We decided to spend New Year’s eve in Mexico City, so on Dec 29th, 2019, we packed our bags and went to DFW airport, to catch one of the numerous daily flights to Mexico City. Since we fly standby (if seats are available that would otherwise go empty), we waited all day, not able to get on any Mexico City flights that day, as they were all oversold and very busy. The joys of standby travel 🙁
So the next day, we started once again, trying to catch the early flights. When we had not made it by the 10AM flight, we decide we needed a Plan B. When we heard on the overhead announcements of a nearby gate flight to Oaxaca, Mexico (which was on our places to check out in Mexico); we checked the flights, hotels and decided. Oaxaca, here we come. The joys of standby travel 🙂
Oaxaca (pronounced Wahaca) is a Spanish colonial city in south-central Mexico at over 5,000ft above sea level, on the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. The largest group of native people are the Zapotec’s, and settlements near Oaxaca were founded in 500BC. So a decent amount of history here. The weather was a very pleasant high 60’s (F) at night, and sunny and 80’s during the day. We took taxi’s everywhere as we did not have time to rent a car, and taxi’s were inexpensive. We decide to stay at the One Hotel, which is a 3 star hotel, close to the Centro, so no issues with walking and taking short taxi rides.
The room rate on New Year’s eve was $80, but dropped to just over $56 for other days. Rooms were small, but clean, well provisioned, and include a good breakfast. And close to the City center. Not bad at all. Below are some scenes from the city as we wandered around, there were plenty of people around and local tourists as well.
We walked over to the Zocalo (main square) and this place was super busy; not sure if it was because of Xmas/New Year; they had a stage set up with a dance troupe that was doing multiple dances, with a large audience. The atmosphere in the Zocalo was that of a carnival/festival, and we spent some time here over the next few days. Below are some scenes of the activities in the Zocalo
New Year’s eve celebration street party in the Zocalo
Taxi’s were busy after the celebrations, and we just managed to catch one to take us back the short drive to the hotel.
Next morning, we were late waking up, so we went to the local market nearby for breakfast
Oaxaca is famous for its culinary strengths, and is known as a foodie heaven. The popular dish was the Tlayuda, which is a large crispy tortilla (see image above) with all kinds of toppings on it, including mole, beans, tasty stringy cheese, and toppings of shredded chicken, sliced beef, goat and/or vegetables. It was indeed delicious and we had this Oaxaca “pizza” multiple times, with fresh juices. Making my mouth water 🙂
We spent a little more time in the Zocalo, where there were stores and restaurants that lined all 4 sides of the Zocalo; some more scenes during the daytime below
Entertainment in the plaza was everywhere
There were a couple of large markets nearby, the Mercado Benito Juarez and the Mercado 20 de Noviembre; so of course, we had to check them out. See below
That evening, we had a dinner of local fish, and it was indeed delicious.
Next day, we went on a short tour outside Oaxaca, to check out some interesting tourist sites. First stop was at the Arbol del Tule, the site of the largest tree in the America’s (& possibly the world) by girth. The diameter of this tree was 14m or 45feet. It is supposed to be over 2,000yrs old; I never knew trees could live that long…
Next, we went to check out the Hierva del Agua, which is a petrified waterfall, and water pools, formed over thousands of years with a small amount of water that seeps from the rocks here, that is highly concentrated in calcium carbonate. The water evaporates leaving being white calcium carbonate. There are 2 such sites in the world, the other being the larger one being in Pamukkale,Turkey.
Couple of other interesting local activities in the Oaxaca region; one is where they dye strings to make blankets; the dyes are made from insects that live off cactus leaves. It is quite impressive watching how they make the dyes from these insects.
Another is the Mezcal; the alcoholic drink made from the “pina” of the agave plant; but from an agave that is different from Tequila, and is distilled in earthen pots . It is drunk, followed by a bite into an orange slice, that is laced with dried/crushed/roasted/spiced worms that infest these agave plants. It’s actually quite good.
Oaxaca city and region is different from other parts of Mexico. Here, they take pride in their food, and they have many different types of mole, a sauce made from cacao/chocolate. The Tlayuda is unique and not found elsewhere in Mexico, as is the Mezcal. The climate is good, and the people are very friendly. There is not much industry here, and so there is a net influx of people leaving the state of Oaxaca to find employment elsewhere. Tourism is one major source of income they are trying to develop.
We left Oaxaca the next day, but not without more adventure. There is a once-daily American Airlines flight from Oaxaca to Dallas, and we were standby, and there were enough seats available. However, when it came time to board, the Captain announced a weight restriction on the plane, and 9 paying passengers were asked to volunteer to give up their seats, given $600 vouchers each, with accommodation, meals, and guaranteed seats on the next days flight. That meant there was no way were would have been able to leave Oaxaca on American for next few days; so we had to come up with Plan C.
After researching, we decide to take the overnight bus from Oaxaca to Mexico City, and try and catch flights from there back to the US. So we booked seats online, took a taxi back to the hotel, and when it was time, we went over to the ADO bus terminus and took the overnight bus to Mexico City, for about $20 each; a 6hr ride. The Bus was reasonably comfortable and safe, and arrived in Mexico City ADO bus terminus at about 5:45AM. We grabbed our bags, and took a taxi to the airport; no traffic at this time. At the airport, we did not get on the early flights, but at lunch time, we got lucky with seats on a flight to Miami. So off we went to Miami, and arrived safely. However, flights from Miami to Dallas were totally busied out; so Plan D came into action; we called my uncle & aunt who are snow-birds from Oshawa, Canada. Fortunately, they were at their condo in Ft. Lauderdale, and so we rented a car and spent the weekend with them, and returned to Dallas on Monday. The joys of standby travel 🙂
Thank you for sharing this wonderful blog, and of all your travels. It will be very helpful. You guys are amazing at putting this together and your travels are extraordinary. Love to read them!!
Kudos and great job!!
Wow, thanks Sabira, for the wonderful feedback.
Hello Ali,
I always look forward to your next blog. They are extremely well done. So informative and the pictures depict a lot of culture and history. Keep them coming.
Hi Nash, thanks so much for the feedback and the encouragement. So glad you have enjoyed our blogs
I enjoyed your Oaxaca blog post, because I stayed there for Spanish immersion many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the zocalo.
Thanks Gulshan
Enjoyed the article. There are 7 sand beaches around there and it’s also very famous for black sand and black pottery.
Thanks Yasmin,
Glad you enjoyed. The city of Oaxaca is not close to the beach, and we did not go to the beach areas of Oaxaca province.
But this is good to know for next time; thanks very much.
Ali & Dilshad,
I normally do not get a chance to reply to blogs, but i do read your blogs all the time. I just read your most recent blog and was impressed, like all of your other trips, with colorful pictures and captivating details of your trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, and wanted to let you know how great it is for you to share such a fantastic trip experience with others.
By your pictures and comments, I felt as if i was smelling,feeling and tasting the sights,sounds and cuisine of Oaxaca.
Thank You for sharing all of your adventures in pictures and words with me and all of the others who read your blog.
Not only are your blogs fun,they are also very informative and educational.
I look forward to seeing you where you will go next-if all goes well with “Plan A”. Can we get any hints?
kinds Regards,
Amir Ali (Andy) Sunderji
Andy,
Wow; thanks so much for the beautiful and kind words; I am humbled and very happy that you enjoy them so much. Thanks again.
No next trip planned yet, but they do come suddenly 🙂
Yes, Ali… Your pictures are amazing and your stories are so interesting. Amazing and thank you for sharing your travelog.
Enjoy and continue sharing your amazing trips and photographs.
Take care,
Aly
Hi Aly, Thanks so much for the feedback and encouragement; I really appreciate it.
GREAT BLOG..KARIM
Thanks Zaher
Very nice to read your blog. I admire your sense of adventure.
Kind regards
Thanks Nick
It’s just amazing. Very nice. This is real tourism. I saw all the pictures they are just amazing.
Keep adding.
Thanks Nasarullah, for the feedback and encouragement; I appreciate that
I could totally relate with pleasures of “standby travel” having experienced that since 1986! You and Dilshad have mastered alternatives of switching to plans A/B etc. I commend you for being able to calmly find ways of reaching home!
A dear AAer close friend, Phillis and I did make it to Oaxaca since she had her second home in MX.
Thanks Zubeda; for the feedback; always appreciate your encouragement
Thank you!
Very beautiful pics . Very nice and food looks very tempting. Enjoy and have fun.
Thanks for sharing. Eid Mubarak.
Regards,
Shamim Virji.
Thanks Shamim; you should definitely check out Oaxaca
Hello Ali, thanks for sharing the pictures, they are beautiful, I love the New Year celebration on the street, that would be so much fun. The church is beautiful.
Thanks again for sharing these beautiful pictures, what a way to start a day for me. Lovely.
Lots of Love.
Naz.
Hi Naz, so glad you are enjoying my blog posts, and so glad it started your day off well 🙂
Nice review and looks like a nice place
Is good okay to eat or do you have to be careful?
And was safety an issue?
Nazmin,
Oaxaca is definitely a nice place, worth visiting.
The whole of Mexico is very clean and safe to eat anywhere, IMHO. Oaxaca in particular was safe to eat freely, and safe from the bad news you hear all the time in the press
At the risk of sounding like I am siding with someone; “fake news” 🙂
No issues at all.
Hi Ali,
Finally catching up with your travel blog..beautiful pictures and wonderful as always!
Regards to both you and Dilshad,
AmirT
Thanks Amir
Great place. A real foodie place.love the petrified waterfall.
I luv how creative you are with the travels as a result of being standby. A simple trip to Mexico city and you even ended up in Miami and Oaxaca
Hi Mohammed; we do have to be very flexible and go with the “flow”; else we would not be able to travel the world like we have been fortunate to do. Thanks for the feedback
Ali, the Best colorful New Year’s Eve I have ever seen !
People seem so happy and content.
Lucky Dilshad and you who can do so much.
Continue your travels and share your Blogs.
Love, NoorJehan
Wow, thanks for such nice feedback; yes, we are indeed blessed to be able to do all this
Very nice!!!
Thanks Amin
Hi ALi , you guys are very adventurous,I have been to Oaxaca to import embroided blouses and dresses. They are hand made . Food is best in Oaxaca.thanks
THanks AJ, for your feedback.Glad our views on Oaxaca agree 🙂
Very interesting. Ali your pictures are terrific.
Hi Mansoor; thanks for the nice complements; appreciate that