Day 17
My day began bright and early thanks to my 19 month old who decided that sleeping in was not part of the plan for the day. So, where to go at 8 am in Oaxaca city? Monte Alban! A short 6-mile drive from the city center is one of the earliest cities of Mesoamerica. It used to be a Zapotec hub from approximately 500 BC to 500 AD when it was abandoned. The name Monte Alban is hypothesized to be related to the Zapotec word 'Danibaan' (sacred city), but it is hard to confirm since there are no written sources from that time. Not to compare archaeological sites, but this one was a bit more extensive then the one in Cholula. To be fair, I had no opportunity to have a claustrophic attack walking through any of these pyramids. Instead, Dante and I had to settle for climbing atop several structures and seeing breathtaking views of Oaxaca's city and countryside.
Later in the day, I hiked up the hill from my hotel to Oaxaca's impressive open-air auditorium for the Guelaguetza festival performance. There were 15 groups representing different regions of Oaxaca with theatrical acts and dances performed in vibrant costumes. After each performance, the performers would throw small gifts to the crowd of specialties from their region: woven baskets, sweets, jewelry, flowers, and even tiny jugs of mezcal. People went crazy for these gifts. One of the best parts of the show was when one group asked everyone to be quiet so that their instruments could be heard. Unable to shout their approval and appreciating a familiar song, the crowd waived the straw hats we had all received upon entering back and forth to the music. (Video upload to follow). Everyone was so joyful and proud. There were many instances of performers calling to their Oaxacan, Mexican and worldwide brothers and sisters to celebrate the Oaxacan cultural past. Speakers, singers, actors and dancers ranged in age, gender, aspect, and agility, but all were thrilled to be part of the show. This performance was an opportunity for Oaxacan people from all over the province to connect to their indigenous roots and celebrate their history and how it connects to their present. Furthermore, they were given the opportunity to perform for an enthusiastic crowd in a gorgeous space with an incredible view of Oaxaca as their backdrop. It was magical and I felt incredibly grateful to be there.