You don't have to rely just on the magnificence of nearby ruins such as Monte Alban or beautiful churches or perhaps the finest zocolo in all of Mexico to want to go back again to Oaxaca.

Oaxaca may be one of the poorest states in Mex ico, but there's a wealth of charm and beauty in just walking around the city. I did just that, with my trusty camera, and here are a few examples of the colorful people and places I found.