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November 2011

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Huatulco Eye Living and Loving the Oaxacan Riviera Issue No. 10 November, 2011 FREE PATÉ DE FUÁ www.shellsandchampagne.com Full Service Event Planning Huatulco, Oaxaca C ampagne h Shells&
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Page 1: November 2011

Huatulco EyeLiving and Loving the Oaxacan RivieraIssue No. 10 November, 2011

FREE

PATÉ DE FUÁ

www.shellsandchampagne.com

Full Service Event Planning

Huatulco, OaxacaC ampagnehShells&

Page 2: November 2011
Page 3: November 2011

Editor’s Letter

Editor: Jane Bauer

Writers/ Contributors: Marcia Chaiken, Caryl

Delaney,

Kathy Taylor, Doreen Woelfel,

Photography: Camille McAdie, Luca Tognazzi

Layout Manager: Jane Bauer

Advertising Manager: Alfredo Patino

Opinions and words are those of the author and

do not reflect the opinion of Huatulco Eye.

To be a collaborator please send us an email

Brooke Gazer, Liz Healy, Frances

Lopez, Carminia Magaña,

Alfredo Patiño, Carole Reedy, Alvin Starkman,

Ximena Osegueda,

[email protected]

Eye Team

“We were all children once. And we all share the desire for the well-being of our children, which has always been and will continue to be the most universally cherished aspiration of humankind.”- We the Children: end decade review of the follow-up to the World Summit for Children Report of the Secretary General of the UN. (2001)

ruise ships are gliding into Santa Cruz, there is a cool breeze from the mountains, Amigos de la Musica Cconcerts begin and emails announcing the arrival of

friends fill our inbox. Sweet November!

'How did you get here?' people often ask and I am sometimes tempted to reply facetiously 'by plane', but I know what they really mean is 'why are you here?' I am an immigrant. I don't often think of myself in those terms since the word immigrant seems to conjure up the idea of flight from something; war, natural disaster, poverty, persecution or fleeing towards something; better education, healthcare, higher quality of life. Immigrant has become almost a dirty word; many of us seem to prefer ‘expat, snowbird, foreigner, long-term visitor’. We want to be lumped in with Hemingway, Buffett and Stein, rather than the Punjabi taxi driver, the Oaxacan gardener or the Guatemalan nanny. But are we really different? The question isn't 'how' but the 'why' and when we begin to look at the reasons, we see what we have in common- prospect of a better life. What else could possess anybody to leave 'home' and start fresh, make new friends, get a new job and possibly have to learn a new language! Change can be exhausting and exasperating but extremely rewarding.

This month the US celebrates Thanksgiving- a remembrance of coming together. Whatever your politics, wherever you live, fight against the misconceptions that divide us and give thanks for the things that bring us together. We explore a few of those things in this issue; great Italian food, opera and love of animals! And speaking of change, we hope you enjoy the new format.

This month:Use those Spanish words you have been learning....hola

thNovember 20 -celebrate the Mexican Revolution and Universal Children's Day!If you are on the coast- go rafting- exhilarating!See Pate de Fua- in Oaxaca or Huatulco.Extend a hand or reach out for one.

See you next month,

Jane

Photo By Camille Grace Photography

In this issue...

Page 4: November 2011

yth : Could it be that many Italians saw the Italian

movie called Puerto Escondido and consequently Mmade a mass exodus to the southern coast of

Oaxaca the same way The Night of the Iguana drew

Canadians and Americans to Puerto Vallarta? Or, could it

simply be that there are more opportunities for business and

adventure than there are in the old country? Whatever the

reason - myths aside - we are glad they are here! The Italian

element has been a delightful and delicious addition to the

Oaxacan Riviera – mainly Puerto Escondido, the Puerto

Angel area, and now Huatuclo.

Who are these lively, hard-working, seemingly inexhaustible

Italians and why have they come here? I have spoken to

several members of the Italian community to get to the root

of this friendly flavorful invasion which adds a very special

element to the Mini Melting Pot that the Oaxacan Riviera has

become.

Luca, an open-water scuba instructor for Gravity Sports

Divers, has lived here for two and a half years. He had

previously been to Mexico but mainly the Riviera Maya. He

came here to discover the beaches and to have a real

Mexican experience. His diving career includes the Maldives,

the Red Sea, Africa and Indonesia.

“Here the ocean is full of life,” comments Luca, who has seen

his share of whales, sea horses, mantas and much more.

Originally from Milano, Luca lived in Rome for six years and

worked in the music business as a booking agent for

concerts.

“The biggest difference between Mexico and Italy,” says

Luca, “is the sense of time with Mexico having a more

tranquil, laid-back pace – especially Huatulco.”

A self -starting entrepreneur Giordana Ravera from a small

town near Torino in northern Italy has lived in Huatulco for

seven years. Most of us know her as the owner and manager

of the successful restaurant El Rigoletto. She sold that

business two years ago to be able to spend more time with

Giovanni, her son, and to not work so much at night. She

started the take-out or eat-in trattoria aptly called

Giordiana's where the food is fresh and fabulous and the

company, both of Giordiana and Venetian Manuel Grosso,

as gracious hosts, is delightful.

“We have an affinity for Mexican life. We learn Spanish

quickly and identify with the culture,” says Giordana

Giordana came with her friend and colleague Barbara

Bodega from Cuomo. Barbara makes the cakes and desserts

for Giordana and also helps out in the new pizzeria run by

two other Italians, Gianluca from Trieste and Nicoletta from

Bologna, who had previously lived in other coastal towns

with other Italian restaurants before starting up Solo Pizza

on Bugambilia, not far from Little Italy.

o’c sl Lut ita tu leH Italy

Giordiana´s nephew Estefano Biora has a bakery where he

specializes in “artisan” breads such as: whole wheat, garlic,

olive, tuna, and onion is now branching out with pizzas and

pastries. Several local restaurants feature Estefano´s bread

which is delicious!

Maximiliano Marchese, owner of West Park Café, is from

Rome. He came to Huatulco five years ago and has a loyal

following of expats and nationals alike. He started at Agave

in the Zocalo (now Blue) then went on to Santa Cruz where

he had his business in Hotel Máxico. Last year he moved

his café to La Crucecita. He spent many nights as handyman

and carpenter in preparation for West Park Café where he

combines Japanese, Vietnamese, American cuisines. Max

makes the flakiest croissants and yummiest cinnamon rolls

for miles around. Max is an example of old world charm in a

tropical international setting.

“I like to provide a relaxed atmosphere, a home away from

home for my customers,” says Max

Franco Fiordiriso, owner and manager of the restaurant

Mamma Mia, is another Italian success story. He has been in

Huatulco for five years. This energetic man always has time

to greet his customers with his lovely smile and courteous

service. Although he has just recently taken on a new

adventure- parenting, he continues to serve authentic

Italian dishes with his usual flare.

Franco says that while he has seen the movie Puerto

Escondido and liked it and it certainly did make him curious

about the Oaxacan Riviera, it wasn´t the driving force for his

move to Mexico.

By Caryl Delaney

Page 5: November 2011
Page 6: November 2011

ATÉ DE FUÁ is a sextet whose exciting instrumentation- banjo, accordion, bandonion, Ptrumpet, clarinet, guitar, bass, drum set,

vibraphone, cavaquinho- highlights the creativity and vision of its members. It is an outstanding fusion of genres, such as, Dixieland, traditional jazz, tango, pasodoble, bal-mussette, etc. Indeed, if the best music is created through fusion, this group corroborates it. Two Argentines and four Mexicans are like an acoustic UN that flows better than any presidential summit. Their repertoire of stories and characters captivates us first with its unmatchable swing, and then with its sense of irony and dark humour. Its clear language and superb acoustic resources has taken them to more than 200 stages in Mexico and abroad. After only six years since their creation, in 2005, they have become one of the jazz bands with greater projection and growth in popularity in Mexico. In three years they have sold more than 60,000 copies of their recordings.

Pate de Fua plays at the Camino Real Huatulco November 12th at 8pm.

Pate de Fua

Camino Real Huatulco

November 12th,8pm

Tickets 150 pesos at

Yamaha Music and Foto Conejo

Contributed By Carminia Magaña

st31 International Book Fair of OaxacaBy Ximena Osegueda

erhaps the best time of the year to visit majestic Oaxaca City will

th,Pbe the weekend of November 4 , stwhen the 31 International Book Fair

of Oaxaca begins. Famous singer Lila Downs will inaugurate this two-week

thevent on Saturday November 5 , setting the tone for two fabulous weeks of literature, films and music that will

thend on November 16 .

The theme for this year's fair is cinema. Six films will be presented and director Arturo Ripstein will receive an award for his prolific trajectory in which he has directed thirty-seven films. Also, a lucky young writer will

ndreceive the 2 Aura Estrada Literary Award, in an effort to promote new talents.

For music lovers, there will be a number of concerts; classical, Mexican and Jazz. Besides Ms. Downs' interesting contemporary take on traditional Mexican music, the main attractions will be the jazz band Paté de Fuá –which will also be performing in Huatulco on November 12th and Mexico's most prominent classical flute payer and international celebrity, Horacio Franco, will be closing with

ththe last concert on November 13 .

A broad spectrum of topics will be addressed in the conferences and films, ranging from current issues

such as Mexican politics and drug smuggling, to academic debates about the interaction of cinema and literature, visual arts in literature, journalism, vanguards and French literature. There will also be a section dedicated to children's literature, and taking advantage to the proximity of Halloween and the Day of the Dead festivities, there will be plenty of zombies and haunted houses to delight the little ones and the child within us.

So if you are considering visiting the famous ruins of Monte Albán, the magnificent ethno-botanical garden or the baroque cathedral, it is a great time to visit this city full of ancient and contemporary culture.

For the full program, please visit the

website: www.vivelalectura.com.mx

From left to right:Lila Downs, Arturo Ripstein, Horatio Franco

Page 7: November 2011

ovember 20th marked the

official beginning of the NMexican Revolution in 1910.

Characterized as one of the top 5

significant revolutions of the 20th

century, it has all the elements of a

classic piece of literature; heroes,

villains, women warriors and a

constitution. It was “the” subject for

in f luent ia l mura l is ts R ivera ,

Siqueiros, and Orozco early on in their

art, to say nothing of the literature,

films (see Like Water for Chocolate)

and music. While we usually think of

Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, it

was two other men who were the

pivotal players on that day; Porfirio

Diaz and Francisco Madero.

In 1910, 80 year old President Porfirio

Diaz, had been in office for over thirty-

four years. Although he'd promised to

give up the re-election business... he

wanted just one more term. At that

time there were grass-root uprisings of

poor farmers, indigenous peoples, and

workers. Diaz, half-Mixtec from

Oaxaca, was especially harsh with the

Yaqui Indians, decimating their

population because of up-risings,

labor strikes, and demands for human

rights, as well as for the return of land

to the people. The issues with the

Catholic Church were still tenuous as

well. Publicly decrying their power

and land ownership, Diaz was silently

supporting the Church's role in

continuation of the Hacienda system-

land owned by few, worked on by

slaves, sharecroppers and poorly paid

workers. His own brother, Felix, was

murdered by Juchitan insurgents,

when he stole their patron saint

statue, cut off the feet, and returned it

to them. Sadly, they did the same to

him, and Diaz backed off on

diminishing the church's role in

Mexico, it is thought, because of this

incident. As Octavio Paz pointed out,

“Diaz's government had nothing to add

to the poor”. Three thousand families

owned 55% of Mexico, 17 families

owned a 1/5 of all land. The power

Mexico's economy grew in the early

1900's as Diaz's policies encouraging

foreign investment in oil, mining and

natural resources, and not really

caring on whose backs this was done.

Nearly 60% of all foreigncapital

invested in Mexico was from the US

and Great Britain. They owned the

mines and oil fields, as well as large

cattle ranches in the north. In

Tamaulipas alone, at one point 50,000

barrels of oil a day were being

exported tax-free. Everyone was

getting wealthy but the Mexican

worker/farmer. But as labor issues

rose, resources dried up, and in a

precarious world economy at the time,

Mexico suffered economically heading

into 1910. When Diaz proposed an

“open” election in 1910, showing all

that Mexico was indeed a democracy,

Francisco Madero took him up on it.

Francisco Madero was not exactly the

“revolutionary” type when we have

visions of Villa and Zapata. A son of a

privileged family (said to be 5th

Mexican Revolution By Doreen Woelfel

Emiliano Zapata Porfirio Diaz Francisco Madero Pancho Villa

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Guarumbo 15La Crucecita, HuatulcoTel.958 503 4594Cel. 958 106 6625

[email protected]

Page 8: November 2011

wealthiest family at the time), a vegetarian and nondrinker of alcohol, Madero grew up expecting to take on the lands, the mines, the factories, and other family holdings. Educated in Europe and US (even one year at UC Berkeley), he was a business man. He was unusual in his time in that he was reported to have been a fair employer, paying living wages, donating for schools, hospitals, etc., and was not particularly political. He is identified as a “spiritualist” in lots of literature, suggesting he talked with spirits, among other things, and led an exemplary life as a result. His political awakening came when witnessing Bernardo Reyes, then governor of Nuevo Leon, and a general of Diaz's, dealing with protestors. Madero felt he was way too harsh and he entered politics in protest. Interest in Madero spread and he began to draw crowds wherever he went. He was attracting just the demographic that had been denied their rights, the poor, well aware that they still did not have their promised property, workers laboring under extreme conditions.

Diaz jailed Madero in San Luis Potosi, in early 1910. He escaped, fled to San Antonio, Texas, and from there issuedthe Plan of San Luis Potosi, announcing the revolution. He proclaimed the election void, declaredhimself the real president of Mexico, and promised to return land and free political prisoners.

Opposition once again raised havoc as Alvaro Obregon, a general who supported Carranza initially, and whose influence was on the rise, rebelled as Carranza made a move to “appoint” his own successor. Obregon led a revolt. Carranza, heading to Veracruz in an attempt to flee after resigning from government, was murdered by Obregon loyalists in May 1920. Obregon (President from 1920 to 1924) himself was murdered shortly after he was re-elected a second time, in 1928, by a “Catholic fanatic”. And so it goes.....

There are many excellent books on The Revolution, biographies of key people, including: Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution, by Frank McLynn, and La Revolucion: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth and History, by Thomas Benjamin, that are easily accessible, fascinating reads. Octavio Paz, in his The Labyrinth of Solitude, has interesting takes on the Revolution, its cause, character and aftermath, as well. The Revolution is a rich, fascinating, complicated history, and many feel has not yet been fully realized, as pockets of dissent still prevail in Mexico today continuing the fight for the rights of the under-r e p r e s en t e d , t h e p o o r , an d indigenous.Check out my blog: www.doreenelizahuatulcopassages.blogspot.com

The hour was specific for the revolution to start: 6 PM on November 20 ,1910. Northern Mexico took up the f ight immediate ly , espec ia l ly Chihuahua and Morelos (with Emiliano Zapata leading), joining other forces from the south. By May of 1911 Morelos' forces were in control of Ciudad Juarez and Diaz resigned and fled the country. By November 1911, Madero was elected president, considered the fairest election in Mexico up until then.

But for the Revolution, it was only the beginning. Ten years of fighting, rebellions, government changes and assassinations plagued the evolving Mexico. By February 1913, Madero and his VP Suarez were murdered during a coup d'etat by one of his generals, Victoriano Huerta. Land reform issues were moving too slowly for the likes of Zapata and Villa. Venusiano Carranza was wary of Madero's intentions. Carranza troops eventually took on Zapata and Villa to gain control of Mexico. Zapata was lured to his death by Carranza loyalists in 1919, providing another powerful martyr, along with Madero.

The Revolution continued until 1920. Carranza eventually became president and is credited with the writing of the Constitution of 1917, which includes social and economic reforms.

Grillos Hotel & Restaurant

odontologiapreventiva/restauradora

wilfreddymarincarrasco

DENTAL SURGEONCedula 1535553

CERTIFICADO

CNCD DGP no. 055

(958) 587 0380flamboyan 206, la crucecita

Santa Cruz Huatulco, Oaxaca, [email protected]

CITAS:Bugambilia 703Tel. 958 583 [email protected] the zocalo, La CrucecitaHuatulco, Oaxaca

Page 9: November 2011

If asked to list the staples of Mexican cuisine, most people would name rice, beans, corn, chiles, lime, and cilantro. Well, add peanuts to the list. While used as a thickening agent in many dishes, peanuts also star in salsas and soups. A nutritious snack, throughout Mexico peanuts roasted with chiles and salt are common, but it is in Oaxaca that they are most addictive, typically studded with roasted cloves of garlic and whole chiles. Just try to eat only a few! Cerveza, por favor!

Cacahuates, from the Nahuatl word tlalcacahuatl, are thought to have been discovered in Peru, cultivated by pre-Columbian cultures, and then spread throughout Mesoamerica, and ultimately the world, by the conquistadors. Peanuts are officially a legume, and grow just a few inches under the surface, in light, sandy loam soil. They require five months of warm weather, and an annual rainfall of 500 to 1,000 mm (20 to 39 in) or the equivalent in irrigation. Our part of Mexico has all the requirements for peanut cultivation, and Oaxaca is the third largest peanut producing state in Mexico.

By coincidence, sea turtles and peanuts share a confluence of economic and ecological spinoff on the Oaxaca coast. When the Mexican government closed the sea turtle fishing industry in 1990, the door to eco-tourism in the area opened ( ). At the same time, the government introduced a movement toward sustainable agro-economic development to the area. One of the programs established was the cultivation of peanuts and sesame in the community of El Tomatal, near Puerto Escondido.

Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga

What was originally an agricultural commodity project became value-added cottage industry post-Hurricane Paulina in 1997. In the devastated communities along the coast, as part of an emergency health plan, workshops were held to teach the local people how to best achieve nutritional value from their crops. The realization that peanuts could be more than just a cash crop for the community, at a time when commodity prices were low, was the impetus for the establishment of Las Productoras de el Tomatal Ecologicas S.C.L, located about 10km from Puerto Escondido in the community of El Tomatal. Roughly signed and palapa roofed, the workshop is home to a women's co-operative that last year processed over 4 tons of peanuts. They produce organic roasted peanuts, peanut butter, and tahini for an expanding range of markets. The day that we visited recently, 3 of the co-op's 10 members were sealing and labelling jars of Crema de Cacahuate for a shipment to Mexico City. Productoras' manager, Constanza Santos López, explained that “nada de hombres” (no men!) were involved in the co-op, with the exception of the husband of one associate who grows the peanuts.

Their peanut butter is delicious, as are the roasted peanuts! Beginning this month, Productoras' de el Tomatal Crema de Cacahuate will be available at Café Juanita in Santa Cruz. The co-op also has also written a recipe pamphlet, Flores y Semillas, showcasing their sesame and peanut products. Here is a great peanut recipe , an adaptation of the Co-op's Chicken in Cacahuate sauce. Buen provecho!

Cacahuates: From Soup to Nuts!

Chicken in Peanut and Chile Sauce1 dried ancho pepper1 ½ cups chicken stock3 whole black peppercorns3 whole allspice1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces3 whole cloves1 small white onion, sliced1 clove garlic minced1 tablespoon peanut or cooking oil1 cup roasted tomatoes2/3 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts (or ½ cup peanut butter)1 tortilla, toasted1 chipotle pepper in adobo (tinned) or more for taste.1 chicken, cut into parts and skinned

Cut the dried pepper open; discard stems and seeds. Tear pepper into small pieces and place in a small bowl. Add ½ cup of chicken stock ; let stand for 30 min to soften peppers. Do NOT drain.In a mortar or molcajete, combine the peppercorns, allspice, cinnamon and cloves; grind to a coarse powder. Set aside.In a small skillet, cook onion and garlic in hot oil over medium-high heat for 5- 10 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring frequently. Transfer the onion mixture and tomatoes to a blender. Add the softened pepper with stock, the ground spice mixture, the remaining 1 cup chicken stock, peanuts, tortilla, and chipotle. Blend till smooth.Place the chicken in a 4 to 5 qt. slow cooker. Pour the tomato mixture over, cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours. If cooking on the stove, place in a heavy pan and simmer covered for 1 ½ hours on medium heat. Serve with rice.

Kathy Taylor is a freelance writer who arrived in Huatulco in 2007 by sailboat. Her passions are food, sailing and Mexico. She writes about life in Huatulco on her blog www.lavidahuatulco.blogspot.com

By Kathy Taylor

Photos By Kathy Taylor

Page 10: November 2011

Huatulco Restaurant GuideAround the town...

Santa CruzCafé BertinaYellow BuildingTel.958 101 31118am- 6pmbreakfast/lunch, inexpensive, local food, family friendly

Café HuatulcoSta. Cruz KioskTel 958 587 12288am-11.30pmcoffee, tamales, snacks

Café Juanita211 Monte AlbanTel. 958 587 26558.30am- 10pmClosed Mondayscafejuanitamexico.comBreakfast, salads, baguettes, dinner menu.

El MuelleNext to Pemex- Sta. CruzTel. 958 105 1437www.zitrik.com1pm-1amOcean view, romantic

La TerrazaAndador Santa CruzTel 958 106 89661:00pm- 10:00pmClosed SundaysDinner, reservations, romantic, dessert

Vel el MarSanta Cruz Beach958 587 03648am-10pmOcean view, outdoor seating, large groups, family friendly

La CrucecitaAntojitos GelaMacuil 2038am- 4pmInexpensive street food; tacos, sopes, tlayudas

BlueBugambilia 701Tel. 958 105 15997am-12amInexpensive local food.

Café Casa MayorBugambillia 601Tel. 958 587 1881www.cafecasamayor.com8am-1amOutdoor seating, local food, live music

Cocina Dona LupitaSector TTel 958 109 23938am-6pmLocal inexpensive mexican eatery

Delizie ItalianePalma Real/ GardeniaTel 958 583 432410am-10pmClosed MondaysA/C Italian deli, take-out

El Sabor de OaxacaGuamuchil 206Tel: 958 587 00607am- 11pmOaxacan/Mexican Cuisine

Fonda CaritoInside Mercado 3 de MayoTel . 958 583 77847.30am- 8pmInexpensive local food.

Grillo MarineroCarrizal 908958 587 0783www.grillomarinero.huatulco.tv1pm- 8pmLocal Seafood, Family Friendly, Inexpensive

Kristal RoseCocotillo 218Tel. 958 587 06057.30am- 11.30pmA/C, outdoor seating, international food

La AlbahacaGardenia 101Tel. 958 585 21108am- 5pmComida corrida, delivery, local food

La CremaGardenia 311Tel. 958 587 07027pm-2ampizza, bar,

GrillosBugambilia 703Tel. 958 583 4071Open 24 hoursLocal, Inexpensive

Hemingway’sGardenia / Palma RealTel: 958 100 7339www.hemingwayscantina.com5pm-12am Closed Mondays

Tex-Mex, family friendly, patio, bar, live music

KabanaFlamboyan 310Tel. 958 587 04849am-2amBar, big screen, on the zocalo

Coffee,

Ice Creams,

Cakes and

much more!

A taste of Italy in the heart of Huatulco

Step inside and feast your senses

Calle Gardenia, Esq. Palo Verde, La Crucesita.

958 113 14 1516 Closed on Tuesday

La CrucecitaBugumbilia 501Tel. 958 587 09068am-10pmTraditional oaxacan, carnitas, inexpensive

Las Primas CafeGardenia esq. Palo VerdeTel: 958 113 1415 12.00pm- 12.00amClosed TuesdaysOutdoor Seating, Family Friendly, Dessert

Los GallosPalma Real 202Tel.958 100 46751.30pm-11pmLunch counter with mexican home cooking.

Mamma MiaGardenia/Palma RealOpen 2pmClosed TuesdaysItalian, Patio, Delivery

Pollo ImperialCarrizal 1104Tel. 958 587 0498

Delivery, Roast Chicken,

RigolettoOcotillo 304Tel. 958 587 12465pm- 12pmClosed WednesdaysItalian, pizza, take-out

Terra-cottaGardenia 902Tel: 958 587 01657.30am- 11.30pmInternational CuisineA/C, Outdoor Seating,

9am-9pm

Carrizal 908. La Crucecita, Huatulco, Oaxaca Tel:/Ph.. 01 (958) 58 7-07-83

www.grillomarinero.huatulco.tv

Look for Ad in this Issue

Page 11: November 2011

ChahueL’EchaloteCalle ZapotecoTel. 958 587 2480www.edencosta.com2pm-11pmClosed MondayOutdoor seating, international flavours

Konnichiwa SushiPlaza ChahueTel. 958 10515504pm-11pmOutdoor Seating, DinnerSushi

Meson al NaturalBest WesternTel 958 587 0945www.bwhuatulco.com9am-4pmClosed MondaysVegetarian, Outdoor Seating

Santa ClaraMazateco, Sector RTel. 958 587 10478am- 9pmMexican Food, Family Friendly, Large Groups

TangolundaAlebrijesHotel Plaza TangolundaTel. 958 581 05048am- 12aminternational food, groups, family friendly

Azul ProfundoCamino Real HotelTel.958 583 03007pm- 12pmThai-mex food, romantic, on the beach, reservations

MagueyCaray Beach BarMaguey Beach11am-6pm, Closed Mondays

Seafood on the beach.

Galileo

www.caraybeachbar.com

Maguey Beach10am-6pm, Closed Wed.Seafood on the beach.

Mazateco, Sector RTel. 958 587 1047

8am- 9pm

Present this ad for a 10% Discount

on your Food Purchase

Open Daily 8am-Midnight, Breakfast served until NoonMarina Park Plaza (across from Marina Chahue)

Los Gallos

vienarestaurante-bar

tangolundo

enjoy our variety of fresh salads, delicious seafood, european food,spicy asian currys, great steaks,

austrian dessert much moreon our beautiful terrace...

Nominated Best Restaurant in Huatulco 2011By

monday-saturday 5pm-11pmTel. 958 581 0035Cel. 958 106 5760bahia tangolunda- in front of Barcelo

Great Traditional Mexican Food!

Our famous ‘Chiles en Nogada’!

Fine World Cuisine at unbeatable prices

Tel 958 587 2480

Carrizal & Palma RealLa Crucecita, Huatulco

Tel. 958 587 0139

Exquisite Mexican Home Cooking

Open for dinner

starting Nov. 9th

Santa Cruz, Huatulco

Reservations

958 587 2655

Breakfast/ Lunch

8.30am - 4.00pm

Tuesday- Sunday

Dinner

6.00pm - 11.00pm

Wednesday- Sunday

Hole 19Tangolunda Golf Course8am-4pmTel. 958 581 0171Outdoor seating, breakfast/lunch, large groups

VienaTangolunda in front of Barcelo HotelTel. 958 581 00355pm- 11pmClosed SundaysOutdoor seating, dinner, international cuisine

Senor Puck’s Bar & GrillBlvd. Benito JuarezTel: 958 587 1883Open Daily 8am-11pmInternational/ Canadian Cuisine, A/C, Bar, Dinner, Sports on TV

Thank you to our Advertisers who make

publishing the Huatulco Eye possible.If you read about them here, mention it when you use their services.

Page 12: November 2011

he Auditorio Nacional--

situated in Chapultepec park Tright on Mexico City's famous

street Paseo de la Reforma--is an

enormous venue, seating 10,000

people. Exit your taxi in front of the

Auditorio and climb the 50 little stairs

to its entrance.

Already you can feel the excitement

and tension building. Some early

arriving opera-goers are sipping their

last cup of coffee or nibbling a candy

bar in the open-air lobby…for that

extra shot of energy that will sustain

them through the four-plus hours of

music and drama ahead. Other

patrons view photos in the small art

gallery situated in the lobby.

Friends meet, exchanging hugs,

kisses, and greetings. No longer is the

opera a formal affair reserved for the

upper class. Here you find people of all

ages--some in high heels and jewels,

others in jeans with backpacks--all

enjoying the minutes before the first

call, the primera llamada. Now they

scurry into the auditorium, where

there awaits a giant screen and top-

notch audio system currently

announcing future operas.

Opera in New York, where opera fans

are taking their seats. Soon there's

complete silence as you hear the first

notes of the orchestra tuning up.The

conductor takes the stage, and the

drama begins.

Live opera transmissions from NY to

Mexico City…and other locations!

Opera, with its mix of music and

poetry, has been sweeping audiences

off their feet for more than 400 years.

Over time the opera has undergone a

complex evolution, the latest delivered

live right here to Mexico City from New

York's Metropolitan Opera Company

(the Met) in the form of high-definition

transmissions via satellite. Currently

shown on six continents, it all began in

2006 when the Met launched a series

of live-performance, high-definition

satellite transmissions that were

shown in movie theaters around the

world. Starting with six operas

transmitted to 56 theaters in four

countries, just five years later 11

operas will be transmitted to 1,600

venues in 53 countries.

Why such a dramatic rise in the

world's interest in this esoteric art

form?

Several factors stand out: opera

conveys passion, emotional truths

and stories of the human condition,

and the Met transmissions allow

people around the globe to see and

hear the greatest voices of our time

convey these discoveries in a

comfortable venue, with extraordinary

images and audio, at a reasonable

price.

While the opera fan viewing this

performance from his/her seat in New

York's Lincoln Center for the

Performing Arts has paid between $30

to $400 USD for the privilege, the

average ticket price worldwide to view

a remote transmission is about $20

USD.

The opera world's most famous stars--

Anna Nebrebko, Natalie Dessay,

Placido Domingo, and Ramon Vargas-

-are among the outstanding

performers that delight audiences

during the afternoon hours. And with

the help of subtitles in your language,

it's easy to follow the plot.

There's a constellation of benefits to

seeing the opera via live transmission.

The most exciting of these extras are

It’s all about

passIon

By Carole Reedy

Page 13: November 2011

Nacional. This one-hour, Spanish-

language lecture begins at 10:30 am

(9:30 am if the opera starts at 11) and

is given by México City's beloved,

world-renowned Sergio Vela, who

discusses the historical and musical

relevance of the opera being

transmitted that day. The delightful

and informative charla is free to all,

best enjoyed with a cup of coffee as you

prepare for the exciting hours ahead.

interviews (in English) with famous

opera stars during the intermissions.

during the intermissions. (Opera has

at least one, if not two, long

intermissions.)

technicians. Interviews hosted by

opera greats including Placido

The Met takes

advantage of this time to help us

understand the opera from the point of

view of the experts: the singers,

directors, designers, and stage

'Music conveys moods and images. Even in opera, where plots deal with the structure of destiny, it is music, not words, that provides power.' Marcel Marceau

Domingo, Renee Fleming, Deborah

Voight, Susan Graham, and Natalie

Dessay offer a peek into the dressing

Lunario just behind the Auditorio

rooms, the scenery, and the hearts of

the singers.

Arrive even earlier to experience a treat

reserved up until now only for México

City opera-goer but now available in

ALL transmissionss: the pre-

performance charla (chat) in the

Coming up this season:

November 5 -Wagner's Siegfried, part three of the Ring Cycle

November 19- An extravagant production of Philip Glass'

unforgettable Satyagraha

December 3-The much heralded Rodelina (Handel).

December 10-Gounod's classic retelling of the Faust legend

January 21- An extraordinary new work, The Enchanted

Island, drawn from Shakespeare with an all-star cast

headed by Placido Domingo

February 11- The cataclysmic climax of the Ring Cycle,

Gotterdammerung.

February 25- Verdi's Ernani.

April 7- Anna Netrevko's dazzling portrayal of Massenet's

Manon.

April 14- Concluding with Natalie Dessay, in her first

Violetta at the Met.

Opera-going is all about passion, according to Fred

Plotkin in his informative and thought-provoking guide

Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving

Other venues in Mexico offering live

transmission of the operas:

Durango - Teatro Victoria

Cancún - Universidad del Caribe

Ciudad Juárez - Centro Cultural Paso del Norte

San Luis Potosi - Centro Cultural Universitario

NEXT: Huatulco?

These operas are transmitted on Saturday afternoons

at 1 pm Eastern Standard Time (noon in México City).

Contact us if you are interested in helping

bring the Met Live Opera Transmissions

to the coast.

[email protected]

Cuernavaca - Teatro del IMTA

Guadalajara- Teatro Diana

León- Foro Cultural Guanajuato

Mexico City - Auditorio Nacional

Monterrey - Auditorio Luis Elzondo

Oaxaca - Teatro Macedonio Alcala

Everything for the installation and maintenance of your pool.

Pumps, Hoses, Pool Filters, Skimmers, Lighting,, 90% Chlorine,Clarifiers, Anti-Algee

Jazmin 32 Sector HLa Crucecita, Huatulco

Tel 958 105 [email protected]

Hux Pool

Page 14: November 2011

While it is the beaches that draw people to the Oaxacan Riviera not everyone wants to spend their entire time lolling in the water or baking on the sand. You may want to get out and explore, take in some local color and there are a variety of activities available. If you are like me and have what the locals refer to as “piel de pollo” (skin the color of raw chicken), you need some time out of the sun. Huatulco is located where the Sierra Madre del Sur meets the Pacific Ocean so that venturing an hour or two into the mountains presents an entirely different eco system. Due to the altitude, this area is cooler than the coast and there are several excursions to choose from.

1. Finca la Gloria is no longer a working coffee plantation but offers eco- tours where you can see both shade grown coffee and a variety of other interesting vegetation, some of which is used for medicinal purposes. The locals have developed an outdoor butterfly sanctuary within the finca and the highlight of the trip is a refreshing swim in a series of pools and waterfalls resembling something out of a movie set. Entrance to the butterfly sanctuary is an additional 20 pesos over the cost of a tour.

2. Magic Waterfalls will take you on an easy hike through the forest and past a series of falls, the most dramatic one drops about 20 meters and you will have an opportunity to swim under one of the lesser falls.

3. Pluma Hidalgo is a region where some of the world's best coffee is grown and a number working coffee plantations welcome visitors. In addition to a group tour, it is possible to take a taxi from Santa Maria Huatulco, taxies can be hired at about 150 pesos per hour. Be prepared for a rather rough ride in a taxi however, since some of the roads are rather rustic. Several local tour companies offer all day tours to Pluma Hidalgo, Finca La Glora or Magic Waterfalls. Each is a full day tour and the transportation is in vans or mini buses accommodating 8-12 people. Lunch is included and tours are offered in both English and Spanish. The cost is from $40-$65USD per person per tour.

4. Hagia Sofia has extensive tropical garden featuring over

200 different exotic flowering plants and shrubs in addition

to an orchard with 80 varieties of fruit trees. They offer

tours with or without transportation and lunch from 250-

450 pesos per person. If you are planning to arrive on your

own it is necessary to make advance arrangements so that a

guide will be available.

5. Santa Maria Huatulco Located just past the Airport,

this was the main town before FONATUR developed the Bays

of Huatulco. Santa Maria is a traditional agricultural

community and although there is not a lot for tourists, a

stroll though the market gives one a sense of local color. The

rather basic church dates back to 1908 but what is of

interest is that part of the original cross of the Huatulco

legend is buried here. For me, the main attraction of Santa

Maria is inside the municipal building where there are

several murals depicting the legend of the Cross of Huatulco.

Did you know that the name Huatulco means “the place

where wood is worshiped” in Zapotec? You can take a local

bus from La Crucecita to Santa Maria Huatulco or hire a taxi

as a guide. Many of Huatulco's taxi drivers speak English

and will be delighted to give you a tour at a rate of about 150

pesos per hour. Before hiring one make sure he can show

you the through the building and explain the legend of the

cross.

6. Temazcal is a pre-Hispanic steam bath with aromatic

herbs in the steam. It is believed to have both medicinal and

spiritual benefits. The temazcal is a small adobe building

with a fire either in the center or near one wall. Herbs and

water are sprinkled over lava rock so that the heat and the

steam induce sweating cleansing the body of impurities. It

can be a space big enough for only one or two people or a

larger domed structure accommodating up to 20.

Frequently the temazcal is accompanied with a mud bath to

exfoliate the skin and it may also be followed by a relaxing

massage. Prices for a temazcal with a mud bath range from

300 pesos to 700 pesos depending on the facility.

www.hagiasofia.mx

Beyond the Beach...By Brooke Gazer

Magic Waterfalls Hagia Sofia Cooking Classes

Page 15: November 2011

BirdwatchingTours

with Pablo Narvaez

[email protected]

Streak-Backed Oriole

HAGIA SOFIABotanical Garden

Contact us to book your day tour:Office in Santa CruzTel 52 958 587 0871

www.hagiasofia.mx

6 Hour Botanical Garden Tour;

Includes: Transportation, Guide, Breakfast, Lunch450 pesos/personCall to reserve today!

60 varieties of exotic flowers and tropical fruits from Asia to Central America, Swim in the Magdalena River

7. La Crucecita This is downtown Huatulco (El Centro). While there are many excellent restaurants and bars around Huatulco, the lions share are located in La Crucecita. A good starting point for a tour of the town center is the church. A portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes up the entire ceiling of the nave and is purported to be the largest one in Mexico. As in all Mexican towns, the Zocalo is positioned right in front of the church. This is a great place to people watch either from a park bench or from one of several bars or cafes surrounding the park. At dusk the trees are loaded with black birds, appropriately named Grackles, who compete for space on every inch of phone wire. The cacophony of “grackeling” practically obliterates any other sound around the Zocalo. You will find several shops selling jewellery, t-shirts and crafts, all of which are open until 8 pm or later. Oaxaca is famous for its woven cotton in a rainbow of pastels. Even if you are not interested in buying it is interesting to stop by a weaving shop where there goods are produced on location. It is likely that you will hear the looms clacking before you see one of the shops. These looms are enormous and weaving is done by men using foot pedals to operate the mechanism while nimble hands move the thread. This is heavy physical work as they set themselves a rhythm and appear to be dancing on the spot.

8. Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park opened in October 2010 and while there are many potential archaeological sites on the Pacific coast this is the only one as yet to be unearthed. The ruins date back over 2200 years and like many ancient sites in Mexico it was occupied by a variety of different groups over the centuries. An interpretive center displays both artefacts found at the site and a sampling of pieces from around Oaxaca. The ball court and the principle plaza have been unearthed but excavation will continue for years to come. In addition to the archaeological finds, great care has been taken to preserve the natural habitat of the area and it is pleasant walk through the semi-tropical forest with a breathtaking viewing spot overlooking the Copalita Delta. Trained guides can be hired at the site for three hours tours or you can walk the trails on your own in about half that time. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8AM to 5PM with an entrance fee of 100 pesos per person. A guide is extra.

9. Cooking Classes are an excellent way to appreciate Oaxacan cuisine. A typical hands on class in Huatulco runs 3 hours and is followed by enjoying the delicious lunch which has been prepared. Cost is $65 USD per person and the classes are offered in English. www.huatulco-catering.com

10. Bird watching… this region offers a wealth of birdlife,

with almost 300 different species. The Huatulco area is

particularly important since it is a migratory route for eighty

percent of the birds in Mexico and it is the last resting place

before and after their long flight to South America.

For the serious birders, Huatulco has some knowledgeable

guides who can take you on an excursion but it is possible to

see a vast array of birds just by walking on your own. The

Copalita River is an exceptional place to see a wide variety of

birds and is easily reached by taxi. The best time for birding

is from sunrise until 10AM and from 4PM until after dusk.

Brooke Gazer has a bed and breakfast in Huatulco www.bbaguaazul.com

Carrizal 904, La Crucecita, Huatulco

The Natural Choice for Fruits and Vegetables

Tel. 958 587 0491 Fax. 958 587 [email protected]

Food ServicesHuatulco, México

Chiles&Chocolate

Cooking Classes

Santa Cruz, Huatulco

Hands-on Oaxacan Food

Tel: 958 587 26 55

Cel.: 958 100 73 39

www.huatulco-catering.com

2 PAX - MASSAGE 60 min. $99.00USD

(If your booking 2 days in advance)

Tel. 58- 100 -25

Cel. 958- 58- 58-346

Temazcal & Massage

Tangolunda, Huatulco

Page 16: November 2011

San Cristóbal de las Casas, a days drive from Huatulco in

the highlands of Chiapas, is best described with

superlatives: a magnificent mountain setting, a charming,

extremely clean historic center, a musical delight and a city

full of excellent international restaurants. There is so much

to do and see, both in the city and the surrounding area that

a minimum of three days is needed to just scratch the

surface.

Visitors who have even the slightest appreciation for

indigenous cultures - either modern or pre-conquest, will

find that San Cristobal intensifies that interest. A tour of Na

Balom ("house of the tiger" in one of the 33 indigenous

dialects) provides an amazing presentation of the

biographies of photo-journalist Gertrude Duby Blom and

her archeologist husband Frans Blom. The house and

collection provide the backdrop for understanding Frans'

passion for unearthing Mayan cities such as Palenque and

Trudy's even greater passion for preserving the culture of the

jungle-dwelling Lacondona people.

Also worth experiencing is the multisensory presentation

Mayan Rojo, in the very old and beautiful San Cristobal

theater. It brings the carvings on the walls of major

archeological sites in Chiapas to life. The production is in

one of the Mayan dialects, and the tickets come along with a

description of the show in about eight different languages.

Nonstop exceptional choreography, music, incense,

fantastical colorful costumes, chanting and singing recreate

the scenes that appear to be mythical in the excavated site of

Palenque but are actually part of the history of the area.

Not to be missed is the fascinating collection of tribal

clothing, masks, and other accoutrements given to Sergio

Castro Martinez by numerous grateful tribes as thanks to

him for the free health and social services he has provided for

decades. The collection is open to visitors in the late

afternoon and early evenings when his free health clinic is

open and frequently staffed by volunteer physicians. When

he is free to do so, Sergio provides explanations of the

displays based on his long-term personal interactions with

the tribes. Access to the collection and the tour are free, but

visitors' donations help support the free clinic and other

needed services to impoverished tribes.

San Cristóbal de las Casas: A Superlative City

A visit to the jade museum provides insights into how the

different pre-conquest communities used the same precious

materials. At the amber museum, one can learn how to tell

the difference between amber and plastic imitations – a

useful skill to have when shopping in the many jewelry

stores in the city

A relatively short distance outside of the city experience

tribal religious practices at the church of San Juan

Chamula. Nominally Catholic, the rites differ dramatically

from virtually any other church in North America.

Congregants in traditional dress sit together in small

groups in the huge, dark church on the hay-covered marble

floor. They sweep away hay to clear spaces and light

multiple tapers that they affix to the floor with wax.

Chanting in tribal dialects, presenting roosters or eggs and

drinking carbonated drinks are common rituals. The

atmosphere is fervent and ultra-serious. Even the youngest

babies and toddlers are so quiet that only the chanting can

be heard.

A bit further from the city, the small village of

traditional

methods for making pots. The women create designs that

are wonderfully whimsical, and often brightly colored.

Hundreds of pottery hens, peacocks and pigeons, ranging

from tiny easily transportable creations to super-size

statuary, are made in the workshops in addition to simpler

unpainted creations. Most of the artisans are happy to

display their working skills, but they tend to speak little

Spanish and may resist having photos taken.

In addition to learning about indigenous cultures, San

Cristobal also caters to many other interests. Music-lovers

will find some of the best marimba music in the world being

played at night in the central square and in restaurants.

Classical, jazz and other concerts are often sponsored by the

city, and listening opportunities can be found in the

MiniGuia published by the city's Department of Culture and

Tourism.

Aficionados of botany should not miss the gorgeous

experimental garden of epiphytes inside the Carmen

Cultural Center in the historic area of the city. Outside the

city, the hiking trail of the Huitepec eco-preserve winds its

Continued next page...

Amatenango

del Valle provides a chance to learn about

By Marcia Chaiken

Page 17: November 2011

Continued from previous page...way up a dormant volcano covered with a cloud forest composed of multiple varieties of oaks and Mesoamerican plants that are largely extinct outside the preserve. Signs display methods of harvesting lumber without killing trees.

Movie buffs should check out Foro Cultural Kinoki Independiente, where avant-garde films are shown in small salas with couches and directors chairs with foot rests. About 40 different types of teas can be ordered and served during the shows, as well as cafe dishes from around the world. One perennially favorite is a documentary on the Zapatista rebellion...often followed by a discussion. Both the film and the discussion leaders present the Zapatista point of view. Even though the presentations tend to be one-sided, they are very thought-provoking. San Cristobal is also a shoppers' mecca. The large indoor and outdoor markets offer thousands of unusual products of artists and artisans. Vehicle-free pedestrian streets and narrow streets with heavy traffic are lined with clothes stores, shoe stores and jewelry shops. And government sponsored stores sell crafts from outlying villages.

Finally, San Cristobal is a gourmand's dream come true. From real Italian pizza to haute cuisine, restaurants cater to all tastes. Argentine steak to vegetarian dinners can be found by just wandering around the city center. It's hard to find a bad restaurant. It's harder yet to decide which of the many good places to select for a meal Fortunately, those of us lucky enough to live on the Oaxacan Riviera know that the best untried restaurants will still be there when we return.

Dr. Marcia Chaiken lives in Huatulco and Ashland, Oregon.

nyone who knows Heidi Wagner, resident of Bahia de Salchi, Cuatunalco, and Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Aknows how much she loves animals. She took this

passion to a new height last May when she held a fund-raiser in Calgary to provide spay/neuter clinics in Mexico. The event was held at a pub (The Rose and Crown), owned by Salchi resident, Larry Davis, and raised enough money so that 2 - four day free clinics will be held in December. The clinics will be run by Peace Mexico, a team of veterinarians from Puerto Vallarta who have been doing mobile spay and neuter clinics throughout Mexico since 2003.

Jane Bauer, Sherry Mcleod de Castrillon and local veterinarian, Alejandro, have been helping to set up the first of the clinics to be held in Zimatan, December 7 through 10. The clinics will be held at the Municipio in Zimatan, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the hope is to spay/neuter 20-25 animals (dogs/cats) each day from both Zimatan and surrounding communities.

Volunteers (7-10 people) are needed each day at the clinic to help with care for the animals before and after surgery. The vet team and volunteers will need lunch each of the 4 days, and the vet team will need breakfasts and dinners. If anyone is willing to volunteer, donate or has other inquires, please contact Heidi at . If anyone is willing to help with meals, please contact Jane at

.

[email protected]

[email protected]

The second clinic will be held at the Municipio in Cuatunalco, December 14 through 17. The ladies from the local community are providing lunch, and Ana Ramirez, from the Manta Raya hotel in Salchi, is doing breakfast and dinner. We hope to have enough volunteers from the local community, though we will have more information in the December issue.

If these clinics prove to be successful, Heidi hopes to do more in the coming years, for a number of reasons, some shown in the following stats -

One un-spayed female dog/cat, over the course of 6 years, together with her offspring and their offspring, etc., have the potential to produce in:1 year: 16 Dogs, 12 Cats3 years: 512 Dogs, 376 Cats5 years: 12,288 Dogs, 11,801 Cats6 years: 67,000 Dogs, 66,088 Cats

Spay/Neuter Clinics in the Huatulco AreaBy Liz Healey

HUATULCO

MAGUEY

OAXACA

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Huatulco Kids By Frances Lopez

www.el-alquimista.comRestaurant & Cabanas

Zipolite, Oaxaca

Beaches

Page 18: November 2011

eens, backpackers and tourists with only two or three days to spend visiting Oaxaca tend to prefer staying Tdowntown close to the zócalo. After all, walking from a

hotel or bed and breakfast to downtown sights is easy, and lodgings are in close proximity to the best restaurants and museums. However, staying in the suburbs or nearby towns and villages does have a distinct advantages over downtown Oaxaca.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Proximity to almost everything in the centro histórico is the major advantage of staying at a hotel or b&b in downtown Oaxaca. You can go out in the morning, have lunch and then go back to the hotel for a snooze before dinner. Taxis are unnecessary to get to and from any major downtown attraction and you're in the middle of a quaint, colonial Mexican city.

But there are also some down sides to lodging in the heart of downtown Oaxaca. Downtown is plagued with bus traffic and horn honking. Many hotel rooms are perfectly quiet, though, especially in the older hotels with thick walls. A room back from the street is preferred, regardless of accommodation type. Without enforcement of emissions regulations; car, truck and bus exhaust fumes are always problematic. Also Oaxaca's downtown core is closed in with buildings and is at a lower altitude than the suburbs so it tends to feel hotter. Traffic is stop-and-go virtually every weekday daylight hour. Many businesses close for siesta from 2 – 4 pm when shopkeepers go home and it's also the time when many parents hop in the car to pick up their children from school. Accordingly there is more traffic during more hours.

Suburban and Out-of-Town Oaxaca Accommodations Aren't Perfect EitherLodging in a Oaxacan suburb or neighborhood such as Reforma, Loma Linda, San Felipe or Guadalupe Victoria, or out-of-town in Huayapam, Tlalixtac, Etla or Teotitlan del Valle, similarly has pluses and minuses.

The major downsides of accommodations outside Oaxaca's city center are:The types of sounds and noises you hear while staying outside of downtown Oaxaca are different. There are dogs, roosters and donkeys; and every type of goods and services vendor with car top loud speakers blaring messages and jingles as well as honking horns; hawking tortillas, propane, fruit, buns and pastries, water and more. If staying near a valley, sounds echo, particularly disturbing when fireworks go off or there are late night parties.

Tourists generally must take a bus or taxi, or walk to get back to the hotel or b&b at the end of the day. However, many lodgings offer rides downtown or shuttle bus service, which reduces the inconvenience. While there are grocery stores and restaurants in the outlying areas, the selection is not that great. But there are in fact numerous small convenience stores and night-time taco stands serving delectable full meals and snacks. As well, there are some good restaurants outside of the downtown.

Lodging Outside of Oaxaca City But for many, in particular more seasoned travelers, those with the luxury of being able to have an extended visit to Oaxaca, or vacationers who want a more laid-back experience, suburban and village accommodations hold a definite allure. Suburban accommodations often have walking, hiking and nature trails nearby, rarely found downtown. The air is cleaner and fresher and it's often cooler. The size of individual rental units tends to be considerably larger than in a downtown hotel or b&b, and grounds are usually larger with more green space. One actually feels part of a Mexican neighborhood, rather than a tourist amidst throngs of other tourists and the plethora of merchants marketing their products or services along every downtown street. Suburban accommodations provide a bit of both worlds, lodging in a real Mexican setting away from all the hubbub, yet only a short drive from all the action.

Choose Carefully, But Rest Assured: Urban, Suburban or Rural, It's Hard to Go Wrong Vacationing in OaxacaDue diligence is the key. As long as the visitor to Oaxaca does a bit of homework and asks prospective lodging hosts the right questions before committing, the decision becomes easy and there will be no regrets regarding lodging in downtown Oaxaca or one of its suburbs or neighbouring towns.

Oaxaca Accommodations: Downtown, Suburbs or Village?

Present this flyer for a 10% discount off your stay. Some restrictions apply.

Competitive PricesQuality AccommodationsBreakfast always includedPersonalized Service and Advice

Craft villages, market towns, colonial architecture and renowned cuisine. Oaxaca City is a 35 minute flight or a scenic 6 hour drive

from Huatulco.

Alvin Starkman operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast (www.oaxacadream.com) with wife Arlene. Alvin is a contributing writer for Mexico Today.

By Alvin Starkman, M.A., J.D.

Page 19: November 2011

Automatic DoorsCar/Home AlarmsTel. 958 587 2010Cel. 958 106 [email protected]

Services DirectoryDental Vet ToursOptometrist

Esthetics

Computers/ Design

Home Maintenance

Graphic design Offset, Plotter,

Awnings, Signs, Publicity materials

Gardenia 501, La Crucecita958 587 2132

www.loramagrafi.com

Upholstery, seat covers,carpets, shades,

curtains, boat interiors.

Decoratec

Colorin 307, La Crucecita,Tel/Fax 958 587 1505

Dr. Edith GonzalezOrthodontist,laser x-ray

teeth cleaningchildren and adults

La Crucecita, HuatulcoTel. 958 589 3155Cel. 958 589 4645

Maintenance & FumigationTel. 958 587 1827Cel. 958 585 0466

[email protected]

Computer Maintenance/Repair.Ink Cartridges, Modems, Cables

Tel 958 583 4958Cel 958 100 4000

Flamboyan #207, La Crucecita

Todo Contra IncendiosYour Safety is our Goal

Smoke Alarms, Extinguishers, Sale and Maintenance

Tel. 958 583 4720

Cel. 958 111 1970

Tire ShopCalle Artesanos Mz. 3

Sector V, HuatulcoTel 958 583 4035Cel. 958 100 3393

Cel. 958 587 8244

Tel. 958 587 1127

Huatulco, Oaxaca

Plaza MaderoLa Crucecita

Huatulco

Acrylic Nails/Toenails- 150 pesosWhole Body Wax- 250 pesosRelaxing Massage- 200 pesos

Tel. 958 587 0293

Live NailsManicure, Pedicure

Plaza Madero, La Crucecita

958 100 9998

Manicure, PedicureAcrylic Nails- Feet &Hands

Plaza Oaxaca # 19, La Crucecita

958 585 0047

Tel. 958 587 0888Cel. 958 101 1615

Gardenia 1504La Crucecita, Huatulco

Automotive Yoga

Light fixtures & fans, lighting design & estimates

Authorized Distribudor

Gardenia & ChachahLa Crucecita, Huatulco

Tel. 958 587 1150Cel. 958 587 5176

Jose AntonioAppliances A/C Repair

Electric Plumbing

Cel.958 589 3362

Jet ski tours

Visit the bays and beaches of Huatulco driving your own jet ski.

Guided tours and rentals. Cel.044 958 1002806

Tel. 587 2818 www.huatulcowatersports.com

Madcim LumberSell and Rent Lumber

For ConstructionLocated across

from Construrama, Huatulco

Tel. 958 105 1606Cel. 958 107 1460

Optica SelectaAdolfo Suarez Navarro

Eye Exams, Glasses,Sunglasses, Repairs

Sabali 45, La CrucecitaTel. 958 583 4014

Thank you to our Advertisers who

make publishing the Huatulco Eye possible.

If you read about them here, mention it

when you use their services.

Boat for Sale

Marina Chahue

[email protected]

Private Classes

Individual or Groups

[email protected]

Mention this ad for a free margarita!*one per person

Cristales & Aluminio

HuatulcoAluminum doors, windows,

Screens, repairs, glass

Palma Real/ Jazmin St958 587 0825

Page 20: November 2011

For me there is almost nothing as exciting as the sweet smell of gasoline mixed with the powerful roaring of a classc car, it makes the hair on the back my neck stand up and sends a welcome chill down my spine.

So this past month men and women that share a love for classic cars, speed and fun, got together at the Pan Am Road Race in Huatulco, Oaxaca. For a few days we all got to enjoy seeing the prep for this amazing race. It was a pleasure to see famillies and children from local schools coming to Chahue to view the car that came from all over the globe to compete.

We hope that next year Huatulco will be chosen again as the starting point. The local radio station 103.1 had a special broadcast from the Chahue Park giving this event it’s much deserved due.

Car Fever... By Alfredo Patino Photos By Luca Tognazzi

Page 21: November 2011

For Rent:On the Zimatan River. 25 min. from Huatulco- 5 min from surf spot Barra de la Cruz. 2 bdr. 2 bth. Weekly or monthly rentals.www.theriverhouse-huatulco.com

Beachfront Home For Sale-Punta Santa Cruz.3 bdrms, 4 bths., a/c, stainless steel kitchen, access to beach, fully furnished .Info: 958 587 2506, [email protected]

For Sale: Brand new 2 bdr. apt. in Marina Park Plaza!Great location! Must see! For more info.958 109 [email protected]

Huatulco Eye Real Estate Listings

Sponsored By Remax Huatulco

Rooms For Rent- Ocean View, B&B in Conejos Huatulco. Weekly rentals.

(011 52) 958 581 0265www.bbaguaazul.com

For Sale: Ocean view 3br. house in Playa Panteon, Puerto Angel. Contact: 958 109 [email protected]

http://web.me.com/swanfun/Site/casa_volare.html

Ocean View Rentals in Sta. CruzLong term- 2bdrms. 2 bths, appliances- $12,000 pesos/ mth.Short term- fully furnished, priced individually Tel. (958) 587 0333 [email protected]

For Sale: Ocean View LotCuatunalco: 1 Hectare,Sistern,1 bathroom, septic1 km to beach, Great for building cabanas! 80,000USD

Tel. 958 100 [email protected]

Lot for Sale by Owner

Sector E, Santa CruzHuatulco, Oaxaca

504 square meters Quaint , Residentitial

Neighbourhood, Great Investment

[email protected]

Playa AragonBeside San Agustinillo

LOT FOR SALE 35 x 35 metersOcean view

[email protected]

HUGE Oceanfront LotBtw. Playas La Boquilla & La Mina

400x 400 [email protected]

50 x 120 meter lotwith 1 bdr. house

Fantastic [email protected]

For SalePuerto Angel

El Faro, Puerto Angel

LOT FOR SALE200x 80 meterS

[email protected]

All information regarding the Real Estate advert isedherein has been provided by the individual party, the seller, or their agent. Huatulco Eye does NOT assume anyresponsibility for the validity of the information provided.Huatulco Eye is not liable for misinformation, typographical errors,errors of omission, misprints, or other errors in these advertisements.We reserve the right to revise or reject any advertisement.Huatulco Eye is not a Real Estate Broker and receives no commissionupon the sale of the property Prospective buyers should contact a Real Estate agent for real estate advice and/or their lawyer for legal advice concerning the purchase of any properties advertised here.

Email us to list your property:

[email protected]

www.RemaxHuatulco.comwww.HuatulcoRemax.com

Tel.958 587 0136

Page 22: November 2011

Along the Riviera...

"Siete años de Matrimonio" starts filming in Huatulco. They will be filming at 21 different locations in the state including Huatulco, P u e r t o E s c o n d i d o , Yanhuitlán and Oaxaca

Juri ied runs away with Huatulco title.

Junior Idols!

New Interjet Offices in Plaza Chahue, Huatulco

Road Race FeverGoodyear’s Prima

Page 23: November 2011

November

Museum Admission is FREE in Mexico City

Museum Admission is FREE in Mexico City

Museum Admission is FREE in Mexico City

Museum Admission is FREE in Mexico City

Remembrance Day- US/ Canada

Día de la Revolución- Mexico

Thanksgiving- US

Todo Santos

Advertise in The Eye

[email protected]

Aerosmith DF

Pate de Fua ConcertCamino Real Huatulco 8pm

Ladies BreakfastBenefit at theNaval- HuatulcoInfo: 958 587 2456

English AAHuatulco 7pm

English AAHuatulco 7pm

Live Transissionof Met Opera-Wagner- Siegfried

Live Transissionof Met Opera-Philip Glass

Catch & ReleaseFishing Tournament Huatulco

Film & Food FestivalHuatulcoto the 27th

International Sailfish TournamentPuerto Escondido

International Sailfish TournamentPuerto Escondido

International Sailfish TournamentPuerto Escondido

International Book Fair begins- Oaxaca.City

Aquatic MarathonHuatulcoinfo:958 101 6042

English AA Thursdays at 8pm

Remax Plaza on Chahua Blvd.Start date November 17th

For more info:

Randy & KimberlyCel. 958 585 6669

Mental Training Retreat2 days- Escobilla Beachinfo: [email protected]

Happy Hour 6-8pmTuesday- Friday

Live Music, Great Food

311 Palma RealLa Crucecita

“A Great Spot To

Enjoy the Evening”

- Bruce

See us onlinewww.huatulcoeye.com

List your event on our calendar

for FREE

Page 24: November 2011

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