# Blog / Cultural Topic (Travel): Before & After

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## BEFORE (AI-generated)

### Discovering the Rich Cultural Heritage of Oaxaca, Mexico: A Hidden Gem Worth Exploring

In the tapestry of Mexican culture, few regions boast the breathtaking diversity and profound heritage that Oaxaca offers to the discerning traveller. This remarkable state, nestled in the heart of southern Mexico, serves as a vibrant testament to centuries of indigenous tradition, colonial history, and artistic innovation. From bustling markets to serene mountain villages, Oaxaca presents a captivating journey that resonates with visitors on a deeply personal level.

The culinary landscape of this extraordinary destination showcases a rich array of traditional flavours that have earned international recognition. The region features seven celebrated mole sauces, each representing a unique blend of ingredients and cultural significance. Local artisans meticulously prepare these complex dishes using time-honoured techniques that have been passed down through generations, creating an unforgettable gastronomic experience that illuminates the profound connection between food and cultural identity.

It's important to note that Oaxaca's artistic heritage is equally compelling. The state's talented craftspeople produce an impressive range of handcrafted goods -- from intricate black pottery to vibrant textiles -- that reflect the enduring legacy of pre-Columbian artistic traditions. These creative expressions not only preserve ancient techniques but also foster economic empowerment for indigenous communities, underscoring the multifaceted relationship between art, culture, and social progress.

No discussion of this enchanting locale would be complete without mentioning its architectural splendour. The historic centre boasts stunning colonial buildings, magnificent churches, and ancient archaeological sites that stand as enduring monuments to the region's layered history. Perhaps most notably, the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Alban showcases remarkable ruins that offer visitors a window into the sophisticated civilization that once flourished in this scenic landscape.

Furthermore, Oaxaca's natural beauty is nothing short of breathtaking. The diverse terrain -- ranging from lush valleys to rugged mountain ranges -- provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventures, eco-tourism, and nature photography. This ecological diversity, combined with the region's commitment to sustainable tourism practices, positions Oaxaca as a model destination that balances environmental preservation with cultural celebration.

In essence, Oaxaca stands as a compelling example of how a destination can honour its past while embracing the future. Whether you're drawn to its culinary traditions, its artistic heritage, or its natural wonders, this hidden gem offers an enriching experience that will leave a lasting impression. The journey to understanding Oaxaca is one that every curious traveller should embark upon.

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## AFTER (human-rewritten)

### Oaxaca ruined other Mexican food for me

I spent eleven days in Oaxaca City last March and I've been annoyed at restaurants ever since.

The problem is mole. Not the concept of mole -- a chilli-and-chocolate sauce, the version you get at most Mexican places abroad -- but the real thing, the way a woman named Doña Celia makes it in a courtyard kitchen off Calle Macedonio Alcala. She uses 32 ingredients for her mole negro. Thirty-two. She roasts the chillies over charcoal until they blacken but don't burn, then grinds them on a stone metate that her mother used before her. The sauce takes three days. It tastes like smoke and earth and something almost floral that I couldn't identify. I asked. She said it was avocado leaf.

Oaxaca has seven distinct moles, and they share almost nothing with each other. Mole amarillo is bright, thin, tangy. Mole coloradito is dense and sweet, close to what Americans think of when they hear the word. But negro is the one that wrecked me. I've ordered mole four times since coming home. Each time, I put down my fork after two bites.

The city itself is small enough to walk in a day. Colonial grid, low buildings painted ochre and terra cotta, churches on every other corner from when the Spanish couldn't stop building them. What surprised me was how little the colonial architecture matters once you've been to Monte Alban. It's a 20-minute drive up a mountain to a Zapotec city that was already ancient when Cortes arrived. The main plaza sits on a levelled mountaintop -- they carved an entire peak flat, 2,500 years ago -- and from the edges you can see the whole valley. No ropes, no guardrails, no interpretive signage every three feet. Just stone and sky and the wind doing what it wants.

I bought a piece of black pottery from a workshop in San Bartolo Coyotepec. The potter, maybe 60 years old, shaped it on a wheel she spun with her feet while talking to her granddaughter about homework. The clay comes out grey. It turns black in a reduction kiln starved of oxygen. I watched it happen. The piece cost 300 pesos -- about 15 dollars -- and I'm still not sure she charged me enough.

Go in March. The weather is dry and warm, the mezcal bars stay open late, and the jacaranda trees turn the whole city purple.

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## What Changed

**Travel-brochure language removed:**
- "rich cultural heritage" -> specific details about mole, pottery, ruins
- "breathtaking" (x2) -> cut entirely; described what was actually seen
- "hidden gem" -> cut; Oaxaca has a million visitors a year
- "tapestry" -> cut
- "profound heritage" -> cut
- "enduring legacy" -> cut
- "vibrant" -> "ochre and terra cotta" (actual colours)
- "captivating journey" -> described specific 11-day trip
- "nestled in the heart of" -> cut
- "unforgettable" -> showed the experience through specifics
- "enchanting locale" -> "the city"
- "nothing short of breathtaking" -> cut
- "scenic landscape" -> "stone and sky and the wind"

**Significance inflation removed:**
- "serves as a testament" -> cut
- "stands as enduring monuments" -> cut
- "Oaxaca stands as a compelling example" -> cut
- "illuminates the profound connection" -> showed the connection through story
- "underscoring the multifaceted relationship" -> cut

**Structural changes:**
- "From bustling markets to serene mountain villages" (false range) -> cut
- "Not only X but also Y" -> cut
- "It's important to note" -> cut
- "No discussion would be complete without" -> cut
- "In essence" recap conclusion -> replaced with one direct imperative sentence
- "Whether you're drawn to X, Y, or Z" -> cut
- "Furthermore" transition -> cut
- Ascending tricolons -> varied list sizes
- Every paragraph introducing a new "facet" -> paragraphs follow one person's chronological experience

**Copula avoidance fixed:**
- "boasts" (x2) -> "has" or restructured
- "features" -> described what she found
- "showcases" (x2) -> showed through narrative
- "presents" -> cut

**Synonym cycling fixed:**
- "Oaxaca" / "this remarkable state" / "this extraordinary destination" / "this enchanting locale" / "this hidden gem" -- six different references -> "Oaxaca" and "the city." Two terms. Done.

**What was added:**
- A named person (Doña Celia) with a specific street
- A specific number (32 ingredients, 300 pesos, 20-minute drive, 2,500 years)
- Sensory detail (smoke and earth and something floral; avocado leaf; grey clay turning black)
- An actual opinion ("ruined other Mexican food for me")
- First-person throughout with real reactions ("I put down my fork")
- An honest admission ("I'm still not sure she charged me enough")
- A practical recommendation ("Go in March")
- Varied sentence lengths: from 2 words ("Thirty-two.") to 33 words
- Sentences starting with "But," "And," "Not"
- No recap -- ends with forward-looking advice, not a summary
