Pounding The Streets

From the log kept by JM on the Feb/Mar 2010 Chiripa buying trip to Mexico.

March 4, 2010.  They are pounding the streets in downtown Oaxaca. This is not repaving of the usual sort. To preserve the historic character of the city, the streets are paved with big cobblestones. Workers pound with hammer and chisel to cut and fit each cobble by hand. The fitted cobbles are then set in concrete, in decorative patterns. The workers toil late into the night, and on weekends, in order to finish the street in time for the Mexican Independence Bicentennial Celebration.

We are also pounding the streets of Oaxaca, collecting and carrying boxes of handcrafted treasures from the Oaxaca Women's Cooperative, the Artisan Market and other places. We found an abundant selection of small items to catch your eye, add interest to your home, delight your friends and make you smile. Something for every budget!