Job Discussion Forums

kristanitza · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

I'm moving to Toluca in August. Looks like I'll be there about a year. It seems there's some good hiking in the area. Does Toluca have shops to buy hiking/camping gear? I don't need fancy, just functional.
Also, I'm looking for a gym to play capoeira in Toluca.
Really, any info you want to dish out about the place would be great.

ellieb · Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 7 Location: mexico city

a friend in Toluca is super helpful. check him out on hospitalityclub.org as cesartoluca or on couchsurfing.com.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

I played capoeira at the Tec and know others who play at other Tec's, so you can try there... capoeria is everywhere in Mexico, you shouldn't have a problem finding a place.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:08 pm Post subject: toluca

At the very least, you have El Nevado (the dormant volcano with a lake in its crater). Toluca itself is nothing to write home about but there is a lot of stuff (small, interesting towns, woods etc) that would make it worthwhile for you, I think. I dont know about gear, however. Toluca is pretty provincial but I would imagine that it would be possible to get stuff in Mexico City if nothing is here. There is a mall in Metepec (Toluca) that has a sports store... if they dont have what you need, they would probably know who does.

They do have capoeria at Tec (I work there) Dont remember seeing much (though I admit I havent looked) outside, but theres a ton of Tae Kwan Do schools. Again best best would be Metepec.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject: Martial Arts play

This comes up with Tai Chi also, where practice is often more dance-like (and you do a dance) Play emphasizes the sport-like aspects of the discipline. I beleive English-speaking Tai Chi enthusiasts have picked 'play' as more marketable, as well as being more in line with its sources in the Taoist philosophy of meditation and relaxation.
I've heard of Capoeira presented purely as a dance (or maybe its really just incorporated into dance?) In which case I would use forms of do. As it becomes better known and more popular in English speaking countries, play will probably become the more used and accepted term.
I dislike how much influence the forces of commercialism influence common usage, but that's the way the game is played!
Wink

MELEE · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:52 pm Post subject:

Going back to the original topic.

As a camper and hiker, I hate to say it, but the best place I've found to buy gear in Mexico is Costco. Sad

But I haven't ever really tried to find a speciality store in Mexico City, I'm sure one must exsist, but I used to visit the US often enough not to ever have to bother looking for it. My parents live right near one of those BassPro SuperStores where you can try all the equipment (even the hunting equipment Shocked

) right there in their constructed envirnoments inside the store.

A good pair of shoes or two, a light weight tent, and a basic camping kit, can easily be brought with you into Mexico, and in my opinion, well worth it.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

In the case of capoeira it has nothing to do with the marketing (if it's not a gym class being put on by a sell-out). The Regional type of capoeira looks more like fighting, and the Angola form looks more like dancing, it depends on what type you want to learn. It's a game that you play back and forth, which is my master taught us that you play rather than do it.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

A good camping gear store is hard to find in DF, though I haven't actively looked. I saw some stuff at Costco. This place really needs a Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject: Marketing!

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

In Canada I learned it in English with Portuguese terminology (plus I speak Portuguese), and in Mexico I learned it in Spanish with some Portuguese terminology...

kristanitza · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks everyone.
Glad to hear I won't have to give up Capoeira.

So, what do people in Toluca do for fun at night? Is there at least one little bar/pub to have a drink with friends? Dancing?

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject: fun?

Sorry .... couldnt help myself. There are some small bars and clubs (again Metepec) but in general they roll up the sidewalks here at about 9 pm. Gotta go to DF (and get a hotel room cuz the last bus back to Toluca is at 1130 pm) for anything real.

Can you tell I need to get out of this town?

M@tt · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 473 Location: here and there

cue to appropriate bruce springsteen song

delacosta · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 325 Location: zipolte beach

I've heard that the only decent place to go to / hang out is the creper�a. I went by there once on a layover but it was closed. Do you know where I'm talking about thelmadater? Have you ever gone there? I ask because I have friends who rave about the place.