Personal Narrative, Culture and Myth:
Retreat/Workshop/Cultural Tour
Oaxaca City, Mexico
March 25-30, 2007

Fly in Sunday January 7

The workshop/class meets each morning 9am to 1pm.

Touring, Spanish classes, cooking classes or resting / writing/ visiting / relaxing / siesta are all options for the rest of each day (on an individual pay-as-you go basis).

Fly out on January 11.

Some rooms are available immediately prior to and after, but contact Jim May or Casa Colonial ASAP.

Workshop cost is $495. Room rates are $60 per person per day for a double occupancy room with private bath and large, multi-course breakfast each day and late dinner on the night of arrival. $100 per night for private room, private bath with breakfast and late dinner on night of arrival

Add air travel: there are two direct Continental Airlines flights through Houston each day and numerous connections through Mexico City to Oaxaca’s modern jet airport. Flying through Mexico City and connecting there has saved folks money in the past. About a $7, 15 minute taxi ride from airport to the Casa

For more info contact Jim May at maystory@earthlink.net or 815-648-2039

Casa Colonial: www.mexonline.com/colonial.htm

Oaxaca is at 17th century Spanish Colonial City and is considered to be the clearinghouse for indigenous art in Mexico with its many markets, galleries and museums. Workshop participants will examine their own life journeys in light of cultural influences and mythical symbols and archetypes. The juxtaposition of time for reflection, writing, sketching, discussing, listening to and telling stories, and the rich cultural mosaic of Oaxaca provides a potential for powerful creative insight, including the intersection of one’s own life stories with the great myths, rituals, and artwork of antiquity.

The tour includes room and meals at the Casa Colonial, a charming one hundred year-old mansion which has been converted to a B+B, and is the number one rated B&B in Oaxaca. It is located in the heart of the church and market section and contains a lush garden court yard, an extensive English Language library, and is a living museum of folk art and Oaxacano cultural life.

The Casa has been owned by a couple from Oregon (they live in Oaxaca) for years and they are very aware of the needs of visitors from the U.S. in terms of the wonderful food served, and the quality of the rooms and drinking water. Our hosts, Thorney and Jane, also know all the best doctors and dentists in town. In the past we have had very good medical and dental service, some on a “house call” basis when necessary.

The staff is extraordinary, Theresa, our cook, has been there for 25 years; other staff over 20. They receive a good wage, scholarship fund for their children/grandchildren and medical benefits --this from your $60 per day, including gratuity and taxes. The Casa also supports the free hospital in the state of Oaxaca.