Ruinas Número Dos y Cascadas Petrificadas - Día Quatro

On our next-to-last exploration day, we first traveled to Mitla and explored some Zapotec ruins. The story of these ruins, like many historic ruins of the past, is a sad and disturbing one. The Zapotecs had a prospering lifestyle and lived the way they wanted. The Spanish arrived and changed all that. The Spanish took control and forced the Zapotec people to build the Church of San Pablo on the top of one of the Zapotec temples, a large pre-Hispanic platform. Everything in the area was destroyed. Yes, the Spanish conquered the indigenous people and then forced them to build a religous shrine on top of their sacred structure. 

Once again we marveled at the craftmanship and detail used in the stone work the Zapotec created. It is said that some of the designs in the rock walls represented lightning while others represented water.

Impressive intricate stone work.

After checking out the church and ruins we drove to Hierve el Agua where there are minerals in the water springs flowing from the mountain side. The springs are not hot springs, but because of the minerals they have created rock formations that look like boiling water flowing over the cliffside.

We hiked this steep area finding beautiful views of the petrified falls. Some of the group went swimming in the various pools. It is said that the water in these pools makes your skin soft and healthy.

Agave growing on the mountainsides.

Water from above cascades
into an emerald pool below. 

The pools and the farmlands below.

View of the falls with the valley below.

The hike was steep, but I survived.

Nature's infinity pool at the springs.

The locals sell crafts, food and
cold drinks from these huts.