Goodbye Leslie

Leslie left early this morning.  Yesterday she and I visited San Bartolo Coyotepec which is a pottery town.  The clay in this area produces a unique dark colored pottery known as Barro negro.  For 1000s of years, the pottery served utilitarian purpose, but the pieces became popular as collectables in the 1950s with the discovery of a new polishing technique. Once fired, Barro negro sports a dull gray color, but if the pottery is polished before placing it in the kiln, it comes out as shiny black. Barro negro is now known throughout the world and many use it now as a decorative pieces. 

And the price is right!

We had a heyday purchasing pottery and spent less than $20 total.  Arin and I had taken an expensive tour there earlier this year.  Leslie and I found a bus for 6 pesos.

Last night we had dinner at our friends Cameron and Jay's home.  Jay cooked delicious Indian food.  They have the nicest apartment we have seen in Oaxaca.  It looked much like home.  Most of the other homes here have barren walls and uncomfortable wooden furniture.

Arin and I have one week remaining in Oaxaca.  We are going to miss this place, but some of the things I will not miss are the crowds, the traffic, the sound of bus drivers yelling Cuarteles and Volcanes, each time one of those bus routes stops in front of my house, but especially not the constant barrage of bottle rockets released from churches during all hours of the day and night.