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

Searching for Antiques in Oaxaca

This article provides Canadian and American avid antique collectors and dealers with an option, enabling them to combine a vacation to Oaxaca, with opportunities to search for antiques and collectibles in two large open-air antiques markeplaces:

http://mexican-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/lack-of-antiques-in-oaxaca-does-not-spell-drought-for-collectors

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Traditional Oaxacan Recipe for Chiles Rellenos con Picadillo de Puerco

Here's a link to a traditional recipe for chiles rellenos with picadillo, from a Oaxacan chef, plus a bit of commentary about ingredients for the recipe:

http://mexican-food.suite101.com/article.cfm/mexican-chile-relleno-with-picadillo-recipe--stuffed-pepper-plus

It's been a number of years since I've had chiles rellenos using this recipe, but my recollection is that they were quite good! In fact, I recall about a dozen years ago taking a batch of them to Toronto and putting them in the freezer, defrosting a couple whenever I felt the need for a bit of authentic Oaxacan food between visits to Oaxaca.

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast