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We
joyfully open our kitchen and our hearts to share with you our love for
the regional dishes of Oaxaca and the culture of our land. As your host
and teacher, Nora Gutierrez, skillfully guides you through each step of
the way, you will experience true Oaxacan cooking in its natural
setting: "From the Market to the Dinner Table". |
A native of the city of Oaxaca, Nora learned the techniques of traditional Oaxacan cooking from her mother Conchita and her grandmother Ofelia. Together, they have earned a reputation for the fine breakfast they prepare every morning at La Casa de Mis Recuerdos. Their recipes are found in regional cookbooks and are enjoyed in restaurants around the city. |
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Nora is a proud Oaxaquena who is always thrilled to share her culture. Her love of the heritage of her people and her extensive knowledge of the areas surrounding Oaxaca will bring a unique aspect to your Oaxacan experience. Having been born and raised in Oaxaca , Nora has a different outlook on how a tour should be presented.
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"Being from Oaxaca , I can present myself as an acceptable intermediary between my groups and the venders in the local markets as well as our very talented artist." "I try to make every cooking class and tour feel as if you are part of our family. We meet not only just vendors but people who are my friends. Be it in the market, during a demonstration, or in a cooking class, you will never feel out of touch or just a number, but rather you will experience a pleasant feeling of acceptance and belonging." "My goal is for you that when you finally have to depart, you will take with you the best souvenir of all; the part that is in your heart and mind." |
| Your package for 2006 includes:
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Package Dates for 2006 Vegetarian cooking events can be arranged with prior notice. Price is $1299.00 USD per person* |
For a more complete detail of our package please go to www.almademitierra.net |
| Saturday, Day 1
Travel day. Arrive in Oaxaca, settle in at one of our three charming Bed & Breakfast locations. |
Sunday, Day 2 After a full breakfast you will embark on your walking tour of Oaxaca, which is great way to get aquatinted with our lovely city. This will include the nearby Benito Juarez park, the beautiful baroque church of Santo Domingo with its adjoining Regional museum, the pedestrian thoroughfare of Mecedonio Alcala and of course, the zocalo, with a stop for lunch at a local seafood restaurant. In the afternoon Nora will take you to show how chocolate is made. A family recipe will be handed to the "mixer" who will add the amount of cocoa beans, almonds and cinnamon to the mill. Out comes the liquid brown gold that is them mixed with the sugar according to the recipe. You will return to the B&B where you will be shown how to mold the still warm mixture into workable pieces for the kitchen. Breakfast Included |
Monday, Day 3 After a full breakfast, you will be taken to the famous ruins of Monte Alban, followed by visits to the pottery village of Santa Maria de Atzompa, and the convent of Cuilapan de Guerrero. In the evening a textile presentation will be given by a local expert on textiles at one of our B&B's. Homemade tamales, both savory and sweet, will be served along with Oaxacan hot chocolate and atole ( a sweetened natural hot corn starch drink). Transportation included. |
Tuesday, Day 4 After a full breakfast, you will begin the first part of you cooking class with a trip to the the market Mercado de Merced (Merced Market), where you will be shown how to pick the ingredients for the dishes you will be making that day. The dishes will include a soup, salsa, main course, cocktail and dessert. Upon returning to La Casa de Mis Recuerdos, you will be given the typed out recipes to guide you in preparing the dishes for yourself at home. Your class is "hands-on" and you will participate in the execution of each recipe. Once the cooking is finished, you will sit down with your classmates around our dining room table to enjoy the results of your efforts. Afternoon and Evening free to explore Oaxaca. Breakfast and Lunch Included. |
| Wednesday, Day 5
Your excursion for today takes you to the world-renown weaving village of Teotitlan de Valle. First you will visit the village church, which was built by the Spaniards directly on top of an ancient Zapotec site that they destroyed. Next, you will be taken to the home/workshop of rug weaver Rosario Martinez Vasquez. Rosario is an exceptional weavers whose family is responsible for the re-introduction of the use of natural dyes in their work. Rosario will demonstrate the complete weaving process from start to finish, and you will be able to view the beautiful results. You will then be taken to the corner Molino (mill) where corn will be ground into maza (dough) that will be used in several dishes for your lunch, including home-made tortillas and, empanadas as well as chochoyotes ( pressed small balls of dough ) that will be placed in your black bean soup. The maza will also be mixed with other ground ingredients to make a rich and tasty Zapotec beverage called Tajate ( Te-ha-te). The preparation of this beverage requires skill and practice, and will be demonstrated for you by Doņa Natalia. Evening free. Transportation Included |
Thursday, Day 6 After Breakfast, you will taken into the Sierra Madres, north of Oaxaca. A mere 45 minutes away from the bustling city, there is a quiet oasis where you can enjoy the cool mountain air and walk among tall pines and fields of Lilies. Here you will see master baker Victor work his magic with dough, creating breads to be sold in the local villages as well as the "big city" as he refers to Oaxaca. You will watch him make pan de manteca, or pan de sal and bake his works of art in a traditional brick oven. The alluring aroma fills the crisp air, and you will find yourself checking your watch to see when the bread will be pulled out and sampled. We will take some with us .too, to have for our lunch at the Colibri, a roadside restaurant where Carmalita's whips up amazing meals using local ingredients in her tidy kitchen. Transportation included |
| Friday, Day 7
For
your final day in Oaxaca, Nora will take you to the village of Ocotlan
to view the well-known Friday market there. You will visit the local
church and museum, and of course the home of the famous artist,
Roldolfo Morales. From there you will be taken to the workshops of the
Aquilar sisters, whose charming works in clay are very popular. In San
Martin de Tilcajete, you will see how a whole family works together to
create the, imaginative, painted wooden figures called alebrijes. Last
on the list for the day is a visit to San Bartolo Cayotepec, home of
the black pottery of Oaxaca, with a welcome stop for lunch at a
pleasant roadside restaurant where you will be served an off-the menu
comida corrida prepared from Nora's personal recipes.
Farewell dinner at one of Oaxaca's finest restaurants.
Transportation Included |
| Saturday, Day 8
Travel Day
Breakfast Included Transportation to the airport included. |
*Price is per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplemental is $200.00 USD. No refunds issued for classes, breakfast or events not attended, or, for early departure. Transportation provided to events listed on detailed itinerary. Meals included where specified. We will be glad to cater to your special dietary needs for breakfast with prior notice. Taxes included on included meals and lodging. Transportation to and from Oaxaca not included. Tips not included. Maximum of 8 students per tours. Our small tours allow for personal attention and hands-on participation. Cooking classes and scheduled events subject to change without notice. Deposit of 250.00 USD is required. Please Contact us for further details and reservations. |
Photos by William Gutierrez, Alan Brinton and Peter Phillips
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