Huasteca Potosina: 2nd Week

I spent most if the second week in Valles in the cienaga (wetland) again. We finished the sample collection and had 2 days of tours around the cienaga with students from a local university. No pictures of this, but one night we were lucky enough to get a trip to a temazcal, or a sweat lodge. 1st we covered ourselves in mud, let that dry, and then washed it off in the hot spring. Then we entered the sweat lodge, a small, circular dome with a fire pit in the middle. Instead of using an open flame though, stones are cooked outside in a fire and then brought into the temazcal, where water is poured on them to create steam. During the process you are also rubbing various herbs and aloe all over you. Upon exiting, you’re treated to a very, very cold soaking and then wrapped in a towel, laid down on the ground and covered by a blanket, quickly massaged, and then given some tea to drink. The night was capped off by a dip in the hot springs.

Here are some picts from around the cienaga….