Fields of Maguey plants are often seen along the highways near Oaxaca -- these plants are cultivated everywhere in order to keep up with the high demand for Tequila and Mezcal. The Oaxacan arid topography allows these plants to thrive and make Oaxaca a prime production centre for the drink.
The significant demand for these drinks is demonstrated by this Mezcaleria -- a whole store dedicated to selling all sorts of varieties of Mezcal.
Another well-known product (to Mexicans) that is produced in this area is Chocolate. In Oaxaca City, there is a whole street dedicated to producing it freshly and selling it to tourists (of course) and merchants across town !
For those who can't come down to Mayordomo, one of the top two manufacturers of chocolate, the store will delivery fresh chocolate via motorcycle.
Meanwhile La Soledad, the other top manufacturer, which is located next door to Mayordomo one ups their competition by having a delivery van.
Mayordomo has a nicer tourist shop though with friendly greeters (like our friend here Ervin) who let us try several types of chocolate drinks (even pure chocolate which is very bitter!).
You can also buy several flavours of the chocolate in bar format -- Cinnamon, Suiss (Milk Chocolate), Moka (Regular), Vanilla, Amargo (Bitter/Dark), Oaxaqueno (Traditional Oaxaca chocolate - Dark).
Near Oaxaca is located Tule, a small town which is visited by people for its Tule tree, supposedly the largest biomass in the world. Look at how the tree shadows the church located next to it.
The tree's diameter is an unbelievable 14 meters wide.
Local scientists say that it draws water from an area of 100 KM surrounding it!
Though it is guessed to be over 2000 years old, it seemed to still be thriving.
More facts about the Tule Tree.
Near the tree we found another fun group of bushes, trimmed to create the most entertaining figures such as this duck...
...and this jumping puppy dog.
Raul and Oscar are two friendly mexican lawyers (from Mexico City) that we met in Oaxaca. They were very enthusiastic about sharing their country and culture with us. We had lots of fun with them!
