Our Favourite Things In Oaxaca

Tam & Coxy

• Drinking a Oaxaqueno hot chocolate out of a bowl in the Benito Juarez mercado served my a surly looking matron weilding a broom

• Visiting a Mezcal distillery and drinking approximately 20 different kinds of Mezcal! My favourite was the anejo

• Shopping for xmas presents and souvenirs at the markets of Santo Domingo & B. Juarez and talking to the many vendors along the way

• Having a quiet beer on the balcony overlooking the lantern-lit cobblestone streets watching a spectacular fireworks display

• Discovering the economical "set menu" consisting of soup, main, dessert and jug of the very refreshing "jamaica flower" juice - all for 40 p! And, learning what " guisado " & " albondigas" means

• Listening to the free concert at the local Zocalo performed by famous Mexican musicians to celebrate the election of a new state governor

• Visiting the famous "tule" tree - not the oldest (approx. 2000 yrs old), nor the biggest (they are in Israel) but still a bloody big tree!

• Being taught how to cook "tamales" by an exceptionally talented and internationally known chef - Marisol and enjoying a fantastic meal at the end of the class with some cheerful Americans

• Eating the best "mole negro con pollo" so far, at a restaurant on the edge of the zocalo called, " Cafe Del Jardin"

• Visiting the Hierve Al Agua which is a natural spring pouring from the side of mountain with lots of minerals and forming a type of rock 'infinity pool' overlooking some stunning mountainous scenery (the teohuacatan valle & sierra madre)

• Posting almost 20 kilos of presents & souvenirs (yes, you might get one!) back to Oz and being served by a very friendly & helpful clerk, restoring my faith in Mexican customer service (and lightening my pack to a mangeable weight for the first time ever)

• Bartering over price with the many, MANY vendors - they offer you a price, you halve it and offer it back then gradually increase your offer until it is between 25 - 30 per cent off the original price

• Trying the deep fried and crumbed jalapenos with cheese at Burger King (the popular oxacan stringy cheese is also nice - just like a boconcini, great with tomato)

• Confirming that chilaquiles is offically my (Coxy) favourite Mexican food - only very slightly ahead of "mole rojo con pollo"

• Getting up early to go for a walk in the crisp morning air, watching the locals start their day