Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Oaxaca Itinerary

As some of you know my Oaxaca organizer, Colleen Darling was just down in Mexico scoping out the sites and trying to figure out this year's Day of the Dead Workshop itinerary.  I think she's come up with a great bunch of excursions.  Going to be fun...October will be here in no time!  This does not include the class description, for that click here: 2010 Class Description
With no further ado: 
deMeng de los Muertos: October 25 - November 3, 2010 
Join Michael for a workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Oaxaca is a beautiful, friendly, historical and culturally rich city in southern Mexico.  Home to some of the finest folk artists in the world, Oaxaca abounds with ceramics, textiles, tin, wood carving, jewelry, and more.  There is also an exciting contemporary art and photography community based here.   The food and restaurants are exceptional and friendly people make it a pleasure to visit.

Throughout our 9-day stay people around the city will be getting ready for Dia de los Muertos.  Every home and business will be setting up altars and preparing for the feast.  The photo opportunities are endless.  Each time you head out the door for the Zocalo or just a walk around the neighborhood something new will catch your attention.  Flowers on the street corners, students in school altar competitions, book fair, traditional dancers, mariachis, and so much more!

We hope you can join us this year.
Itinerary 
October 25 (Monday) Arrive in Oaxaca and get settled after a long journey.  Enjoy a walk to the Zocalo (town square) for dinner and sight seeing in the evening.

October 26 (Tuesday) Breakfast 7:30 –10:00 A.M.  Class begins at 10:A.M.  We will walk to the Zocalo to explore our supply options.  The market, religious store, hardware, paper store and lots of treats along the way will help us all get oriented to the variety Oaxaca has to offer.  Lunch at 1:30 Return to class.
Dinner 7:30 at La Catrina de Alcala

October 27 (Wednesday) Breakfast  Class begins at 10:00 A.M.  Lunch at Maria Bonita.   Evening free.

October 28 (Thursday) Breakfast   Tour 9:00 A.M. to the CaSa art center and the paper making factory Arte Papel Vista Hermosa in San Agustin Etla.  Housed in a former textile mill this art and cultural center offers expositions, music and a film series for the people of Oaxaca.  We will visit a woodcarver and have lunch in the countryside.  Evening free.

October 29 (Friday Breakfast.   Class begins at 10;00 A.M.  Lunch at La Olla Return to class.  Evening free.

October 30 (Saturday) Breakfast   Class begins at 10:00 A.M.  This is the final workshop day.  Time to put the finishing touches on your work.  Get ready for the good, the bad, and the ugly.
  Lunch at Maria Bonita     Evening free.

October 31 (Sunday) Breakfast  9:00 A.M. Tour to the Mitla ruins and local cemetery, Tlacolula market and a rug weavers home .  Lunch in the countryside.  This is the first night of the Dia de los Muertos celebration.  We will visit the city cemetery.  All around the city ofrendas are being made, sand paintings around the Zocalo and so much more.  It is an amazing experience, hard to describe and I can’t say enough about the friendly people. Please ask before taking photographs.

November 1 (Monday) Breakfast   Free day.  Take this time to enjoy the city and all the celebrations going on.  Lunch on your own.  A walk to a small cemetery for anyone interested.   Dinner 7:30

November 2 (Tuesday) Breakfast  Our last day in Oaxaca to spend as you wish.  Shopping, eating, drinking or just sitting in the Zocalo taking it all in.  I can make arrangements for anyone interested in going to the museums, Ethno-Botanical gardens, Monte Alban or any other site you would like to visit

November 3 (Wednesday) Breakfast   Fly away home
  
Double $2100.
Single   $2400.

Returning participants  $100. discount
Deposit:  $250 to secure your spot.  Full payment is due September 10, 2010.  Please pay by check; I am unable to process credit cards.

Colleen Darling
950 Ballard Canyon Rd.
Solvang CA 93463
805-688-1221
Airfare is not included.  When searching for airfares the Oaxaca code is OAX.



2 comments:

zoe said...

i love your placards :D
wish i could make the trip...

Sue McGettigan said...

Need someone to carry the bags? Will work for classes ;)