After passing through immigration (I will present my customs form in Oaxaca) I take the shortcut through the internal passage way and a short version of security and x-ray machinery to land in Sala B. This is the big concourse waiting area where passengers connect to internal domestic flights. It is a panoply of rstaurants, fast food joints (McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Krispy Kreme Donuts) and gift shops. At the other end, next to Subway and across from McDonalds is “100% Natural.” It is healthy, delicious food at its best. At this moment, I am eating a two cheese (queso fresca and chihuahua), chicken breast and mustard sandwich on a toasted pan integrada (whole wheat bread) cut into lovely triangles that can be eaten in about three or four bites each. In Oaxaca this is called a torta. The dish is garnished with a pile of alfalfa sprouts and salad that is washed in purified water. I’m slurping a fresh made Agua Sandia (watermelon juice water) made by a woman who is completely protected from giving or getting germs. Her nose and mouth is covered by a guaze mask and her hands work quickly even though they are wrapped in those surgical type gloves. I look over into the small window opening to the kitchen and see two women adorned in plastic shower caps for hair protection! I heartily recommend this interlude between flights while you are waiting for your connection. The perch is perfect too. I’m sitting at a comfy barstool at a high table looking out over the hubbub. Great people watching. The wait staff is helpful and friendly, the menus are available in Spanish and English, the price is reasonable, ranging from $550 to 1300 pesos per dish. Peso exchange rate today is almost 12 to the dollar. They take Visa and Mastercard, no American Express.
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Why Travel With Us: Help sustain regenerative traditions.
- We know the culture! This is our land! We are locally owned and operated.
- Eric Chavez Santiago is tri-lingual --Spanish, English, Zapotec.
- Eric was founding director of education, Museo Textil de Oaxaca + folk art expert
- Norma Schafer has lived in Oaxaca since 2005.
- Norma is a seasoned university educator.
- We have deep connections with artists and artisans.
- 63% of our travelers repeat -- high ratings, high satisfaction.
- Wide ranging expertise: textiles, folk art, pottery, cultural wisdom.
- We give you a deep immersion to best know Oaxaca and Mexico.
We organize private travel + tours for museums, arts, organizations, collectors + appreciators.
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. Create value and memories. Enjoy hands-on experiences. Make a difference.
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.
OCN Creates Student Scholarship at Oaxaca Learning Center Giving back is a core value. Read about it here
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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.
Programs can be scheduled to meet your independent travel plans. Send us your available dates.
Arts organizations, museums, designers, retailers, wholesalers, curators, universities and others come to us to develop artisan relationships, customized itineraries, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Select Clients *Abeja Boutique, Houston *North Carolina Museum of Art *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
Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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