In 2016, I moved to Oaxaca for a few months and ended up signing a lease for a lot longer stay. Part of this decision came down to my battle with chronic pain, but also to the fact that the city is beautiful and delicious. After years in Asia, it is a big change. But a welcome one, as I’ve long wanted to improve my Spanish from its inauspicious, embarrassing beginnings.
To end 2016, I wanted to share some photos from the last year. In 2015, I posted my favorite pictures from the prior 12 months. This time, I’m sharing the ones that you decided you liked the most based on my Instagram feed. In addition to Oaxaca, I visited Belize, Austin, Seattle, Montreal, Ottawa, New York, and Rio de Janeiro this year. Regardless, almost all of your love went to Oaxaca. And an alpaca, but who can blame you?
What’s happening for 2017?
I’ll be in Oaxaca for the winter and spring, and I plan to maintain an apartment here when I head back to North America during the summer. I’m in the middle of writing a long guide to the city, focusing on food – of course – but also what to do, where to stay, and fun trips in the Oaxaca Valley. I’ve eaten at some lovely family-run spots and I look forward to also profiling them on the site.
For those who signed up for my writing course, check your inbox in coming weeks for course outline, costs, and a short application form. I will be taking a class of 10 people to start, and close to 100 have signed up. The application form will help with making sure the class goals fit your needs. I plan to offer these courses on a rolling basis, with a lower price for the first one. So if you are not in the first round, I hope to work with you a little later in the year.
I’ve also started this season’s food walks, and have 25 people booked in so far.
Finally, my shop now offers lightweight black tote bags in addition to the sturdy canvas ones. These are great for errands, and fold up easily to carry around when you’re not using them. Japan food map is coming soon.
It will be a busy winter and spring, and I’m excited to dive into these projects. I’ll update further in my customary annual review on 1 April — last year’s piece, 8 Years of Legal Nomads, follows that model! — but for now: thank you for reading Legal Nomads, for your support of the site through the shop, and for reaching out to share your stories.
Now: the photos! For those reading via email – you’ll need to click through to the web to view the embedded Instagram photos.
2016 in Photos
1. Day of the Dead, Oaxaca
My first muertos celebration, and it won’t be my last. Fabulous time, filled with visits to the cemeteries, marching bands, fireworks, offerings, and a face painting to end all face paintings. So fun!
2. Me in a Field of Marigolds, Zaachila
My friend Susanne took me and her son out to the fields near Zaachila just before Day of the Dead, so we could frolic in the flowers like nobody’s business. The farmers were amused but tolerant, aided by the fact that I bought a bunch before we departed the fields.
3. Oaxaca City at Dusk
This city’s light knows no limits.
4. Corn Husk Installation, Oaxaca
These corn husks-as-birds were installed over the Alcala, the main walking street in town, and hovered over for a few weeks before they were taken down. Lovely.
5. Oaxaca at Dusk on Cinco de Mayo street
6. Hierve El Agua
I wrote a longer post with higher-res photos of the gorgeous calcified waterfalls outside Oaxaca City, but understandably this photo was a hit. Such a beautiful spot.
7. Tornado at my Dad’s Place (RUN!), Quebec
Family reunion gone just slightly awry. Of course, seeing as how we aren’t used to tornados, we simply took photos and stared instead of running for cover. Luckily it dissipated quickly!
8. Alpacas in New Zealand
These alpacas were in my photoessay from last year also, but this time I reposted as a throwback on a day I needed some cheering up. Apparently you did too.
9. Me in a field of Cockscomb Celosia
The flower I love most in the world is everywhere in Oaxaca come Day of the Dead. I was a happy Jodi.
10.Jacarandas on the Ground, Oaxaca
The trees in town bloom at different times, from bright orange flamboyantes to yellow blossoms that paper the sidewalks, to these gorgeous purple jacarandas.
11. Rio de Janerio from above
One from my fabulous trip to Brazil to help friends celebrate their wedding. This one was taken from atop the
Thank you again for reading, andI hope each of you have a wonderful, healthy, and happy 2017.
-Jodi
My first place vote goes to 9, and my second place vote goes to 2.
I like pics of a cheerful Jodi, or Juana or Juanita or whatever handle you go by these dias. May you be happy!
Happy New Year.
Hoping you have safe but exciting travel adventures.
I love the violet flowers scattered across the ground but the picture of vibrant New Zealand waters steals my heart. So glad that you’ve found a place that you feel good about calling home for now.
Thank you Nedgma! Have a wonderful new years!
So glad to have spent rare albeit precious moments with you in 2016. Here’s to having many, many more in 2017 :-)
Agreed! Loved our meals and talks this summer and looking forward to doing it again soon.
I love the face painting from the Day of the Dead, and all the flowers were lovely too. I liked the bird exhibit, too, but I think that would feel a little creepy for me to walk on that street. Happy new year!
You too Marcy!
Looks like a great year! more alpacas! Can’t wait to see your food guide!
Always MOAR ALPACAS! <3
semi-relatedly, i went to hierve de agua last week. i feel like there is not enough said about he harrowing, hairpin ride it takes to get there! so scary. happy new year!
What a wonderful year!! :)
It should be Rio de Janeiro, what a wonderful city and country.
Enjoy 2017
Lovely collection, Jodi! Love the Day of the Dead pic with your beautiful face painting but my favorite is probably the tornado forming, just because I love the drama of bad weather.
So happy you found a place that brings you joy and food when long-term stays in SE Asia aren’t feasible anymore.
I love your photos of Oaxaca. They are so beautiful and breathtaking. It’s on my list of places I would like to travel to.
That’s it. I’ve just got to get to Mexico this year! The photos of the fields of flowers are my favorites. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos with us again.
Great photos Jodi! Your Day of the dead costume/make up is fabulous! Oaxaca looks beautiful and is now our list of places to visit! Thanks for sharing :-)