Oaxaca was my first stop in Mexico and I was amazed by how beautiful and colourful it was - much prettier than I had expected Mexico to be (although I don't know exactly what I imagined). It was an interesting mixture of Spanish-style big squares and grand churches with side streets that had a 'Wild West' feel, scattered with countless Volkswagen Beetles, plus ruins of ancient cities on the outskirts of the modern town. When Helena and I arrived late at night we...

I flew in to Mexico City from Rio de Janeiro via São Paulo and Panama City. The landscape looked cool as I came in to land - passing over volcanoes and seeing the purple-flowered trees all over Mexico city. I didn't actually stop in Mexico City though because time didn't allow - I was piggybacking on Helena's planned itinerary so as soon as I landed I legged it over to the bus station to meet her and get on the first bus to Oaxaca...