Market day

Spice and chiles for sale....
Older gentleman enjoying his pulque in a jicara gourd cup. Glass bottles hold mezcal.

Amazing empanada filled with yellow mole chicken. One of the best things I ate in Oaxaca, and one of the cheapest.
Proud pulque and tepache vendor in Ocotlan, Oaxaca

Here are more sights from Oaxaca. Our last few days were spent visiting the small villages around the capital city of Oaxaca with a fabulous guide, Jaime. Ocotlan had its market on Friday, which was fantastic. The village plaza area was packed full of people selling everything from saddles, pottery, empanadas, underwear, pots, and chiles. I LOVE Mexican markets...the energy, the crafts, the food, the people.

I got to taste pulque for the first time. As well as tepache...these are ancient fermented beverages made from the maguey plant (that also makes mezcal). I actually liked them both, a surprise.

I came home with dried chiles to make mole, jamaica flower (to make a tea in the summer), as well as chocolate, and avocado leaves (which add something magical to black beans).