|
|
 axaca is a magical place — the cultural
heart of Mexico — that will captivate you with its friendly
people, beautiful landscapes, charming architecture and rich
history. The region’s unique culture, year-round spring
climate and gracious locals make it the ideal location to learn
Spanish, even for students with little or no experience! Half
of its population is indigenous, including the Zapotecs and
Mixtecs who once ruled Oaxaca, and their art has made this
area world famous. Begin with a trek through magnificent countryside
in the Sierra Norte Mountains where you visit Zapotec communities.
Then spend nine days living with Oaxacan families, studying
Spanish and attending cultural workshops in Oaxaca City. End
your journey working and playing at a Oaxacan orphanage, experiencing
another way of life that will make you see your own in a new
light. |
| |
|
 |
| Day 1–6 |
| We begin our exploration of Oaxacan
culture in its countryside. Hike through remote mountain
villages in the cool highland forests of the Sierra Norte
Mountains. As we trek through breathtaking landscapes
to Latuvi, we stop at a trout farm to sample the local
fare and learn about their practices of sustainable agriculture.
Take a break for an exhilarating swim in the river and
visit a local comedor to share a traditional Oaxacan
meal. Learn about efforts to protect this region’s
forests and traditions with eco-tourism, capitalizing
on the more than 60 miles of hiking trails that wind
through the spectacular wilderness. Each village is linked
by a scenic path and offers rustic, quaint lodges where
we relax in the evenings around the fireplace before
resting up for our next adventure. |
|
 |
| Day 7–11 |
| Energized by our experiences in the
Sierra Norte, we return to Oaxaca City to meet our home
stay families and begin our language immersion in earnest.
The remote but cosmopolitan metropolis rests in a valley
of the Mixteca Mountains. Its charming cobblestone streets,
picturesque cathedrals, busy markets and friendly Oaxaqueños
are enchanting. We feel at home at once. We begin most
days with workshops at our beautiful instituto in the
heart of the city. Salsa lessons and cooking classes
taught by Oaxaqueños give us a chance to spend
time with our profesores outside of the classroom. After
dinner with your home stay family, head out to an evening
baseball game to support the Oaxaca City Guerreros, a
favorite Oaxacan pastime. These hands-on activities give
us an opportunity to acquire Spanish easily and take
on simple conversations, while interactive language classes
in the afternoon help us build our grammar and vocabulary
skills. |
|
 |
| Day 12–14 |
| Between classes and workshops we take
the time to explore. Visit Monte Alban’s Zapotec
ruins and the Santa Domingo Church. Lose yourself in
the mazes of the Mercado Juarez during our scavenger
hunt day — “Amazing Race” style! Women
clad in colorful indigenous dress walk through the streets,
balancing baskets full of the day’s purchases on
their heads. It’s a festive scene and you feel
like you are caught in a time long since past. Haggling
with the friendly artisans and campesinos offers a fantastic
chance to practice your Spanish. Smell the chocolate
that comes from every nook of the market and buy a warm
cup on the street. Try your hand at spinning wool in
the weaving village of Teotitlan. After a lively language
class, return to your home stay family in the evening
to continue to practice your Spanish. |
|
|
| Day 15–21 |
Ready for another adventure? Explore
another side of Oaxacan culture as we travel to Juchitán
to work with the children of the Pimpollo Orphanage.
It’s hard to imagine having more fun while making
a real difference in the lives of these children. Prepare
for piggyback rides, playing in the rain, soccer, patty
cake, chalk drawing, swimming, dancing and just being
a kid again. These niños have few material possessions
and little exposure to the outside world. Eager for our
friendship, they embrace our group. Our new young friends
are also quick to help with our Spanish skills! These
busy few days fly by, but the lessons learned for both
our group and the children will last a lifetime. While
gaining a perspective on the children’s very different
lifestyle, we leave with new insights on our own. We
depart Oaxaca reluctantly, but with wonderful memories,
a firsthand appreciation of an amazing culture and a
much better ability to communicate in Spanish.  |
|
| |
 |
|
|
