Medical and dental treatment and coverage in Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

Aside from the small, private hospitals, often referred to as clínicas, there are four publicly funded and insurance-based hospitals in the city, as well as a hospital just outside of the city offering specialized treatment for a number of serious ailments. There is the Red Cross facility available to all, often used for emergency treatment only. The civic hospital provides free services or treatment at a modest cost based on a sliding scale respecting means. ISSSTE is a federally funded facility restricted to government employees who are members of a union. Finally, there is IMSS... read more

health perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The Oaxaca Lending Library and Community Center Alvin Starkman

The Oaxaca Lending Library (OLL) has been in existence for over 40 years, and is one of the largest English language libraries in all of Mexico. Over the past decade it has grown into a vibrant community center, in large part due to the dedication of its many volunteers. read more

Oaxaca, Oaxaca

CORAL: Non-profit center in Oaxaca assists hearing impaired Mexican children Alvin Starkman

When the Cole-Gardner family recently vacationed in Oaxaca, Mexico, they brought along several basketballs, soccer balls and baseball gloves, to donate to indigenous children without ready access to su... read more

social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Seat belt, cell phone and speed limit laws are enforced in Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

Driving in Oaxaca, Mexico, became a little more difficult in September / October, 2009. That's when federal, state and municipal governments actually began enforcing the law, at least in the City of O... read more

driving-routes legal perspectives Oaxaca

A wedding and christening in rural Oaxaca: The mandate of tradition Alvin Starkman

We usually think of weddings and baptisms as rites of passage we attend on separate occasions. But November 27, 2008, marked the celebration of both in San Lorenzo Albarradas: the nuptials of a couple in their early twenties, and the baptism of their three-year-old daughter. What resulted was a melding of highly organized custom... read more

culture-customs fiestas-traditions perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Consumer protection in Oaxaca, Mexico: A case study Alvin Starkman

PROFECO has its limitations. However, it does provide an important and valuable alternate means of dispute resolution.

Traveling light to Oaxaca? Alvin Starkman

Every visitor to the city of Oaxaca has the potential to make a significant contribution. read more

exploring-tourism social-issues Oaxaca

Manuel Reyes: sculptor, painter and renaissance man from Oaxaca's Mixteca Alta Alvin Starkman

"Look at that female warrior over there... notice the belt I made for her, with penises hanging from it, her trophies." Artist Manuel Reyes aspires to exhibit his work in art galleries in Oaxaca and M... read more

artists Oaxaca

Motorcycles, Scooters, and Surviving with Them in Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

The third week of May, 2008, Hertz in Oaxaca changed its downtown location from a side street to the main drag, the pedestrian walkway known as Alcalá about a block and a half up from the zócalo. The... read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca

Jacobo Angeles: A rich wood-carving tradition in Oaxaca, dating to pre-Hispanic times Alvin Starkman

Jacobo Ángeles' work is prominently displayed in The Smithsonian, Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art, and elsewhere throughout the continent and further abroad, in museums, art colleges and gall... read more

artists crafts Oaxaca

Armando Lozano Ramirez, master sculptor and jeweler: Oaxaca's "man of steel" Alvin Starkman

Some 30 years ago, a youthful 27-year-old acquired a piece of machinery by chance. Not knowing exactly what to do with it, or how it could somehow become a positive factor in his life, he took a gamble... read more

art crafts Oaxaca

Traveling with children to Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

The options are innumerable. It's simply a matter of doing a bit of homework - asking, and then committing yourself to a vacation dedicated in large part to your children. Oaxaca has traditionally bee... read more

exploring-tourism family Oaxaca

Travelers' checks, ATM machines or cash… Oaxaca, Money and Exchange: A Primer Alvin Starkman

Advice to heed before heading out the door to the airport, questions you'll have after landing, and money issues that will arise in the course of your vacation You don't need to take travelers' checks... read more

exploring-tourism how-to

Affordable Oaxaca as a locale for any grand fiesta Alvin Starkman

If you're getting married, turning 50, or planning that anniversary bash... consider Oaxaca They say that Mexicans really know how to party. Here in Oaxaca we do it in spades, because it's part of a l... read more

culture-customs exploring-tourism Oaxaca

Grana Cochinilla Fina: The Best Kept Secret in Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

Most tourists have no idea that only a couple of hundred yards off the main highway, a minute or two from the black pottery village, is one the most fascinating destinations that the state of Oaxaca ha... read more

crafts culture-customs exploring-tourism Oaxaca

Family tradition: five generations of mezcaleros in Matatlan, Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

Don Isaac recounts awaking at 4 a.m. then walking from his village of Matatlán, with his mule, to Oaxac. He arrived some 14 or 15 hours later… just to buy a large cántaro, the traditiona... read more

family lifestyles Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Dress - A Matter Of Respect? Alvin Starkman

If expats want to be accepted into the broader society, then they must act the part and treat custom and societal standards with the respect they deserve. It's not enough to throw money at causes and d... read more

culture-customs family lifestyles Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Temazcal In Oaxaca Alvin Starkman

Temazcal is akin to the Iroquois sweat lodge. Who would have thought that we could ever have such a first-hand experience during modern times? Curandera Doña Mariana chants while con... read more

culture-customs perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Touring Oaxaca's Art Galleries Alvin Starkman

Many travelers to Oaxaca simply don't have the time, patience or inclination to seriously tour the city's multitude of small storefront art galleries replete with wonderfully unique and provocative offerings. It's understandable, given the number of culturally rich and diverse sites to be taken in over the course of a brief vacation.