We made a trip to the U.S. in November. It had been three years since our last trip. We'd forgotten how different other Mexican states are. It was a shock to see how progressive some of the northern states are. Oaxaca is very traditional and industry is almost nonexistent especially on a large scale. Oaxaca relies on tourism. We found many cities comparable to cities in the US with an obvious amount of U.S. influence. The trip reconfirmed why we chose Oaxaca. Life is much slower here.

When we reached the border. we checked into nationalizing our truck. The cost was almost three thousand dollars. Apparently Mexico doesn't want older vehicles entering the country to stay. That drastically changed our plans. We had hoped to bring back lots of things from the flea market. The need here is so great it's difficult to make a trip to the States and not bring something back. We would have feelings of extreme selfishness. We did bring back four suitcases but it was a paltry amount. Mickey is going to sell our truck so we can buy a Mexican plated vehicle here.

Our major goal was to receive our Visas and we did accomplish that. When we returned to Oaxaca we applied for Temporary Residency. We have two more trips to make to Oaxaca, one to be fingerprinted and the last to pick up our residency cards. Having residency status will keep us from having to leave Mexico. We made the drive to the States in twenty one hours. Eleven hours the first day and ten the second. It has become very tiring. Our future trips will be by plane. I have to say that the drive has changed considerably. Most of the trip was comparable to driving in the States. The roads are maintained much better than in the past and there are many new freeways.

We visited with a few friends and were able to spend time with Mickey and Yadira. Within thirty miles of our home here in Oaxaca, there are two traffic lights. What a shock it was to drive in Brownsville. Wherever we went, there was traffic, lines of it with so many traffic lights. Of course we see traffic in Oaxaca de Juarez but those trips are becoming few and far between. I enjoy driving here locally. Most of the driving is in the country. We were stopped a few times on the trip north, mostly by the military. These young men were very polite.

After our trip I got the urge to make some photographs of the market in Tlacolula. I think being away made me appreciate it even more.

It's illegal to bring used clothes into Mexico except for personal use. I was told that the law protects folks like these who make their living selling used clothing.

Even though there are hundreds of mototaxis, Sundays still provide an opportunity for people with these bicycles to make some cash.

Oops, some Americans snuck into my photo. These ladies are selling handmade tortillas.

An addition to the market is being constructed so for now the park is being used.

Notice the difference between the clothing of the buyer and that of sellers. The women selling are from out lying villages.

Trees are painted with lime to keep the ants out of the trees. Everything stable is used to anchor tarps.

We seldom buy meat at the market. We are much more comfortable buying meat that's wrapped and stored in a refrigerator.

The police allowed me to take a photo showing the inside of the jail. In the past women and children lived inside with their incarcerated fathers and/or husbands.

We go to the market early so there aren't many people. By twelve o'clock it's difficult to move

We still haven't acquired a taste for these toasted grasshoppers.

There's not much control over pirated movies and music. Three movies are about three dollars.

We often buy from this young woman and her mom; nevertheless, the woman refused to be photographed. The mom enjoyed her daughter's embarrassment.

We buy a lot from this young man. Like many other vendors, he makes his living traveling around the valley selling on each villages' market day.

There are about eight cellphone stores on the main street alone. The last few months I noticed that many new stores were opening in Tlacolula. Then I read that more Mexicans are returning rather than traveling to the US. I would guess that most of the new stores are opened by those that have returned with their saved money from working in America.

Locally made furniture is for sale on Sundays.

We don't often buy pork rinds but these are fresh and tasty.

We consistently buy our watermelons from these folks. They are always sweet and firm. We also buy their oranges and pineapples.

This is the first stall as you enter the market. They sell pork prepared different ways. I'm not sure which is worse, the smell or looking into the open tubs of cooked product.

Many stands don't have running water, so water containers are used to wash your hands.

This family-ran hardware store has a little bit of everything. They have gone out of their way many times to procure what we were looking for.

We celebrated Beth's 65th birthday with just a few friends.

On our trips to the immigration office, we often stop at the Zocolo (town square). We found a restaurant that caters to Americans. I had the best omelette that I've had in Mexico. It's fun to eat and enjoy the bustling movement at the same time.

This waiter prepared Beth's dressing for a caesar salad at the table.

This is a great place to listen to street musicians. Peruvian music is very popular.

A maguey plant as a Christmas tree?