Oaxacarnaval

One of the many delights of travelling is finding small unexpected corners of a city where I'd thought every cobblestone had been unturned. Back in Oaxaca, I don't even have to leave my hotel to see this little shrine. Outside, street designers have turned electricity meters into works of art. And mornings in a large plaza known as El Llano are turned over to fitness sessions. Near there, a Sunday afternoon food stall shows a wonderful community spirit.

By now Carnival is in full flow The processions are not always publicly announced but I can tell when one is on, from the thumping of the brass bands streets away. In Oaxaca, they're mostly made up of groups from the outlying towns and as always, the costumes are fantastic.

There's time for day excursions to some of these towns, though more for their weekly markets than processions. The outdoor barbers work at Ocotlan on Fridays, while the lady serving food (mirrored by the wall painting) is at the huge Sunday market at Tlacolula. Coyotepec, a small town south of Oaxaca, is known for its shiny black pottery.Read more