In the Center of Oaxaca is Santo Domingo. I've seen some old churches in my day. When Conor and I went to France, we saw many, including Notre Dame. I've seen some in Ecuador, for example the Basilica in Quito (photos here and here, my children look so young!). However, I don't think I've seen a cathedral quite as splendid, adorned, and intricate as Santo Domingo. It took over 200 years to build it, and construction began in the 16th century. In the 90's it was restored. It's interior includes the use of more than 60,000 sheets of 23.5 karat gold leafing. It was mesmerizing. The ceilings and all the walls were so detailed and shiny! Even the smallest among us appreciated the magnitude of this cathedral. 

After we visited the Centro Cultural San Pablo (last week), we went next door to view the Textile Museum. I really, really love fabric. And I especially love the textiles of Latin America. I was wowed by them in Ecuador and I feel the same sense of awe here. I'm looking forward to going to a weaving place of some sort. I have a couple leads. I have a strong appreciation for the work that goes into the pieces that are made by hand. It's not uncommon to see someone embroidering while sitting in their little booth shop with other embroidered items for sale. So seeing this museum and seeing the indigo displays and the big weaving loom for children was really inspiring. A friend had said that maybe this museum would be boring for children, but I've instilled a love of fabric in textiles in my children and so they were thrilled to look at the different pieces. Holly has a very distinct idea of what she would like to buy while here. 

Almost every morning we buy fresh tortillas to eat with our scrambled eggs. We buy 3 pesos worth of tortillas. On the day I took these photos, we popped into the mercado to buy eggs and avocado too. This little market is only 2 short blocks from our department. It's very small in what it offers but it's kind of magical with it's uneven dirt floor and the colorful banners. I love being here in Mexico! 

I'm so glad Maeve is napping again! What a relief. But, you know those naps kind of cut into exploration time. She naps in the warmest hours of the day (that's good!) and while she naps, Holly and Greta do some school work (also great!), but you know, there's a whole Mexican city out there that isn't going to explore itself. Our schedule right now is school, come home, eat something lunch-like, except for Conor and I who wait because... then we can eat yummier food later. Maeve naps and when she wakes up (any minute now please!) we hit the town! Considering we walk a lot each day (probably about 2 hours a day, minimum) that leaves only so much time to sight see. But it's okay! Spanish school has been so great and I'm learning a lot. Perhaps we will do school again next week. 

Yesterday we went to a city museum. There was an exhibit for children with books and some toys. It was so fun! There was also a beautiful patio space and on the walk down we bought paletas (popsicles). A good chunk of the center is being restored and was therefore out of use. However it sure was a beautiful space! The architecture is inspiring and in the basement of the building, viewable from above are ruins of tombs that are 6,000 years old! I had to double check on the number to ensure I understood! 

I often feel like pinching myself because we are here in Mexico! Yes, absolutely it's a lot of work (and money) to be here and one of the reasons I homeschool my children is so that we can do these kinds of adventures. But honestly, this life I get to live, it's incredible! Never mind the fact we waited to take our laundry to be cleaned until the last moment and may have to reuse our undies tomorrow or that I have not figured out how on earth to cook here! There are so many other things that land in place for us, a fantastic Spanish school, someone trustworthy to care for Maeve while we are at school, and a wonderful welcoming church community, and this is just naming a few lovely things! One of my favorite things about traveling is the experiences I get to have with complete strangers. These experiences are so affirmative of how much good there is in the world! We met a very kind family at church, the wife is a gringa but has spent most of her life living abroad, the majority of it in Spanish-speaking countries. They have one son who is 6 months older than Greta and my girls get along so well with him! The other day, we went to his school to watch his tennis practice and to see what a school in Mexico is like (because you never know!). Then we went to the park to play and then he came to our house for an hour to play. I really, really love that my daughters have been able to mix with kids here! It's so incredible. And the third student in their Spanish group is an 8 year old girl from Alaska. Life is beautiful.

Here in these photos the girls and Santi are eating jicama and mangos dipped in flavored chili powder. The chili powder isn't spicy, but it is flavorful and surprisingly sour.