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This #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña showed us how the black clay pottery is made. So the clay begins as this brownish pile of quartz rich dirt in the foreground. Then it's molded and turned into pottery. It's then Sat out to dry. When it's dry, they take a quartz crystal and rub the sides so that it shines bright like a diamond. Then it's put in the kill and it develops that polished black look of that pot behind the guy. No polish or paints needed. <shameless plug> in case you didn't know, Oaxaca is known for its natural black clay. #AlgoNatural #TezHumildePower #travelporn (at Santa Rosa. Barro Negro Oaxaca.) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuC-JkJnUlEttvKPTLCRAeDMCkzGfD0BlcqCmg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zq4b3k13x6hw

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The cathedral wasn't enough for this pecador! I didn't singe when I walked in. I just got really hot and so did that British lesbian that was with us. I would have gladly traded my spare tire for the devil to take her. Alas... Anyway, look at the columns on the inside. Culiapan de Guerrero. Oaxaca. México #NotTodaySatan #TezHumildePower #travelporn #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Cuilapan De Guerrero, Oaxaca, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuC9oL4HlMdLH7_jKRCfKg7AlAgdXvvs9xk4fI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rksxb4p1sio5

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This is the cathedral and the seat of the local catholic diocese. Construction began in the 1500's but it never fully completed due to changing power. And then each new European that conquered the area took pieces from this cathedral back home. The Spanish intended to start a "monjas de clausura" movement here but that never took off because Mexican nuns are frisky. I don't remember what all the guide said because I was about to pass out from heat stroke. Yes, me! Over heated. Call the press. Culiapan de Guerrero. Oaxaca. Mexico (at Ex Convento de Cuilapan de Guerrero Oficial) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuC9KEHHNxW_gmNgqLzOPUEGj0PmFGI3Db9AxI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9vdd8sotrg53

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Today's adventure took us to Monte Alban which is a Zapotec pyramid site. Like all the others, they knew the changing of the seasons and had a calendar. They also played that soccer game of theirs too. No human sacrifices took place here. A jade mask was discovered here along with worshiping of the jaguar. The animal, not the car. The guide said this is the most important site in all of Oaxaca. I had to correct him because my birthplace is the most important. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Monte Alban. Oaxaca. México #travelporn #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuC8WwaHbiVd5fJuJf2grMEzFFM081vKxSoPd40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sz1eivb0ihac

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Ok. One more. This is the petrified waterfall that's growing at the active Hierve el Agua springs. I wonder if anyone has ever plummeted to their death? There were peeps crawling all over even though the signs warned against it. Before I forget, the water at Pammukale is blue, this water was green. Hierve el Agua. Oaxaca. México #travelporn #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña #StayingAlive (at Hierve el Agua) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAh6F4nP9w_cIp_tyPtt4XhtjsaqbPTHJCK_M0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8ktuy9d1ebiu

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These are the pools at the active site at Hierve el Agua. There are two very large pools to go swim in. I didn't get in the water or the entire country would ban me forever for destroying their historic site. Hmm hmm. Anyway, the fenced area in the distance is one of the springs where the water flows out. I didn't drink the water here. Can you imagine the kidney stones?! I did notice that the people's feet were in better condition here than in Pammukale. Hierve el Agua. Oaxaca. México #travelporn #Pecado #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Hierve el Agua) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAhS_IH14ZYcsw_acwuPZaTXTRhi42arbHWV00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mm1z40zcdo23

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These are the petrified waterfalls at Hierve El Agua. No more water runs over these because the channels have shifted to where I was standing. The calcium deposits have created the same effects as Pammukale, Turkey. I really tried walking over there but the heat was so intense. So I thought, "I've seen pammulale, I saw the water flowing here, I walked the calcium pools; just stop cuz mama 👵🏿 didn't raise a fool!" So I walked back. 76 flights climbed later... Hierve el Agua. Oaxaca. México #TezHumildePower #travelporn #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña #BrokeDownHo (at Hierve el Agua) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAgvH1n_VYkpEhWE818PKEqxRC8US-I6KP9wY0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11t2r9ximxg9k

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Driving into Mitla you see one of the four smaller pyramids that were destroyed by the Spanish in the 1500's in order for them to built a church atop it. It was another way for them to reinforce in the natives the new language, new religion, and new practice. Mitla. Oaxaca. México. #travelporn #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Zona Arqueologica Mitla) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAgDcaHVe9vMBDAT8bnLxpPBtgrBCiOeADk_w0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13b620iny6wp0

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Inside the Mitla pyramid. The walls in all the chambers are decorated with these patterns. I'm going to study them and will Crack the code. Mitla. Oaxaca. México #TezHumildePower #travelporn #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Zona Arqueologica Mitla) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAfpluHWMlGU265e2UIoxHUscZ_LsNK1PtCmA0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mukgn2yxen7x

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Mitla is a Unesco heritage site and an active archeological dig. Mitla was occupied concurrently with the Aztec nations but these were Zapotec Indians. This pyramid, yes pyramid, was built without brick and mortar. The walls were strong enough to withstand the earthquakes in the region. In 1982 the Germans thought it would be a good idea to reinforce the lower walls so they added that brown mess at the bottom. We were fortunate enough that the tombs were open so we crawled in there. Normally they are closed off to visitors. No one has deciphered what the representations on the walls mean. This is also the oldest site in the Americas to use geometrical symbols, even older than Machu Pichu. Mitla. Oaxaca. México #travelporn #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña #TrulyTezHumildePower (at Mitla) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAfUIrnashIaen1TYlhwIGoNoXPz2kcAVwLas0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5lniz08h64nh

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Well who knew that horses are used in the making of mezcal?! They are. This one is famous for biting people but he let me take his picture because he knew I met American Pharoah, the last horse to win the triple crown in 2015. He was just one degree of separation from horse royalty. Teotitlan del Valle. Oaxaca. México #travelporn #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Mezcal El Rey de Matatlán) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAeXwSnzhKoRsve2fpFTolWAWsaGWEa2qGZY00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=132fqwly46uz0

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Look at my sun kissed skin. People keep calling me "joven" and "muchacho." If they only knew that I'm more than 10 times their age. Anyway, this is the Árbol del Tule. It holds the Guinness book of world records for the widest trunk on earth. Not the largest (thats the Aspen) or the biggest (that's the Banyan); the widest. My waist is wider. But anyway, look at the peeps in the background, they're like ants raiding sugar. Oh, and Queen Elizabeth came here in 1980 and planted another one of these adjacent to it. Well, that's your history for today kids. Tule. Oaxaca. México. #travelporn #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at El Tule) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAdy0Qnb3N6B4IMEXZEoCxJUqBbC26f_qXiY80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=om3x3i47jaxh

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If you visit Oaxaca, you have to try the chapulines. A visit isn't complete. Avoiding them is #Pecado and #InfiernoFijo Oaxaca City. Oaxaca. México #travelporn #TezHumildePower #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Oaxaca, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_DlLJn8cL4otvuHVmw6mlvkaXSarB1HF-IAI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16bjp8dtbaor1

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Here's BaLOONattica selling balloons at the church square. The square and the many side markets is the pedestrian part of the city where everyone flocks to and where you can find many things to chomp on! Oaxaca City. Oaxaca. México #TezHumildePower #travelporn #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña (at Centro, Oaxaca) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_DTQ0nGRBkmFD0yjS13gO8ODEIA6M8_NZSFs0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cz9187r8l8tm

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More prehispánic art. This dates back to the 200's and it looks like they're preparing the clam chowder. Everyone get your spoon. Oaxaca City. Oaxaca. México #TezHumildePower #travelporn #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña #Dafuq (at Museo de Arte Prehispánico Rufino Tamayo Oaxaca) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_C04jHJnTFoAIMtNr6yDIxFiTgLpgZp1A2-U0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vnrsis9gcc9c

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These chihuahuas date back to the 700's. They're from Colima, México. You can tell they all wanted Taco Bell. Oaxaca City. Oaxaca. México #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña #travelporn #TezHumildePower (at Museo de Arte Prehispánico Rufino Tamayo Oaxaca) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_Cjh3H_fCNdwxSJ5dDgbhp9H6NaTCaNN-B-o0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f317sfduqof4

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Cute building in the city center. The city is almost 500 years old so it's seen its fair share of different styles. The comercial district has taller buildings but the old section has buildings no more than three stories. Almost all have a rooftop observation area. Oaxaca City. Oaxaca. México #ArtesaniaOaxaqueña #TezHumildePower #travelporn (at Oaxaca City) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_CR02HGMUhtybRdUEDKGhYaAylkaKhxbf3vI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1op3aum5zzsfx