Once the capital of the Zapotec civilisation, the ancient city of Monte Alban, stands some 1300 ft above the valley floor overlooking the town of Oaxaca. And a perfect defensive advantage, at its peak 17,000 inhabitants were resident.
The Plaza, was constructed flat by the levelling off of the Ridge Mountain surface, quite a feat, and measures some 45,000 sq. yds in the centre of the 2.5 sq. mile site. It was the focal point for celebration and ritual.
The descendants of the Zapotecs still live in the area, though this, their former capital was abandoned circa 850 CE.
Unlike Teotihuacan these structures were open to visitors, up we go apparently the views are amazing.
Just like to say, fuck me that was not easy. Steep slippery stone steps at quite an incline.
But yep the views were pretty damn good, over the site and also Oaxaca in the valley below
Now there was just them damn steps to negotiate, I always find going down more difficult than getting up. I did think about going down on my derriere like a kiddy, but I don't think I could stand the shame.
There is an area containing over 300 stone slabs known as "the dancers", there is myth and legend as to what they depict, although called the dancers a theory suggests that these are images of captives who have been slain. There is nothing to support this as in battle it is the victor who is imortalised. It remains a mystery.
Some say on this stone the figure displays exposed entrails, others (me included) go with a rather hairy and unkempt hedge of pubes.
Yeuch! pass the Veet.
There is at Monte Alban a nice little coffee shop, offset at the back of the museum. It was good to sit and rest my weary bones and enjoy liquid refreshment. Yes coffee, not beer on this occasion.
Flying and darting between the branches of the trees I eventually thought "Wow! humming birds", never seen one before. Out came the camera.
Now, the majority of my travelling companions were content going to the bog or also enjoying a coffee, savouring the moment, enjoying the peace and quiet, the serenity of a coffee on a mountain top, not poured out of a thermos flask.
BUT, a big but, a fucking big but, if you will....
.......Here am I concentrating, snapping away, when I was interrupted by one of the group, who I later found out was......
a twat,
a twitcher,
NO, a seriously annoying twat.
Trying to tell me all about humming birds , how many different types there were.... blah blah blah, and that he had his "Birds of Central America Book" in his rucksack, if I wanted to see it.
Fuck off!!!!.
That is why some people annoy me, and, I am just an unsociable git!
Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2).
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You weren't lying, those views were worth the climb! So much history and so many secrets held there for eternity, I felt humble and very small just seeing the photos. I could imagin how it felt to actually be there, to touch the stones and so it would seem, the sky. The hummingbirds were like dessert, a fitting end to the post....minus the seriously annoying twat, of course lol
cheers @tamaralovelace thanks for dropping in, the place was so silent close your eyes and soak up what it would have been like in Mayan times..... then yes..... no one enjoys an annoying twat!
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cheers @steemflow @indiaunited , it is great when I see my efforts curated by yourselves , I much appreciate the support
It seems like going back in time... !PGM
cheers @mdasein time travelling indeed, thanks for dropping in
lol, he said "annoying twat", ...yeah they can be really frustrating lol
lovely pictures by the way, even with the disturbance the bird images came out lovely, so wonderful.
cheers @victoradebiyiart thanks for dropping in, I am glad others know what an "annoying twat" is too. I am happy I am not the only one who gets pissed off!!
thanks for your appreciation of my snaps
I saw in your previous post that @livinguktaiwan was waiting for a selfie. And it arrived :D
Btw, beautiful places, both this and Teotihuacan!
🙌
LOL @mipiano Pauline is very persuasive!!! Alas I am no more an International man of mystery!!!
Hahah, everything you say is true :))
But hopefully, you will keep posting about mysterious and gorgeous places like this 😇
Well the trip was three weeks, so please stick with it, we may be in for the long haul!
🤓
I always admire magnificent structures, gigantic structures built by human power.
cheers @dewamke44 , yes I agree it is amazing what these so called ancient civilisations achieved
I really wonder how ancient people spent their lives without electronic products and business machines.
Sometimes I wish I lived in an age that was simpler slower without clutter.
I live this whenever I want, it's so beautiful all alone in the forest. Peaceful
cheers @dewamke44 thanks for dropping in, glad you enjoyed my little wander, thanks
Your welcome .
Leveling a mountain, it's insane what people accomplished way back in history without modern machinery.
that is something I can never get my head around ! They walk amongst us....
beautiful
cheers @gypsy-caravan
Beautiful photos. The buildings looks like Jerusalem buildings, more of stones.
cheers @iskawrites thanks for dropping in, your comments are appreciated, yes jerusalem is a fine place to visit I agree
We're on the roll this weekend first a name, now a selfie. Yeah!!!
When's our meetup?
LOL, you are very persuasive!
I was in Bodmin a couple of weeks ago visiting friends I saw your turn off on the M5! next time......
Hiya, @livinguktaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2064.
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Such amazing views.I am happy you got up there and did not become the theperson in the new legend about the man who went down the steps on his derriere.
I think you are right about the etchings on the slab of stone- why highlight what stands out the most I guess.
Great capture of the humming bierd. They are so tiny and fly away so quickly. It was not the right time to try to inform you about the book of birds.
cheers @momogrow , yes to everything you say lol, i would fear the embarrassment of going up and down on my bum!
lol 😂
If I could describe the olace innone word, I must say that this is so mesmerizing! How I wish my feet will lead here one day my friend. I so love the views and all and I am truly captivated. Have safe travels my friend and more to go!
thank you @pinkchic for dropping in, you are right it was a mesmerising place to visit, also so calm and quiet , it was easy to soak up the atmosphere and transport your mind back to days when the mayan lived here.
What a place!! The figures in the stones are amazing! I don’t know their history but I believe I agree with you!
cheers @belug , they have stood the test of time.
Looks and sounds like the place my niece with husband went, heard quite a bit about those steps, oh yes whopper going up, 'sized enormous blocks'.
History tied into the region stunning, considering it's been there for a long, long time when things were still built to last!
Great captures on the humming birds, wee tiny aren't they, don't need dialog when photographing I agree, let me enjoy my own space will you.
!BEER
spot on @joanstewart , silence sometimes is golden,
Need a massive cork spare...., use in emergency!
right! thanks for that
View or trade
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These are very beautiful pictures
cheers @awuahbenjamin thank you for your kind words
Hello grindle!
It's nice to let you know that your article won 🥈 place.
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