Driving across the state of Oaxaca, there were some interesting stops. The Arbol del Tule, a Montezuma cypress, or ahuehuete, has the largest trunk diameter in the world, and is over 130 feet tall. It’s on the grounds of a church at the town center of Santa María del Tule. The magnificent tree is two thousand years old—so many centuries to survive in that quiet town! The pretty white church in the square, Santa María de la Asunción, dates back to the eighteenth century.
The town of Teotitlan del Valle is known for its weaving and textile traditions. A group of artisans displayed their handcrafted wares, dyed in rainbow colors using natural flora, and demonstrated the process of preparing the materials and weaving.
A visit to a mezcal distillery. Mezcal is made from wild agave plants collected in different regions of the state of Oaxaca and from their own plantations The Santiago Mateo family has produced artisanal mezcals since 1980. Their traditions, culture, secrets, knowledge, and ideas of how to produce mezcal have been passed down for generations.
And lunch at Barbacoa Juanita, Juanita’s Barbecue, one of many barbecue booths in the market at Tlacolula de Matamoros. Juanita’s stall has been in the market for over 80 years, kept in the same family for four generations. Murals in the marketplace were eye-catching.
Mexico: Mexico City, Teotehuacán, Tlahuac, Puebla, Cholula, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Crossing Oaxaca, Sumidero Canyon, San Cristobal, Chamula, Agua Azul, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Uxmal, Chichen Itzá, Playa del Carmen
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Whoa. That is a seriously wide tree trunk. Impervious to hurricane force winds, I should think.
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I don’t know that they have those kinds of storms in central Mexico, but in its long life, the tree has certainly survived whatever may have come its way!
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That is one enormous tree, holy smokes! I love when you can watch people at work at their craft. Last summer we watched a rug weaver in Arizona and it was so intricate and required so much skill. It gives a new appreciation for the effort that goes into creating each item. Thanks for sharing.
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It’s also a special purchase if you buy something made by someone you’ve met and seen them work their craft.
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What a charming, colourful town. Did you try Mezcal? We did and I’m not that fond of it, but when in Rome 😊 Maggie
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Yes, I sipped some tasters. I’m not crazy about liquors, prefer wine. But some British men in our group bought a few bottles and were quite excited about it.
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That tree trunk!!!! I had to look at that picture for a good minute to take in quite how big it is – woah! I love it when talented crafts(wo/)men make things there and then; it means you really can buy local and fund local economy, not just big tour companies or hotel chains.
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Amazing, isn’t it?! It’s always a special find when you can meet the craftsperson and watch them make their goods.
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Wow, that tree is one of a kind, for sure!
A great tour🥰
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Thank you, Christie! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
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I love the overall theme of vibrant color. That is color literally and culturally.
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Those deep, bright colors are painted all across Mexico, and is very much a cultural characteristics\.
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This is a day I would have loved! I’m always moved by the thought of what such ancient trees have lived through. The weaving demonstration sounds great and the colours are so vibrant! The mezcal distillery and the lunch sound great too and of course I love those murals 😀
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Thanks, Sarah! You would have loved these visits. There was a lot of driving in between and for the next few days after. Mexico is a wide country. More interesting stops along the way to come.
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That tree, WoW! The history it has seen.
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It is staggering to think about it… So many early cultures have lived in that area.
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Gorgeous! I didn’t know about Oaxaca’s colorful yarn-dyeing industry; it reminds me of a similar experience I had in Peru, also with yarn dye and whatnot. Looks like a vibrant time exploring a bit of Oaxaca’s local culture!
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Thank you, Rebecca! I believe the natural dyes are done in so many countries, but the Mexican and South Americans use those vivid colors in their weavings and other creations.
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Looks like a scenic and interesting drive. It’s incredible to hear how old and just how big that tree is! The murals are beautiful.
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There were some interesting stops, but lots of driving… Mexico is a wide country! Thanks for your comment as always.
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Appreciate the scale figure alongside the tree. Massive! Also, I love the florescent color treatment given to the facade of the church. Only in Mexico. That same church would be nothing but white in the States.
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True. The people if Mexico celebrate everything in life, and beyond, with color.
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