Dates and organisation :
In Oaxaca you will meet many different cultures and traditions, you will discover amazingly inventive and beautiful crafts, lovely colonial architecure, enchanting valleys, mountains, caves, cascades and trails, social structures and spiritual customs that are out of time yet still in practice, delicious cuisine, a lively modern arts and literature scene, plus a spirit of resistance inherited from Emilio Zapata.
The energies of Oaxaca are powerful, the best to practice "zero point" and "here and now", a meeting place of the tonal and the nagual, the invisible and the physical, an experience of what coexistence really means. In Mexico and more specially in Oaxaca, the Day of the Dead is a most powerful and awsome celebration where you will witness the merging of dimensions.
Ancient cultures - maya, aztec, zapotec, olmec and toltec - are very present and almost tangible. They may show up in your dreams, at a street corner or embody a zopilote - the little vulture, a scorpion or a hummingbird...
This programme takes us towards 2012 - the time of transition between two 26´000 year cycles registered in the mayan calendar : opening of awareness, changes to be implemented - the threshold is not always easy to cross. The "tierra oaxaqueña" will be your ally in this process : after this experience you will find that you will have grown in wisdom, compassion and trust.
Groups are very small.
Here are some of the highlights of the programme :
- discover the city of Oaxaca, its history, ethnic groups and modern culture;
- visit crafts markets, churches and other places of interest;
- session with a "curandera" or healer, for a "limpia" or cleansing in the ancient shamanic tradition;
- meditation, soul-work and experience of the energies of Yagul, an archeological site inhabited 3000 years BC, where nomads shifted to sedentary life, hence a site carrying the memory of big changes;
- visit of Teotitlan and its renowned weavers producing carpets in the most exquisite natural dyes; we will see a shop where they spin, dye and weave cotton, wool and silk - the latter from the egg producing the worm to the most exquisite garments and shawls. Walk to the lake.
- discover the very ancient zapotec site of Monte Alban - one of the most famous in Mexico;
- exploration of Sierra Juarez and the Pueblos Malcomunados, introduction to their unique ancient social and administrative structure;
- meet with the potters Eliz from Alaska and Jorge from the Mizteca, and learn about their deep connection to Mother Earth;
- Temazcal, or sweat-lodge, with the healer Doña Quetta;
- Day of the Dead - see how altars and graves are prepared and decorated, spend the night (or at least partly!) in a cemetary.
I would recommend that before or after the programme, you further explore Mexico or at least the state of Oaxaca on your own. It is easy and safe to travel by bus. The Istmo, the coast or the Sierra Mazateca are all worth a special trip. A bit further, the Chiapas has a lot to offer, but so have Yucatan, Michoacan or Guanajuato... and nearby Guatemala of course. I will be happy to assist you in your journey !
Prices :
Switzerland : CHF 2200.- | UE : € 1400.- * | South Africa : to be announced
* prices in € and ZAR may vary according to exchange rates.
NB : Price includes: lodging (sharing), breakfast, lunch, transport during the programme, activities, local guides, access to museums and archeological sites. Does not include airfare to and from Oaxaca, nor evening meals.
Participants are requested to subscribe their own insurances. Organisers will not be held responsible for injuries, theft, accidents, etc.
Deposit : CHF1000.- (630Euros) to be paid into my CCP12-69171-4 by April 2009 at the latest (Day of the Dead is high season in Mexico and hotels offering good quality at affordable prices need to be booked long ahead of time). Deposit will be refund in case of cancellation by the participant up to 2 months before departure. No refund closer to departure, unless traveller finds a replacement. If journey is cancelled by the organisers, full refund will be given.
I am interested in this journey. Please send me more information.