Oaxaca Family Adventure: San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas big

Yesterday was a day of transition having to pack up our apartment in Oaxaca and putter away on a late bus for Chiapas. Our bus ride went relatively well for a 11 hour overnight bus ride, but needless to say we arrived weary and dazed. Fortunately the crisp mountain air of San Cristobal de Las Casas energized us--that and being able to check into our hotel at 7:00 in the morning--very generous of them.

I now know why wistful eyes of those who have visited San Cristobal gleamed as they gushed about how we were going to enjoy it. It's an extremely quaint colonial town with beautiful architecture and a sensibility that reminds me of being in the Alps. Much smaller than Oaxaca, we zipped around town very easily on foot (especially on pedestrian only streets) getting a feel for the communities here--Mayans, ex-pat hippies, and revolutionaries. You know--the usual bunch.

We ate a delicious and spurring meal at a cafe managed by a Zapatista co-op.

We ate our main meal at a Lebanese restaurant of all things. The kids were happy to have a break from the regional cuisine, and it was fun to watch the world cup while eating hummus and sipping mint lemonade.

Did you know that Chiapas is third in the world behind the Baltic states and the Dominican Republic in amber reserves? We saw an amber collection at a museum where we had fun looking at the imprisoned insects with magnifying glasses.

Another resource found here is the superior weaving traditions. We visited a textile museum pulling open drawers and drawers of gorgeous examples of Mayan weaving. I'm digging it.

I definitely see the attraction of those who have chosen to leave behind their homes of origin for this small but not too small slice of heaven. It smells like a cabin in the woods and feels just as crisp. It's beautiful, peaceful, and making our transition away from Oaxaca easier.

PS The photos are out of order. I apologize again.