Oaxaca - a true Mexican city

After 5 o’clock that afternoon, we arrived in the town of Oaxaca , home town of Lila Downs the famous Mexican singer, who performed in the movie Frida (the life story of Frida Kahlo). This city has been called the most Mexican city in the republic.

Well – we spent 2 days in this town, tasting the real Mexico!! The streets are alive with women who sell their handmade goods. Beautiful shirts – yellow, red, purple, pink ……. But mostly the beautiful rich red color of Mexico!! On the street corners you can find all kinds of paintings with vibrant colours, handwoven coats …… I cannot describe the colours, all beautiful. And the music of Mexico is everywhere.

We walked many hours and went into countless little shops, eventually we had lunch inside the most famous restaurant, in the centro , where Lila Downs often spends time. You sit in a courtyard, with incredible green ivy plants hanging down from all four corners of the square. We were the only visitors on that Thursday afternoon. We had 4 waiters attending to us, suggesting all kinds of special Mexican delicacies!! It was delightful!!

Here we met with the head waiter Francisco. At last we found someone who could speak fluent English!! Francisco waited until closing time and offered to take us on a guided tour of the Oaxaca small town centre!! What a delight!! He took us through the town's big food market; smelly fish, raw meat, spices, pastries, rice... everything open and under one roof. What an experience. I bought myself a richly embroidered jacket in orange and red, one very similar to what Frida Kahlo was wearing in the movie. It was expensive, but Francisco helped me to negotiate a very good price!!

He took us into the most popular CD shop close by and I was delighted to buy 4 of Lila Down’s CD's. My husband bought some more Mexican music (he collects music from all over the world). After this the three of us went for a delicious Mexican beer and afterwards a Tequila, for which the Mexicans are famous! Sitting there, just relaxing and breathing the Mexican air, seeing their way of life, made us feel like true Mexicans …..

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