Oaxaca: The lure of a culture rich with history, food, art, and music. It’s a destination we’ve long held in our bucket list. In 2020 several events fell into place enabling it to happen. For a more detailed accounting of events please see our blog entries:
http://tomandcarolsykes.blogspot.com
While these photos can in no way offer a complete retelling of our experiences, hopefully they will offer some insight into what Oaxaca has to offer and perhaps inspire you to visit one day. The people we encountered combined with the culinary delights, arts, music, architecture, scenery and so much more, may tempt you into adding Oaxaca to your bucket list.
Our visit was greatly enhanced by the people we met. A special thank you to our Canadian and U.S. friends we met (mainly during happy hour) during our stay at Villa Maria’s apartments. Their years of knowledge lead us to find so many good restaurants.
Reconnecting with the former members of a music group, Canto Nuevo, was a major highlight. Hector Jaime Gallegos García (Jaime) and his wife Antonia Ruiz Torres (“Toni”), Jorge Vasquez Romer and his wonderful family. Jaime and Toni live in Vera Cruz but often visit Oaxaca de Juárez (Oaxaca City). On their visits they drove us to many of the out of way places most tourist don’t get to visit. Jorge also took time to drive us around as well as reconnect Tom with former band members Leticia Amador Vasquez and Jose Luis Gallagos Garcia who opened their home for a private concert (and mescal!). Jorge also drove Tom to meet Raul Martinez Ruiz who still performs.
A special thanks to the staff and guides Dan Lane and Micah Reigner of Field Guides who organized our private bird tour with friends at the end of our stay in Oaxaca.
Finally, last but not least, thanks to Frank and Paul of Las Cruces, NM. They had stayed at Villa Maria’s 25 years ago and who not only discovered it was still in business but kindly communicated with Maria to facilitate our being able to rent a fully furnished apartment in the complex for our 2 1/2 month stay.