OAXACA ADVENTURE
FEBRUARY 2005
SFARP is planning a 21-day trip into Mexico in February, 2005. We're calling it our "OAXACA ADVENTURE". Because this paper was written in early June, and because nothing is (as yet) cast in concrete, our itinerary is expected to be:
Day #1. Have a bus pick us up at Campo Ocotillo and deliver us to the Mexicali airport. From there we will fly to Los Mochis and remain over night (R.O.N.).
Day #2. Train to El Fuerte. Side trip to see the local views into Copper Canyon, actually 5 adjacent canyons created by 5 rivers, is four times larger than Arizona's Grand Canyon and some 400 feet deeper. R.O.N.
Day #3. Train to Chihuahua. R.O.N. NOTE: This railroad should be one of the seven or eight wonders of the world because it includes spectacular views, at least 87 tunnels and two 360 degree turns (through tunnels) as it climbs the Sierra.We'll board the train a few feet above sea level but Creel, a stop along the way, is 8,000 feet above sea level. Chihuahua, capital city of the state of Chihuahua, is not a particularly tourist-oriented city. Consequently, we will remain over night but continue our journey the following morning.
Day #4. Board a leased bus to Rancho Hidalgo R.O.N. NOTE: A necessary stop along the route to Zacatecas (because we will spend no nights on the bus), Hidalgo is a small city with an important history. Founded in 1631 as "Real de San José de Parral," it is one of the most interesting old towns in northern Mexico. Hidalgo del Parral gained its wealth from local silver mines including La Prieta and La Palmilla; the town still houses important archives. The ruins of a fort on Cerro de la Cruz are said to date from 1862 thru '67 when French troops occupied the town. With steep narrow, picturesque streets and beautifully decorted stone mansions Hidalgo became a truly cosmopolitan city although its somewhat unbalanced coat-of-arms shows a winding river (the Parral) crossed by bridges that look like a cross between real bridges and stylized metal ingots.
Day #5. Proceed via our leased bus to Zacatecas. R.O.3N. Day of arrival + night #5 Day of touring + night #6 Day of touring + night #7 NOTE: Zacatecas is the town everbody wants to return to. A charming colonial, fairly well-to-do city with well-dressed people and many attractions including a university, a professional-circuit bull ring, several museums with art from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt as well as works by modern masters Picasso, Mir—, Dali and Braque. A collection of 4,500 Mexican masks is the centerpiece of Museo Rafael Coronel although the grounds surrounding the museum should be seen, as well. If you want to see craftsmen producing silver chains, earrings and bracelets-and make a purchase-visit the Centro Platero de Zacatecas where there is a workshop and school for silversmiths. Not only is this city Mexico's largest silver producer but an association of mining engineers supports the Centro Platero to insure an ample supply of silver remains for the craftsmen of the future. An unusual setting in which to buy your silver is the Edén mine. From the entrance a trail will take you 1,700 feet straight into a mountain where you will find two shops: One sells silver, the other sells rock and mineral samples. In addition, you can walk farther into the mine (it's dry and nicely lit) to look into deep shafts. Keep on going and you'll come to an elevator to take you (up) to another exit. El Teleférico is a 5- minute cable car ride high above the city to Cerro de la Bufa, where you will find an observatory, a museum and an interesting church. Viewing the city from La Bufa provides a unique picture of a city nestled in a bowl. Zacatecas' nicely paved streets make strolling this particularly clean city a pleasure. But, because it lies at the 8,000 foot level, we recommend sweaters or light jackets. There are many fine shops, hotels and restaurants. In fact, we plan on enjoying ourselves to the fullest in Zacatecas and sincerely hope you will join us to do the same.
Day #8. Proceed to Teotihuacan. R.O.2N. Day of arrival + night #8 Day of touring + night #9 NOTE: If possible we will find lodging at Villa Arqueologica, which is located 1.1 miles from the ruins. This intimate, recently renovated, comfortable hacienda style villa is surrounded by gardens for meditation and an equally inviting pool for swimmers. Our schedule includes a second day here to ensure everyone has all the time they need to see, understand and enjoy the ruins of Teotihuacán.
Day #10. Proceed to Puebla. R.O.2N. Day of arrival + night #10 Day of touring + night #11 NOTE: An important city once known as the City of Millionaires (for its silk mills), Puebla has many exciting places to see and enjoy including a Talavera Pottery factory. Need I say more?
Day #12. Proceed to Oaxaca. R.O.4 N. Day of arrival + night #12 Tour Monte Albán + night #13 Independent touring + night #14 Independent touring + night #15 NOTE: There are several archeological sites surrounding Oaxaca. Our schedule includes one pre-planned group tour to Monte Albán. Other than that, independent touring is recommended to enable each participant to see and enjoy as many other sites as possible including the city's nationally famous market places.
Day #16. Proceed to Palenque. R.O.2N. Day of Arrival + night #16 Day of touring + night #17 NOTE: Palenque is not just "another Aztec ruins site," it is the icing on a cake from which we hope each of our tour participants will have gained a fuller appreciation for the men and women-and their culture-who occupied these truly remarkable sites in pre-Columbian times. Ours is not to criticize other cultures but to learn as much as we possibly can from them.
Day #18. Proceed to Villahermosa. R.O. 2N. Day of arrival + Night #18 Day of touring + Night #19 NOTE: Villahermosa has all the facilities one might expect in a growing city that was placed on the map by the discovery of oil in modern times. There are historic and anthropological museums, libraries, open forums, theaters, parks, sports centers, hotels, motels, restaurants and night clubs. Located at the intersection of three rivers, this historic center boasts magnificent sunsets. One of those sunsets could be the perfect setting to enjoy a farewell assemblage during which individual opinions of the tour are shared. We will bid our bus driver(s) farewell and fly to Mexico and Mexicali from here.
Day #20. Proceed to airport. Fly to Mexico City and Mexicali. R.O.N. NOTE: We remain over night because our arrival time is expected to be too late in the day to consider returning to San Felipe. Reservations will be made at a convenient, moderately priced Mexicali hotel.
Day #21. Return to Campo Ocotillo NOTE: Departure will be at a comfortable morning hour to enable our arrival at Campo Ocotillo between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
Maximum out of pocket expense for two is suggested to range around $3,500.00 although we will not know the actual cost until mid-November. This "Oaxaca Adventure" is limited to 40 (first come, first served) participants. Please submit any and all questions and/or reservations to sfarp@yahoo.com