Thomas A Riddle: 01Oaxaca is in the highlands of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains in southern Mexico. For tourists, and many of them are Mexican, the main attraction here is the historical center, which is below the white structure on the left.
Thomas A Riddle: 02 Surrounding the center of Oaxaca, in one direction are the homes of recent immigrants-- mostly indigenous people from the surrounding area.
Thomas A Riddle: 03 In other areas outside of the center you'll find wealthy neighborhoods and outposts of North American businesses.
Thomas A Riddle: 04 Oaxaca's Camino Real Hotel was constructed inside a former monastery. There are also all kinds of hostels and backpacker-type accommodations here.
Thomas A Riddle: 05 This child begged while her father played the violin.
Thomas A Riddle: 06 A Native American child under let me take her picture after I bought one of the packets of chewing gum that she was selling.
Thomas A Riddle: 07 It takes 40 minutes or so to walk across the historical section of town. In the early morning the streets are often deserted.
Thomas A Riddle: 08 A few years ago the city managed to bury the electricity lines in the center of town. Businesses, even Burger King, have to conform to the existing architecture.
Thomas A Riddle: 09 The Santo Domingo Church as seen from the second floor of "The Italian coffee shop." The city is full of lovely restaurants, coffee shops with Internet access, parks, museums, hotels, and all kinds of other services for tourists. There is a yoga cente
Thomas A Riddle: 10 The Cathedral, Catedral, in the center of town.
Thomas A Riddle: 11 Inside the Cathedral.
Thomas A Riddle: 12 The Bishop is performing a ceremony at a standing-room-only Sunday morning service.
Thomas A Riddle: 13 The center of most Mexcan cities is the Zocalo, a park surrounded by government buildings.
Thomas A Riddle: 14 For a small fee, vendor in the foreground, let me photograph her wares.
Thomas A Riddle: 15 An eclipse.
Thomas A Riddle: 16 The Aztec calendar.
Thomas A Riddle: 17 Traditional dancing never went out of style here.
Thomas A Riddle: 18 In one of the many parks.
Thomas A Riddle: 19 Getting ready to perform.
Thomas A Riddle: 20 When I asked the woman on the left if I could take her picture, she immediately struck this pose.
Thomas A Riddle: 21 More dancers.
Thomas A Riddle: 22 When I was there, after 80 years, the goverment changed. These gentlemen are making a comment about the previous governor.
Thomas A Riddle: 23 The artist photographs his work, which you saw in the previous picture.
Thomas A Riddle: 24 The day that the government changed this exhibition appeared in the center of town. The poster reads, "They didn't die, they were assassinated during the government of Uises Ruiz. Where is the justice?" Mr. Ruiz was the previous governor.
Thomas A Riddle: 25 A corn vendor.
Thomas A Riddle: 26 After she saw me taking the previous picture, this vendor asked me if she could commission a picture. I printed her picture at the local Office Depot and charged her two ears of corn for it.
Thomas A Riddle: 27 Mexico is for lovers. In the original picture there only four lovers. I've pasted in the other eight for your enjoyment.
Thomas A Riddle: 28 The night market at Oaxaca's "Zocolo" or town center.
Thomas A Riddle: 29 Music is a big part of the culture.
Thomas A Riddle: 30 Many people clearly believe in miracles.