Exploring Oaxaca

So we had a free day and I had planned to visit the ethnobotanical gardens. I went with Julie, the Australian who is fun and interesting but a fearless shopper! We just wandred in the direction if the fabric store visiting some of the stalls en route.

I bought a pretty blouse which thought subtle enough not to look like I had bought on holiday!
We found the fabric shop which the Embroiderers guild folks would die for.

And things were so cheap, a reel of thread around 30p.

After a coffee stop where we saw people in local costume we headed for  the botanical gardens. The guide had resigned so they had one English tour for some people and the rest if us were shown around for a shorter time. But it was fascinating to see the cacti, the walled garden and convent building.

We visited the Santa Domingo church, another example of a highly decorated interior.

We came out to see the beginning of a street parade which was a celeration I'd national languages day and also a protest about indigenous cultures.  There was some political protest with teachers later discovered and there had been a significant presence of the arm all day.

After lunch at the Irish pub we visited more artisan shops and galleries. And I bought a designer cardigan in local designs.

 We finished up in the plaza 2here the parade was culminating in a show of local dance and singing ehich was so interesting, we sat and watched for ages.

It had been a great day taking in the culture of the town and its active political attitude.

In the evening we