June 22, 2022
Today we arrived in Mexico City and stayed here for a week before we go to Oaxaca. From Mexico City to Oaxaca it is a 6-hour drive but I did not mind since I was excited to go. Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico renowned for its rich culture, history, and cuisine, and I was lucky enough to have this opportunity to spend my summer vacation immersing myself in all of it again. If you go to Oaxaca the first thing you would notice is that there are vibrant colors everywhere. From the brightly painted buildings to the intricate textiles sold in the markets, The city of Oaxaca is bursting with color and life. The colors are an integral part of the local culture, as they represent the diversity and vibrancy of the people who call Oaxaca home.
June 28, 2022
We finally got to Oaxaca and the first place we went to was “La Iglesia de la Soledad” which means the church of Solitude. When we come to Oaxaca we always stop here to thank god and la Virgen de Juquila for making our trip safe and after we thank them we go get Ice cream. The Ice cream here is one of a kind because many flavors are unheard of elsewhere, the ice cream is not creamy but has a coarser texture containing ice crystals. It tastes really good.
After all of that, we finally made our way to my grandparent's home which is a one-hour drive from the city of Oaxaca. When we arrived in the town I noticed that not a lot has changed. The town where my grandparents live is called Santa Anna Segache it is a small but beautiful town, it would be nice to live here someday.
June 30, 2022
Today my dad took me to a church museum in the city of Oaxaca here I learned that it was declared a historic monument in 1933 we had a tour guide tell us about the history of the church and how it was built. The church is decorated in Mexican Baroque style it shows the family tree of Santo Domingo de Guzman. There are also 104 medallions of Dominican martyrs, woodwork, and blacksmithing as well as paintings by saints, it was the main point of evangelization in Oaxaca.
There were also treasures that were found in pyramids that are located in a place called Monte Alban that is another historical place in Oaxaca. The treasures that they found were, knives made out of bones, earrings, and rings made out of gold, necklaces made out of animal teeth, and other rare Gems. Throughout its history, the temple of Santo Domingo has been the scene of several important events in the history of Mexico it was converted into a military warehouse. The church had a beautiful huge garden behind it, it surprised me because there usually aren’t a lot of gardens in Oaxaca. There are crops but sadly because of the heat, it is mostly dried up. when we lived in Mexico we never visited places like this but now I have this opportunity to visit places like this and do a project on it, it is really awesome I am grateful because this month I will be spending it learning more things about my culture.
July 2, 2022
Today was my first day of learning Zapoteco I learned how to introduce myself and introduce others, I learned the numbers from 1 to 10 how to say mom dad sister, and how to introduce them, at first I thought it was going to be easy because I thought it was going to have a little bit of Spanish in it but it is really different. I struggled with pronouncing things and a surprising thing is that there were two words that sounded like English words but obviously don’t have the same meaning. There is a lot to learn but unfortunately, I can’t learn everything in a month so I just have to practice what the teacher teaches me and have to work with what I have learned. After my class, I talked to my grandpa and got excited when my grandpa started speaking the language because that was my goal to get him to start speaking it. He did seem to struggle a little bit since he told me that hasn’t thought about the language or tried to speak it after 60 years. He taught me how to say a bad word (because he said it to my grandma) which was funny. He remembered how to count from 1 to 20 I’m excited that he is starting to remember. I did notice that when he started talking in Zapoteco the language was different from the one that my teacher taught me.
July 4, 2022
Today we practiced what I learned Saturday and this time I also learned how to count from 1 to 100 how to say good morning, good afternoon, and good night, and also colors. Pronouncing the words is still really hard but I am practicing. I told my teacher that my grandpa was helping me practice Zapoteco but the Zapoteco he was using was different than the one she was teaching me. She told me that there are many variants of Zapoteco and the one she was teaching was “Zapoteco del Valle” while my grandpa was speaking “Zapoteco de Ocotlan” Each variant comes from different places/towns in Oaxaca, and that is why there are so many.
While I was eating with my grandparents I asked my Granpa why he stopped speaking his Zapoteco. I knew that he was ashamed of it but I did not know the reason why so I was curious. He told me the reason he stopped speaking the Language was because not only was he discriminated but he also felt bad for his dad because his dad would try to speak Spanish. Apparently, the language was already starting to die in the town by that time, people would make fun of him, and he couldn’t defend himself. It was hard to understand him and a lot of people spoke Spanish in that town. And because of that My grandpa did not teach his kids and forbid my grandma from speaking it, saying that “ they won’t get a good education.”
Even tho he is ashamed of it he still liked how I am trying to learn it and I am seeing how it is helping him because he is trying to remember how to say some things, even my grandma started to remember This motivated me and got me more excited. I feel bad that my grandpa went through all that but I feel like it was still wrong for him to forbid my grandma from speaking it and not teaching his children. Zapoteco is a very beautiful language hopefully when I learn it well I can teach my children in the future.
July 6, 2022
Today my grandpa joined us for one of my lessons, he wanted to see how different the language was and tried to compare some words. It was fun and interesting how my grandpa was trying to figure out the words. I thought it was a good idea for me to learn both variants of Zapoteco. So we practiced what we had learned before but this time my grandpa also taught me his variant. Now I am learning my grandparents' variant and the one that my teacher is teaching me. We did find out that the majority of the words are similar but some you pronounce differently. My grandpa still is trying to remember, he can understand the language but can’t speak it very well. not only did I learn other words I learned a few things about the town here, I learned that people used to pray and thank everyone by kissing their hand every time an hour passed and the church bells rang and they would greet themselves using the language. My grandpa took me to church and showed me where he used to play behind the church he said that the game was Pelota Mixteca (Mixtec ball) the game is a little bit hard to explain.
July 9, 2022
There are a lot of places to visit here in Oaxaca. I can’t go to the city Alone to explore but there are a lot of nice places that are close to Santa Anna Segache. I heard of a place that is called “El pueblo de Los Alebrijes” which means the Town of Los Alebrijes, and I was curious to see how the town looked. So I took a taxi and went on my way.
If you don’t know what Alebrijes are they are bright-colored Mexican folk sculptures, they were originally made with paper mache but now they are wood carved. Alebrijes are said to be spirit animals, they are entities that can pass between the living and in the land of the dead. They are seen as guides between the living and the dead. Alebrijes take many forms, some are normal animals and some are a combination for example an Alebrije can be a creature with a dragon body, bat wings, wolf teeth, and dog eyes.
When I got to the town there was a huge colorful sign that said “Welcome to the town of Los Alebroijes” The first thing that caught my eye was how the houses were very bright and colorful, the street was full of Alebrijes. Each house had its own shop where they make their own Alebrije. A lot of tourists go to the town and buy Alebrijes and since Alebrijes are spirit animals they usually get the ones that best suit them.
if you don’t know what your Alebrije is the town will tell you what your spirit guide is, they first tell you your spirit animals and they combine the bodies creating the Alebrijes for example my Alebrije has an armadillo body with an eagle beak and wings. There are many different types of folk art from Mexico but Alebrijes come from the state of Oaxaca. At the end of the day, I ended up buying two Alebrijes, even though I did know what Alebrijes were I didn’t know there was a town that was full of them, and it was a very cool experience.
July 10, 2022
Today my teacher couldn’t come to the house because she was sick but I still had class with her online. We practiced what I had learned. I am starting to pronounce things better especially when I say the numbers. I learned the different parts of the body, from the valle variant and Ocotlan variant. These words were the hardest to say and write.
July 12, 2022
Today was an incredible day. I had the opportunity to explore Oaxaca more and I went to Teotitlan, that is where my mentor learned the art of weaving and natural dye. Since I went to visit Oaxac for the first time when I was little, I have always been fascinated by the intricate designs and vibrant colors of woven textiles, and I was excited to finally see the process firsthand.
My day began early since Teotitlan was far from where my grandparents lived and we did not want to catch traffic. We met Porfirio Gutierrez, he and his family do weaving and natural dyes, we started our journey by visiting a local market, where I was amazed by the variety of colorful threads and textiles on display. They explained to us that many of the textiles were made using traditional techniques passed down through generations of weavers.
After exploring the market, we made our way to a nearby workshop where I was able to see the weaving process up and close. I was expecting the weavers to use machines but I saw that the weavers were working on large looms, carefully threading the colorful threads into intricate patterns. I also learned that each pattern and color has its meaning, it was incredible to see how weavers were able to create such complex designs with such precision.
As we were watching the weaver's work, we were also told the history of weaving in Oaxaca and how it has been an important part of the region’s culture for centuries. We were also shown some of the traditional designs that are unique to the area, each one telling a story about the region’s history and traditions.
I did not get a chance to do some weaving in Teotitlan but I did try it with my mentor Mrs Annet before I came to Oaxaca I remember being a bit nervous at first, but Mrs Annet was patient and encouraging as she showed me the basics. It was a bit challenging, but also incredibly rewarding to see my own little piece of woven fabric come together.
At the end of the day, I had a newfound appreciation for the skill and creativity that goes into each piece of woven textile. I also ended up buying a belt and three shirts that were made in this place.
July 13, 2022
Today I learned how to say different animals, like I had mentioned before there was one English word that is in Zapoteco “shit” which means cat in Zapoteco. I also learned emotions, how to say “I am mad”, “ I am tired”, and “ I am surprised.” my teacher gave me the idea to start doing flashcards so that I can practice better, so I started to work on it by drawing pictures and writing how you say them in Zapoteco, Spanish, and English.
The cool thing about staying with my grandparents for a month is that I have been learning how to cook more Mexican cuisines like tinga and pollo enchilado, not only am I learning I am also helping my grandparents around the house.
July 15, 2022
Today I had the opportunity to visit Monte Alban, the ancient Zapotec city located in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. The trip was organized by a local tour company, and I was fortunate enough to have a knowledgeable guide who provided me with an in-depth history of the site.
As we approached the city, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the scale of the place. Monte Alban was built on a flattened mountaintop, and its sprawling complex of temples, palaces, and plazas, was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
Walking around the city, I was struck by the incredible engineering feats of the Zapotec people. The buildings were constructed with huge stone blocks, and the intricate carvings and murals on the walls were a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of these ancient people.
One of the highlights of the tour was climbing to the top of one of the pyramids, where I was rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. From this vantage point, I could see why the Zapotecs chose this location to build their city - it was truly a strategic and awe-inspiring spot.
Overall, my visit to Monte Alban was an unforgettable experience. It was amazing to learn about the history and culture of the zapotec people and to see firsthand the incredible architectural and engineering achievements of this ancient civilization. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to visit such a remarkable place, and I will always remember this day as one of the highlights of my travels.
July 18, 2022
Today I had the opportunity to learn more about the traditional dances and music of this beautiful region. I met with a friend of my grandpa who is a local musician named Juan and he was kind enough to explain the different types of music and dances that are unique to Oaxaca. We started with the zapateado, a fast-paced dance that involves intricate footwork and rhythmic tapping. Juan explained that this dance was originally performed by indigenous people as a way to communicate with each other across long distances.
Next, we watched a group of women perform the Jarabe Mixteco, a graceful dance that tells the story of courtship and love. The dancers were dressed in colorful traditional clothing and their movements were so fluid and graceful that they seemed to float across the stage.
As the day went on, I was amazed by the variety of dances and music that I saw. From the energetic danzon to the somber mourning songs, each performance was a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Oaxaca. I felt incredibly lucky to be able to witness this firsthand and to learn about the history and the meaning behind each dance and song.
At the end of the day, I said goodbye to Juan and the other musicians and dancers I had met. I left with another appreciation for the beauty and complexity of Oaxacan music and dance and a deep respect for the people who have worked so hard to keep these traditions alive. I know that this experience will stay with me for a long time.
July 20, 2022
While exploring the city of Oaxaca I noticed a lot of decorations and stands on the street, the people were getting ready for la Guelagetza. There was a performance that gave a taste of what this year’s Guelagetza was going to be like. There was also a school where children were practicing traditional dances to perform at the Guelagetza. This year marks the 90th anniversary of this celebration so this year’s Guelagetza is going to be awesome, and I am really looking forward to it.
July 21, 2022
Today I went to visit the Tree of Tule (Arbol del Tule.) The zapotec town of Santa Maria del Tule is located in a large valley near the main entrance of the town church. The church was full of tourists, a really cool thing that I noticed were signs that were in Zapoteco and were translated to Spanish, they were signs telling you where to go. The gigantic tree is more than 2,000 years. It shades almost the entire space in front of the church. Apparently, a very rich man in Oaxaca offered a lot of money to the Indians for the tree so that he can cut it down and use the wood for tables and other things, but thankfully the Indians rejected the offer so they kept the tree. The tree is still in good shape, the people of the town try to keep it well and do maintenance. After we visited the tree we went out for ice cream, it was a good way to end the day.
July 25, 2022
Today is the day of la Guelagetza, a popular cultural festival held here in Oaxaca. It is a celebration of Oaxacan culture and traditions. The festival is held over two days, and I was lucky enough to attend both days. The streets were filled with people dressed in colorful traditional costumes, and the air was filled with the sounds of music and dancing.
Throughout the day, there were various performances showcasing the different regions of Oaxaca. The dances were energetic and lively, and the colorful costumes were a feast for the eyes. The highlight of the festival was the parade of the delegations. Each delegation represented a different region of Oaxaca, and they marched through the streets, dancing and singing to the beat of the music.
July 27, 2022
I am back in Mexico City getting ready to go back home to the US. My trip felt a bit short but overall my trip to Oaxaca was an unforgettable experience that opened my eyes more to the rich and vibrant culture that I knew very little about before. I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned more about my culture and to have met so many kind and welcoming people along the way.