Click on the titles below to read the articles, and go to http://www.casamachaya.com/mexico-today-cl-blog-posts.html to read my more recent articles on a variety of interesting topics:

THE RICH CRAFT TRADITION

Oaxacan Art at Auction – CORAL charity raises money in Mexico City and the US

Angélica Vásquez Cruz – Atzompa ceramicist rises above the rest with natural clay

Armando Lozano Ramírez: Master Jeweler – handmade bronze jewelry and sculptures

grana cochinilla fina…The Best Kept Secret in Oaxaca – natural red dye for the world

Sculptor Extraordinaire: Adolfo Cruz – 30 years of bronze and cantera stone sculpting

A Proud Family Tradition…Casa Santiago: Rug Weavers of Teotitlán del Valle

Touring Oaxaca's Art Galleries – a walking tour and helpful buying advice

A Rich Woodcarving Tradition – spotlight on Jacobo Ángeles

Artist Manuel Reyes – extraordinary renaissance man from the Mixteca Alta

Artist Enrique Flores – prolific artist gives back to the community

Women potters of San Marcos Tlapazola – humility, hard work ... and quality

Mexican Folk Art From Oaxacan Artist Families – review of Rothstein book

Canadian Artist in Oaxaca: Fiona Dunnett – images of self, death and comic style

The erotic art of Gerardo Navarro – please, do not open if you are averse to seeing an erotic image

Chango Mezcalero from San Bartolo Coyotepec – Oaxacan black pottery mezcal bottle has a curious history

Tattoo Artists (tatuadores) in Oaxaca – Tattoos and body piercing, another aspect of Oaxacan artistry

Barro Negro (black pottery) of San Bartolo Coyotepec – Family of Doña Rosa continues tradition

ALMOST ACADEMIC, BUT SAY IT WITH CULTURE

The Magic of Mushroom Culture – Sustainability Grows in the Oaxaca Sierra Norte

Public Education in Oaxaca, Mexico – The Warm Story of Luci from San Marcos Tlapazola, Tlacolula

Globalization in Oaxaca, Mexico – Review of Tehuantepec book by Wendy Call

Death of an Infant in Oaxaca – where divergent Catholic and Jewish traditions merge

Ethnocentrism…Which Legal System is Better? – resolving spousal abuse claims

Mexican Penal Reform – it’s definitely on the way, but at what cost one wonders

Not a Jew to be Found – in a Latin American City of 400,000?

¡Hey Compadre! – who says you can pick your friends but not your family?

Garage Sales in Oaxaca – “But that’s almost what it costs new!” Learn why.

Monsanto v. Schmeiser – GM foods, Canada and Oaxaca (an attorney speaks out)

Unrest in Oaxaca: Perspective from the Ground – succinct 1,000 word summary

Tequio – co-operative community labor is the norm in Oaxacan suburbs and villages

Temazcal in Oaxaca – pre-Hispanic steam bath uses heat, vapor and curative herbs

Filming a Documentary in Oaxaca – Advice for the executive producer

Fiddler on the Roof in Oaxaca – a theater review

Nuptials and baptism in rural Oaxaca: the mandate of tradition – 10 hour celebration wasn't enough

Am I Paying My Staff Too Much? – profit and peace of mind; a Oaxaca case study

The Veria Network's Sustainable Living Series, Under The Sun – review of the Oaxaca episodes

Zapotec Culture One of the World's Six Great Civilizations – New book outlines the evidence

Day of the Dead in Oaxaca – Feature-length documentary "Acquainted with the Night" reviewed.

Family, Culture & San Bartolomé Quialana – A woman's interesting story of migration


FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Cooking School in Oaxaca Revisited – After four years Casa de los Sabores maintains high grades

The Molino (mill) in Mexico – Visit a Oaxacan molino for a lesson in food in Mexico

Mayonnaise – you say miracle whip and I say mayonnaise…a Oaxacan obsession

El Patio in Tlacolula – restaurant review (one thumb down)

Azucena Zapoteca – restaurant review (traditional fare and ambience at its best)

Fonda Mexicana – restaurant review (fast, typical, economical and safe comidas)

Veracruz – restaurant review (excellent seafood, that simple)

El Mirador – restaurant review (great panorama and no gringos…need we say more?)

Los Almendros – restaurant review (great local haunt with a Cheersesque ambience)

Burger King in Downtown Oaxaca – let us lament

Dining and Indulging Do’s and Don’ts – commonsense advice from experience

Sí Señor, Will That Be Testicles or Head? – the rich tradition of BBQ goat

Casa Oaxaca Café Restaurante – restaurant review (suburban branch doesn’t cut it)

El Faro – bar none, a great cantina with down home good local botanas…and safe!

La Biznaga – restaurant review (great food, ambiance, and best of all, improved service)

La Olla – restaurant review (good healthy food)

La Casa de los Sabores Cooking Scool – wonderful experience

Cocina con Nora Cooking School – educational as well as gastronomic

Vieja Lira Restaurant Review – Trattoria & Pizzeria is tops

Seasons of My Heart Cooking School – with Susana Trilling

Caldo de Piedra – restaurant review

El Tigre: Oaxaca Restaurant Review – food doesn't get any fresher ... or better

Guadua, Puerto Escondido – restaurant review (the best on the Pacific coast)

Oaxacan Chef Inadvertently Sets City of Toronto Ablaze – steals limelight from Clinton, Clooney

The epic journey of a Oaxacan chef – Pilar Cabrera's sojourn in Southern Ontario, Canada

Oaxaca Culinary Tour Recap – Future tours are a given, so read on

Children's Cooking Classes in Oaxaca – emphasize kitchen safety & hygiene, nutrition, recycling

MEZCAL, MORE MEZCAL, AND PULQUE

Sustainable Industry in Oaxaca – Mezcal and agave espadín showcase green Mexico.

ProMéxico and Mezcal – The government of Mexico assisting Oaxaca mezcal producers to export

Mezcal in Oaxaca – Attending the annual Feria de Mezcal just got better for Oaxaca & tourists

Five Generations of Mezcal Producers – One of the finest mezcals

Mezcal in Oaxaca – ancient production techniques, “factory” tours and tasting notes

Hilarino Olivera Cruz – rural Oaxaca mezcal producer

Mezcal from the Mixteca Alta – as close to pre-Hispanic production as you'll find

Pulque Production in Oaxaca – Case study of a Matatlán family

A Second Family of Pulque Producers – Keeps the tradition of their ancestors alive

Oaxaca, Mezcal and Slow Food, A Treatise – Is Slow Food in Mexico Waning

Craft Beer in Oaxaca Makes Inroads – Mexican Microbreweries Take on Mezcal

JUST PLAIN ADVICE FOR TOURISTS

Tourists to Oaxaca Participate in Microfinance – Funcación en Vía is a worthy Mexican charity

Mushrooms in Mexico – Feria de Hongos a worthwhile event in Oaxaca for food, fun, ecotourism

Hunting for Mushroom at Annual Oaxaca Fair – Hunting for hongos in Oaxaca half the fun

Tour Routes around Oaxaca – Email us for improved, up-to-date and greatly expanded tour routes

Rules of the Road in Oaxaca – quick…what’s the definition of an oxymoron?

Stormy Weather: Rainy Season in Oaxaca – but don’t let it deter a visit

The Rich Sounds of Oaxaca – remember your auditory sense when wandering streets

The Oaxacan Shoeshine: A Relaxing and Rejuvenating Treat – wonderful $1 bargain

Baseball at its Best: The Guerreros of Oaxaca – superb Triple A entertainment

Accommodations in Oaxaca – looking for a cultural experience B & B style

Traveling with Children to Oaxaca – Oaxaca as a bona fide travel destination for kids

Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido – the Drive – and to Mazunte, Puerto Angel, Zipolite, etc

Mexico City to Oaxaca – the Drive – good road, easy and scenic

Where tourists flock, so go the thieves – no different than in any tourist mecca

Travelers' cheques, ATM machines or cash – advice about what to take and why

The Drive into the Mixe – a rewarding two-day trek

Should I rent a car in Oaxaca? – beware of recent licensing changes

Traveling light to Oaxaca? – how to fill that extra suitcase

Oaxaca to San Cristóbal de las Casas and Palenque – a driving tour

Oaxaca Swine Flu – personal history and some thoughts

Drivers in Oaxaca now subject to seatbelt, cell phone and radar laws – another reason to think twice about renting a car

Ecotourism in Oaxaca – Arroyo Guacamaya site has nature, cabins, hiking and fresh trout

Charitable Donations for Oaxacan Hearing Impaired – CORAL is a very worthy cause

Violence Against the Innocents in Oaxaca: – the truth about newspaper and government reports

Antique Collecting in Central and Southern Mexico – what, where, and take care

Hierve el Agua – Oaxaca's spectacular bubbling springs and "waterfalls"

Premier Mitla Guide – Gilberto is multilingual, engaging, and ready to elevate your Mitla experience.

A Oaxacan Vacation with the Family Pet – one viable option to leaving Fido at home

Found Object as Visual Art in Oaxaca – useful observations for visitors to Oaxaca

IT DOESN'T GET ANY QUIRKIER

Avon and then some – Oaxaca takes door-to-door salesmen to new heights

Please, find me a gardener – how to change trades in three easy steps

Walking the Dog – yet prospective guests still want to bring their pets vacationing

Law and Dis-Order Oaxaca – move over CSI’s Grissom and Marg, Salma calls


FOR FREQUENT VISITORS, EXPATS AND THOSE CONSIDERING A MOVE

The Weekend Cottage Guest, Oaxacan Style – HERE you can’t send them home early!

A Matter of Respect – leave your t-shirt behind when attending a cocktail party

Bringing Household Contents into Mexico – doesn’t sound easy, and in fact isn’t

A Primer on the Politics of Socializing in Oaxaca – what you should know

Rent, Buy or Build? – a key decision when making a permanent move to Oaxaca

Motorcycle Diary – advice and interesting observations regarding riding a moto

Bureaucracy at Its Best…Our Oaxaca – learning to be patient takes time

Affordable Oaxaca as a locale for any grand fiesta – wedding, anniversary or birthday

Medical and Dental Treatment – almost all you need to know

The Allure of Oaxaca for Snowbirds – offers much more than San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta

Consumer protection in Oaxaca, Mexico: A case study – The fair trade practices commission

Universal Design, Collaborative Housing and Sustainable Living – New Oaxaca housing project for expats

Digging a Well in Oaxaca, Part I – The three-year project continues

Vivo Resorts Shows Puerto Escondido Coming of Age – New Pacific Luxury Home & Condo Development

Oaxaca Lending Library – For visitors & expats to get involved in social & charitable programs

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