2 Weeks in Mexico -- Colorful Oaxaca 1

There are reasons that people most likely travel to Oaxaca while they travel in Mexico. I know and can see why people travel to this area and decide to stay. Lonely Planet puts this way " Indulge in the culture, color and culinary delights of colonial Oaxaca city" on its Highlights. That sounds appropriate!
I had 5-6 days planned for Oaxaca city and the nearby beaches and ended up staying at Oaxaca city for the entire remaining days.
I met my fellow traveler Arzanta at Oaxaca hostel. I felt lucky to travel with this lovely Spanish girl. Traveling with someone who speaks local language is also a huge bonus. Arzanta is a big fan of local markets. I'm a big fan of local life. Our interests can be easily infused. On my first day at Oaxaca, we visited two villages at Valle De Tlacolula (East of Oaxaca)- El Tule and Teotitlan del Valle. El Tule has a claimed largest tree in the world " El Arbol del Tule". The tree is over 1500 years old. From El Tule, we caught a bus to Teotitlan. Teotitlan is a famous weaving village lined up with shops and showrooms that sell locally famous blankets and rugs. Some showrooms are also workshops that demonstrate their natural dying techniques. Both Arzanta and I bought small rugs. That evening we witnessed the most colorful Fiesta at Teotitlan. Every year, this is one of the best weeks in Teotitlan del Valle as the fiesta of Preciosa Sangre de Nuesta Señor Jesucristo takes over the village. Thanks to Christopher Stowens, an enthusiastic American photographer we met at the Fiesta, we got some heads up about the Fiesta. We waited at the plaza of Templo de la Virgen de la Natividad till the parade of colorfully dressed young girls and men showed up. We then followed the parade and marched around the village. Chris has some very nice shots on this spectacular event. Here's his blogger link: http://oaxacanyear.blogspot.com/He puts a perfect description about the experience " Visually, it is full of richness, but it is the simultaneous joy and solemnity that makes it such a rare experience".