In The New York Times: Oaxaca Cultural Navigator

Que milagro!  The New York Times features Oaxaca Cultural Navigator in its 36 Hours: Oaxaca, Mexico article written by travel writer Freda Moon.  The Travel section story on Oaxaca, the first to be published about the city since 2007, appeared in today’s online New York Times.  It will appear in print this Sunday, January 15, 2012.

Forgive me if I have to pinch myself — again and once more.  When I showed the article this afternoon to Federico (Fe) Chavez Sosa, who with his wife Dolores Santiago Arrellanas (Lola) and family, run Galeria Fe y Lola, also noted in Freda’s story, he could hardly believe it. He was beaming!

Needless to say, we are trying to keep our composure.  It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime event for a little-known Zapotec weaving family from a pueblo outside the city to be recognized for their work in this way.  Never mind that their work is extraordinary.  Many people go through life creating something exceptional and rarely get this kind of attention.

So, a big thank you, un beso y abrazo fuerte to Freda for loving Oaxaca and wanting to bring this lovely city back into the limelight after it was tarnished so badly in the APPO wars of 2006.  The city thanks you and so do we.

I’ve written this blog for over four years now.  During this time, I have faithfully tried to write something meaningful at least weekly, so there is a huge compendium of information and photos here for you to sift through, if you are interested.  I don’t propose to know everything about Oaxaca.  In relative terms, I’m a newcomer.  I’ve traveled here regularly during the past seven years, coming three or four times a year for a couple of weeks at a time while I was employed full-time at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Now, at this moment, I get to call this home and stay a while!

Many expatriates have lived here longer and know much more than I do.  We are all here because we love this place, want to support the culture, and find solace in the beauty of the natural world, insight through the artistic endeavors, and connection through the generosity of the people.  Each of us has something valuable to give and each of us wants to offer support in whatever way we are able to bring our varied talents to bear, individually or collectively.

And, there’s always room for more people to come, explore, and discover the creative energy that makes Oaxaca vibrant, satisfying, and stimulating.   Perhaps you will decide to come, then return, and then return again, as I did.  All of us hope that you do.  You won’t be sorry.

In gratitude,

Norma Hawthorne, Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC, January 12, 2012