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wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

I'm considering a move to Oaxaca. In an effort to find out more about the life of English teachers there, I'd like to ask the following questions.

What did you do this weekend? Anything exciting, normal or boring?

I'd like to hear from you all, especially anyone in Ixtlan de Juares and UMAR.

and, for anyone in the know, what might a random weekend in Ixtlan consist of?

thanks

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Hiya Wildchild,

I think you might be going to work in one of the universities in the system that I used to work for. I lived in sunny Huajuapan de Leon (and it usually was sunny, except when it was raining Cool

) and I used to do a fair amount of pubbing when I lived there. But, my favourite thing was to jump in some form of collective transport and go to the smaller surrounding villages for the day, or to the big lights of Oaxaca city.

Because the weather was usually pretty nice, it was nice just to go for a wander in the sunshine or sit on my balcony watching the world go by.

During the week I also took salsa and Spanish lessons which kept me pretty busy.

I think Ixtlan is a bit different to Huajuapan, but thought I'd share anyway..

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

veroax · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

I don't work in Ixtlan, but I've been to the campus. It's a beautiful moutainous area. And the town is quite nice, although also quite small. I suspect that people there tend to head into Oaxaca on weekends as much as possible since it's reasonably close.

As for me... I live in a larger town way up in the north of the state. I had lunch both Saturday and Sunday at our local vegetarian restaurant. On Saturday night I went to a hookah bar with some friends. (Yes, a hookah bar.) And on Sunday I defrosted my refrigerator. I was going to go see a speaker in the park talking about local environmental issues, but I forgot what with all the refrigerator excitement.

I think there are ample things to do where I live, but it sometimes feels that you need to actively seek them out. And I do find myself going to Veracruz often on weekends since it's not very far.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: Oigan, Oaxaque�os...

NinaNina · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Oaxaca

And from the big lights of Oaxaca City:

I have visitors in town, so we hit the movie theater Friday night and saw "Black Dalia". Just terrible. We also went to a local veggie restaurant for comida.

On Saturday, I enforced homework and then we visited the local organic market which was having a free screening of "The Wizard of Oz". We stopped off and ate empanadas and agua fresca in the park. Then, it was off for diaper shopping.

Sunday consisted of party-hopping Mexican style. By the end of the day, we stood in the rubble of three pinatas, three tres leches cakes, multiple party bags, and, yes, the runner-up prize for the sexy mama dancing contest.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: City Girl Checks In...

NinaNina · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Oaxaca

Funny, Melee!

I guess my private lexicon encompasses the notion of having a market that hosts a cinema but can't get around the concept of a cinema that hosts a market.

How about a murky goldfish pond that happens to be next to a movie theater? My two-year-old was far more intrigued by the fish than the Wiz.

MO39 · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Oigan, Oaxaque�os...

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

did you all have a nice weekend? I'm still curious to know more about the lives of English teachers in Oaxaca Very Happy

MELEE · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:53 am Post subject:

Fine, thanks.

This weekend was more or less like last weekend (and most of my weekends) except without the Russian dinner party.

reddevil79 · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:36 am Post subject:

For me, it was helping new teachers settle in and find housing, shopping for food at the market and then cooking it, going for a delicious pozole and fresh coffee Sunday morning, walking up to some ruins on a hill that overlook the town, dinner on Saturday night with friends, errr.....oh, and my essential diet of English football on Saturday mornings, with English tea and marmalade on toast! Wink

NinaNina · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Oaxaca

Last weekend was typical--comida corridas, movies, cafes, checking out an opening at an art gallery, a party at a friend's house, a quick day trip out to the natural "hot" springs, and walking around. This weekend--a gathering at the house of some Finnish artists, research on mice for my son's project, and hanging out in the zocalo.

Nightlife in Oaxaca is lovely in that there are plenty of clubs and cafes and it feels relatively safe to walk around at night, but the buses stop at 9pm! To see some goings on, check out http://oaxacacalendar.com/index.php .

Enjoy!
Serena
http://www.mexpop.blogspot.com/