Plans are underway for the 2006 Rural Tourism Fair (January 28, 2006)--

http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/feriarural2006.html

It looks like they are in need of ideas and are currently holding
development meetings.

Stephen


If this doesn't work automatically, I will make a "tiny url" and post
it soon.  Also, I have fixed it so "Mary" only receives "Special e-
mails" while she is on vacation, so we shouldn't be bothered by her
automatic announcements for now. I will try to "turn her back on" next
week or so.

The November issue of Go Oaxaca Newsletter is now
online
>> http://www.go-oaxaca.com/newsletter/november2005.html
FEATURES INCLUDE
Day of the Dead. Treats for the deceased
Francisco Toledo recognized with Alternative Nobel
Isthmus of Tehuantepec

Oscar Carrizosa
http://www.go-oaxaca.com

Buenas Dias Grupo,

You might be interested to see how the New York Times is promoting
Oaxaca City by going to --  http://tinyurl.com/ab24a

A Canadian Grupo member alerted me to it and thought it might interest
people.

Adios Amigos,

Stephen

http://tinyurl.com/d3n5p

This article shows how to get buy cheaply and be of benefit to the
local people with your tourism activities.

Stephen

Buenas Dias Grupo,

You might be interested to see how the New York Times is promoting
Oaxaca City by going to --  http://tinyurl.com/ab24a

A Canadian Grupo member alerted me to it and thought it might interest
people. 

Adios Amigos,

Stephen

---

YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS

•  Visit your group "oaxacacity-streets-shops" on the web.
   
•  To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
   oaxacacity-streets-shops-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
   
•  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

---

hello,

a friend of mine at the high school where i teach is taking a sabbatical for the
spring
semester of 2007.  she is interested in coming to oaxaca from jan-jun for an
intensive art
workshop.  she is interested in learning about the arts and culture of mexico,
studying the
techniques and meeting / visiting with artists during that time.

does anyone know of arts workshops or tours that might be of interest?  or
perhaps
someone who might serve as a point person or guide in setting up a custom
program?

she hopes to return to teaching here in the san francisco bay area with many new
projects
and lesson plans to share the culture and traditions of the area with her
students.

thanks,
lars

YOUR MESSAGES WILL NOW POST IMMEDIATELY, LARS.  ;-)

hello,

a friend of mine at the high school where i teach is taking a sabbatical for the spring
semester of 2007.  she is interested in coming to oaxaca from jan-jun for an intensive art
workshop.  she is interested in learning about the arts and culture of mexico, studying the
techniques and meeting / visiting with artists during that time.

does anyone know of arts workshops or tours that might be of interest?  or perhaps
someone who might serve as a point person or guide in setting up a custom program?

she hopes to return to teaching here in the san francisco bay area with many new projects
and lesson plans to share the culture and traditions of the area with her students.

thanks,
lars

YOUR MESSAGES WILL NOW POST IMMEDIATELY, LARS.  ;-)

Good advice, Geri.  Patience and preparedness -- waiting and being
ready to jump when the opportunity arises -- are two of the more
valuable traits to bring along on a visit to Oaxaca, where nothing
ever changes while everything changes all the time.

Please let us all know what you discover on your visit to Vista
Hermosa ("beautiful view").

Stan Gotlieb
"Oaxaca, Mexico: An Expatriate Life", featuring"The Oaxaca / Mexico
Newsletter" and "Letters From Oaxaca, Mexico"
http://www.realoaxaca.com

--- In oaxacacity-streets-shops@yahoogroups.com, Geri Anderson
<geriande@y...> wrote:
>
> I was going to wait and post this once I got more information. In
Vista Hermosa, Etla, about 45 minutes from Oaxaca city, in a spot
that is aptly named, a GREAT art institute is about to open. I heard
via the grapevine that the opening is going to be in December.
>
>   I have watched this old textile mill being renovated during the
past 3 or 4 years. It is pegged as "The first ecological center for
artistic study and production in Latin America."  There are dorm
rooms (for resident artists? teachers? students? I dunno.)  I will
have more info after the opening. As far as I know, there is nothing
on the Internet yet.  I have a brochure dated Sept. 2004 and at that
time they told me it would open in 2 or 3 years, so it seems, IF
current chisme is right, that it's ahead of schedule. Maybe another
member has more definitive info?  I plan to go out there today or
tomorrow. It's where I buy handmade paper.
>
>   There are lots of art programs in Oaxaca. I think 2007 is a bit
far in advance to "plan" anything for Mexico, but I understand you
wanting to scout ahead. That is the first "lesson" your friend will
learn about Oaxaca:  you don't plan very far in advance but things
that are just right for you DO happen!  Trust me.
>
>   geri
>
> "lars@p..." <me@f...> wrote:
>   hello,
>
> a friend of mine at the high school where i teach is taking a
sabbatical for the spring
> semester of 2007.  she is interested in coming to oaxaca from jan-
jun for an intensive art
> workshop.  she is interested in learning about the arts and
culture of mexico, studying the
> techniques and meeting / visiting with artists during that time.
>
> does anyone know of arts workshops or tours that might be of
interest?  or perhaps
> someone who might serve as a point person or guide in setting up a
custom program?
>
> she hopes to return to teaching here in the san francisco bay area
with many new projects
> and lesson plans to share the culture and traditions of the area
with her students.
>
> thanks,
> lars
>
> YOUR MESSAGES WILL NOW POST IMMEDIATELY, LARS.  ;-)
>
>
>
>
>
> LESS E-MAILS?--Switch to,"Daily Digest, Special E-Mails, or No
Emails" under, "Edit My Membership" BUT photos won't show up!
>
>
>
>   SPONSORED LINKS
>         Oaxaca city   Mexico villa rental   Spring break
mexico     Huatulco
>
> ---------------------------------
>   YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
>     Visit your group "oaxacacity-streets-shops" on the web.
>
>     To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>  oaxacacity-streets-shops-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>     Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>

Hi, Steve.

You asked me to post regarding November's session of Oaxaca Options,
so here goes:

First, Diana was unable to attend, so I went alone.  The group was
quite small (a reflection of seasonally low tourism) but both
knowledgeable and curious, and focused mainly on the beginnings,
development, and future of the Newsletter, of which all were aware.

The most interesting topic(s) - for me, as well as the attendees
(all of whom either live here or had visited many times) -- can be
summarized by the question "if Oaxaca as it is today had been the
same twelve years ago when you came here, would you have stayed?"

I found I could not answer that question, although I tried to.  The
changes, all of which happened gradually over a twelve year period,
have had their pluses and minuses.  Most of the things we value are
gained - and lost - so slowly, we hardly notice the difference in
the short run.

Underneath that question, of course, is the statement: Oaxaca isn't
the place it used to be.  Depending on your point of view, this is
either bad or good.  Or, in my case, both.  Although I laughingly
say that I am still here because of inertia - and like most such
statements, there is a lot of truth in it - the bottom line is that
I am here because there is no Eden, and everyone needs to be
someplace, and FOR ME this is still a pretty good place to be.

Anyway, Oaxaca Options' charlas are almost always worth the hour and
a half, for visitors and residents and presenters, and Ron Mader and
Rogelio at Amigos del Sol language school are performing a valuable
service in putting them on.  Notices of upcoming meetings are posted
on Ron's site, www.planeta.com

Stan Gotlieb
"Oaxaca, Mexico: An Expatriate Life", featuring"The Oaxaca / Mexico
Newsletter" and "Letters From Oaxaca, Mexico"
http://www.realoaxaca.com

Hello Stan and Grupo members,

Thanks for the report Stan.  I was too busy yesterday eating Turkey
(Thanksgiving in USA) to reply.  I think I will still be eating
Turkey for several days because all of the left overs from
yesterday's Thanksgiving Day feast ;-)

Yes, we all are subject to "interia" so I guess we had better choose
where we land because we may not ever leave!

Perhaps the "change" in Oaxaca City is measured in part by the
presence of "Bigger King," a piece of captialism that has found you
in your mountain city hideout ;-)

Pat and I have seldom left the large historic district of Oaxaca City
during our visits, and were a bit surprised during our last trip to
see the larger city and the more modern stores ;-(   As tourists, I
think we like to keep the illusion of a very old and stable city.

Grupo members, Stan puts out a nice electronic newsletter about
Oaxaca City and greater Mexico with great pictures by his spouse
Diane at --  http://www.realoaxaca.com     A nice mix of articles are
featured every issue, sometimes interestingly political, but always
of with much of interest to tourists.

Also, don't forget to check out Oscar's Go-Oaxaca Newsletter featured
on the Home Page of this Grupo.

I keep wondering when we will break the 200 mark for Grupo members,
but I imagine it will be soon.  We do loose members from time to time
and I delete people who haven't checked their Yahoo account for over
a year.  Still, we are slowly gaining and have a nice mix of people.
If you are one of our many "lurkers," please consider posting a
comment sometime in the new year ;-)

Stephen




--- In oaxacacity-streets-shops@yahoogroups.com, "sammolly888"
<sammolly888@y...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Steve.
>
> You asked me to post regarding November's session of Oaxaca
Options,
> so here goes:
>
> First, Diana was unable to attend, so I went alone.  The group was
> quite small (a reflection of seasonally low tourism) but both
> knowledgeable and curious, and focused mainly on the beginnings,
> development, and future of the Newsletter, of which all were aware.
>
> The most interesting topic(s) - for me, as well as the attendees
> (all of whom either live here or had visited many times) -- can be
> summarized by the question "if Oaxaca as it is today had been the
> same twelve years ago when you came here, would you have stayed?"
>
> I found I could not answer that question, although I tried to.  The
> changes, all of which happened gradually over a twelve year period,
> have had their pluses and minuses.  Most of the things we value are
> gained - and lost - so slowly, we hardly notice the difference in
> the short run.
>
> Underneath that question, of course, is the statement: Oaxaca isn't
> the place it used to be.  Depending on your point of view, this is
> either bad or good.  Or, in my case, both.  Although I laughingly
> say that I am still here because of inertia - and like most such
> statements, there is a lot of truth in it - the bottom line is that
> I am here because there is no Eden, and everyone needs to be
> someplace, and FOR ME this is still a pretty good place to be. . . .

Good Evening Grupo Members,

Geri, our woman on the scene in Oaxaca City, has just posted some
photos of the San Agustin Center for the Arts that she took EARLY in
its renovation.  Go to the Photo section and click on the folder
of "San Augustin" to see them.  Also, if you check the last few
messages on this Grupo, you will get some additional information
about the center.  The post below from Geri asks for any information
others may have about this project ;-)

Stephen



--- In oaxacacity-streets-shops@yahoogroups.com, Geri Anderson
<geriande@y...> wrote:
>
>
>     Please let us all know what you discover on your visit to
Vista Hermosa ("beautiful view").
>
>   Welll, they certainly are hard at work on the San Agustin Center
for the Arts. It looked like a big colony of working ants out there
yesterday, working in every nook and cranny, whereas other times
they've been concentrated in one or two areas.
>
>   However, no one on site knew anything about an inauguracion. I
have a couple of "scouts," trying to find out a definite date. Some
of the workers said it would be finished in a couple of months. Last
May they told me a couple of years.
>
>   An opening in December would make sense, since Oaxaca will be
full of tourists, especially people from Mexico City.  I doubt that
it will be ready for classes by then, but they are putting the
finishing touches on landscaping.  It's certainly a beautiful place.
>
>   Oh, they are renovating the church next door also.
>
>   I'll post some photos.
>
>   Geri
>

I am really impressed with the work being done at St. Agustin. As a
historic preservationist, I hope some of the old machinery will be
retained as part of the history of the site. Showing the difference
between industrial textiles manufactured there and artisan textiles
would be very instructive.

I look forward to seeing what progress has been made when we arrive in
Etla in early February.

Jackie

JACKIE, YOUR MESSAGES WILL NOW POST IMMEDIATELY ;-)

thanks geri, stan and stephen for your response.  that building is
beautiful.  i can only imagine what energy the artists would receive
working within its amazing space.

if you dig up any contact information for the center please pass it
along.  perhaps my friend can assist in teaching some of the first
classes!

- lars

hello again,

my wife and i are in the hunt for a room for 8 nights in or near
downtown oaxaca.  if anyone has any reccommendations or leads beyond
that which can be found in travel books or websites, please pass them
along!

i am a high school photography teacher and my wife, a musician.  we're
looking for something intimate, along the lines of a family home or
bed and breakfast.

we look forward to arriving guitar and camera in hand!

- lars

For those interested in holiday giving that directly benefits children
in Mexico ....check out the project that I am doing with my non-profit
organization, Carrie's Heart!
  http://www.carriesheart.org/currentprojects.html

CAM Christmas is an annual event held in December at a special
education school, Centro de Atencion Multiple (CAM), in Playa del
Carmen.  Each child at the school is given the opportunity to make a
Christmas wish for a gift that they would like to receive from Santa.
Through monetary donations and the work of volunteers each child's wish
comes true. Often the gift received from Santa at the CAM Christmas
party is the only gift these children will receive.

  Donations for the project can be made using Pay Pal at
http://www.carriesheart.org/

Happy Holidays!
Carrie

Fodor's new Mexico guide says there's van service from Oaxaca to Puerto
Escondido and Huatulco, 5 times a day. Apparently it's available
through Viajes de Oaxaca and another company. Does anyone have info on
this? Is it reliable? Safe? How could someone in the States make
arrangements to get one of these vans, should they fly to Huatulco, for
example?

This is not for us, but for friends who will visit while we're down
here in February.

Jackie Powell

The December issue of Go Oaxaca Newsletter is now
online
>> http://www.go-oaxaca.com/newsletter/december2005.html
FEATURES INCLUDE
Tamayo, oaxaqueño universal
Sobre el tablado moves Oaxacan audiences with three plays
Radish night


La edicion de diciembre del newsletter Go-Oaxaca esta disponible en el
siguiente link:
>> http://www.go-oaxaca.com/newsletter/diciembre2005.html
ARTÍCULOS INCLUYEN
Tamayo, oaxaqueño universal
Sobre el tablado impresiona al público oaxaqeño con tres obras
Noche de Rábanos

Oscar Carrizosa
http://www.go-oaxaca.com

There are vans going from Oaxaca to just about any major in-state
destination and back.  They have displaced buses on many routes.
They leave roughly every-so-many minutes depending on the route, the
time of day, etc. They cost only a little more than a bus.  PE is
served by several companies.  Seating is first-come, first-serve.

The main route to PE, through Zaachila, is not in very good shape
just now, although that could change of course (but I wouldn't count
on it).  The over-the-mountain, more scenic route to Pochutla, may
require a transfer, and is more winding, but the road surface is
better.

Personally, I prefer the bus.  It's a little slower, but the seats
are more comfortable, and you have arm rests to brace yourself
against so that you're not whacking into your neighbor around every
curve.  Diana prefers the van, so what do I know?

First class buses are available to both PE and Hua, and Oaxaca
Pacifico provides a nearly-first-class and quite comfortable bus to
PE as well (terminal at 710 Armenta y Lopez).

If you are going to Hua and want to avoid the steep mountain travel,
Cristobal Colon (1st class) bus company gets you there through
Tehuantepec and Salina Cruz.  Road in very good shape.

Stan Gotlieb
"Oaxaca, Mexico: An Expatriate Life", featuring"The Oaxaca / Mexico
Newsletter" and "Letters From Oaxaca, Mexico"
http://www.realoaxaca.com



--- In oaxacacity-streets-shops@yahoogroups.com, "jacpowell2002"
<jacpowell@b...> wrote:
>
> Fodor's new Mexico guide says there's van service from Oaxaca to
Puerto
> Escondido and Huatulco, 5 times a day. Apparently it's available
> through Viajes de Oaxaca and another company. Does anyone have
info on
> this? Is it reliable? Safe? How could someone in the States make
> arrangements to get one of these vans, should they fly to
Huatulco, for
> example?
>
> This is not for us, but for friends who will visit while we're
down
> here in February.
>
> Jackie Powell
>

There are vans going from Oaxaca to just about any major in-state
destination and back.  They have displaced buses on many routes. 
They leave roughly every-so-many minutes depending on the route, the
time of day, etc. They cost only a little more than a bus.  PE is
served by several companies.  Seating is first-come, first-serve.

The main route to PE, through Zaachila, is not in very good shape
just now, although that could change of course (but I wouldn't count
on it).  The over-the-mountain, more scenic route to Pochutla, may
require a transfer, and is more winding, but the road surface is
better.

Personally, I prefer the bus.  It's a little slower, but the seats
are more comfortable, and you have arm rests to brace yourself
against so that you're not whacking into your neighbor around every
curve.  Diana prefers the van, so what do I know?

First class buses are available to both PE and Hua, and Oaxaca
Pacifico provides a nearly-first-class and quite comfortable bus to
PE as well (terminal at 710 Armenta y Lopez).

If you are going to Hua and want to avoid the steep mountain travel,
Cristobal Colon (1st class) bus company gets you there through
Tehuantepec and Salina Cruz.  Road in very good shape.

Stan Gotlieb
"Oaxaca, Mexico: An Expatriate Life", featuring"The Oaxaca / Mexico
Newsletter" and "Letters From Oaxaca, Mexico"
http://www.realoaxaca.com



--- In oaxacacity-streets-shops@yahoogroups.com, "jacpowell2002"
<jacpowell@b...> wrote:
>
> Fodor's new Mexico guide says there's van service from Oaxaca to
Puerto
> Escondido and Huatulco, 5 times a day. Apparently it's available
> through Viajes de Oaxaca and another company. Does anyone have
info on
> this? Is it reliable? Safe? How could someone in the States make
> arrangements to get one of these vans, should they fly to
Huatulco, for
> example?
>
> This is not for us, but for friends who will visit while we're
down
> here in February.
>
> Jackie Powell
>

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the oaxacacity-streets-shops
group.

   File        : /Transportation Information, including Mexico City/11-02-05 --
Bus Travel from Oaxaca City to Coast.doc
   Uploaded by : silversard <silversard@...>
   Description : 11-02-05 -- Bus Travel Information from Stan and Geri who live
in Oaxaca City

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oaxacacity-streets-shops/files/Transportation%20In\
formation%2C%20including%20Mexico%20City/11-02-05%20--%20Bus%20Travel%20from%20O\
axaca%20City%20to%20Coast.doc

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

silversard <silversard@...>

Geri Anderson, Travel Author and esteemed Member of this Grupo who lives in Oaxaca City, has found a travel article which she believes captures the experience of foreigners living SOB (south of the border).  You can read the article at -- http://tinyurl.com/9yrm2

 

It looks like the article will have other installments so you might set a google alert using the authors last name and see if future installments are flagged for you

 

It is 5 below zero (F) in southern Wisconsin, USA, this morning but thankfully no wind to make it even colder.  Yes, we are living in a place colder than ice and only Penguins should have such an experience    However, we are expecting a heatwave tomorrow when the temperature is supposed to go up about 10 degrees!  I don't even want to think about what those NOB (north of the border) Canadians might be dealing with at this time.

 

 

silversard@...

YAHOO GROUPS ABOUT MEXICO 

http://HuatulcoParadise.net/ -- Huatulco

http://OaxacaCity.net/ -- Oaxaca City  

 *Active Links on Home Pages*

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

"Walking Tours of Colonial Churches: These tours are guided by a U.S.
artist who lives in Oaxaca and discusses art, architecture and history.
The tour group meets in front of the Cathedral near the Zocalo at 10
a.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays. A donation of 95 pesos per person is
suggested which goes to CANICA, an organization dedicated to helping
the street children of Oaxaca. To schedule the tour at other times
contact Linda at ridgecliff@...." -- From today's Mexico
version of the Herald


My spouse and I really enjoyed this tour with Linda.  It is
not "conventional" in terms of the info provided and the use of humor
makes it particularly enjoyable.  People of all "leanings" should
consider taking this tour with Linda and sometimes the tour ends with
an interesting "add on."

Stephen

Whimsical, irreverent, informative and entertaining, without being
at all disrespectful.  Highly recommended.

Stan Gotlieb
"Oaxaca, Mexico: An Expatriate Life"
http://www.realoaxaca.com

--- In oaxacacity-streets-shops@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen"
<silversard@y...> wrote:
>
> "Walking Tours of Colonial Churches: These tours are guided by a
U.S.
> artist who lives in Oaxaca and discusses art, architecture and
history.
> The tour group meets in front of the Cathedral near the Zocalo at
10
> a.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays. A donation of 95 pesos per person
is
> suggested which goes to CANICA, an organization dedicated to
helping
> the street children of Oaxaca. To schedule the tour at other times
> contact Linda at ridgecliff@h..." -- From today's Mexico
> version of the Herald
>
>
> My spouse and I really enjoyed this tour with Linda.  It is
> not "conventional" in terms of the info provided and the use of
humor
> makes it particularly enjoyable.  People of all "leanings" should
> consider taking this tour with Linda and sometimes the tour ends
with
> an interesting "add on."
>
> Stephen
>