A brief respite from the intensity of Cancún and Playa del Carmen was short lived as I had only a couple of nights in Oaxaca before the festivities of Día de Muertos began. Not only that, I was also due to meet up with Jorden, one of my best friends from home who I haven't seen since the beginning of the year.

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead in English) is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and acknowledged around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Oaxaca is known as a town rich in culture, food and tradition, and as such also considered the best place to celebrate Día de Muertos in Mexico.

Arriving by bus on Wednesday evening, I was greeted by a friend from Couchsurfing who walked me back to my hostel. It was invaluable having someone as friendly and helpful as Rubí who was able to provide advice on what to do, where to go, and where to party over the next few days.

True to it's reputation, Oaxaca is littered with trendy artisanal shops, local designer boutiques, cafes and restaurants which make it a beautiful city to casually stroll around. This was done in abundance with the inevitable partying for Día de Muertos, where only 1 in 5 nights was spent without the consumption of a considerable amount of alcohol.

Much of the alcohol enjoyed in Oaxaca is Mezcal, a distilled beverage made from the maguey plant. It tastes similar to Tequila, but a little more smooth and with a distinct smokey flavour, depending on how long it's been aged. This often went down nicely with a Tlayuda (a handmade dish consisting of a large, thin, crunchy tortilla covered with a spread of refried beans, meat, lettuce or cabbage, avocado, stringy cheese and salsa), many of which were enjoyed at the Benito Juárez market.

From beginning to end, my time in Oaxaca was full of laughs, partying, eating, drinking - everything that's good for the soul. It was great to spend this memorable weekend with my best mate without a care in the world, and we were treated to some more great company in friends that we made at the hostel, and other locals that we met here in Oaxaca. It's a place you can't really find a good reason to leave, and the experiences I've had here I'll never have a good reason to forget.