Xochimilco... in Oaxaca

Most travelers to Mexico have heard of the famous Floating Gardens of Xochimilco in Mexico City... in fact I wrote about them a couple months ago.  Today, however, I am talking about a completely different Xochimilco, the neighborhood in Oaxaca where our apartment is located.

Xochimilco  is located north of the historic center of the city.  At one time an aqueduct carrying water from springs in the mountains ran through the neighborhood on its way to the city. 

The elevated sidewalk from which I took this picture was built on top of the old aqueduct. 

A number of houses in the neighborhood are covered with interesting mural paintings.

Within a few blocks of our apartment there are a couple of workshops where artisans have been producing handicrafts for generations.  In one of them, the workshop of Don Chepe, the family produces hand-woven cotton bedspreads, tablecloths and other items.

Just a block away from our apartment is the church of Santo Tomás de Xochimilco.

 
On Fridays and Saturdays the churchyard is filled with a small but interesting market.  The Pochote Market specializes in local handicrafts and organic foods.

Jane bought some flowers for the apartment from this vendor.

Detail of the brilliant woolen fabrics from the nearby village of Teotitlán del Valle in one of the market stalls.

Jane enjoys a cup of organic Oaxacan coffee purchased from one of the stalls.