Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; uneven streets and sidewalks.
At the hotel restaurant, enjoy a buffet including a variety of hot dishes, bread, pastries, yogurt, fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Unless otherwise noted, an instructor will conduct most classroom sessions and a certified expert will lead field trips. Transportation will be via bus, unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will then walk, led by a local expert, to the Historical Center where we will visit some of the most important historical buildings. Though the current city was founded in 1532, the Zapotec and Mixtec pre-Columbian civilizations had already been settled in the area for thousands of years. The city is known for these archeological sites and the large number of colonial-era structures. During our field trip we will see and learn about the Templo of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Founded by the Dominican Order, the rooms that once constituted the monastery, today house the Cultural Center of Oaxaca. The construction started in 1570 and continued over a period of 200 years, and has since undergone a complete restoration that was finished in 1999. Located next door, we will then visit the Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, which was founded in 1528 by Dominicans. While here, we’ll get to see and learn about the second largest treasure discovery after the Tutankhamen tomb: the portentous Mixtec treasure of Tomb 7 that was found in Monte Albán.
At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a 3-course lunch, including. Coffee, soft drinks, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Continuing, we’ll keep exploring the Historical Center of Oaxaca led by our designated local expert before walking back to our hotel. When we arrive, we will reconvene in our private meeting room for an introduction to the fiestas, legends, and traditions that are celebrated in Mexico. This lecture, given by our local instructor, will focus on the celebration of Christmas in southern Mexico and Oaxaca and the culture and customs associated with the holiday. Next, with our local instructor, we will have a hands-on activity to construct a piñata. A container typically filled with toys or candy, the Mexican piñata combined a similar Aztec tradition celebrating the birthday of the god Huitzilopochtli with the Spanish tradition of breaking a similar container on the first Sunday of Lent. Then, before dinner we’ll enjoy a social hour with a welcome drink and get to know our fellow travelers.
Hotel plated meal.
With guests at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a group activity where we will learn and participate in a traditional Posada as performers sing and act out seasonal stories. Known as Las Posadas, it is a Spanish festival that is predominantly celebrated in portions of Latin America and some of the Southwest. The festival lasts for nine days, with its last night coinciding with Christmas Eve. The nine days represent the nine months that Mary was pregnant with Jesus.