A Trip Back Home
By Angelica Ruiz
Summer 2015 was a summer that I look back upon fondly. I found myself in the place I hold dear: Oaxaca, Mexico. Every day was a new adventure, exploring the pueblo (town) my family calls home. I was an eleven-year-old girl running around Oaxaca without a care. I dove into the local markets, a treasure trove of flavors. I savored the rich taste of tortillas, nieves, moles, and so much more, each bite a new experience. The warm hospitality of my friends and family made me feel at home. My heart broke when it was time to leave.
Eight years later, I had yet to return to the special place of Oaxaca. As these years passed, my heart ached to return to the place I call my second home. I watched Oaxaca from afar, cultivating the culture in my everyday life. I had brought Oaxaca back to New York City with me; Oaxaca was in everything I did. It wasn’t until December 2023 that I finally made my return. I was beyond ecstatic to go back to the plazas and markets to experience first-hand the culture I hold so close to my heart.
From the moment I stepped off the plane, my heart pounded. I was overwhelmed with nerves and excitement all at once. I wondered how this experience would be different from the last time I was here. For starters, I was no longer an eleven-year-old little girl; I had returned as a young adult with a new perspective and love for my culture. I was a brand new person. Walking towards the airport exit, I saw my two aunts holding signs and balloons welcoming us back. My eyes filled with tears; their hugs made this trip feel real. I wasn’t living in one of my daydreams.
As we drove through the pueblo, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the window. The sight of the majestic mountains and the familiar air instantly transported me back to my trip from 8 years ago. The nostalgia was overwhelming, a mix of joy and sadness that felt bittersweet. I knew this visit would be different from my last. I had to reintroduce myself to everyone; the family I had left behind in 2015 had evolved. There were new nephews and nieces that I hadn’t met. My cousins had grown older and started their own families. Yet, despite the changes, I felt an immediate connection, as if no time had passed. Getting to know my extended family and all the new additions filled my heart with a sense of belonging and warmth.
I did not waste any time to start exploring. My feet itched to be outside from the moment I got off the airplane. I must see my culture in action and immerse myself in the Oaxacan experience. Immediately, my aunts took me to a town, Mitla, known for its historical connection to the Zapotec people. I was in awe. The streets lit up with Christmas lights, the smell of cafe de olla and treats, and the sound of the live bands. It was a Christmas I’d never thought I would experience. I felt like a little kid in a candy shop, eyes wide, looking at all the possibilities of adventure. Each day was a different thrill. I climbed up the steep steps of Monte Alban, the metropolis of the Zapotec people, swam in the springs of Hierve el Agua, and explored the artistry and talent of Oaxaca. Culture and talent filled the streets that I walked through.
Walking through the vibrant streets of Oaxaca is an experience in itself. There was an overwhelming amount of talent and artistry. Each wall told a different story through the graphics and artwork that street artists designed. The markets overflowed with artisans to which Oaxacans dedicated their lives. Each step I took down the city made me fall deeper and deeper in love with my culture. I always held a special place in my heart for Oaxaca, but immersing myself in Oaxaca completely changed how I felt. It was more than a love for the culture. I was filled with pride and honor to be able to call this place my home, to be able to say I am Oaxaqueña.
While this experience differed from my last, I hold both trips extremely close to my heart. I connected with my new family members and reminisced on those who weren’t there to welcome me anymore. I toured the grounds of my ancestors and fell deeply in love with the roots that connect me to Oaxaca. Oaxaca is and will forever be in everything that I do.
