by Christine Mackay, Crooked Trails co-founder
photos courtesy of Eric Mindling & Christine Mackay
For over a decade Traditions Mexico has offered unparalleled opportunities to immerse oneself in the heart of Oaxaca Mexico. Eric Mindling, the founder of Traditions Mexico has spent most of his adult life working and living with the Zapotecs in and around Oaxaca. His amazing connections and commitment to responsible travel has made a partnership with Crooked Trails a natural progression of our mutual respect for each other’s work.
In December, I told Eric that a recent CT survey put Mexico at the top of the list. And because of the current economy we thought a shorter; more affordable destination was in order. I know our participants expect to get a “through the backdoor view” on traditional life with a guide who 
understands the people and who has won their respect as well as friendship. Eric has designed just such a program for Crooked Trails. We are going to participate in the Zapotec festival called Sangre Preciosa which takes place in one of Oaxaca’s most lovely and friendly villages, Teotitlan del Valle. During this 8 day program, participants will not only get to see an amazing festival, but experience all that goes into making such a festival take place. Come to Oaxaca “through the backdoor” with Eric, meet his friends who are making festivals in Oaxaca happen, and see why there is so much more to understand and love about our southern neighbor.
Tour Description: Once a year the village of Teotitlan del Valle pulls out the stops to celebrate the Catholic festival of La Sangre Preciosa. This festival involves the entire village and includes a parade of 150 woman adorned with flowers and images of saints, a marathon 8-hour ritual dance, brass bands, ceremony, communal feasts, a village dance, booming fireworks, hot tamales and a good time! This tour takes you into the middle of this festival. We will see it from the inside out, meeting the ritual dancers, participating in the feasts, learning to make tamales, visiting the fireworks maker and getting to know the village on a first name basis. For 5 nights we’ll stay in a small lodge on the edge of the village, close enough to be in on the action, far enough to escape from it when we’ve had our fill. Our travels will take us into the village and beyond, to an important regional market, to a 
village of potters, to a baker’s workshop and to the ruins of ancient Zapotec palaces. We’ll also take time to visit the beautiful colonial city of Oaxaca, spending two nights there once the festival winds down. We will eat well, meet good people and enjoy the pomp and boom of a village party.
Ready to check out the itinerary? Click here.
