In this article, I detail why I fell in love with Oaxaca at first sight.
Imagine a place where there is not just one but two huge main plazas full of people, balloon vendors, food carts, and performers. The town cathedral is the tall witness of all the activity taking place beneath its façade. One of the plazas is surrounded by porticos full of restaurants serving regional food.
Not only that. There is a pedestrian walkway connecting the center plazas to another plaza where a church prettier than the cathedral stands. This second church used to be a monastery and nowadays it is a museum holding the treasures of a nearby Pre-Hispanic city.
Locals sit down on benches gossiping about the latest “quinceañera” that took place in town. Others watch as a wedding party celebrates in front of the beautiful church. The streets are full of colonial buildings painted in ochre, butter, and pistachio tones. The upper corners of the structures are decorated with clocks or virgin statues.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the markets. Once you get close to the blocks dominated by them, the noise, horns, and crowds start to grow in an unnatural way. The covered market offers tejate, cheese, chapulines, bread, and many more goods. Ladies offer you to try their mole made with a secret recipe. Your mouth water while your mind contemplates all the possibilities. Watch out. If you want to make people run, try to take a picture of them.
All those previous paragraphs have been describing Oaxaca. When I say Oaxaca, I am referring to the city, not the big state composed of eight different regions. Oaxaca has become my favorite city in Mexico and it is not difficult to explain why. I guess is the joyful atmosphere that prevails in the city. And of course, there cannot be joy if there weren’t people expressing that mood.
When we visited, we stayed at the Colonia Reforma. We had to walk 15 minutes to get downtown and another 5 to 10 minutes to get to the zocalo. Well, that time used to be longer since there was always an occasion to stop and check out something. Therefore, we had the opportunity to get lost in the streets and enjoy the scenery.
Check out the following photos. I bet you are going to find Oaxaca one of a kind. What can I say? I just fell in love with the city.
What is your favorite photo? Let me know in the comments section below.
Get A Car Hire (@GetACarHire) says
I am in awe of cities with colorful walls so I am just so darn sure I am going to love this city. Lovely photos, Ruth! Have a super 2013! Cheers xx
Ruth says
If you like color, you would definetly love Oaxaca. Thanks for the good wishes.
Jeremy Branham says
Oaxaca seems like an interesting city. Never been to Mexico but love the idea of walking the streets and exploring!
Ruth says
Never been to Mexico! You have to go. I am sure you will enjoy it.
Lauren, Ephemerratic says
Zoom in on that architecture, whydoncha? I love it! I’m going to Oaxaca for the first time soon — can’t wait!
Ruth says
Hope you have a good time. You are going to enjoy Oaxaca so much!
Fiestas en Oaxaca says
And if you have a chance to return to Oaxaca you should attend a wedding or town party, you don’t know the fun you’re going to have, everything you’re going to eat and the mezcal that you’re going to drink. Greetings and come back soon.
David says
I just returned from my first visit to Oaxaca city and valleys and have to say I am totally in love with the place, too! The crafts, art, food and the people all added up to one of my favourite places I’ve visited (in Mexico, and elsewhere). I can’t wait to return, so much to see and do.