Part 1: Oaxaca—A Cultural Feast
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on our recent adventure through Mexico.
Mexico: A Breath of Fresh Air Amidst Life's Challenges
When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the best remedy is to step away and immerse yourself in new surroundings.
After a tough few months — slow business and the heartache of losing my father-in-law — my wife and I needed a break.
More than a year ago, when we were living in Danang, Vietnam, we were invited to my buddy George Siosi Samuel’s wedding in Oaxaca, Mexico. Initially, we were excited about the trip, but as my father-in-law's condition worsened, we were uncertain about going.
We didn’t know how long we would have with him and needed to be in Sydney to support the family, visit the hospital, and help with everything. Ultimately, after his passing, we honoured our commitment and took the trip, believing it might be a perfect opportunity to escape, heal, and recharge.
We spent three weeks exploring Mexico from June 19th to July 12th, 2024, escaping Sydney’s winter for the summer in Mexico, another reason we were glad we went.
The Journey Begins
This trip was different from any we’ve taken before.
Usually, my wife handles the planning, but I took the lead this time. I booked all the accommodations, planned our activities, and handled the details.
My goal was to ease the burden on my wife, especially since we’d be celebrating her birthday in Mexico. It took 36 hours to get from Sydney to Oaxaca—starting with a flight to Mexico City and a 9-hour bus ride to Oaxaca.
The Welcome in Oaxaca
Upon our arrival in Oaxaca, we were welcomed by the city’s vibrant energy.
We checked into our Airbnb and went in search of coffee and breakfast when, only two blocks away, we saw an eye-catching mural featuring a hummingbird. As we paused to admire the artwork, a local on a bicycle stopped to tell us how the mural came to be and the cultural significance of the symbols.
It was a beautiful introduction to the city and its rich culture.
Checking into our Airbnb. It looked dodgy on the outside, but inside, it was stunning.
The hummingbird mural. How incredible is it?
Oaxaca: Culture, Tradition, and Celebration
Oaxaca, renowned for its distinctive contributions to food, political activism, and art, is a cultural treasure in Mexico. Known as "The Land of the Seven Moles," it offers a rich culinary heritage featuring unique dishes like tlayudas, chapulines, and the famous mezcal (a distilled alcoholic beverage made from agave).
Oaxaca Magica Tour
We embarked on the Oaxaca Magica Tour the day before the wedding—a full-day adventure that became a trip highlight.
Booking: Arranged through WhatsApp via a tour operator recommended by our Airbnb host.
Departure: 8:00 AM from Lescas Tours Oaxaca office, in front of the Zócalo Square Cathedral.
Itinerary:
Tule Tree: A 2,000-year-old cypress tree. Although most of the tour group paid a donation to get closer to the tree, C did what C does—she found a group of elder locals doing a group fitness class nearby and joined in the dancing! I took videos and photos, of course.
Teotitlan del Valle: a town famous for its natural dyes and wool rugs. We were treated to a fascinating demonstration of how the locals use insects, flowers, and roots to create vibrant colours using pre-Hispanic techniques. The skill and artistry involved were truly impressive.
Mitla: Explored the second most important archaeological site in Oaxaca. It was raining cats and dogs by the time we arrived, so we didn’t do as much exploring the site as we’d liked. We managed to climb some steps and crawl through one of the ancient ruins to get a selfie, though!
Lunch: We skipped the buffet restaurant and enjoyed our snacks while I enjoyed a traditional hot chocolate.
Hierve el Agua: Despite the rain, this was the best part of the tour. The surreal aqua pools and rock formations were otherworldly, making us feel like we’d landed on another planet. Hierve el Agua is one of two petrified waterfalls in the world, which means you can see a cascading waterfall that appears frozen over rocks. (C and I totally missed it because we didn’t see any signs pointing us to it, nor did anyone from our tour tell us - doh!)
Mezcal Tasting: We learned about the mezcal-making process, sampled about eight different shots of mezcal each and bought a couple of bottles as gifts. Watching Cindy get buzzed from the tastings added a fun twist to the day.
George & Nikky's Wedding
George and Nikky, who live in Oaxaca, chose this vibrant city for their wedding due to its lively culture and stunning scenery. It was a natural choice for a destination wedding for family and friends, and I’m so glad they shared Oaxaca with us.
You can read their love story here.
Wedding Highlights:
Venue: Cardenal Oaxaca Social Venue with vibrant, multicoloured ceiling decor and elegant settings.
Ceremony: Held on an outdoor lawn, George delivered his vows first in Spanish (after months of lessons with a tutor he found online) and then in English. Nikky’s vows were beautiful, too. George's friend and former colleague Giulianna was both MC and celebrant and with her humorous quips and stories, she did an amazing job. I’m not gonna lie there were definitely a few tears shed (and I’m not just referring to the groom and bride!).
Traditional Calenda Parade: After the ceremony, a traditional Calenda was waiting to lead guests through Oaxaca’s old and charming streets. The procession featured giant paper mache dolls resembling the bride and groom. Everyone participated in dancing on a walking tour full of music, colour, and joy. As we danced down the cobblestone streets of Oaxaca and around the block, a couple of ladies handed out handmade wooden shot glasses and poured unlimited shots of local Mezcal. It was a spectacle. I’ve never experienced a wedding parade like this!
Reception: A 10-piece mariachi band kicked off the evening, followed by a three-course meal, speeches, and dancing.
Menu: Featured ceviche with hibiscus, chicken with Oaxacan black mole, and dark chocolate mousse or mini churros.
First Dance: Following the speeches, the couple shared their first dance. Their good friend and professional singer Jo Sarah, who travelled from the Netherlands for the occasion, performed live.
The wedding venue and setup are so stunning, right?
Just look at those gigantic paper-mache dolls of the bride and groom!
Free shots of mezcal, anyone?
Traditional Calenda Parade down the streets of Oaxaca.
Shoutout to George: The groom, who happens to be one of the best community builders I know, had the brilliant idea of using WhatsApp’s Community features to connect wedding guests based on their interests, share local travel tips, and create a sub-group for family and guests to share photos and videos from the wedding. This made communication easy and fostered a sense of community among the guests before, during, and after the event. Brilliant.
Lucha Libre
We joined George, Nikky, and other wedding guests the following night for an electrifying night of lucha libre Mexican wrestling. It was entertaining in a crazy-wrestlers-jumping-into-the-crowd-and-beating-each-other-up kind of way. After the wrestling, we all went to a local spot for tacos, which was awesome!
Other Oaxaca Highlights
Our time in Oaxaca wasn’t just about the wedding. We also enjoyed:
Exploring Local Cafes: One funky place we discovered the morning we arrived was Cafeto Cacao. They served delicious croissants, and I had my first Mexican-style mocha with "leche" (milk). They also serve a version with "agua" (water). The space had natural lighting and a great vibe.
Couple’s Massage: A relaxing experience that helped us unwind after the long journey.
Visiting the Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca: The Ethnobotanical Garden displays hundreds of plant species, all native to Oaxaca. We were joined by our new friend, who we met at George and Nikky's wedding.
Cleansing Ritual with a Curandero: C and I visited a healer, or "Curandero," who performed limpias, a cleansing ritual using a raw egg in its shell, burning sage and natural herbs. The limpias is believed to rid individuals of negative energies or influences. It was a unique experience that added a spiritual dimension to our trip.
Discovering Local Food: We indulged in a delicious Oaxacan lunch at Comedor Chabelita, located inside Mercado 20 de Noviembre (local market), just two blocks from the Zócalo. For just 305 pesos, we had the Tlayuda Especial (Tlayuda with Oaxacan cheese, beef steak, pork steak, and Mexican pork sausage). We also found a street vendor selling BBQ corn on the cob dipped with some kind of cheese (mozzarella?) and chilli sauce—it was so good!
Travel Tips for Oaxaca:
Local Transportation: Oaxaca's city centre is pedestrian-friendly, making walking a great way to explore. For longer distances, taxis are available; agree on the fare beforehand or ensure the meter is used. Cash is typically required for taxi rides. You can also use the ridesharing app Didi, which I recommend as you usually get better rates than taxis.
Cash and Payments: While some places accept credit cards, many local markets and smaller establishments prefer cash, so it's wise to carry pesos.
Language: While many people in tourist areas speak English, learning a few basic Spanish phrases can enhance your experience and interactions with locals.
Coming Next: In Part 2, we head to Puerto Escondido, where we trade cultural exploration for beach relaxation and adventure.
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👍 PUBLISHED + WORK IN PROGRESS
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👍 CAUGHT MY ATTENTION
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2/ Read: Outreach Tips (better than anything you’ll find searching Google) by Rand Fishkin
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3/ Listen: Pattern Breakers: How to find a breakthrough startup idea | Mike Maples, Jr.
What stood out to me most from this insightful interview on Lenny’s Podcast were Mike's thoughts on principles essential for any entrepreneur looking to break through and change the world.
🔧 TOOL OF THE WEEK
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See you next week,
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