Tag Archives: Drinking water

Rooftop View of Teotitlan del Valle

Here’s a reminder: our bed and breakfast lodging and accommodations are in a family compound in a rural Zapotec indigenous village that is over 6,000 years old.  While the accommodations are clean and the food is fantastic and the setting is beautiful, the environment will be simple and basic by our standards.  (Yes, you will have a real bed, blankets, clean sheets.)

Some of you have shared bathroom facilities located across the courtyard (bring flip flops or clogs if you wish).  The electrical outlets work on our voltage; I am bringing adapters for 3-prong plugs to distribute if you need them.  There are soap and towels.  You will want to bring your own shampoo or other personal care items. If you need anything special, you can bring it or buy it there. There are no hair dryers provided.  Laundry services are available for a modest fee.

Traditional kitchen in the courtyard

The question has come up a few times about yoga mats.  Please bring your own as there are none available on-site.  This should roll up and fit pretty easily into your luggage.  Don’t forget little rattles, shakers or drums.  By the way, on Sunday at the Tlacolula market there is always a stall that sells carved gourd rattles of the type used during dance ceremonies in the village.  These might be fun to use for Beth’s yoga sessions.

Neighborhood shops and the pharmacy sell shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, snacks, drinks, razors, aspirin, yogurt, mescal, beer, wine, and delicious little cookies.

A note on food and drink:  Only brush your teeth with and drink bottled water.  Purified water is served at the B&B.  Avoid eating from food stalls and street vendors.  Only eat leafy greens at restaurants that cater to gringos — they will use treated water to wash their veggies (most of which are organic).

For those of you who have traveled to Mexico before, please feel free to share your advice.