Oaxaca | A City Where You Can Find Color When You Look Up | Photo Log

Hello, I am a monkey living in Oaxaca.

It is a city where, once you visit, you find yourself saying not "I want to come back," but "I am coming home" for some reason.

Today, I am going to write about the charm of Oaxaca with overflowing affection.

The reason for Oaxaca's popularity, I feel, is the strength and exquisite balance of its "city, food, culture, history, and people."
And it is a place where people who visit by chance are captivated by its charm, often ending up extending their stay or visiting again and again.

I will introduce its charm from my perspective as someone who has lived here for 20 years and has been sharing information about Oaxaca.

1. The ultimate comfort that starts with a "It's hot!!"

The first thing I said when I arrived in Oaxaca for the first time was, surprisingly,

"It's hot!!"

What awaited me after moving from Mexico City to Oaxaca was the scorching sun.

However, once you step into the shade, the heat is not a bother.

Although there is a temperature difference between morning and night, the humidity is low, and a refreshing breeze blows.

The air is fresh, and the climate is very pleasant.

That is also one of its charms.

The peak of summer in Japan corresponds to the rainy season in Oaxaca, and mornings and evenings can be a little cool depending on the day.
If the rain continues for a long time, it can even get chilly.

In recent years, I have genuinely thought that for a summer retreat from Japan, one should shift from Europe to Mexico/Oaxaca.

2. A scale that is easy to walk around in without pressure

According to people who have traveled to Mexico City, the city is a metropolis where people live their daily lives.
Since you have to use the metro or Metrobus to get around, it seems the hurdle is higher if you have anxiety or resistance to public transport.

Indeed, someone in Mexico City once asked me, "Should I take a bus or car from my hotel in Oaxaca to the Zocalo?"
The tourist area, where many hotels are located, is about a 20-minute walk from end to end if you don't take any detours.

You can get around Oaxaca city almost entirely on foot.

Conversely, if you try to get around by taxi or bus, you will get stuck in one-way traffic, and it is honestly faster to walk.

A regional city where you can stroll leisurely.
High marks for that!!

3. If you look up at the sky, there is always "color" there

What catches your eye when strolling is the cute, colonial-style, colorful cityscape.
The Historic Centre of Oaxaca and the Archaeological Site of Monte Albán were registered as a World Heritage site in 1987.

Did you know that for the preservation of the historic district of Oaxaca, the colors of the buildings are managed by the city?Homeowners cannot change the color of their exterior walls freely. If they want to change it, they must apply to the city hall, and the city will specify, "Paint it this color."

A friend in the city was complaining.
"Even though it's my own house and I'm paying for the paint myself, I can't choose the color I like."

I feel sorry for the residents, but when I think that the cityscape is protected because of that, I want to remember that there are circumstances like this behind our "photogenic" photos.

Standing out in the city is the magnificent and gorgeous
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, built during the Spanish colonial era, and

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, where the patron saint of Oaxaca City is enshrined

No matter how many times I visit, its spectacular beauty takes my breath away.

Furthermore, the papel picado (cut-paper banners) that decorate the city change with the seasons.

March-April (Semana Santa/Holy Week): Chic in purple and white

July (Guelaguetza): Going for a colorful look above all else

September (Independence Day): Red, white, and green tricolor

November (Day of the Dead): The whole city is dyed orange

December (Christmas/New Year's): Glamorous and sparkling + piñatas

Regardless, throughout the year, if you look up at the sky, there is color.

Under the blue Oaxacan sky, various colors crowd together.

If you lower your gaze from the sky, wall art jumps into your eyes.

The city is overflowing with color and art.

It would be strange not to get excited by this.

That's it for walking around the city. From here, we'll venture a little further out.

In the suburbs, there is the great nature represented by Hierve el Agua. It is a place you cannot miss as a highlight of Oaxaca sightseeing.

The Tree of Tule (Árbol del Tule), said to be the largest in North America.
The thickness of the trunk is among the largest in the world, and when you see it in person, your 'concept of a tree' is somewhat shattered.

With historical value,
Monte Albán ruins
Mitla ruins
Yagul ruins, etc.,
places that World Heritage enthusiasts cannot miss

By the way, Monte Albán is about 6km from the city.
Even though it reaches an altitude of 2,000 meters,
some tough people go by bicycle or even while running a marathon.

I'm surprised by how strong they are.

4. Smiles and close proximity to people

If you describe Mexicans with stereotypes, they are 'cheerful and lively'.

Many people in Oaxaca offer a slightly reserved and warm smile that makes Japanese people feel at ease.

If you go to the market, you will be casually offered samples or spoken to.

It's a city with many opportunities to interact with people, one way or another.

Even to strangers and tourists, they will smile if you make eye contact.

That feeling might be the reason why I feel a sense of nostalgia even in a place I'm visiting for the first time.

5. The 'ingredients', the foundation of 'cooking', are delicious

In addition to stylish cafes and restaurants, you have endless choices depending on your budget, from high-end establishments to local diners, market eateries, and street food.

You won't have any trouble finding a place to eat.

However, during the peak tourist season, there is a possibility that you will become a 'food refugee' if you don't make a reservation.

Traditional cuisine, stylish fusion cuisine, village cuisine, mezcal, and local beer.

The food is delicious, and the alcohol is delicious too.
Oaxaca is the best.

And don't forget the handmade ice cream.

A long time ago, during the peak tourist season, local television interviewed Mexican tourists asking, "What did you come here to eat?"

The answers were grilled meat, quesillo, tlayuda, chapulines (grasshoppers), and mole.

Hmm. The usual suspects.
(Or was it staged by the TV station?)

I was expecting a more impressive answer, so I was a bit let down.

But then I realized!
Most of these aren't "dishes," they're "ingredients," right?

The ingredients are delicious. That's why the food is delicious.
It's obvious. Of course it would become a city of gastronomy.

6. A world of handicrafts and folk art with "too much" density

The folk art is just incredible.

Usually, I have the impression that Mexican folk art has one or two representative items per state. But Oaxaca is different.

Pottery, textiles, embroidery, wood carvings, tinwork, leather goods, baskets, accessories... there is just so much.

Moreover, the designs for textiles and embroidery vary by region and cultural sphere, so the number is vast.

At the folk art fair held in July, there are over 200 booths just from Oaxacan artisans. Other states have to 'gather from various regions' to reach that scale.

In other words, the density of craftsmanship is insane. (I mean that as a compliment.)

7. The Guelaguetza in July, which condenses the charm of Oaxaca

Oaxaca is truly called a 'city that condenses Mexico.'

Like my old self, you might hope to meet people in traditional clothing, but there is almost no chance of that in the city on a regular day.

However, do not be disappointed.

In July, the Guelaguetza, one of the largest festivals in the Latin American cultural sphere, is held.

Starting with the opening ceremony on July 1st, it lasts for about a month.

A season overflowing with color arrives, featuring culture, dance, music, food, mezcal, folk art, traditional clothing, etc.

July is my favorite time of year. It is a season when everyone cannot help but smile at the festival.

Smiles equal happy. In other words, July is Happy Month.

For those who are tired in Japan, I think there is a high probability that you can regain your smile and energy in Oaxaca in July.

Finally, regarding safety in Oaxaca. It is by far the 'best' in Mexico! However, be careful only with


the Central de Abastos market (a large market a little away from the center). There are many pickpockets and thieves there.

In the city, I have been walking around during the day playing Pokémon GO on my phone, and so far, nothing has happened. I think this conveys the situation well enough.

That said, since it is abroad, don't forget basic crime prevention measures.

Summary!!

I realized this while talking with friends who love Oaxaca and other travelers.

Although this is a tourist destination,

Oaxaca sightseeing is just the entrance.

You might come here on a whim,
but you'll be won over by the comfort, and before you know it, you'll be staying long-term or coming back again.

It's a city that slowly gets under your skin.
That is Oaxaca.

I think that's the reason why "you don't just visit once."

People who get hooked go from sightseeing to"I want to live here."Well, I haven't told you everything!

If I wrote down everything I wanted to say, I'd end up with a whole book lol

That's all for today.

I hope this conveys even a little bit of Oaxaca's charm.

¡VENGAN A OAXACA! (Everyone, come to Oaxaca!)

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