View From Casita Colibrí

Yesterday (May 3) was Día de la Santa Cruz and in Mexico it is the feast day of construction workers.  Crosses are erected on building sites and decorated.  The tradition has its origins with the guilds during the colonial era.

However, in Teotitlán del Valle, tradition calls for hiking up to the top of El Picacho.  A tall aqua colored wooden cross stands at the top of the peak.

There were two crosses, but apparently one was hit by lightning a week or two ago.  It lies in splintered pieces below where it stood.

Mountain and custom beckoned, and so we headed out to Teotitlán yesterday morning to climb the mountain.  The trek began and our eyes were on the prize as we passed by irrigated fields…

Along the steep and winding trail, there were signs…

in Zapoteco.

Bromeliads and other epiphytes clung to branches.

All along the way, the views were spectacular.

As we climbed, Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo grew smaller and smaller.

And, our destination grew closer and closer.

Almost two hours later (we stopped a lot!), we encountered the tethered burros that brought the tamales, aguas, and cervesas that awaited us at the top.

Besides sustenance, there were fireworks…

and expansive and even more spectacular views.

There were parents, teens, toddlers, abuelos…

and abuelas.

Muchisimas gracias to the people of Teotitlán del Valle, who never fail to warmly welcome us and, again, generously offered us food and drink.

They are very special people who live in a very special place.

FYI:  The trip down took less than an hour, I returned home exhausted, sore, sunburned (even though I’d slathered on sunscreen), and thoroughly exhilarated.