DIA DE LOS MUERTOS -- 2

PANTEON DE SAN MIGUEL -- OAXACA, MEXICO

Some families bring instruments to play the favorite music of their departed loved ones.

Others hire roving five-piece bands to provide the live music.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS -- 1

PANTEON DE SAN MIGUEL -- OAXACA, MEXICO

Panteon San Miguel is about a 20-minute walk from the Zocalo in central Oaxaca City.

Visit it Oct. 31-Nov. 2 to see Dia de Muertos festivities in action.

TRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND

AND INCREASES EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING OF OTHERS

In the past two years, I have had the good fortune to visit Rome, Paris, Istanbul, Naples, Ait Ben Haddou, Oaxaca, Marrakech and USA destinations too numerous to list.

In the past decade, I have been to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazl, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guanajuato and several other destinations in South, Central and Spanish-speaking North America.

Each time, I have come back with not just an exposure to great architecture, cuisine, art and culture -- but also an increased empathy for others.

I grew up very sheltered in the Midwest. My family's idea of a far away foreign nation was Canada -- crossing the bridge in Niagra Falls back in pre 911 days when they barely looked at your ID. A big cultural exposure was driving the station wagon to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I my journeys, I have formed an intense appreciation for all people of all abilities/disabilities, religions/no religion, gender/gender identity/orientation, race/ethnicity, etc.

My solemn wish, from the White House to the local person who hides behind hatred in online comments to news stories and in angry/hurtful social media blasts, is that 2020 will be a year when we can all embrace our humanity, appreciate our diversity and practice the Golden Rule.

MERCADO 20 DE NOVIEMBRE

OAXACA, MEXICO

Looking for cheap street food? 

Look no further. 

Dozens of good, clean comedores (food stalls) fill the entrails of this large market where wait staff will thrust menus to within an inch of your nose as you stroll past.

The biggest treat for carnivores is the hugely popular Pasillo de Carnes Asadas (Grilled Meat Passage) on the east side, where a dozen stands specialize in grilling tasajo (beef) or cecina enchilada (slices of chili-coated pork) over hot coals.

--Lonely Planet

MERCADO BENITO JUAREZ

OAXACA, MEXICO

This daily indoor market, a block south of the Zócalo, peddles a mix of flowers, hats, shoes, cheap clothes and jewelry, baskets, leather belts and bags, fancy knives, mezcal, herbs (medicinal and culinary), spices, meat, cheese, ready-made mole, fruit, vegetables, grasshoppers and almost every other food a Oaxacan could need – a fascinating browse.

--Lonely Planet

CULINARY CAPITAL OF MEXICO

OAXACA, MEXICO

Mexico boasts some of the best regional cuisine in the western world.

Oaxaca is our favorite of all the wonderful regions.

It's known as the land of seven moles.

Each mole is unique, multilayered and savory.

OPEN AIR GRAND OPERA PERFORMANCE

OAXACA, MEXICO: TEMPLO SANTO DOMINGO

The acoustics were amazing.

The conductor was energetic. 

GRAND OPERA PERFORMANCE OPEN AIR

Dia de los Muertos weeklong celebration featured a free performance in the cool night air in front of the historic Santo Domingo temple and cultural center.

Oaxaca has some of the best cultural programs in Mexico.

CATRINA THEATER SPECTACLE

TEATRO BENITO JUAREZ, OAXACA, MEXICO

Catrina at Teatro Benito Juarez:  100 artists together, including the The Young Traditional Folk group of Oaxaca, The Orchester of UABJO, actress Wagive Jimenez Turcatt and Romina Ruiz.

CATRINA THEATER SPECTACLE

TEATRO BENITO JUAREZ, OAXACA, MEXICO

Catrina at Teatro Benito Juarez: 100 artists together, including the voice of Alexander Robles, the dance theater Metamorphis and Chorus of the City of Oaxaca.