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**saralou** · #61 27 Oct 2012

After a delicious breakfast by chef Garry we set off for downtown by bus and Metro. We arrived in the Zocolo to find a huge book fair and writers expo. The Cathedral was crowded with a special celebration with live music and singing. The National Palace houses the spectacular murals of Diego Rivera and several permanent and temporary art exhibits. After everyone has told us we would be ripped off, robbed, and possibly killed for sure in Mexico we are happy to report, that except for their driving we have felt totally safe here. Waiting in line at the bank machine we found an elderly man had left his card by accident. Sara chased him down to return it. When we left we found Javier had come all the way back to the bank and insisted on giving her a gift.

**saralou** · #62 27 Oct 2012

Walking down Reforma to the Plaza of the republic, there were several interesting churches including the Cathedral of San Francisco Grande where there were massive paintings on canvas. We wandered around the Zona Rosa and again made it easily home if a bit late. Luckily not to late for super taco!

On Saturday after Ivonne's amazing chilaquiles we set out for the Museum of Anthropology, which is a must see if you visit the city.

**saralou** · #63 27 Oct 2012

The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) is an ancient Mesoamerican ceremony that consists of a dance and the climbing of a 30 meter pole from which four of the five participants then launch themselves tied with ropes to “fly” to the ground. The fifth remains on top of the pole, dancing and playing a flute and drum.

The Mexico City Alebrije Parade is an annual event to honor Mexican handcrafts and folk art, especially a hard kind of papier-mâché called “cartonería” and the creation of fantastic figures with it called “alebrijes.” They are chimera-like creatures painted in bright colors. They are up to four meters in height and three meters in width. The parade begins at the Zocolo or historic center of Mexico City and travels down the Paseo de la Reforma to the Angel de la Independencia. There were musicians, clowns, and people with costumes and on stilts accompanying the parade of giant creatures.

**saralou** · #64 27 Oct 2012

Garry and Ivonne took us to the historic area of Coyacan to experience the festive weekend atmosphere and taste some of the delicious street foods. Sunday we had the deluxe tour of the pyramids at Teotihuacan by Garry, including amazing lamb soup and tacos on the way. He took us to all the places the Gringos never experience, including the shaved ice man. We met up again with our BMW friends for an evening bike tour of the city and dinner with a lovely view of the Zocolo.

**saralou** · #65 27 Oct 2012

Pyramids at Teotihuacan.

**saralou** · #66 27 Oct 2012

We met up again with our BMW friends for an evening bike tour of the city and dinner with a lovely view of the Zocolo.

Well we thought we were off to Oaxaca. Unfortunately Daniel's bike died, but luckily only 2 blocks from Garry’s and not 20 km away at Yamaha where he went to buy oil. They diagnosed the issue as the alternator, which we can get rewound here for about 500 Pesos. Again we were so fortunate that we had friends coming from Seattle to bring us the parts we needed.

We visited the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadeloupe. The ancient church is so lopsided you can feel it when you walk inside and from the picture you can see how much it is leaning over.

**saralou** · #67 29 Oct 2012

Daniel spent his birthday installing the new stator. We were very happy when the bike was finally working again. Now off to Oaxaca.

**saralou** · #68 6 Nov 2012

We finally made it to “Southern Command” just north of Oaxaca city and we were grateful for the chicken Mole dinner with a Birthday cake made by our friend Deb (last seen in Moab). We had a week to spend with friend here for the Dias de Muertos. Iwona whipped us up some Delicious Pan Francais with crème fresh.

**saralou** · #69 6 Nov 2012

The gang headed into the city and stopped at the Mirador to overlook Oaxaca and view Monte Alban. We toured the Church of Santa Domingo, which has one of the most ornate interiors. Located next door in the ex-convent is the museum of Culture that houses many of the relics from the ruins at Monte Alban.

**saralou** · #70 6 Nov 2012

We wandered thru the downtown center and the Zocolo. There where several marching bands following groups of children in costumes.

**saralou** · #71 6 Nov 2012

We explored the Zocolo and the Juarez Mercado. Later at the church there was a very festive atmosphere with food, music, and dancing. The local young people had a street dance and offered us Tequila and Squirt!

**saralou** · #72 6 Nov 2012

Riding up to the parking lot at Monte Alban we met our first over-landers, Ulrich and Michael from Germany. This is an impressive site perched atop the mountain.

**saralou** · #73 6 Nov 2012

A few more pictures.

**saralou** · #74 6 Nov 2012

We explored some of the local Villages. In Zaachila the market was full of very decorated breads, flowers, and candles. Next we rode to Cuilapan to visit the never finished convent. Late in the day we made it to Arrazola where they were having a big party in the square. We made friend with some of the kids. There was a family dressed in amazing zombie costumes.

**saralou** · #75 6 Nov 2012

We ventured farther from town to Ocotlan de Morales where there is a lovely church and a museum in the ex monastery next door. Next we headed to San Martín Tilcajete where they craft the colorful alebreje.