OAXACA: THE HEART OF MEXICO
October 25-November 3, 2008
Rating: Easy
Group Size Limit: 14
Trip Leader: Carole Latimer
Accommodations: 9 nights lodging at B&B in Oaxaca
Cost: $2,995; Reservation Deposit $500. Balance due 3 months before start date of trip.
Please note: Price subject to change until your deposit is received
Located high in a fertile valley 300 miles southeast of Mexico City, Oaxaca, is a World Heritage
Site and one of the most colorful cities in Mexico – with the added bonus of a lovely climate
year round.
People from all over the world go to Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead, a rite of mourning that
blends Catholic and indigenous traditions. It is a time when the living and the dead joyfully greet
each other again for a short while. Altars for departed loved ones are set up with flowers and
food, and families visit their graves. Our wonderful guide, native Oaxacan Nora Guiterrez,
personalizes this holiday and brings us into her family to celebrate and understand the spirit of El
Dia De Los Muertos.
Oaxaca is also renowned for its quality arts and crafts, pyramids and ruins, and local markets. A
highlight of our trip is our tour of the Monte Alban ruins, which provides an historical glimpse
into Mesoamerica civilization dating all the way back to 500 BC. Beautiful creations from
master rug weavers may be purchased in the Zapotec village of Teotitlan. We’ll visit the
workshops of the Aguilar sisters, well-known for their folk-art ceramics. We’ll also make crafts
visits to artisans making the fanciful and brilliantly painted wooden figures known as alebrije.
We’ll tour the city’s Colonial architecture, shop at the vibrant regional market, visit art and
archeology, museums and monasteries, and dine out at excellent restaurants. There will be time
for reading and relaxing in our lovely B&B, and people-watching on the zócalo.
Day 1,Thursday, October 25 ~ Arrival in Oaxaca
You will take a taxi/van from Oaxaca’s small airport to our lodging at La Casa de Mis Recu