We're hoping they will visit us in Madison next fall.

Miguel and Lilia on the left and Daniel on the right.

Our red-eye to Chicago was uneventful and we arrived home via bus before noon. It was cold and windy and grey reminding me of why I love Mexico.