The State of Oaxaca

It is a small concentrate of Mexico. Both coastal and mountainous. A long history. The remains of past civilizations. A significant indigenous culture. Colonial cities. And rich cuisine.

This time, the scouts played the main organizers. A chain was established. Thank you to Catherine and Cecile who played the central links, by email. On site Carlos, Gerardo, Guillermo, Erick, Edgar and Sandra took up the task. They hosted us, my friend Karine and I, and let us discover the city and the region.

We obviously visited the historic center of Oaxaca. Typical colonial architecture, colorful houses, churches on every street corner, and a small Alliance Française that we found randomly on July 14 (French National Day – a.k.a Bastille Day). Then we went to Monte Albán, ancient Zapotec city very well preserved, on a promontory overlooking the city of Oaxaca and surrounded by other mountains. More information on Wikipedia.

We tasted the joys of regional cuisine and toured in covered markets. They are selling bulk roasted insects (we tested for you, it's good!), meat which will then be baked in the center aisle, small breads, chocolate in all its forms (regional specialty), fresh fruit juices, mezcal (close cousin of tequila), cloth, utensils, small super-kitsch souvenirs, and finally all that can be found in a bazaar worthy of the name. I could also attend the celebration of Guelaguetza which happen every year the last week of July. It is a feast that brings together everything that the State has good in terms of local folklore: cuisine, mezcal, dance, music, handicrafts, etc.

Finally, the coast really reminded me of the backdrop for the Pirates of the Caribbean. The rocky coast is covered with dense tropical vegetation. The houses are huts covered with palm trees and hammock at the beach is particularly popular. The blue ocean is Pacific on paper and in appearance but so dangerous. Currents extremely powerful and contradictory competing the last few meters before the beach. Result, waves of more than five meters and us, poor little humans, unable to soak more than over the hips to avoid being away forever. Too bad because the water (and air!) temperature was calling for so much more!