Mercado 20 de Noviembre & Benito Juárez

Months prior to our Oaxaca visit, we started slowly jotting down places, sights, and food that we all wanted to see and devour. Anyone that knew we were going to Oaxaca told us that we absolutely could not miss their mercados. Markets have always been top spots to fuel my imagination and mind with all different kinds of ideas and inspiration. Let me tell you, Mercado Benito Juárez in Oaxaca is just phenomenal. Do not enter on a timed schedule, if you are anything like me, you will get lost somewhere between the piñatas and bowls of different chiles and spices. No, I wasn't physically lost, my mind just decided to venture on its own course grasping all of the gorgeous colors, textures, and fragrances.

Walking around the market with empty stomachs, is not highly recommended. All of the different vendors in the 20 de Noviembre section of the mercado are waving their arms and menus at you, to get you to sit down at their own eatery. We chose to eat our breakfast at Comedor Chabelita. It was packed full of people, but we managed to grab a bench and section of a table to ourselves. We started off by sharing a Chocolate con agua, and a piece of pan de yema. Antonio ordered the Mole amarillo, and I decided on a Tlayuda sencilla. For the moment I wasn't really craving meat, and the Tlayuda sencilla more than conquered my hunger. I had quite a few over our week stay, but was never actually able to finish a whole one.

As you can imagine the aromas floating around, as you walk down the row of carnes asadas is just intoxicating. Even after indulging in our breakfast, my mouth still began to water.

My mother in law and one of Antonio's cousins flew in mid-week, to join us on our Oaxaca adventure. Of course they could not miss out on the visit market, nor the food. This time we wandered around during lunch time, and yes, once again I met up with my newest friend the Tlayuda. This time I ordered a vegetarian one, which was full of squash blossoms, meanwhile Antonio ordered his full of Cecina, Tasajo and Chorizo. (Pictured above)

I can only dream about the day that I live within walking distance to a market like this, okay it doesn't need to be necessarily this large, even half the size would be just fine.