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Why Travel With Us
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- We know the culture! We are locally owned and operated.
- Eric Chavez Santiago is Zapotec, born and raised in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca.
- Norma Schafer has been living in Oaxaca for almost 20 years.
- We have deep connections with artists and artisans.
- 63% of our travelers repeat -- high ratings, high satisfaction.
- Wide ranging expertise.
- We give you a deep immersion to best know Oaxaca and Mexico.
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Creating Connection and Meaning between travelers and with indigenous artisans. Meet makers where they live and work. Join small groups of like-minded explorers. Go deep into remote villages. Gain insights. Support cultural heritage and sustainable traditions ie. hand weaving and natural dyeing. Create value and memories. Enjoy hands-on experiences. Make a difference.
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What is a Study Tour: Our programs are learning experiences, and as such we talk with makers about how and why they create, what is meaningful to them, the ancient history of patterning and design, use of color, tradition and innovation, values and cultural continuity, and the social context within which they work. First and foremost, we are educators. Norma worked in top US universities for over 35 years and Eric founded the education department at Oaxaca’s textile museum. We create connection.
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OCN Creates Student Scholarship at Oaxaca Learning Center Giving back is a core value. Read about it here!
Why We Left, Expat Anthology: Norma’s Personal Essay
We Contribute Two Chapters!
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Meet Makers. Make a Difference
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Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university, textile and artisan development experience. See About Us.
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Programs can be scheduled to meet your independent travel plans. Send us your available dates.
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Designers, retailers, wholesalers, curators, universities and others come to us to develop artisan relationships, customized itineraries, study abroad programs, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
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Select Clients *Abeja Boutique, Houston *Selvedge Magazine-London, UK *Esprit Travel and Tours *Penland School of Crafts *North Carolina State University *WARP Weave a Real Peace *Methodist University *MINNA-Goods *Smockingbird Kids *University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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- WEAVE Podcast: Oaxaca Coast Textiles & Tour
- NY Times, Weavers Embrace Natural Dye Alternatives
- NY Times, Open Thread–Style News
- NY Times, 36-Hours: Oaxaca, Mexico
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Election Sunday in Mexico: A Photography Briefing
Federal elections for president of the country occur every six years (one six-year term). And today is the day. Voting in this part of Mexico is by paper ballot. Signs guarantee: Your vote is free and secret. In Tlacolula de Matamoros the line to vote was blocks long and people were waiting patiently in the hot sun to cast their ballots. Some held umbrellas to protect them. Others wore wide brim hats. Those umbrellas came in handy late afternoon when the rain began. The line was even longer then.
Votes are cast in one booth, overseen by an independent federal election commission, under tents out in the open. If I understood correctly, the election chief said the turnout was unprecedented and people could vote until 11 p.m. We probably won’t know the winner for several days.
People here take their responsibility to vote seriously. This year there are three candidates. The politics of Mexico are complicated and her people are outspoken. As an extranjero it is not my place to comment or pass judgment, only to understand. The issues are about poverty, education, access to health care, and what tactics the federal government takes to address illegal drug trafficking to the United States where demand feeds the beast.
I hope the best person for the job wins! There appeared to be extraordinary security present to ensure a safe and legal election.
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Photography
Tagged blogsherpa, elections, Mexico, Oaxaca, voting