Ha !!! We got to see the Botanical Gardens!!!

Well, it happened. Jose got us access to the designer of the Botanical Gardens, Luis Zarate, and the garden itself. (Luis was also designing the new zocalo, but back out because of bad politics.)

Saturday at 5:30pm, we met Jose and Luis at the garden. After walking us through, Luis told Jose to tell me it was okay to photograph, and I could use my tripod. As Jose put it "David, treat this garden as your own!" So I did. I shot 6 or 7 rolls in about 45 minutes. Storm clouds were coming and the sun was setting behind the mountain. The light was beautiful.

The gardens are beautiful and even more so when you have the time and access to view them. Huge tall cactus that reach 15 feet high and low fat ones that cover 5 feet of earth. Amazing!

Then Luis gave us his personal invites to an opening on Friday night at Galeria Quetzalli, for the mexican painter Francisco Toledo. Needless to say, we are going.


On Sunday we got up early and met the Santa Fe crew for a day long tour of the Oaxacan Valley.

Our first stop was the village of Tule, to see the Tule tree. The brochures say this is the largest and oldest living thing. The tree is over 2000 years old, still living, and measures 168 feet in diameter at the base. It is enormous.

The second stop was in a village called Tlacolula. They have a market on Sunday mornings that draw thousands to it. A little too much for me.

The last stop was the village of Mitla, where the ruins are. The village was visually stunning but the ruins left a bit to be desired. Especially after seeing Monte Alban. Also, the entire Oaxacan valley is filled with marguey plants. These plants are used to make Mezcal.

Today has been a day of errands and shopping. Tomorrow Amelia is taking a cooking class at what is probably the best restaurant in Oaxaca, El Naranjo. I will be out photographing.

So that is it for now. I am sure I am missing a few things. More later I am sure.

Adios.