In the traditional kitchen of Marta Contreras Luna in San Antonio Cuajimoloyas

Marta & the Mushrooms

The Woman Who Listens to the Forest

Every year, when the rains return to the mountains of Oaxaca, something magical happens. The dry earth awakens, the forests turn emerald green, and mushrooms begin to emerge beneath the pine and oak trees. For those who know how to look, it is one of the most abundant and beautiful seasons in the Sierra Norte.

And there is no one we would rather explore this world with than Marta Contreras Luna.

Marta lives in the Zapotec community of Cuajimoloyas, one of the highest villages in the Sierra Norte. She is part of a family that has carried generations of knowledge about the forest, its medicinal plants, and its mushrooms. Much of this wisdom came from her grandmother, a respected healer who taught her children and grandchildren to approach nature with reverence, gratitude, and deep attention.

For me, this story is also personal.

When I first began exploring the forests of the Sierra Norte more than twenty-five years ago, one of my greatest teachers was Marta’s brother, Joel. He seemed to know every corner of the mountain, every medicinal plant, every mushroom. Walking through the forest with him was like entering a living library. He shared stories, teachings, and observations that revealed an intimate relationship with the natural world. Through him, I learned to see the forest not simply as a landscape, but as a place of wisdom.

That wisdom came from their grandmother, whose healing knowledge and respect for the earth shaped the entire family.

Today, I see that same connection alive in Marta.

Walking alongside her through the misty mountain trails is an extraordinary experience. She notices details that most visitors would never see and shares stories that reveal a completely different way of relating to nature. Through her eyes, the forest becomes a community of living beings, each with its own purpose and place.

One of the highlights of our journey is returning from the forest with baskets of freshly gathered mushrooms and gathering in Marta’s small comedor. There, surrounded by the warmth of her kitchen, we prepare and share a meal using the mushrooms we have found together. Simple, fresh, and deeply connected to the land, these meals are among the most memorable experiences of the retreat.

Every visit to Marta fills me with joy. Her kindness, wisdom, and profound connection to the earth remind me why I fell in love with the Sierra Norte in the first place. Sitting in her comedor, sharing food and stories after a day in the forest, feels less like visiting a restaurant and more like coming home.

This mushroom pilgrimage is part of our August Mycelia journey, created in collaboration with Comuna Travel. Together, we invite travelers to experience Oaxaca during one of its most magical seasons.

The rainy season is often overlooked by visitors, yet for many of us it is the most beautiful time of the year. The mountains are alive with water, flowers, medicinal plants, and mushrooms. The air is fresh, the landscapes are vibrant, and the ancient relationship between people and the land becomes visible everywhere.

For us, this journey is about much more than mushrooms. It is about reconnecting with a way of seeing the world that recognizes nature as a teacher. It is about learning from the people who have cared for these forests for generations. And it is about slowing down enough to listen.

This August, Marta will once again open the doors of her forest and her kitchen to us. We are deeply honored to share this experience with her—and with all those who feel called to walk the mountain paths, taste the gifts of the rainy season, and discover the wisdom that lives within the forest.

🍄 Join us for Mycelia (Reserve your spot! August 8th to 13th or August 19th to 24th) and experience the Sierra Norte through the eyes of one of its most beloved mushroom guardians. 🍄✨