19 th March Puebla to Oaxaca

Today was to be a huge ride over the Sierra Madre mountains, about 7 hours. Our first stop however was a church on the top of a hill on top of a pyramid. This pyramid is reported to be the largest base in pyramids in the world. It was a steep but steady climb up to the church of the Virgin of Healing to find a beautiful interior and extraordinary 360 degree view of Puebla and Cholula the area around the church. While ascending we heard fireworks continually. This is a local tradition for Saints days that happens at each church. Puebla is said to have 365 churches , one for every day of the year. From atop we could see so many dotted across the city we think it might be true! Inside there was holy water for sale in little plastic bags which I suggested Anne and Peter buy to heal their various ails. Surprisingly they were sceptical.

Next stop a local food market where we purchased with our guides help snacks for the long drive. The vender was very happy for us to taste prior to purchase. We all bought some interesting treats.

From here we started the long , bumpy, exciting drive to Oaxaca.

What we learned:

That the Mexicans use every bit of space. Down the middle of the major road was a divided bike track and walking track on what we would be lawn. It was fenced off from the traffic and included trees and chairs and gardens yet to reach their full potential. The highway was not really very wide but very busy.

That they have built an aerial gondola system so people can get from one side of the neighbourhood to the other or cross the highway without using cars.

That road rules and lines are indicative. Drivers overtake when it is safe not when the lines indicate. Trucks and cars pull over to the far right or left depending on the direction and let cars overtake. Oncoming traffic just make room!

The highway is pretty good but also very bumpy and if I dozed I was in danger of getting a bruise across my nose from my sunglasses landing back on my face.

A community group were towing their local ikon of Our Lady of the? to another town behind a motorbike for her birthday and a significant number of the community were travelling in the back of a semitrailer with the door open.

The Sierra Madre mountain range we were crossing is rugged, dry and covered in cactus. Very inhospitable.

There are numerous toll booths along the way and some are centres for toilets and snacks but I didn’t see any petrol stations. The trucks just pull over and line the roads. Lots of Guardia civil and people in the back of open utes.

What was noticeable was a lack of road rage. People seem to be courteous even when honking horns.

Our eventual arrival in Oaxaca was a pleasure as we all headed for a swim in the pool to loosen up and refresh before heading into town for dinner band a brief orientation.