Oaxaca Ya Talkin About?

They're getting longer.
The bus trip to Oaxaca this time was 7 hrs. But that was nothing we reminded ourselves. We had a 15 hrs bus trip booked for 2 days time. This was training for the big one. It was decided that travel sickness tablets are necessary and upon arrival in Oaxaca this was our first purchase.

The trip was uneventful, although we were startled when the bus stopped at a toll booth and the driver came back through the passengers waving a 100 peso note in our faces. Did we have to pay to cross provincial borders? We were a little concerned before we realised that 100 peso is 7 aud and we could probably afford that. Our worries were unfounded. Another passenger offered change in exchange for the note and the driver nodded thanks and waddled back to the front. We wished we spoke Spanish.

Oaxaca, pronounced (Wa-ha-ca), turned out to be a wonderful vibrant place with bustling markets and squares full of squealing children and giant bunches of balloons. Touristy for sure, but Oaxaca has a charm about it that doesnt fail to leave you wanting more. We wish we had more time here but we settle for some wanders around town picking up fresh bread tomatoes and cheese to munch on. At night, bars appeared out of nowhere, when metal grates were pulled back from colourful facades and the light and music drew us in like moths to a flame. But this flame wasn't bad, just full of Mezcal and Margaritas. Mezcal was one of the specialties of the region. The 'mother' of tequilla, it was more full bodied and delicious (in our opinon) than its offspring, but no less potent.

Despite the obvious draws, we held ourselves back. We had a 15 hr bus ride to prepare for.

Oaxaca is definitely a place we want to explore another time. An old farming region with many sights that were a little too far for our 1 day visit. The vibrancy, fresh produce and friendly people made us glad we hadn't skipped it.

Now for the big one.

5.00pm bus departure from Oaxaca. We have a picnic of tomatoes, cheese and bread and a lot of water with us. Two movies in Spanish dub are enough to put us to sleep.
We awake and panic. Something is wrong, we are drenched in sweat and it is HOT. Very hot. We glance around at the other passengers. They seem fine, there is no fire, no lava, no disaster.
In choosing our seats for the bus we had limited options, but we chose the back seats, for privacy. They are next to the toilet, which might be a little annoying, but, we think, worth it. I can see you clever people shaking your heads. 'Never choose the back seats Jamian, you silly Aussies'. Because as you guys know, and we momentarily forgot, the back seats sit above the engine. And the engine gets hot on a 15 hour bus ride. Lucky we were up the back for privacy, because by the end of the trip we didn't have many of our clothes left on.

10.00pm the lights turn on. We have arrived at Salina Cruz.

3.42am the lights turn on. Coatzacoatos.

6.30am. Villerhermosa.

9.00am Palenque! Our final destination. We had made it and we felt like champions. We treated ourselves to an omelette and a huge coffee.