Oaxaca Tour: Day of the Dead Celebration 2009

Galleries, Villages and Food
7 Days, 6 Nights:  Thursday, October 29 to Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Your Leader:  Norma Hawthorne, Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC
Limited to 6 participants

Day of the Dead is on November 2.  There will be lots of festivities in Oaxaca and surrounding villages.  Teotitlan del Valle celebrates this ancient tradition and you’ll be an integral part of it!  You will be based at a lovely family-operated bed and breakfast inn located in this picturesque, rural hillside Zapotec village about 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca city.  This rural rug-weaving village is home to 7,000 people and 2,000 looms.  You’ll personally participate in Day of the Dead traditions, eat the celebratory meal with the family and accompany  them to the cemetery.  It’s definitely a party: lots of flowers, bands playing, children making hot chocolate, and decorated altars that welcome departed loved ones back to earth.

Plus, you will explore nearby villages noted for textiles, woodcarving, and pottery.  I’ll introduce you to my favorite weavers, potters, sculptors, painters, jewelers, and artisans, and escort you to the Oaxaca restaurants, museums and galleries that I love.   Market days in Oaxaca are extraordinary, full of the hustle-bustle of shopping and you’ll discover two of the most famous:  the Friday Ocotlan market and the Sunday Tlacolula market.

See my Day of the Dead blog post: http://oaxacaculture.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead-in-teotitlan-del-valle/ for a cultural explanation of the celebration.

"Dead" Couple

You will navigate the culture right alongside us!   Only travelers open to a unique and authentic adventure need apply!

Highlights of Your Week in Oaxaca

•    Spend Day of the Dead with a Zapotec family
•    Participate in village celebrations and learn local customs
•    Discover the archeological site of Mitla, a centuries old textile center
•    Explore the Rudolfo Morales murals and museum in Ocotlan
•    Visit a blind sculptor noted for his primitive natural clay figures
•    Savor delicious Oaxaca food and take a cooking class
•    Meet famed wood carvers of San Martin Tilcajete
•    Become acquainted with master Zapotec rug weavers–http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UHCPpaap3E
•    See how natural dyes are prepared for weaving wool rugs
•    Take part in a private tour of the Museo Textil de Oaxaca
•    Enjoy a welcome and farewell dinner
•    Join Oaxaca Cultural Navigator – Norma Hawthorne

Thursday (10/29):    Arrive in Teotitlan and check into your bed and breakfast after 4 p.m.
Welcome reception and group supper (included), with Day of the Dead introduction and discussion of typical foods prepared

Friday (10/30):    We’ll take you on the road to the Ocotlan market/tianguis, explore craft villages, Rudolfo Morales murals and museum (lunch and dinner on your own)

Saturday (10/31):    Morning cooking class and local market walk, group comida (included), afternoon tour of the village to visit weavers and see natural dyeing demonstrations

Sunday (11/1):    Tlacolula Market, Mitla archeological site and textile market , group comida (included), participate in evening Day of the Dead family celebrations

Monday (11/2):    Day of the Dead Celebrations in Teotitlan del Valle with traditional comida (included) and local family visit to cemetery, participate in Day of the Dead customs (take bread, chocolate, and candles to home altars)

Tuesday (11/3):    Walking tour of Oaxaca: art & textile galleries, museums, chocolate molino, city market; farewell dinner (included) in Oaxaca at a well-known restaurant.

Wednesday (11/4):    Depart after breakfast

The major meal of each day is held mid to late afternoon, around 3:00 p.m. and is called “comida”.  The later evening meal is lighter and occurs around 8:30 p.m.  It is called “cena” (pronounced say-nah).  A substantial breakfast or “desayuno” is included daily.  Seasonal fresh fruits like papaya, mango, melon and bananas, homemade tortillas, local eggs and chicken, homemade salsas add to your dining pleasure.

(Note: schedule may change depending upon ceremonial customs and artisan availability; in such cases, we will substitute with equivalent activities)

Cost $995, includes six nights lodging (double occupancy), six breakfasts, five group meals, a cooking class with recipes, and ground transportation to villages in the Oaxaca valley.

Excluded:  Cost does not include airfare, airport and departure taxes; meals not listed as included; charges for personal items including laundry, alcoholic beverages, optional activities, travel and accident insurance, transportation to and from the airport, tips and gratuities, taxis, museum entry fees and other incidentals.

Deposit and Final Payment:  A $300 deposit will reserve your space.  Final payment is due by September 1, 2009.  After that, refunds are not possible.

Single supplement is available for an additional $150 for the six nights.  Extra nights before or after the tour are $40 per person and must be reserved and paid for in advance, included with your final payment.

Questions?  Contact normahawthorne@mac.com or call (919) 274-6194.  Let me know you are interested and I will email a registration form to you.