After having done a couple of tours in Oaxaca we decided to something on our own. We had wanted to visit Monte Alban and went to a tourist bus station and used the tourist bus system to get to Monte Alban.
Which took us to the large parking lot and main entrance to Monte Alban.
Monte Alban was an amazing site to visit. This UNESCO Heritage site has a history that goes back to 500BC. What is amazing is that this mountain was manually flattened. Yes, the top of Monte Alban was flattened and leveled by the Zapotec people over 2500 years ago!
It is estimated that Monte Alban had over 100,000 occupants at its peak. And then much like another wonderous site located on top of a mountain we visited; the city was abandoned.
There's so much to see here. Right as you enter the impressive North Platform and Sunken Patio grab your attention.
And you can see the South Platform and its pyramids in the distance.
There are many distinctive structures to see.
Along with several stela some of which were used as astronomical devices.
Near the South Platform is one of the more interesting and distinctive structures, a five-sided building that looks like an arrowhead. It is noted that based on the passageway, carvings, and orientation of the building that "Building J" was probably served a purpose as an "astronomical calendar".
And the views are quite dramatic as well.
One of the most popular and intriguing locations in Monte Alban is the Galeria de los Danzantes ("dancers"). There are stone carvings of "dancers".
While initially thought to be "dancers", later study and analysis have been inconclusive. It is theorized that the carvings are of the dead, possibly representing defeated enemies.
We went up the stairs of the South Platform, here's the view.
Yes, there's a lot to see here. So many structures, a ball court, more stela, all with "stories" and theories attached to them.
But as with most of these places, we hit our limit at around the 3 hour mark. We wanted to visit the museum, but it was still closed due to Covid policies at the time of our visit. We went ahead and had some coffee in the cafeteria, then headed to the parking lot where we got a ride back to Oaxava with one of the vans heading back into the city.
I think we'll return and do a private tour one day.
Back in Oaxaca, we were famished. The Missus had enjoyed Boulenc so much that we decided to return. The place wasn't very busy so we easily got a table.
The Missus got Her Aguacate y Cilantro. Sorry, no photo, as soon as the plate arrived at the table the Missus tucked right into it!
I was interested in something I'd seen on the menu during our earlier visit and decided to order it. Yep, it's what is called the "Banh Mi" ($121/MX – $6/US – with a fried egg). And while it did seem a bit expensive, this is what it looked like!
Of course less than five minutes after the sandwich arrived, this is what it looked like. That egg just vanished in the ether!
The bread was a crusty, yet light sourdough baguette, the roasted mushrooms earthy and delicious. The pate was made with cashew and mushroom and was really tasty. The pickled veggies were actually fermented and delicious.
This was very good!
We enjoyed Boulenc on this visit as well. And we'd return one more time before leaving Oaxaca.
Boulenc
Calle Porfirio Díaz 207
68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico
We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around the picturesque city.
Before heading back to the hotel to relax before dinner.
Which would be another wonderful experience!
Thanks for stopping by!