Tehuantepec- It rained Mangos all night

Tehuantepec, Oaxaca

April 12 - 13, 2009

Despite the brutal directions in our guide book we bumbled and fumbled our way to the Santa Maria campground just outside of Tehuantepec. Once we cleared the scary, garbage strewn, potholed  road we found ourselves in the most eerie, interesting and fragrant campsite yet.  This is an old sugarcane plantation and sometimes RV campground although there wasn't any sign of either while we were there.

There were many, many mango trees of all different varieties( we have since learned that there are over 100 varieties) and fallen mangos were everywhere! It was difficult to find a place to park where we were sure to not be hit by any during the night.

Before dinner we decided to walk through the banana and papaya plantation. We literally had to watch our step as the mangoes were falling all around us! We also came across several groups of Mexicans who were quite surprised to see us. Imagine how out of place we must have looked to them? I'm sure they were asking themselves, where the hell did they come from? 

Liz gathered freshly fallen mangos from the ground and all the while wondered out loud about all the waste.

The next morning as we set to leave I came across the sight of this farmer and his ox cart. I think it is just the most beautiful sight and sums up our tour through Mexico so well.

Our tour through the market of Tehuantepec was quick but eventful. We found a group of the traditionally dressed women we had read so much about. Turns out they were just returning from a fiesta ( no, this woman is NOT standing in a hole) Apparently women rule this town and during certain fiestas they stand on the roof tops and throw fruits and vegetables at the men standing below.

I had my supply of mangos just in case but we didn't come across such an event.

The market here was a bit insane as was the traffic. It's a relatively small town but the market area was unlike anything we have experienced so far, even in the big cities. Our boys have quickly learned how to negotiate the bevy of taxis, cars, oxen, fruit vendors, pedicabs, nursing mothers, fellow cyclists, mangy street dogs and collectivos.

The last photo was taken as an example of Mexican Security. We see glass embedded in the tops of courtyards everywhere.

-Liz