Of Oaxaca, part the first

The countryside on our drive from Puerto Arista to Oaxaca City was gorgeous. Stunning canyons and rolling hills covered with cacti. As we neared Oaxaca, much of the land was covered with neatly planted rows of agave, the plant used to make mezcal and tequila. Your correspondent sampled a couple varieties of mezcal, which is native to Oaxaca (Tequila being originally from Jalisco). We'll stick with tequila from here on out.