The river again.

Sierra Norte: Day 2

Felix Wong's avatar
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She was a person I was looking forward to visiting all day: the healing lady. But when she gave me a diagnosis of the “problems” I had that required healing, I had to ask Marie the Tierra Ventura guide for an English translation because what she told me in Spanish didn’t sound quite right.

“You have too much air,” Marie confirmed. “And you have a fright.”

Demasiado mucho aire?, I asked. How could this be when we were at an altitude (of about 6,800 feet) even higher than Fort Collins? Also, I was pretty sure I wasn’t in a state of shock from seeing, say, the ghost of Michael Jackson rising from the dead or other apparitions. However, this is what the healing lady determined after dusting me off with herbs, grazed my torso and legs with an egg that she subsequently cracked open into a glass, and sprayed my chest with a citronella solution. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about attracting mosquitoes later in the day. Then again, she should have added “confused” to the list of my problemas.

Still, the five-minute diagnosis was well-worth the 10-kilometer hike with Tierra Ventura through drizzle and over a pair of lush, verdant mountains starting in San Miguel Amatlán and Lachatao. There weren’t nearly as many medicinal plants to look at as yesterday, but the views were even better due to the nature of going up and down steep trails with a river down below.

When we arrived in our destination of Capulalpan de Méndez, our feet were as soggy as a kitchen sponge and I had plenty of room in my stomach for excellent homemade food including spaghetti and quesadillas made by a local señorita. Perhaps, then, it was my tummy that had most of my excessive air.

Sarah in front of the lodge we stayed at in San Miguel Amatl
Sarah in front of the lodge we stayed at in San Miguel Amatl
At breakfast in San Miguel Amatl
At breakfast in San Miguel Amatl
Donning ponchos, we were all set for the 10-kilometer hike from San Miguel Amatl
Donning ponchos, we were all set for the 10-kilometer hike from San Miguel Amatl
Sarah on the trail.
Sarah on the trail.
A huaje tree -- the tree that gave Oaxaca its name.
A huaje tree -- the tree that gave Oaxaca its name.
An old mine with gold and silver.
An old mine with gold and silver.
Inside the old mine.
Inside the old mine.
Mauricio -- our Spanish-speaking guide -- helped clear the path using a machete.
Mauricio -- our Spanish-speaking guide -- helped clear the path using a machete.
Kristin, Susan, and Sarah on a bridge at what I believe was the lowest point of our hike today.
Kristin, Susan, and Sarah on a bridge at what I believe was the lowest point of our hike today.
Mauricio and Sarah on a rock by a river.
Mauricio and Sarah on a rock by a river.
The river at what I believe was the lowest point of the hike today.
The river at what I believe was the lowest point of the hike today.
Mimosa is given to women (usually as a tea, I think) to enhance fertility.
Mimosa is given to women (usually as a tea, I think) to enhance fertility.
Mauricio and his machete.
Mauricio and his machete.
I'm not sure what is the name of this flower, but it was pretty.
I'm not sure what is the name of this flower, but it was pretty.
The river again.
The river again.
The top of the mountain in the distance is where we hiked from.
The top of the mountain in the distance is where we hiked from.
Orange beans -- unfortunately I forget their name.
Orange beans -- unfortunately I forget their name.
A scarecrow that kind of resembled a construction worker.
A scarecrow that kind of resembled a construction worker.
Mauricio on the final stretch into Capulalpan de M̩ndez.
Mauricio on the final stretch into Capulalpan de M̩ndez.
A house under construction by an American ex-patriot.
A house under construction by an American ex-patriot.
The town of Capulalpan de M̩ndez.
The town of Capulalpan de M̩ndez.
A lime green house in Capulalpan de M̩ndez.
A lime green house in Capulalpan de M̩ndez.