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This admittedly somewhat difficult-to-pronounce neighbourhood is located near the centre of Oaxaca and boasts.... Yes, basically of colourful houses, beautiful streets, a cute little church, a lively park and by being one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in Oaxaca. Most people go to Jalatlaco to admire the street art. As I explored Jalatlaco, I passed school children practising for an orchestra, witnessed a wedding ceremony in front of the church and wandered the streets of Jalatlaco for a bit. I admit that I wasn't overly impressed and had honestly hoped for a bit more. So I think a freewalking tour here makes sense if you're going for the street art. Nevertheless, I think the visit to Jalatlaco was worth it even without the tour because I got to know a bit of Oaxaca outside the centre. And the wedding celebration in front of the church was simply worth it twice and three times over. But Jalatlaco is also a cool destination if you still have some time and want to wander the streets of a new neighbourhood in a relaxed way 😊

Like almost every other city, Oaxaca also has a viewpoint. It is called ‘El Mirador del Cerro del Fortín’ and is accessible to pedestrians via a staircase. The stairs are not particularly steep, so the climb is easy. Of course you can also go up by car, but a) as a backpacker I didn't have one available and b) I don't think it's a bad idea to have to do something to get to see a view and the walk up really isn't difficult. Therefore... :D 😊 The view at the top is quite nice. The statue of a man - presumably Fortín - looks out over the city and the view itself is also quite nice. It's not premium, but if you have the time and want to go, I would definitely do it 😊 The staircase itself also has a nice flair and is so wide that all kinds of tourists can easily get up and down at the same time. My suggestion is: go there if you have enough time on site in Oaxaca :D

In every city I visit, I always take the time to explore a little. I want to see what the city looks like when I'm not walking from one monument to the next on the pre-trodden paths. You often discover hidden gems and get to know a city in a completely different way. In Oaxaca, I felt the same sense of calm and homeliness in the alleyways and streets outside the centre, as I did in the centre. Sure, there wasn't as much going on, but Oaxaca simply exudes a certain warmth and hospitality wherever you go. Of course, the streets in the centre are a little more chic than those a little further out. Nevertheless, there are some really nice spots here too. The sign is nicely positioned so that you can see the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán in the background, which is perfect for a photo. And yes, the reason why there is a woman in the picture is because I didnt find a moment when no one stood in front of it. Oaxaca is inviting, relaxed and lively at the same time. And if you want to feel this vibe in its purest and most authentic form, lose yourself in the streets of Oaxaca. It's worth it! 😊

The church Basílica de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad is a fairly small and relatively central church, but due to the Temple of Santo Domingo of Guzmán, as well as the Metropolitan cathedral, it is somewhat less frequented than the other two churches in the centre of Oaxaca. The church is situated in a somewhat quieter location on the border between the centre and the outskirts of the centre. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a visit. It has a large square and a few cafés right next to the church and somehow exudes a sense of calmth. It's simply a pleasant place to go if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the centre for a moment. Go or not? You don't have to, but I would recommend it. 😊

Of all the events and holidays I happened to run into, the anniversary in Oaxaca was one of the coolest and nicest ones. The anniversary in Oaxaca is celebrated with lots of dancing, music, mezcal and fireworks. Everyone is out on the streets, there is a parade and lots to see. The year I happened to be there, for example, there was also a food festival. Meaning there was a huge tent with hundreds of different food stalls. Outside, right next door, whole pigs - yes, I'm serious - were being turned round on skewers. A little further on, a - I think - community centre was selling homemade and/or fresh Oaxaquenian food. Here I also bought a handmade hand cream with real vanilla. I still have that cream and it smells wonderful! My original destination that day was a market that I wanted to go to with a friend of mine with whom I had travelled from San Cristóbal. As we had been travelling with a larger group for some time, we actually wanted a bit of peace and quiet. After a brief visit to the market, we went back out onto the street and suddenly found ourselves in the middle of the beginning of the parade. There was music playing, we saw these white balls spinning all the time and everything full of people. Some dressed up, the majority not. To be honest, we were a little confused in the beginning, as we didn't now what was going on. We soon though found out. As we were both really curious, we just went for it and managed to find a spot where it was a little less busy and where we had a good view of the parade. As soon as it started, we were offered mezcal made from hollowed-out green chilli peppers with red powder on top. Free and purely to celebrate the day. We were passed by people in impressive costumes, dance groups, people with elaborate baskets and other complicated hats and lots and lots of men carrying these big white balls that were constantly spinning. It was.... To be honest, it reminded me a bit of carnival. I was born in Cologne, so I know that kind of hustle and bustle from carnival. Of course, it was different here, but.... Nevertheless, it was similar enough to make me feel at home. It was literally just one big party and really great! At some point, we joined the parade. It went on for quite a while and then ended at the large cathedral in the centre, where the first people had already arrived and a circle had already formed. At first I briefly wondered what everyone was leaving so much space for. A short time later I knew. Fireworks! Coming from the constructions that people were carrying above their heads. Someone just walked to the centre of the open space in front of the church, started spinning and off the firworks went. And I'm not talking about a small firework. I'm talking about wild firework sparks that spiralled around. A picture I'll never forget. To give you a better idea, below are pictures and videos. And all of this, of course, without any barriers or fire protection etc. Completely unthinkable in Europe. And admittedly a bit dangerous. But everything was still fine. And literally everyone hat these constructions on their heads. Young people, women, men... and they all went into the centre of the square one after the other plus at a safe distance from each other and started spinning in circles. It was.... Just really great. Definitely in the top 3 events I ran into completely randomly. The anniversary in Oaxaca is really an experience in itself. The joy of the people, the exuberance, the hospitality, the music. The costumes, the parade, the fireworks.... If you have the opportunity to be in Oaxaca for the anniversary.... It's worth it! 😊 :D 

As in every city in Mexico, I also visited the local market in Oaxaca. Of course, there is never just one, but I usually just go to the biggest one, let myself go with the flow and enjoy the atmosphere and the vibe. Simply because I love the markets in Mexico. They are colourful, chaotic, crowded and you can soak up so much Mexican culture, buy something cheap, lose yourself, get in touch with locals and so much more. The market in Oaxaca is no exception. I went in, was swallowed up and happily spat out again. For all those who are not yet familiar with Mexican markets: you can really get EVERYTHING here and it's really cheap. Food, clothes, shoes, jewellery, tech stuff - although you should double check tech stuff - but really everything!!! And as long as you can bargain a little, you can also get anything with a fixed price on it sometimes a little cheaper - like it's in comparison to european prices already cheap, but locals simply get certain things even cheaper 😉 Go or not? If you've been to a Mexican market, it's up to you. If not, then go! Mexican markets are an experience in themselves :D

The park and the area around the park in Oaxaca are full of life. The park itself is a bit like a place where you can always get random junk or little things for children or souvenirs, food and snacks and where people relax and enjoy the day, have a chat or walk through on their way somewhere else. The park is like Oaxaca itself: relaxed, welcoming and lively. And there's always something going on here. The cathedral is directly adjacent to the park and is constantly flanked by people selling these... long, round plastic balloon-like things, which you can then dab on the ground and try to make them fly as high as you can. And if you do it at the right angle and with the right force, they really do fly high. Towards the evening, young and old gather between the park and the cathedral on a really big and smooth area and dance to kumbia. And guys... there's nothing cuter than an old married couple dancing to kumbia basically just moving their legs a bit but really being in the groove. Pure sugar. My heart melted! There are also some people who can't dance at all and look almost comical, but whose joy is so infectious that you love watching them. The Kumbia dance evenings in Oaxaca were one of my absolute favourites during my time in Oaxaca and something that has stuck in my mind. These evenings also represent the spirit and the relaxed and happy vibe of Oaxaca. Basically why I felt so comfortable in Oaxaca. So should you go to the park and dance in the evening? One hundred per cent. You simply haven't really experienced Oaxaca otherwise. You really haven't. 😊

Hierve el Agua is one of those wondrous places in Mexico that don't exist twice. Just like Canyon Sumidero, which is a must-see near San Cristóbal, Hierve el Agua is a must-see day trip from Oaxaca. It consists of these pozas - natural swimming pools with turquoise blue water that you can find in different places in Mexico - a beautiful view and an impressive... honestly, I don't know what to call it. It looks like a huge dry waterfall. Or stalactites that have grown down a huge rock in the open air in the sunlight. The most logical thing would be for it to turn back into waterfalls during the rainy season. THEN the sight would certainly be really impressive as well. I know it sounds a bit... confusing perhaps, but that's what you think when you see this place without any background knowledge :D I went there with a group of backpackers on a tour - you really can't get there without a car - and had a lot of fun on the journey. It was sooo bumpy.... :D Not for the faint-hearted or nervous ones, but I loved it :D Once you arrive, a path leads to this incredibly beautiful view with these pozas, or natural pools, where you can of course take great pictures. Very instagrammable. You can swim there, enjoy the view and just chill out a bit. Later, when you have enjoyed the view and the pozas enough, a small path leads down to the large rock waterfall - I'll just call it that for now. From there you have another really great view directly over the dry waterfall (rock waterfall). There is also another platform where a kind of mini fountain constantly gushes water to the surface - like from under the platform. Really cool! I've never seen anything it like this anywhere else. And photos here.... No words. Just really cool. The view is also amazing! Should you go to Hierve el Auga? Of course you should! If not, you're missing out! :D