Winters in Oaxaca

At "Casa Norte" home we are sometimes asked, "what do you do in Oaxaca?" Well, that depends... If we were busy the day before, often nothing much. We often enjoy just kicking back for a day in our apartment - and that's often where you can find us. Along with maintenance stuff (see "Practicalities", below) we try to get to reading, music and crafts between obligatory cleaning, cooking and correspondence with friends and neighbors ...by email, phone, whatsapp (everyone in Mexico uses whatsapp!), etc..

 Here's our apartment building near the "Panteon General" which is the city's major cemetary ½ block from the apartment and the center of "Dia de Muertes" activities at the end of October.

We enjoy all types of meals (Mary’s an international cook, and we eat many more types of food than Mexican!) prepared with fresh produce, meats, fish and spice from our local mercados. We may be entertaining dinner guests – that’s why we have a large dining table. And reading or listening or watching music via the internet, TV & movies from all over the world. We just might have a concert on our schedule to see tomorrow after grabbing some cash...

Things we do together in Oaxaca

Walking to the ATM and to local shows in the city.

Watching a production at the Teatro Alcala in Oaxaca, an early 1900's theatre in the style of 19th century old world. This time it wasn't the great Oaxaca Orchestra, but instead, the Oaxaca Swing Band!

Here's the orchestra.

A Local Neighborhood Acrobats' Circus

Movies and discussions at a local cafe.

While walking we heard our neighbor at work. She invited us in for a demo!

One exhausted Oaxacan.

Eating out

Dinner with the "Tangerine Travels" podcasters in Oaxaca.

Shopping for food at marcados or larger supermarkets 

and shopping for goods at box stores by bus and taxi.

Perros callejeros cansados

Walking excursions, bus, collective, and taxi excursions.

Library tours and presentations.

Here is our good friend, Ron Grant, archeologist, leading this Oaxaca Library tour of the ruins at

Our annual January trip by bus or small plane to the beaches.

 And other trips.

Southern Mexico beaches, ... a time for lazy hot days...

On a trip to save the sea turtles...

Releasing the tortugas...

We like to fly home up, over the mountains, to the plateau at 5,000 ft.

Practicalities: cash withdrawals, drinking water, laundry, 

propane, trash and compost pick-up days.

Neighbors: Close Neighbors, Boulevard Burgers, Street Birthday Parties, dog choir

And, of course, Festivals!

Noches de los Rabanos (Christmas Eve.)

Enjoying our Friends and Neighbors

      Mary, Bruce & Carole Beauclerc out for some entertainment & fellowship.

Mary poses with our dodwnstairs neighbor, Alma Ramirez and her sister, Leticia.

"Boulevard Burgers" on our street! Muy buenas hamburguesas.

Friends of ours performing at "La Jicara."

Things Mary does in Oaxaca

Setting up a "backstrap loom"

Magnificent Cooking

Things Bruce Does in Oaxaca

Playing music with friends.

Travels within Mexico

Orizaba's River Walk