Itinerary

Day 1: USA – OAXACA

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Depart from the USA for Oaxaca, Mexico. Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and check into our hotel, located in a historic building, with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 2: SAN JOSE DE MOGOTE

Monday, October 27, 2008

Begin the day with a lecture by anthropologist Teresa Morales that will prepare you for this Afternoon’s visit to San José Mogote. This morning, tour Oaxaca’s imposing cathedral, and then view a Day of the Dead exhibition at the Oaxaca Regional Museum, housed in the cathedral’s cloister. Following lunch, travel to San José Mogote, a village that most tourists do not have an opportunity to see. Tour the town’s small, fascinating museum that is situated in a historic hacienda and displaysimpressive objects from a nearby archaeological site. Attend a final lecture by your study leader and dinner on your own this evening. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 3: MONTE ALBAN

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

This morning, archaeologist Robert Markens leads an excursion toMonte Albán, the religious, Political, and commercial center of the Zapotec culture for more than 1,200 years, beginning around 500 B.C. Built on a leveled hilltop andoverlooking the lush Oaxaca Valley, the archaeological site includes a grassy Great Plaza, a ball court, the Building of the Dancers, and the Northern Platform’s maze oftemples and palaces. Return to Oaxaca for a free afternoon and evening to explore the many cafes, shops and restaurants in the area. Then gather for dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 4: TLACOCHAHUAYA – TEOTITLÁN DEL VALLE - MITLA

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Visit Tlacochahuaya and its 16th-century Dominican church, an architectural blend of Spanish and Zapotec design. Continue to Teotitlán del Valle, where manyfamilies continue the practice of weaving rugs using wooden pedal looms introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century.After lunch at a restaurand specializing in authentic local cuisine, explore the nearby archaeological site of Mitla, which as built by the Zapotecs as early as 500 B.C. and appropriated by the Mixtecs in the late 10th century.The mesmerizinggeometric patterns of the stone reliefs are still found today in the artwork produced in the surrounding villages. On the return to Oaxaca visit the village cemetery of Santa Maria del Tule to see how families prepare anddecorate the tombs in honor of their deceased loved ones. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 5: OAXACA REGIONAL MUSEUM

Thursday, October 30, 2008

This morning visit the Regional Museum, which houses the incredible gold treasures found in 1932 in tomb 7 at Monte Albán, as well as a Day of the Dead exhibition. continue to Santo Domingo, one of the most lavish baroque churches in Mexico known for its gilded rosary. Later today, we will visit local art galleries in the city. (B,L)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 6: OCOTLÁN – SANTO TOMAS JALIEZA – SAN MARTÍN

Friday, October 31, 2008

Visit the Aguilar sisters, Ocotlán’s most famous potters, intheir home workshops. Continue to Santo Tomas Jalieza to observe the local women and girls weaving belts on backstrap looms, and to San Martin Tilcajete, a woodcarving village where families create imaginative representations of animals. Enjoy lunch today in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town that is famous for its production of black pottery. Doña Rosa, a local artisan, developed the technique of smoking the pottery during the firing process to make it black and rubbing the pieces with quartz to make them shine. Observe a demonstration by her son, who carries on the tradition. This evening, visit the cemetery in the nearby town of Xoxocotlan to observe the ways in which the locals welcome back their family and friends from the dead. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 7: OAXACA MARKET

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Explore Oaxaca’s authentic Saturday market this morning. Stroll among the stalls piled high with agricultural products and crafts as Indians from the surrounding villages come to town to sell and shop. Intricate baskets, mounds of dried chilies and herbs and carefully stacked vegetables make a walk through the market a multi-sensory experience. Observe the villagers purchasing the necessary supplies for the decoration of their altars and offerings to the dead. The scene is timeless and colorful. This afternoon, visit the Panteón General San Miguel, Oaxaca’s main cemetery, to view its elaborate altars. Enjoy a farewell dinner before seeing the Folkloric Ballet Company of Oaxaca’s dramatic performance in front of Santo Domingo for the culmination of the Day of the Dead celebration. (B,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 8: OAXACA – USA

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Proceed to theairport this morning for flights home. (B)