Driving Trip from Oaxaca to Huatusco, Veracruz, to the Bambuver Bamboo Groves is Interesting and Educational

For those interested in the environment, ecology and sustainable living, or simply buying bamboo for home or garden, if you have a couple of days and a car, consider a trip from Oaxaca to Huatusco, to the Bambuver, A.C., bamboo facilities:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/oaxaca-to-huatusco-veracruz-drive-sustainable-bamboo-trip

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Death of Don Valente Nieto, of Black Pottery Fame, Spells End of An Era

The legacy left by Doña Rose and husband Don Juventino was carried forward prodominently by their son, Don Valente. While his recent death signals the end of an era, his children and their children will continue the tradition of making barro negro, black pottery, in San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca. Don Valente is remembered here:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/remembering-don-valente-famed-alfarero-of-san-bartolo-coyotepec

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Alice's Restaurant at Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: Review and Commentary re ongoing access problems re the site

This review of Alice's Restaurant at Hierve el Agua (San Isidro Roaguía) includes commentaries regarding the ongoing issue of access to Hierve el Agua. In fact, right now (June, 2010) access is restricted to the circuitous mountain route, the folks at San Lorenzo Albarradas having blockaded passage using the better road. But as the brief essay indicates, it's worth the little bit of extra effort to get there ... to visit Alice's, or otherwise:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/alices-restaurant-oaxaca-hierve-el-agua--arlo-guthrie-tribute

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Wine and Cheese Tour and Tastings, from Oaxaca to Querétaro for a Weekend

There are quality wines being produced in the State of Querétaro, now accessible by car from Oaxaca in under 7 hours, and perfect for a two or three day weekend drive from the City of Oaxaca. Consider combining your extended Oaxaca vacation with a trek into wine country, for wine and cheese tastings (much more than queso and quesillo are being produced in Querétaro, and more variety than you'll encounter locally at Sam's Club here in Oaxaca - goat, sheep, soft, hard, herbed):

http://latinamericatravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/oaxaca-drive-to-wineries-wine--cheese-tastings-in-queretaro

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Driving from Oaxaca to San Miguel de Allende, Avoids Mexico City

Article about the drive from Oaxaca to San Miguel de Allende, avoiding the Mexico City area by using the new Arco Norte toll road. It now takes only about seven hours, "door to door." Article is reproduced here:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/easy-drive-san-miguel-de-allende-to-oaxaca-avoids-mexico-city

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

New Series for Prospective Ex-pat Retirees in Oaxaca

Below are the links to the first four installments of a new series regarding activities for those prospective Oaxaca retirees currently examining various potential warm weather destinations, in Mexico and elsewhere:

1) Art and Fine Arts as Hobbies for Oaxacan Ex-pats:
http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/oaxaca-ex-pat-retirement-activities-1st-in-a-series-fine-art

2) Sports in Oaxaca, as Spectator and as Participant:
http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/sports-in-oaxaca-2nd-in-a-series-of-ex-pat-retirement-activities

3) Group Activities in English, for the Linguistically Impaired:
http://seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/group-activities-in-english-for-oaxaca-retirees-3rd-in-a-series

4) Four Viable Options for the Ex-pat Retiree in Oaxaca Contemplating Learning Spanish:
http://developing-personal-interests.suite101.com/article.cfm/oaxaca-spanish-classes---4th-in-a-series-of-ex-pat-activities

Deliveries by Scooter and Motorcycle in Oaxaca, A Lighthearted Look with Commentary

Go to this link for a lighthearted yet informative article about the use of motorcycles, scooters and even dirt bikes for effecting all mannner of delivery in Oaxaca:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/deliveries-by-scooter-and-motorcycle-in-oaxaca-mexico

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Market at San Bartolomé Quialana, Tlacolula on Tuesdays

The tiny tinaguis on Tuesdays at San Bartolomé Quialana, Tlacolula, won't be for many, but for some, with time available, and adventure in the blood, it might be worth a morning - but don't arrive before about 11 am:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-tuesday-san-bartolome-quialana-market-tlacolula-oaxaca

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast