United States or United States Virgin Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It is built upon a slope, which is cut and built into a series of little terraced gardens; clusters or groups of houses stand on the terraces. The houses are rectangular, built of adobe brick and heavy thatch, with a thick comb of thatch riding the ridge. Unlike most Mixe churches, the church at Ocotopec is entire, and in good condition. It is built of stone.
Before we reached the village we were forced to dismount, on account of the slippery condition of the road, and entered town on foot. In our other journey Ocotopec made no impression on us. It is really one of the most picturesque and interesting of the Mixe towns.
We had tried to send the mozos forward with our baggage, but it was plain they would not move until we did. Finally, somewhat after nine, we started. It was still heavy and chilly; we found the road much better than we feared; at some points it was slippery, but not for long distances. Until we were on the final descent to Ocotopec we were sheltered from the cold wind.
They assured us that at Quezaltepec and Ixcuintepec it was surely raining heavily, and that the roads would be wet, slippery and impassable. Long before we went to bed, a gale was blowing and we felt doubts regarding further progress. In the morning it was still wet and chilly; all told of terrible roads and risks in proceeding; we delayed. Finally, we decided to press on at least to Ocotopec.
The Mixe villages are set upon the very crests, or upon little terraces a few hundred feet below the crest, or the summit of some spur that juts out from the great mountain mass, of a long and narrow ridge. The road from Juquila, by Ocotopec to Quezaltepec was beautiful and typical. The ascent, just before Quezaltepec, was magnificent.
Most of the sellers in the market are indians; they bring fruits and vegetables, dried fish from the Pacific, jícaras and strainers of gourds, beautifully painted and polished gourds from Ocotopec, honey, sugar both the crude brown and the refined yellow cakes and pottery. The indian pottery here sold is famous.
Word Of The Day