You'll really enjoy this special way to help the Children of Oaxaca
Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
 Oaxaca
is one of Mexico's most intriguing destinations, offering a rare natural beauty,
dynamic culture, magnificent Zapotec and Mixtec archaeological sites, and some
of this country's finest and most varied regional cuisine. The vibrant pageantry
of the Guelaguetza traditionally held the last two Mondays of July attracts
thousands of international visitors and participating ethnic groups from all
seven regions of the state. Fireworks, music, age-old dances, magnificent
costumes and more offer an exciting glimpse into well-preserved traditions, many
followed by Oaxaca's indigenous groups to this day.
 One
of the most impressive festivals in the Americas, with roots dating back nearly
five centuries, the Guelaguetza celebrates giving - the gods providing rain and
a good harvest and the community sharing these gifts for the betterment of all.
And since Oaxaca recently emerged from a most difficult time in its history, its
economy largely dependent on tourism and a protracted strike affecting everyone
from chambermaids to craftspeople and their families, Mexico Boutique Hotels
members are pulling together to help.
 Mexico
Boutique Hotels is delighted to announce that in honor of The July Festival of
Guelaguetza held in the lovely colonial city of Oaxaca, when you stay at any
participating MBH member anywhere in the country during the month of July for
three nights or more, a percentage of your entire bill will be donated to a
local Oaxaca charity that helps children
This is an excellent opportunity to not only enjoy a unique
Mexico Boutique Hotels experience you will treasure forever, gaining a
privileged perspective of this warm and welcoming country, but to exercise your
social conscience and benefit others.
The funds raised will help rehabilitate children with
physical disabilities, CRIT Oaxaca providing them with a better tomorrow by
combing love with top medical science, while emphasizing the importance of
dignity as an individual and a nation - <
http://www.teleton.org.mx/critoax.php>
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
 OAXACA
Oaxaca, the name of the state as well as its capital city comes from the Nahuatl
word HUAXYACAC which means "in the hose of the guajes", (edible pods that grown
on guaje trees) because of the abundance of guajes that were growing there.
GEOGRAPHY
The State of Oaxaca is located in Southern Mexico. It borders on the states of
Puebla and Veracruz to the north, Chiapas to the east, Guerrero to the west and
the Pacific Ocean to the south. Covering 95,364 sq. km (over 59,000 square
miles) of hills, valleys, canyons and beaches, Oaxaca is Mexico's most
biologically diverse state.
POPULATION
The State of Oaxaca has over 3 million inhabitants, mainly mestizos. Sixteen
ethnic groups, each with their own language or dialect, inhabit different
geographical areas of the state. As a result, the state of Oaxaca boasts one of
the richest and most varied concentration of distinct cultures, not only in
Mexico, but in the world.
 LANGUAGE
Spanish is Mexico's official language. However, 8 percent of the population
speaks 54 autochthonous language. Seventeen languages and several dialects are
spoken in the State of Oaxaca.
CLIMATE AND SEASONS
Because of its topography, the state of Oaxaca has a variety of climates. In
Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, and other coastal areas, the average temperature is
27.7 C. In the city of Oaxaca, which is located in the Central Valley, the
average annual temperature is 22C.
MEZCAL
Some 25,000 people in the state of Oaxaca depend on the agave plant for their
livelihood, Agave growers, who call the plant maguery, tend to their plants for
7 to 10 years before the fruit, which weighs between 27 and 54 kg. is ready for
harvest. At harvest-time, the plants are cut and carted by mule and truck to a
local distillery. After a three day roasting process, the fruit's starches have
been converted into fermentable sugars. The mezcalero then places the chunks on
a rustic stone-and-cement treadmill, where an aging horse goes round and round,
crushing the fruit. The fruity pitch is dumped into big wooden or clay vats for
fermentation.
WHERE TO STAY
Camino Real Oaxaca
5 de mayo No. 300, Centro
Tel. 5016100
http://www.caminoreal.com/english/index.html
Hacienda Los Laureles
Av. Hidalgo No. 21, San Felipe del Agua
Tel. 5015300
www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com/loslaureles
Toll free US and Canada: 1-800-728-9098
TRAVELLADY'S FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
My very favorite restaurant is La Fonda de Santa Domingo
which serves traditional Oacacan foods. The presentation was of the traditional
dishes was beautiful, a delight for the palate as well as the eye.
5 de may #411
Centro Historico, Oaxaca
52 (9) 514 89 24
fondasantodomingo@hotmail.com
BEST PLACE TO LEARN TO COOK LIKE A OAXACAN
Susanna Tilling's Seasons of my Heart Cooking School offers
a unique opportunity to learn about and experience Mexican food. In the
foothills of Oaxaca, a half-hour drive from the center of town, Susana Trilling,
teacher, chef, writer and television host will teach you to work with the native
foods of Mexico. Held at Susana's home in a hillside farm overlooking the pueblo
of San Lorenzo Cacaotepec, you will discover how the food you cook is grown,
gathered and prepared for use in the many forms of Mexican cuisine.
BEST PLACE TO TASTE MEXCAL
RanchZapataa
Tel/Fax 01 (951) 51-470-05/51-479-92
www.mezcalbeneva.com
beneva@mezcalbeneva.com
WHERE TO BUY GREAT JEWELRY
Teller del Orfebre Joyerias
More about Mexico
GUIDEBOOKS
A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE JEWISH CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN
By Ben G. Frank
A practical, anecdotal, and adventurous journey through historic Jewish
Caribbean and South America including Kosher restaurants, cafes, synagogues, and
museums, plus cultural and heritage sites.
LET'S GO MEXICO
Edited by Anthony Gabriele
ST.MARTIN'S PRESS
www.letsgo.com
MOON HANDBOOKS PACIFIC MEXICO
By Bruce Whipperman
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Moon.com
Lonely Planet Mexico
Well organized with great pictures and maps
Terrific section on shopping
www.lonelyplanet.com
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES MEXICO
DK PUBLISHING, INC
WWW.dk.com
TRAVELERS TALES GUIDES
MEXICO
Edited by James O'Reily and Larry Habegger
Michelin Tourist Guide to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
MOON HANDBOOKS OAXACA
By Bruce Whipperman
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.moon.com
Oaxaca
The Spirit of Mexico
Judith Cooper Hayden
Workman Publishing
www.artisanbooks.com
EAT SMART IN MEXICO
A travel Guide for Food Lovers
By Joan & David Peterson
Ginko Press
www.gingkopress.com
LIVE BETTER SOUTH OF THE BORDER
By Mexico Mike Nelson
Fulcrum Publishing
www.fulcrum-books.com
ON MEXICAN TIME
By Tony Cohan
An American writer and his wife find a new home-- and a new lease on life--in
the charming sixteenth-century hill town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
BEST SOUVENIRS OF MEXICO
legal drugs. I always get Retin-A for myself and friends. I
know people who also buy antibiotics and other prescription drugs that are
available over-the-counter in Mexico
Damiana. A sweet liquor believed to be an aphrodisiac. I think it works because
it is so yummy you drink too much. And the bottle could be a collector's item,
it is shaped like a voluptuous nude woman
Mexican sea salt. Easily available in supermarkets. A wonderful gifts for
gourmet foodie friends.
Other food gifts include mountain grown coffee, Mexican vanilla, and sweets made
of tamarindo and coconut.
MOST REQUESTED THINGS TO BRING BACK FOR FRIENDS
RETINA- if you are old enough to need it, you know what it
is and will appreciate that it costs about 90% less if you buy it in Mexico. If
you have lots of friends who want it, it may be worth a trip to Walmart. But
call ahead and tell them you want to order some, the day I was there they only
had 3 tubes in stock. I had had four disappointed friends.
Kahlua
Mezcal with a worm
MY FAVORITE MEXICAN DRINK
Dirty banana (recipe compliments of Dorado Pacifico
Ixtapa)
˝ oz. condensed milk
˝ oz. coconut cream
˝ oz coffee liquer
1 oz. brandy
˝ banana
Combine all ingredients and blend with ice
Serve in tall glass garnished with a banana slice
TO GET A TASTE OF MEXICO AT HOME
LA COMIDA DEL BARIO
By Ron Sanchez
Latin-American cooking in the USA
Sanchez is one of the cohosts of MELTING POT on Food Network
Clarkson Potter Publishers
www.randomhouse.com
www.clarksonpotter.com
A YUCATAN KITCHEN
By Loretta Scott Miller
Regional recipes from Mexico's Mundo Maya
Pelican
www.pelicanpub.com
SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE
HIDE THIS SPANISH BOOK
Berlitz
The cover gives this warning: Highly inflammatory text inside, so not open near
Spanish teachers, not for classroom use. Inside, you will find the lingo on
sex—before, during and after, and fashion trends and styles.
www.berlitzbooks.com/hidethisbook.htm
About Mexico Boutique Hotels:
Mexico Boutique Hotels is a collection of upscale independent hotels throughout
Mexico offering outstanding attributes and a unique vacation experience.
Desirable destinations in their own right, each member of this prestigious group
has been chosen by a team of bicultural travel and hospitality professionals
with an in-depth knowledge of Mexico. Savvy travelers appreciate the emphasis on
highly personalized service and a level of distinction and intimacy rarely
found, each hotel unique and typically smaller than 50 rooms.
Madelyn Miller is a food, travel, and wine writer who loves
Mexico. Read her stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com and
www.TeaAtlas.com |
