Hiking Oaxaca: El Carrizal

The angle of the rising sun creates brilliant colors as village life unfolds below our cabañas. El Carrizal is the most pastoral and serene of any mountain village that we have explored so far. The town spreads out in a bowl – it WAS the view, in contrast to other villages that offer views of the vast valleys of Oaxaca.

click on any photo for a slide show and full captions

Café de Olla, coffee that has a hint of cinnamon and sugar, is brewing in this built-in pot. The coffee is served in bowls.

The wood fired cook top boasts the coffee pot, metal surface for bubbling pots of beans, and a ceramic comal for cooking fresh tortillas.

As morning light strikes the mountainside, villagers with their loaded burros are already trekking up the hill to an unknown destination.

Fueled by a delicious and hearty meal, hikers and birders are ready to hit the trail.

Sunrise over the Sierras

Delighted by the lovely, peaceful village, hikers began the descent to the valley far below

Maracuya, a fruit for making cold drinks and nieve (a kind of ice cream)

Corn drying on the roof

Cascadas spill over rocky ledges and force their way around boulders, forming streams that meander on down through the valleys, undoubtedly gathering into more cascadas along the way!

A short rest in the shade…

and then up to a mirador (lookout) at the top!

Everyone wondered what was growing in this impossibly green field!

A huge variety of plants grow in the Sierras – from this enormous maguey to a tiny cactus. Photographer Impett estimated the quiote (flower stalk) to be 40 feet tall!

 

Wild orchids and bromeliads nestle in tree branches

Don’t tread on me!

Taking advantage of the cold mountain streams, people in many villages have built small trucha (trout) farms and restaurants. This man is catching our dinner – talk about fresh!   Photo by Rick Impett.

Satisfied customer – this is a medium?

Mojo de ajo – trout served with lots of garlic.

Breeding ponds for the trucha. Photo by Rick Impett

Whether hiking, biking, or relaxing with a good book, the friendly people and beautiful vistas of El Carrizal make it a wonderful place to visit!

Photo by Silvia Impett

BUT BEWARE – YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING…

Photo by Rick Impett

 

 

 

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Removal of fish hooks from body parts of the fisherman, not the fish.

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