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In this issue, we talk about food, art and history - after all, besides the charm of the people, those are the things that are most remembered about Oaxaca. We also finish up our tale of Zapotec Indian Felipe Lopez's trip to U.C.L.A. And who could resist the delightful story about Passover in Oaxaca - Where'd My People Go?
We hope that you enjoy this issue and we look forward to seeing many of you down in Oaxaca this coming October for the Food of the Gods Festival.
| Two Contemporary Oaxacan Artists |
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 Contemporary Oaxacan painting is akin to the famous Tule tree. Its roots dig deeply into ancient pre- Columbian traditions. Its wide, robust trunk can only pertain to the founder of modern painting: Rufino Tamayo. Further on up, two huge branches stretch skyward: Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales.
In the painting of Toledo, now considered the greatest living Mexican artist, real and imaginary beings live together, as well as in the most diverse combinations. Morales, in turn, delves into the everyday life of the towns of Oaxaca, into the color of their marketplaces and into the simplicity of its popular art.
Read on....
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| Mexico's Lincoln - Oaxaca's Benito Juarez |
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 Toughness, intelligence, foresight, honesty, tenacity- these are the superlatives that trip off the tongues of Mexicans when asked their opinion of Benito Juarez. And in Oaxaca, one of the nation's most conservative provinces, it is his humility and roots that are most often remarked upon.
Full Story....
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| From Oaxaca to UCLA: A Zapotec's Story, Part 2 of 2 |
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 When Zapotec Indian Felipe Lopez came to the U.S. at age 16, he abandoned the language and culture of his upbringing, and sought to fit in with the mestizo, or non-indigenous Mexican immigrants he worked with in Los Angeles. After rising through the ranks of L.A. eateries, he went to college in 1992. It was then that he understood what he'd lost.
"I didn't see any value in my language," he said. "But slowly I began to realize that my language is a whole way of looking at the world." Fearful it would be lost, he approached Pamela Munro, professor of linguistics at UCLA with the idea of creating a dictionary.
Full Story ...
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| Where'd My People Go? Passover in Oaxaca |
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 The crowded downtown streets are lined with Oaxacans buying tiny crosses made of straw showing the crucifixion of Jesus. It's Holy Thursday, and tonight devout Christians stroll by seven major churches in an informal procession, honoring God while chatting about their neighbors, their houses, cars and children. They'll enjoy tamales. They'll buy balloons. Like most other holidays in this town, this one is about religion, community and a good time.
Coincidentally, this fiesta, one of several in the days between the beginning of Lent and Easter, also marks the first day of Passover, the Jewish holiday that relates the events of Exodus and the Jews' escape from slavery in Egypt.
Look down Macedonia Alcalá, however, and there's not a Jew to be found; you won't find groups of old, bearded men enjoying a kosher dog on a poppy seed bun or grandmothers kvetching about prices in the market.
Listen, not so surprising, considering Mexico has a 94% Christian population.
More on this topic...
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| Oaxaca's Food of the Gods Festival |
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What do MARTHA STEWART, FOOD AND WINE and BON APPETIT know about Oaxacan food that you might be missing out on? Martha Stewart's Weddings® magazine said, "The highlight of the year is the Food of the Gods Festival. It is also a cause for celebration. Food is a cornerstone of the culture in this southern Mexican state - and particularly in its capital, Oaxaca City."
Food & Wine magazine® has said "The choice eating event of the month is the Food of the Gods Festival in Oaxaca- offering Mexico's best cuisine" And, again they point out that "Most Americans don't know Oaxaca. Food Cognoscenti kept it to themselves, but with new hotels and restaurants, it's ready for more visitors."
The May issue of BON APPETIT® says, "In the heart of Oaxaca, time defies all definition.....forget your e-mail and eat your way through the centuries, savoring an ageless cuisine with subtly intense flavors that range from chipotle to chocolate."
Find Out More....
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