Erynn's Travel and Food Blog: Oaxaca Day 2

There was a concern that it could be noisy as our window looks out onto the street, but we had a great sleep and broke our fast in the morning at the hotel restaurant.

Now we know that the millions of places surrounding us will do just as good food at a fraction of the price, but the hotel is so beautiful we thought we would give it a try. And it didn’t disappoint us at all. We started with some sort of bread which was actually a pastry and when we chose it from the selection offered in a basket the waiter said “They are delicious”. Unfortunately we missed the name, but it started with ‘b’. I chose something starting the ‘ch’ ( we will have to start taking a photo of the menu) which was corn chips with chicken and a choice of red or green sauce. I chose the green and it was delicious with loads of flavour from the tomatillos. Lance had something starting with ‘m’ and it was a flat bread bun cut in two with a delicious chorizo mix and melted cheese. All of this was with fresh orange juice and a cup of tea.

After we had finished and were back our room we could hear some music. And the people who breakfasted later were lucky enough to have some hombre playing for them. Note: I have been informed that we had a Mollete and chilaquiles.

We were on a mission to buy something to wear to the wedding as the Bride and Groom requested that the guests bought local attire rather than buying a present. Oaxaca is renowned for its food and textiles so off we went to the market to try and find outfits.

If you have ever been to New York you may remember the feeling of not being able to look where you are walking because you are gazing 360 degrees at all that surrounds you. Oaxaca is nothing at all like NYC however I felt the same phenomenon as we walked the cobbled streets of Oaxaca. Everything is either colourful or ancient and there is a mix of locals, Mexican tourists and tourists like us.

The morning started at a brisk 14 but soon warmed up, so I am glad we got to the large market (Mercado 20 Noviembre) early.

Again the New York effect took hold as we gazed at the stalls containing all and sundry. We entered at the pan (bread) area and there was bread of all shapes and sizes. We were amazed at the size of the loaves which about twice the size of a rugby ball. People were waiting at the meat stalls where huge cuts of meat were hanging and the butcher was chopping behind the counter. Hats, bags, belts made us think that we may be getting close to clothes and after a bit more of a wander we found the right spot.

Lance learnt his word of the day when he asked to try on a shirt and she said ‘Grande?” Meaning large! In fact he feels like a giant here, he is very tall in Mexico! But we all know that it was not height that she was talking about. We then found a little stall with a little abuela (grandmother) and she looked after me well. Again the first thing she said was “grande”. Once our choices were made we asked how much dinero and she pulled out a roll of toilet paper. And I thought, “This woman knows me well.” But she used it as her note pad to write down and add then prices. So we are sorted for the wedding outfits.

The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering on the other side of where our hotel is located which is one block down from the Santa Domingo church, which I must say is a presence in the square and even more beautiful inside. Markets surround the church and we have been to old that we will pay a premium in this area. So we are holding off until our last days to see if we find the treasures we want in other places. Apart from a couple of pairs of earrings that snuck their way into my bag.

Santo Domingo

Can you spot the huge jaguar heads at the windows?

We spent the afternoon in a roof top bar with a couple of beers and it was delightful. Is seems that beers are served with citrus wedges and chilli salt. Fortunately for me Lance is not partial to these treats so I have to have them all to my self! We would have very stayed longer but the risk of drunkenness was too high as we had no lunch and they didn’t serve food on the rooftop.

Dinner this evening was at our hotel. We just needed an easy night, and somewhere with wine! And I found a delicious Argentinian tenmpranillo. Tomorrow we head off to Mitla!