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San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.
So I’ve been living amongst the indigenous people in the mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas for almost a month and a half now. It is a small community of around 180,000 people at an elevation of about 7,000 ft. Tzotzils and Tzeltals make up a majority of the indigenous population and are super skilled in crafting textiles of all kinds. Ceramics, working with amber, clothing, bags, shoes, leather goods line the streets and fill the local shops with their artisanal works. They don their traditional clothing and still speak their native languages and some do not speak Spanish at all. They are so many incredible things to do here from walking around the city on the cobblestone streets looking at the colorful colonial buildings, with their amazing doors and windows. This charming city is a photographers dream with the most breathtaking backdrops for portraits with so many colors and textures. There is a boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon where you can see huge crocodiles, monkeys and plenty of pelicans, eagles and other birds and a handful of viewpoints to take it all in from the tops of the massive cliffs. You can jump on a colectivo (a van that will take you anywhere for very little) and visit Las Grutas del Mamute and explore a gigantic cave, zip line across the river at Arcotete and if you up for a hike through the countryside and forest, hike from Las Grutas to Arctotete. Being an huge religious community, you can walk up to the churches and cathedrals where you can get a magnificent view of the city. They blast off fireworks throughout the day at various churches to ward off evil spirits (from what I’ve been told.) San Juan Chamula, a village about 40 minutes from the city center is a wonderful day trip with an iconic church where they sacrifice chickens and has a massive market where you can buy their local textiles for a bit cheaper than San Cris. Be sure to find a local Poxeria and try out the local Mayan Spirit, made with sugar cane, corn and wheat. The strong drink is used as a medicine for ages and comes with different flavors, natural, chocolate, hibiscus, limon and Jamaica. Three hours to the south is El Chiflon where you can find an incredible chain of waterfalls and extremely turquoise water. This park very well organized with nice paths along the river that will lead you to the top exploring the six maginficient waterfalls and taking a dip in the surreal ponds along the way. Don’t forget to visit the farmers market by the Cerrillo Sqaure where you can buy anything from cilantro to live pigs and chickens. But they literally sell everything here, clothes, candles, toys, incense, natural medicine and you can even get a tattoo done up right in the midst of all the action. Even if you are not hungry and want to try out some of the street food here, this is a must do. Truly a sight to be seen! There is also an insane artisanal market near the farmers market with some amazing crafts, jewelry, clothes and artwork. The nightlife in San Cristobal is incredible, with some of the best live music, with musicians coming together from all different parts of the world to create their own distinct sound. San Cris has it all, salsa, cumbia, jazz, rock, hip hop, reggae, and one club to do it better than most is Revolucion. And don’t forget to try out the taco stand out front! If you are looking for more of a Dj vibe, try Mescalito for a guaranteed dance party and great vibe. Sip on some mescal and grab a jarre of local beer and hit the dancefloor. Afterhours spots are always open, just ask around and you’ll hear about one or two. My favorite is La Bendita which goes all night with really great Dj’s and staff here to keep you rocking til the sun comes up. There is a really tasty sandwich shop called Papichulo where you can attempt the hail satan challenge, 6 habaneros, 6 jalapenos, and 6 serranos inside of a huge sandwich. Beat the clock and you get your meal for free, free hail satan tshirt and your photo on the wall of flame.
With a sprained foot, I stumbled my way to Oaxaca, after occupying the couch of my great friends in México City. Impromptu skateboard tricks and sake don't mix btw. We celebrated México's Independence Day in Oaxaca de Juarez and then headed for the mountains of San José del Pacífico. Three hour bus to the top of the most beautiful mountain village. Convenient store hongos, street dog guide into the forest, connecting with nature, and a rainstorm at the peak. Followed by hot Oaxaqueño chocolate milk sunsets.
After 5 great nights staying at La Cumbre Hostel in San Jose del Pacifico, we decided to save a few bucks and hitchhiking was the plan. With our bags packed and our cardboard sign made, we were posted up on the side of a small village road in the mountains of Oaxaca. Our sign read "Mazunte" a quiet little beach town on the Pacific coast of México and the street dog we were caring for throughout the week was by our side. I was traveling with a new German friend that had similar interests and travel plans, and had just shared an incredible experience with hongos in the forest. After about three hours and with the threat of rain looming we finally got the ride we were hoping for. We threw our backpacks in the back of a truck, I joined them, and Misha jumped in the front seat. Our dog sat alongside the truck looking for his seat. We really wanted to adopt this dog but we knew he was at home here with plenty of love from travelers passing through. We took off and our dog, Jake, as we named him, ran after us full speed down the road. I sat in the back watching him as he finally disappeared around a curve. Super sad, but goodbyes are always hard while traveling.
It started pouring rain, we pulled off and they made room for me in the cab of the truck. Our savior, and driver, was a middle aged Mexican doctor who was delivering a medical device of some sort three hours south, a bit short of where we needed to go. He explained to us that doctors in México do not earn much and he was about to open a Mezcaleria to make ends meet. We enjoyed conversation and music as we traveled south along the wet mountain roads. Our driver's generosity was proven once again when he offered to drive us about an hour past his destination to get us where we needed to go. We finally arrived in Mazunte and enjoyed the week there with incredible sunsets, dips in the ocean, great food, drinks, live music, and new friends. ¡Viva México!
Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Hierve el Agua, Petrified waterfalls.
Ended up in a taxi full of Australian women, through the agave cactus fields of Oaxaca, to these incredible petrified waterfalls. Of course stopping a few times along the way to grab shots of mezcal and Modelos. We swam in the pools, sun bathed like lizards on the scorching hot rocks and hiked to the top of these natural beauties.
So I’ve been living amongst the indigenous people in the mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas for almost a month and a half now. It is a small community of around 180,000 people at an elevation of about 7,000 ft. Tzotzils and Tzeltals make up a majority of the indigenous population and are super skilled in crafting textiles of all kinds. Ceramics, working with amber, clothing, bags, shoes, leather goods line the streets and fill the local shops with their artisanal works. They don their traditional clothing and still speak their native languages and some do not speak Spanish at all. They are so many incredible things to do here from walking around the city on the cobblestone streets looking at the colorful colonial buildings, with their amazing doors and windows. This charming city is a photographers dream with the most breathtaking backdrops for portraits with so many colors and textures. There is a boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon where you can see huge crocodiles, monkeys and plenty of pelicans, eagles and other birds and a handful of viewpoints to take it all in from the tops of the massive cliffs. You can jump on a colectivo (a van that will take you anywhere for very little) and visit Las Grutas del Mamute and explore a gigantic cave, zip line across the river at Arcotete and if you up for a hike through the countryside and forest, hike from Las Grutas to Arctotete. Being an huge religious community, you can walk up to the churches and cathedrals where you can get a magnificent view of the city. They blast off fireworks throughout the day at various churches to ward off evil spirits (from what I’ve been told.) San Juan Chamula, a village about 40 minutes from the city center is a wonderful day trip with an iconic church where they sacrifice chickens and has a massive market where you can buy their local textiles for a bit cheaper than San Cris. Be sure to find a local Poxeria and try out the local Mayan Spirit, made with sugar cane, corn and wheat. The strong drink is used as a medicine for ages and comes with different flavors, natural, chocolate, hibiscus, limon and Jamaica. Three hours to the south is El Chiflon where you can find an incredible chain of waterfalls and extremely turquoise water. This park very well organized with nice paths along the river that will lead you to the top exploring the six maginficient waterfalls and taking a dip in the surreal ponds along the way. Don’t forget to visit the farmers market by the Cerrillo Sqaure where you can buy anything from cilantro to live pigs and chickens. But they literally sell everything here, clothes, candles, toys, incense, natural medicine and you can even get a tattoo done up right in the midst of all the action. Even if you are not hungry and want to try out some of the street food here, this is a must do. Truly a sight to be seen! There is also an insane artisanal market near the farmers market with some amazing crafts, jewelry, clothes and artwork. The nightlife in San Cristobal is incredible, with some of the best live music, with musicians coming together from all different parts of the world to create their own distinct sound. San Cris has it all, salsa, cumbia, jazz, rock, hip hop, reggae, and one club to do it better than most is Revolucion. And don’t forget to try out the taco stand out front! If you are looking for more of a Dj vibe, try Mescalito for a guaranteed dance party and great vibe. Sip on some mescal and grab a jarre of local beer and hit the dancefloor. Afterhours spots are always open, just ask around and you’ll hear about one or two. My favorite is La Bendita which goes all night with really great Dj’s and staff here to keep you rocking til the sun comes up. There is a really tasty sandwich shop called Papichulo where you can attempt the hail satan challenge, 6 habaneros, 6 jalapenos, and 6 serranos inside of a huge sandwich. Beat the clock and you get your meal for free, free hail satan tshirt and your photo on the wall of flame.
With a sprained foot, I stumbled my way to Oaxaca, after occupying the couch of my great friends in México City. Impromptu skateboard tricks and sake don't mix btw. We celebrated México's Independence Day in Oaxaca de Juarez and then headed for the mountains of San José del Pacífico. Three hour bus to the top of the most beautiful mountain village. Convenient store hongos, street dog guide into the forest, connecting with nature, and a rainstorm at the peak. Followed by hot Oaxaqueño chocolate milk sunsets.
After 5 great nights staying at La Cumbre Hostel in San Jose del Pacifico, we decided to save a few bucks and hitchhiking was the plan. With our bags packed and our cardboard sign made, we were posted up on the side of a small village road in the mountains of Oaxaca. Our sign read "Mazunte" a quiet little beach town on the Pacific coast of México and the street dog we were caring for throughout the week was by our side. I was traveling with a new German friend that had similar interests and travel plans, and had just shared an incredible experience with hongos in the forest. After about three hours and with the threat of rain looming we finally got the ride we were hoping for. We threw our backpacks in the back of a truck, I joined them, and Misha jumped in the front seat. Our dog sat alongside the truck looking for his seat. We really wanted to adopt this dog but we knew he was at home here with plenty of love from travelers passing through. We took off and our dog, Jake, as we named him, ran after us full speed down the road. I sat in the back watching him as he finally disappeared around a curve. Super sad, but goodbyes are always hard while traveling.
It started pouring rain, we pulled off and they made room for me in the cab of the truck. Our savior, and driver, was a middle aged Mexican doctor who was delivering a medical device of some sort three hours south, a bit short of where we needed to go. He explained to us that doctors in México do not earn much and he was about to open a Mezcaleria to make ends meet. We enjoyed conversation and music as we traveled south along the wet mountain roads. Our driver's generosity was proven once again when he offered to drive us about an hour past his destination to get us where we needed to go. We finally arrived in Mazunte and enjoyed the week there with incredible sunsets, dips in the ocean, great food, drinks, live music, and new friends. ¡Viva México!
Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Hierve el Agua, Petrified waterfalls.
Ended up in a taxi full of Australian women, through the agave cactus fields of Oaxaca, to these incredible petrified waterfalls. Of course stopping a few times along the way to grab shots of mezcal and Modelos. We swam in the pools, sun bathed like lizards on the scorching hot rocks and hiked to the top of these natural beauties.
