My parents finally arrived in Oaxaca around 10:30 pm on April 2nd after a truly hellacious day of air travel. I offered them very little rest and promptly shipped them off on a 10 hour tour of Mitla, a mescal factory, Teotitlan del Valle, and Hierve del Agua (see our previous post on this location).
April 3rd Mom Manella arrived fresh as a daisy after smooth sailing on her flights. She may be the only person that has flown US carriers in the past few months that didn't have any problems to report and arrived at her destination on time.

We stayed in cabanas on Playa Zicatela and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Saturday we put in a full day at the beach and then Sunday we went out with Jesus in search of dolphins and sea turtles. We even did a bit of humanitarian work by helping take a barnacle off the nose of a sea turtle that Jesus grabbed out of the water. I guess our guide grabbing the turtle out of the water wasn't the most humanitarian thing, but what can I say other than VIVA MEXICO! We were all a little leary when the lancha seemed to be heading away from shore for what seemed like way too long, but it was all worth it. The dolphins put on an amazing show for us jumping out of the water and racing at the bow of the bo
at. It was really incredible. As for the turtles, they were everywhere! Every place you looked there was another turtle shell poking out of the water.
Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end and I had to get back to work. So Monday we headed home via San Bartolo de Coyotepec where a few beautiful pieces of the town's famous black pottery were purchased. Then it was off to Los Danzantes for a delicious dinner with the most delicious dessert I have ever had....Los Danzantes chocolate souflee. If you ever come to Oaxaca and don't eat this dessert you are doing yourself a real injustice. It's worth every calorie, trust me on this.
Tuesday Mike took the reins as tour guide and brought the parents downtown to see the Cathedral and do some more shopping. I unfortunately had to go to work, blech. Then it was time for the Stellings to take off and before I knew it Mike, Mom M and Tootsie were packed to the gills in the car and were heading for the border.

It was a great week. Having everyone here and staying with us was really a lot of fun, but man sending every one off was pretty depressing. Luckily I have had a few coworkers (Lili, Brian, and Carlos) in town to keep me entertained.
Mike, Mom M, and Tootsie made it back to the States only having to bribe one cop in Mexico City. I'll leave that story for Mike to tell!