I wanted to post one outing we made near Oaxaca on our last day at El Rancho RV park and I’ve been busy keeping up with our movements around southern Mexico so these pictures slipped through the net.
Duwan and Greg have been at El Rancho forever consequently they have a formidable font of knowledge about places to go and excursions to make. Their enforced stay has been caused by a broken transmission in their Ford Transit van and the shipping of the (correct) parts had kept them stationary for weeks. They are enduring the stay properly stoically by taking Spanish language courses and touring the countryside. Including with us.
We went last Saturday to the dreamers weavers shop where wooden carvings astound.
Buried in a tiny village a half hour out of Oaxaca:
We find world class art.
The Jimenez father and sons have been collectively carving for decades and getting recognition all over the world.
Local woods carved when green and painted in wild bright colors by Manuel Jimenez 1919-2005. He grew up in the village of Arrazola and after he traveled and learned and gained recognition he came home to the modest village where his sons continue his tradition. 
Rusty had his own feelings in the matter.
I don’t remember why the three of them were looking so serious. Perhaps it was wondering what to do about lunch.
We bought one small dog, Greg and Duwan went for items of clothing and Layne got earrings. The dog went above the microwave.
Lunch postponed we then stopped by a botanical garden best described by Layne in her Facebook post on the subject:
“Vives Verde - In 2010 a landscape architect decided to take a trash heap, clean it up and make a garden. It took him 8 years and he is constantly working on it. He using trash to recycle into sculptures. 95% of the plants do not need watering. It’s a magical place. He also brings clients there to get ideas for their gardens.”
Rusty assumed the position but spent the time aboard GANNET2 in air conditioning as it was a bright hot day.
The paths were made of dirt to allow rainwater to do almost all the watering these desert plants require. The stones have a hole drilled out and get a nail put through then to keep them in place as visitors walk over them.
Our guide explained the philosophy and showed us the plants, edible, poisonous and decorative and how they grow and reproduce.
Freshly planted cactus gets shaded by the black netting to give it a chance to put down roots and grow.
We stopped for lunch when we lucked upon an eatery.
The owner showed off a plate of chilaquiles to our vegetarian friends.
I had ribs.
It was a great day out and I was sorry not to document it so here it is, a few Sunday pictures to illustrate Mexico. Late but not forgotten.
