Oaxaca, Mexico! I have to

Oaxaca, Mexico!
I have to say we're happy to be out of the pollution and stress that is Mexico City. It's calmer, more easy-going here in Oaxaca, although the ruins at Teotihuacan, near Mexico City were splendid. Giant pyramids to the Sun and Moon, we hiked up them, sat down for a view of the ancient pre-hispanic city of Teotihuacan. That was yesterday.... Today, 500 Km's south-west, after a 6 hour night-time bus journey, we're sitting in an internet cafe, overlooking the cathedral of this charming colonial city....

With roots back to an old indian settlement, Oaxaca is an interesting mix of indian, spanish colonial and modern influence, but more importantly it's our first backpacking step on this trip. After acclimatizing in the calmness of my brothers house in one of the richer neighbouthoods og Mexico City, this is our first day 'alone' with the world at large.

We're here, together, free for the next 3 weeks to plan our own days, to drift around the mexican countryside, popping in to see a ruin here, a mountain pueblo there, a nature reserve, or a waterfall, enjoying the great (if slightly fuerte) mexican food, the beaches and the summer sun.....

Remind me why i don't do this every year? why it's been 3 years since i last donned the backpack and explored a place on my own terms?

Remind me also why living a modern life in Denmark for a few years completely leaves you to learn the basics of backpacking again? For the first day of real backpacking, I have to admit, I'm nervous, worried about how we will get on, distrustful of the locals (just to a slight degree) and generally a little too used to the comfort of security and knowledge... I'm sure it'll pass in the next few days, once i get used to the modus vivendi again....

in the meantime, i'll try and keep you all updated...

Tomorrow is ruin time again, when we seek out the Zapotec city at Monte Alban for a day trip, before we spend another night on a bus, this time the 9 hour trip to Pochutla, from where we will go directly to Puerto Angel, Coffee Port, and quiet beach resort on the pacific, after all, what would a vacation in Mexico be, without trying the waters of the Pacific as well as the Carribean :-)

Cheers and Hasta La Vista