Editor’s note: When we heard that Marcelo Romero, owner of Vancouver’s La Mezcaleria on Commercial Drive, was taking his team to Mexico on a food and drink pilgrimage, we asked if he would, upon his return, share his findings with us. And so, here, in this travel diary part dos, the crew tours through the mezcal hotbed and digs deep into the sights and sounds of Oaxaca—the city from which La Mezcaleria takes its culinary lead. To witness a country through the eyes of a native is a true gift. Read part uno here.
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Day five, Doors and Façades: We were enamoured by Oaxaca’s charm, colours, and textures. It is a seduction for the senses.
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Day five, Mezcal Tour: Colonial façade at 5 de Mayo Street. We could not help but appreciate the gates, sidewalks, and balconies, which all together make Oaxaca a magical place.
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Maguey fields sit very close to the entrance to Santiago Matatlán, also known as the “world capital of mezcal”. The scenery was breathtaking.
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Simplicity at its best. We felt very welcome at Los Danzantes Mezcaleria.
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You can’t separate Mexican culture from its religious roots. Pictured is a place of worship dedicated to the Virgin Mary and other saints.
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Molcajetes. Volcanic rocks are formed in to the traditional Mexican version of the mortar and pestle.
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Some pots next to an adobe wall in The Danzantes. This place, besides being a mezcal distillery, holds a charm of the region.
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Same wall but with a different view—it’s all beautiful and simple here.
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Mezcal is made from the heart of the maguey plant, called la piña, very similar to the way it was 200 years ago in this region. This piña is full of sugars and will eventually become delicious mezcal. Para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien, también (for every ill, mezcal, and for every good, as well).
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Our guide shows us a variety of maguey and explains the different regions where it can be found.
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A sample of the different products at Los Danzantes—thank you very much for your hospitality. ¡Salud!
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This is a traditional landscape in the region. These cacti serve as walls or fences. Oaxaca has many wild varieties of cactus, which is a typical ornament in the region.
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Simple and complex at the same time, the beauty of nature anywhere in the world is something that deserves our respect.
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Distillation systems produce mezcal exactly the same as it was done centuries ago. It is only handled by the mezcaleros masters who are trusted to transmit their knowledge from generation to generation.
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An image of a cemetery. The people of Mexico maintain a close relationship with death by celebrations or rites, such as the day of the deceased saints: a party rich in traditions.
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Day six, Exploring Oaxaca: Originally the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, carefully restored, this place is surrounded by gardens and open spaces. It is a great spot to get an understanding of Mexico’s colonial splendour and richness.
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Traditional Oaxacan ceramics are known for their earthy tones, sheen, and unique designs.
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A view of Hotel Quinta Real, an old convent converted into a luxury hotel.
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Miscelanea, a traditional convenience store in Mexico where you can find almost everything.
