Oaxaca: First Impressions
If you asked me why I decided to go to Oaxaca, Mexico. I’d have to honestly tell you that I can’t remember, but it’s rooted in my love of going off the beaten path. At most I recall searching something like “places to visit in Mexico”. What I can tell you is that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I can also tell you that it was worth the time and effort I put into making the trip happen. This trip was extremely personal for me, in that it was my first international solo trip. I had something to prove, but only to myself. Oaxaca was an amazing first international solo trip, and for so many reasons I can’t wait to return.
Something Different
Getting to Oaxaca costs me $86 (and 28k SkyMiles), it took 3 flights and ~ 9 hours. As we descended into Oaxaca, I looked out my window. I always look at the window during the descent, but this time was different. This time I saw something that I’d never seen before. Almost everything below me was lush, green, and mountainous. I’ve seen mountains before, but I’d never seen anything like that. In my mind that was significant, and I can admit that I cried a bit. Yes, I pretended it was from my allergies, but still there were tears. My day of different didn’t stop there though.
When we landed, I looked out onto the smallest airport I’ve ever traveled through. There was no massive building, and there weren’t tons of planes. I walked down a set of steps and across the ground to reach the gate. Baggage claim was only 1 or 2 belts (not that I needed it), and people milled around at an easy pace. I was in Mexico. I’d soon see that no one was in a hurry to do much of anything, and frankly that was just fine by me. I paid ~ $4.50 to take a collectivo to my hotel. Collectivos are shared taxis/vans, and typically they’re one of the cheapest ways to get around. I was the last stop so it took me about an hour to get to my hotel.
Thoughts on Oaxaca
Many hotels are in the Centro (the city center), so my ride really let me take in the city. It was colorful, vibrant, and very distinctly its own place. Oaxaca appreciates tourists, but the city doesn’t turn itself upside down to cater to outsiders. It’s loud, and traffic is an experience that makes that ride I had through NYC seem like a country drive. People are everywhere, and they are obviously living their lives unbothered by what might come to the mind of any visitors. While unapologetic in their existence, Oaxaqueños are also amazingly kind people. I’m a Southerner you can trust me on this one.
In my feelings
I worried that my not remotely fluent Spanish, my natural hair, and my “browner than theirs” skin would earn me some unfriendly looks. You know, like the ones at home. It never happened; no one blatantly mistreated me during the week I spent in Oaxaca state. If anything, people were curious. They seemed to appreciate that I was trying and not asking to be catered to in any way. They were surprised that I was there, and that I was bold enough to be there alone. Most wanted to know where I was from; no one assumed that I was American. At times people argued that I wasn’t and must have come from some Caribbean Hispanophone country, at least my parents did, surely. My Spanish isn’t even that good y’all!
While I can’t say that it felt like home, I can say that it was kind of like visiting your favorite aunt’s house. You know you’ll be fed and cared for even if someone yells at you for breaking the house rules. For the record no one yelled, but there was honking at during a couple of awkward street crossings.
And…
I was comfortable, and most importantly I never felt scared or out of place. Oaxaca was safe, I could call my mama and tell her not to worry and mean it. In that city surrounded by mountains, I knew I’d be okay. I knew I’d find whatever it was I didn’t know that I was looking for, and that in the middle of all that color and sound I could find a way to be still.
I’ll be going in depth over the next couple of weeks to talk about the details of my trip, but I wanted to get my first impressions out while they’re still fresh.
If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to contact me.
