Very early Sunday morning, March 16th, our tiny group of 5 took an 8 hour bus ride to a small town in Puebla, Mexico called Cuetzalan. As soon as we got there late Sunday night, you could definitely tell we were in a different state. Being there felt as if we had just traveled back in time to a town resembling something between that of Beauty and the Beast and a magical rain forest.
Monday, March 17th, our first full day in Cuetzalan, we spent the day exploring the town. The whole town was built in to the side of a mountain and our hotel happened to be closer to the top. Needless to say, we got our fair share of exercise for the week. The town was very lively today. There were many tourists out and about and markets with venders selling all sorts of things. There was a beautiful old church that stood right in the middle of "downtown" Cuetzalan surrounded by small shops, restaurants and cafes. At the end of the day we went back to our hotel, Taselotzin, to eat dinner and enjoy massages and a Temezcal (to study traditional alternative healing methods of course).
Tuesday was a long, educational, fun-filled day. We went to visit an organization called Casa de las Mujeres Indigenas (CAMI). This is a mostly women run organization that helps empower and help indigenous women in their community. The women who run the program told us about all the things they do, including helping women who are victims of domestic violence. Later that afternoon we went to visit a battered women's shelter. We helped the women and children with their herb garden and then sat down with a Curandera (healer) to discuss her work with the shelter and her all-natural, traditional healing methods.
Wednesday morning we woke up, had a fantastic breakfast (food here is amazing) and then hiked to Cascada de las Brisas, a beautiful waterfall located within the jungle surrounding the town. Later that afternoon we made a surprise visit to a local "natural healer" by the name of Pedro Martin Lara. We learned all about common mental and physical illnesses throughout the town and certain herbs and therapies he uses to treat them.
Thursday we went back to the women's shelter to play with the kids, observe the environment of the shelter and eat a lovely comida with everyone. Even though we were only there for a few hours, the experience was eye-opening. The women and children that were there seemed happy to be there. Everyone seemed to get along and the kids immediatly opened up to us, inviting us to play soccer or draw or just run around with them. It was a fun, heart-warming experience.
Friday morning we had to depart from this Pueblo Magico and make our way back "home" to Oaxaca. Overall it was a great time. It's always nice to get out of the city for a few days and explore other places but, at the same time we were happy to be returning to our friends, and families in familiar surroundings.
Enjoying our 'Last Breakfast' at Taselotzin.
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