Everything Wonderful About Mexico
Is Even Better in Oaxaca
1st session: February 28 - March 7, 2011
2nd session: March 7 - March 14, 2011
(Mondays thru Mondays) |
|
First off, Oaxaca alone is a very special city that has been occupied for the last 12,000 years; yes, 12,000 years. Oaxaca, today, is a thriving, robust and colorful city of about a
half million people. Oaxaca has the largest indigenous population in all of Mexico with the population split rather evenly between the Zapotec Indians and the Mixtecs Indians. The
city, itself, is a prime tourist attraction. Even more exciting and interesting than the city are the surrounding villages where some of the best crafts people in Mexico reside and create
their varied art pieces.
ENCHANTMENT & MEMORY: Click here for more information about Oaxaca
FOODS: Oaxaca's cuisine is unique in Mexico and one will not become weary of "Mexican" food at the many very good restaurants. Click here for more information about Oaxaca’s great food
ART & MUSEUMS: Art and history abounds in Oaxaca. One can spend many leisurely days exploring the many museums and art studios/boutiques. Click here for more information about Oaxaca’s art and history.
HANDCRAFTS: As mentioned above, the villages surrounding Oaxaca will prove to be
a real treat for those exploring the villages. Click here for more information about Oaxaca’s
handcrafts.
View photos of Oaxaca.
Our plan for those of you who will be joining us in Oaxaca is to allow you to explore
Oaxaca City pretty much on your own. We have organized the following three “day” tours:
1) On Wednesdays we will travel by an insured, air conditioned bus/van, driven by a certified, English speaking driver/guide to Teotitlan Del Valle where we will have a
wool carding, wool dying, wool spinning and rug weaving demonstration. This demonstration will be at the home/studio of master weaver, Bulmaro Perez Mendoza. After this demonstration we will proceed to the home/studio of Demetrio Bautista Lazo, another master weaver. Here will have a demonstration and lunch at
Demetrio’s wife's Restaurante La Cupala. Time and energy permitting we'll stop at a mezcal distillery on our return to Oaxaca.
2) On Fridays we will travel to the village of San Bartolo Coyotepec and visit the studio of Dona Rosa, world famous potter of "black pottery". Here we will view a demonstration by Rocio Nieto a member of the Dona Rosa family. After our visit to
this interesting pottery village we will travel to San Martin Tilcajette and spend some time with Jacobo & Maria Angeles at their home and studio for a wood carving
demonstration, We will have lunch at Azucena Zapateca
3) On Sundays we travel to Tlacolula for the regional market. This market is the
largest of the markets in the state of Oaxaca. The market is primarily for the local people, but has become an attraction to non-locals as well. After visiting the market
we will lunch at Ranch Zapata.
All tours are within 10-28 kilometers of Oaxaca; hence no long bus/van rides. We should be back to our hotel no more than 5 hours from departure.
On Friday evenings we will enjoy the "Guelaguetza" performance and a gourmet buffet
dinner in the "chapel" at the Camino Real Hotel. The Camino Real has mucho history. It was first built as a convent for the Dominican Sisters.
Our knitting project, a KAL, will involve incorporating a 8 1/2” x 9 1/2” square Zapotec
rug into either a purse, pillow cover or wall hanging. You will be using wool/mohair yarns from Teotitlan. All knitting skill levels should enjoy this project. On Tuesday mornings
(couple hours) Irene will introduce the project and get everyone started. Irene will then be available afternoons during the week to answer any questions and assist with ideas.
The hotel we have chosen for the retreat is the 5 star Hotel Casa Antigua
We chose this hotel for its amenities, location, cleanliness ands its size (15 well appointed rooms). The hotel is located on a rather quiet street at #206 5 de Mayo (this the name of
the street, Cinco de Mayo).
All rooms open to a well lighted central courtyard where there are comfortable places to relax, knit and enjoy the company of fellow knitters and friends. The hotel has a very
comfortable patio on the roof. Here one can enjoy vistas of Oaxaca, day & night.
COSTS:
OAXACA KNITTING RETREAT/MARCH 2011 (High Season)
|
ROOM TYPE
|
P/P (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)*
|
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT*
|
|
Regular Room
|
$850
|
$300
|
|
Junior Suite
|
$950
|
$350
|
|
Master Suite
|
$1050
|
$450
|
|
A "Regular" room has one double bed (6 rooms)
A "Jr Suite" has two double beds (8 suites)
A "Master Suite" has a king bed (1 master suite)
If you prefer to share a room and and do not have a person in mind, I can make an effort to find someone to share your room.
$45.00 rebate for non-knitter
Check the room information on the hotel web site.
COST includes:
Getting to Oaxaca: Most attendees will fly to Mexico City on their chosen airline and transfer to Mexicana Airlines to continue on to Oaxaca. The Oaxaca airport is relatively
small and easy to use. I can make arrangements for you to be shuttled from the airport to the hotel or you can take a "collective" taxi for about $9.00 US.
Rooms are limited. If you have any questions, please ask them. Reservations are on a "first
come, first reserved" basis. I will need 1/3 of your fare when you make your reservation, 1/3 about August 15 and the remainder of the fare on December 15. Call me at 1-800-252
-YARN or email me to make your reservation. I will then explain how you can make your payments
|
