Oaxaca Central City
December 24, 2009

Portico
Lunch
Weaver's loom
Weaver
Library

Today was a relaxing day and not as much sightseeing. First off was a trip downtown to see the home of Benito Juarez. He was considered similar to the Abraham Lincoln of Mexico. Although born a poor Indian he was eventually educated as a lawyer and eventually became president of Mexico. A firm believer in the rights of the individual and the separation of church and state he was often at odds with the powerful in Mexican society. He was exiled for part of his life because of his beliefs and even his government had to move from city to city because of their causes.
Next was a visit to the Museum of Graphic arts which was mostly a library of all of the books on art and graphic arts. Really not very interesting but the architecture of the building was great.
Then we visited the public library which was housed in an old casa and the courtyards were just really splendid. Off of the courtyards there were rooms which held the library and it would have been just a great place to read and enjoy yourself.
We stopped and peered into several churches along the way. It seems that almost every other block houses a giant church. The gold leaf and the exquisite murals and ceilings just awe you each time that you see another one. Still the most impressive so far was the Dominican Church.
Last stop was the Mercado of the Artisans where the weavers were. There we bought three rugs which all have natural dyes and we could not resist (I could not resist, Bev has great resistance). Then it was onto the Zocalo to have lunch before coming back to the RV park. I had eggs Oaxaca style which means with a white cheese and in a red tomato sauce and then bread and tortillas on the side. Bev had a fruit salad plate with pineapple, melon, watermelon, mango and banana. We ate in the portico again and watched the pedestrian traffic in the park.
I tried to start the generator again but I am afraid that it is a lost cause until we get back to the US and I can have someone look at it. It appears that it is the ignition switch or the ignition module that is the problem and for that they will not have the parts here. So no generator unfortunately while we are boon docking and that means no A/C, or microwave, or hair dryer. Ah well, hopefully we will be in campgrounds most of the time from here on in.
Tonight was a really great dinner at a local restaurant. They surely know how to cook beefsteak here and the filletes are just great. Strips of beef sort of barbequed, with a tortilla and cheese wrap covered in mole sauce on the side, and some sort of white sauce and cheese and vegetables and pasta, and then refried black beans. Ah, eating has been good here in Oaxaca.
We were going to take Hwy 175 to the coast from here but after hearing all of the stories about that road we will be going Hwy 135 to Pueblo and then another toll road to Acapulco and then along the coast to Kino Bay. So Sunday we will leave here and head North once again.
For tomorrow it is Christmas dinner with others in the park and call the kids at home to see how they are and just sit around.
Well that tells you all that we have to say for now so Merry Christmas Eve to you all.