Job Discussion Forums

[corporatehuman]

So I've been talking with my one Mexican friend, who traveled all around Mexico, and she tells me I should somehow try to live in Oaxaca City. She insists there are artists there, that the scenery is stunning, and some other things I'm forgetting.

But anyway she, who has known me for 5 + yrs, seems to think I'd be well off there. With that being said, perusing these boards I've found mixed news of Oaxaca City.

Is it truly that hard to live there on ESL wages? Has it turned into a tourist trap, and with that, the high prices?

The landscape sounds like the most enticing thing to me, and the fact that there is a vibrant 'art' scene. Is anyone here, by the way, involved in any of these 'arts' scenes in Mexico? I'm not even sure what the term means, except that a bunch of creative people find each other in the same room...

Are there any reputable ESL certification programs in Oaxaca City that anyone knows of? Right now I just have one in GDL that seems nice...I'm stuck deciding between these two places, GDL and Oaxaca City.

...I've been gathering information on these boards for awhile and am preparing for my final decision. I have to make a decision. I am tired of this internet ambiguity! So I'm basically asking help, from you, my future constituents, to aid my decision with information.


Thanks as always,

Chris

[geaaronson]

I am not quite sure what you are looking for'. I assume you are an artist yourself, as I am. I live here in Merida, Yucatan and the arts community is a small one. I don�t know where the artists "hang out". Ive tried to find out and all I got from two people who are actively involved in the arts community is that you just go to the gallery openings and you are part of the arts community.
So much unlike the United States where people visit each others studios and check up on others`work. Perhaps they do the same here in MX, I don�t know.
As for Oaxaca, its the handicraft center of Mexico. Much of what you see in the tourist boutiques is produced in Oaxaca. When you go there you have to ask which surrounding villages have what craft. Each village produces its only line of handicrafts.
Again, if its an arts scene that you are looking for I suggest that wherever you go that you put your best foot forward and make friends with fellow artists and visit them in their studios.

[ls650]

[samizinha]

I'm a bit of a part of the "art gallery" scene here in Mexico City. I did a work placement at a museum so I get invited to openings. I do my own work from time to time but haven't shown here. It's interesting, it hasn't really been about my friends and I showing each other our art as much as it has been people trying to get me to find them shows in Canada. That's happened a lot. All about the connections.

[MELEE]

For those interested in Oaxaca. The Oaxaca Times is a decent source of information. http://www.oaxacatimes.com/ The writing often leaves something to be desired, and is sometimes poorly translated, but offers interesting topics like a current story on a new "enviromentally sound" arts center backed by Fransico Toledo.