On to Mitla
Concluding our market excursion, we headed toward Mitla. Humans settled in Mitla sometime between AD 0 and 200. The Zapotecs called this area, “Place of the Dead”. Mitla was the religious capital of the Zapotec civilization until the 16th century. The modern town of San Pablo Villa de Mitla is built right on top of the ancient settlement. Some parts of the structures. can be seen in the town, existing right next to residences and shops.
We arrived in good time under a cloudy sky. Our guide bought out tickets and meanwhile we took pictures of the wall of blooming cacti.
Touring the Columns
There are five architectural compounds, the main center is called the Columns Group and that is where we went. There we saw open patios surrounded by structures adorned with Zapotec glyphs. Other structures can actually be seen scattered around the town alongside modern town structures.
Our guides were very knowledgeable about the ruins and it was an interesting tour. It was odd to see how integrated the ruins were within the town. There are still reconstruction projects ongoing and plans to rebuild parts of the walls as well as continued maintenance of platforms. We walked back through the artisan and food vendors and then to where the car was parked. They dropped us off at our hotel and reminded us that we would be leaving early at 7:30 am to see Hierve El Agua which was 70 km from Oaxaca City.
That evening we thought we would try a vegetarian restaurant which, of course, was on the 10 best restaurant list. We went by taxi because it looked like it was about to rain. In fact just as we arrived and sat down in the middle of the restaurant where there was no roof, it started to pour down. We got up and moved to the covered side.
We both ordered a drink called Tepache made with fermented pineapple with tamarind and passion fruit. It was the best part of the meal. I wish they knew how to make these in the states. I am going to try to find the recipe. It not only tastes good but is good for you!
I had a large tortilla (tlayuda) filled with mushrooms and veggies. I am not sure what Shawn ordered but it was presented nicely. I guess we were so hungry it didn’t matter what it was. We each had our own sorbet.
It rained the whole time we were eating, but it magically stopped as we walked back to the hotel. It was a very looong walk and we were both glad to call it a night.
Next Post – Hierve el Agua – natural mineral springs and cascade formations that resemble a waterfall
diannestraveladventures.me 
The temple designs looked very much like Egyptian patterns. Did Shawn like the ‘drink of the gods’ he had in the market place? Looks like you had quite a few desserts!
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The ruins look impressive! Maybe Shawn’s dish was some kind of mole?
Norbert
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Some of the designs on the building made me think of Greek designs. It is so nice of you to take these trips and share the experience with people like me who can’t go anyw9*+———————————— (that was the cat walking on the keyboard!) because we have neurotic cats! Now on to the most recent post.
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