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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.
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- 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
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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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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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NCSU in Oaxaca: Crocodiles, Iguanas, Mangroves at Ventanilla Beach
Rooster in the rain, plastic bag lens protector
It was a rollicking day in the skies over Oaxaca yesterday as I made my way back to Teotitlan del Valle from Puerto Escondido via Mexico City, where Tropical Storm Beatriz was having her way with us.
Sheets of rain cover Aeromar window. What do you see?
Sheets of rain fell as I took off in the little Aeromar turboprop. In Huatulco, the news wasn’t so good as flights were canceled, and one North Carolina State University student who decided to stay a couple of extra days, couldn’t get home as planned.
Iguana, happy on a log.
But, I’d like to back-track. Another highlight of the NCSU study abroad trip to Oaxaca was a visit to the Ventanilla lagoon between Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel, where fresh and salt water mix to support cormorants, crocodiles and iguanas.
Crocodile protecting her nest
The bio-diverse tropical ecosystem is home to white and red mangroves, too.
Under the umbrellas in the rain forest
This is a protected area accessible only by canoe, paddles powered by local guides who volunteer as part of the preservation project of the region.
Let’s take the long view and protect our planet
Our admission fees help support the ecology of the region and the endangered species.
Red mangroves, an endangered specie, Ventanilla Lagoon
We started out by van in a down-pour with no inkling of the storm to come the next days. It was wet, wet, wet and I had to cover my camera lens with a clear plastic bag that I bought from a local food vendor on the beach.
Through the jungle swamp, Ventanilla lagoon, Oaxaca
I think the resulting images give you a sense of the wonder, the tropical humidity, and gauzy landscape shrouded by clouds and rain.
Diving bird drying its wings
By afternoon, the rain cleared. We spent the rest of the day enjoying lunch under the palapa and swimming in a Puerto Angel protected cove. (more about this in another post)
Cicadas hug a tree trunk
First stop en route, fresh coconut juice at roadside stand, Highway 200
We made a stop along the highway to sample fresh coconut, both the milk and the flesh. It was a refreshing break from the heat and gave us a chance to meet some of the local people who make a living harvesting from nearby trees.
Amber, a doctoral student, enjoying fresh coconut milk
Eating fresh coconut with salsa, roadside stand, Pacific Coast Highway 200
An offering of fresh, spicy peanuts — too hot for me!
Anna, Brianna, Kia and Makayla, camaraderie
A marker on the roadside, so we know where we are
Crocodile pond reflections
Professor Ricardo Hernandez and guide talk about preservation, biodiversity
In the lagoon, the families who protect the wildlife explain that they rescue parrots, alligators, crocodiles and monkeys that have been kept in captivity.
David wanted to take this species home, rare color
When the pets get too big and the owners don’t want them anymore, the refuge offers a safe place where the animals and reptiles can be cared for.
Ricky explores the wildlife refuge. These white tail deer were rescued.
Diorama feels real, snap, crackle, pop
David, enjoying the adventure
At the beach, examining the flora, a dreamy gauze
Reptile eggs have a soft, leathery shell. These chicks were just hatched. The reserve has a program to rescue and release.
Baby crocodiles, just hatched
An important message for us all, despite what Agent Orange says
Sea bird takes flight
Endangered sea turtle, National Turtle Center, Mazunte
NCSU, National Turtle Center, Mazunte, Oaxaca
There is also a reforestation project to protect and preserve the mangroves.
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Travel & Tourism, Workshops and Retreats
Tagged biodiversity, ecotourism, education, environmental sustainability, Mexico, North Carolina State University, Oaxaca, study abroad, travel, Ventanilla