Oaxaca is a city of approximately 400,000 people about 250 miles south of Mexico City. It is the capital city of the state of Oaxaca and is surrounded by mountains (altitude of the city is 5,000 feet/1,550 meters, with the mountain peaks at about 10,000 feet/3,100 meters).

Oaxaca's geography allows the city to maintain a consistently beautiful climate all year long. While we were there, the average high was about 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low was near 65 degrees.

We spent most of our time at school, in our home neighborhood of Colonia Reforma, and in the historic city center. Once we figured out how to dodge six lanes of traffic crossing one of the city's busiest roads (actually safer and quicker than crossing at the light), it took about 10 minutes to walk from our apartment to school and about 10-15 more to reach the various parts of the city center.

Many of the pictures in the first section simply show what we passed on our daily walks: the beautiful architecture, the diversity of flora, the sidewalks that actually tip and shift over massive tree roots. And, ah yes, Super Tortas Gigantes II. For 25 pesos (about two U.S. dollars), you can get a sandwich the likes of which will probably never be seen anywhere else.

Almost every evening after class during our first week in Oaxaca we walked to Santo Domingo to watch an outdoor dance festival. The dance pictured here is very traditional, and tells the story of the war between the indigenous population and the Spaniards.

The zocalo is a central part of many Mexican cities, and the one in Oaxaca is always full of people.