How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm? by Stan Gotlieb

In the spring of 1994, I met some young people who had come to the big city of Oaxaca. This is a synthesis of what they told me about the life they left. (The cheerful mezcaleros (makers of mezcal) pic... read more

lifestyles social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

I'm not the person I used to be by Stan Gotlieb

One of several "living statues" created by artist / lithographer / framer Gerardo De La Barrera, for the anniversary of a local bistro situated just far enough off the tourist trails. Photography by Di... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Bless this restaurant by Stan Gotlieb

Habañero peppers, among the world's hottest. There is probably enough energy here to blow up the whole Central de Abastos (central market), if only someone could figure out how to harness it. Photogr... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Sunday in the Zocalo by Stan Gotlieb

Zocalo, 1996. "For the right to freely unionize under our government's patronage: hunger strike" A reminder that in the midst of all the tourist magic, regular life goes on. Photography by Diana Ricci ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Letters from Mexico by Stan Gotlieb

Carlos Salinas de Gortari, in the ashcan of history. Part of a demonstration in the zocalo of Oaxaca, October 1966. Sign reads "Deposit here: political corruption, bosses and gun thugs, narcopolitics a... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Central headquarters by Stan Gotlieb

Sra. Ruth Gonzales, Librarian, who knows everyone's card number by heart. Photography by Diana Ricci Remember how quiet libraries used to be? How everyone talked in whispers at the desk, and when you ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Ring them bells by Stan Gotlieb

Part of the Dominican church and convent under restoration in Yanhuitlan, about a half hour drive from Oaxaca. Photography by Diana Ricci There are about 75 churches in Oaxaca, a city of about 100,000... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Letters from Mexico -norange, anyone? by Stan Gotlieb

Pan de Yema, a slightly sweetened egg bread prepared for holiday celebrations. This picture was taken the day before Days of the Dead (Nov 1 & 2), in the Central de Abastos (main market), Oaxaca. P... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

A conscientious civil servant by Stan Gotlieb

The Oaxaca State Flag, being paraded on November 20, "Revolution Day". It reads "Respect for the rights of others is Peace". Photography by Diana Ricci Ernesto is a Mexican of average size, about 55 y... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

A dying breed by Stan Gotlieb

Musicians outside the Artisan's Market attract shoppers during the Christmas shopping season in Oaxaca (1996). Photography by Diana Ricci He is about five-foot-four, and nut brown. His hair is white, ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Paradise is a lot like home by Stan Gotlieb

Flower sculpture on display at the Radish Festival, December 23, 1966, in the Oaxaca zocalo. Photography by Diana Ricci Living in paradise would be a lot more idyllic (and a lot less interesting) if i... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The meeting by Stan Gotlieb

This beautiful detail is from a mural painted inside the state government palace of Oaxaca. The artist, Arturo Garcia Bustos, finished the mural, which actually occupies three spaces in and around the ... read more

perspectives politics social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The Oaxaca Newsletter volume 5, No. 14: August 15, 2000 by Stan Gotlieb

Five years ago, the Cuota (toll road) from Mexico City to Oaxaca was opened. In effect, the Cuota cut the distance between Mexico and Oaxaca in half. Trips that used to take ten hours on the hazardous, twisting, and often potholed road through Huajuapan de Leon, now can be completed in five on a relatively straight, level, smooth roadway. The result was inevitable, although most of us down here in our sleepy little village failed to understand the forces at work until they became manifest in the last couple of years.

Interview with the curandera by Stan Gotlieb

The Eagle struts during the "Sol y Luna" (Sun and Moon) performance at Monte Alban, in which the tale of the Universe's birth is told. Photography by Diana Ricci "Maria" (not her name) is a curandera... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Rodolfo Morales - Mexican artist (1925 - 2001) by Stan Gotlieb and Diana Ricci

Maestro (master, teacher) Rodolfo Morales, one of the most prominent native Oaxacan artists, succumbed to cancer of the pancreas in a Oaxaca City hospital, at 9:30 p.m. on January 30, 2001. Photography by Diana Ricci

A visit to the curandera by Stan Gotlieb

Amid the reconstructed pyramids of Monte Alban, a pageant is performed commemorating ancient legends of how the sun and the moon and the Earth were born, and were set free to roam the heavens. Designed... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Letters to the editor by Stan Gotlieb

Stan offers relevant comments by readers -- and sometimes answers them Since going on the World Wide Web, I have received many letters from readers of my column. Reprinted below i... read more

perspectives politics social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Sauce for the goose by Stan Gotlieb

A detail on the facade of the Governor's Palace at Uxmal, a Mayan ruin in Yucatan province. Photography by Diana Ricci Yesterday, the shoe dropped from the other foot. You may recall that I recently ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Non-students, then and now by Stan Gotlieb

The champion Oaxaca state high school band, playing in the courtyard of the ex-convento de Santo Domingo. Few will go to University. Of those who do, some will be students and some may become "porros".... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Behold, a flock of tourists by Stan Gotlieb

A tomb in the panteón (cemetery) of San Felipe del Agua, outside of Oaxaca City, decorated for Day of The Dead. Photography by Diana Ricci It has been a quiet summer season, and the zocalo (town squ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Dodging rockets in Oaxaca by Stan Gotlieb

The author and mate /photographer Diana Ricci, at the entrance to their 100-year-old Apartment building in Oaxaca in 1996. Photography by Diana Ricci Miracles are part of everyday life to the people ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Columbus Day in America by Stan Gotlieb

In Parque La Venta, Villahermosa, Tabasco, rests an artifact from the Olmecs, who flourished some 3,500 years ago. Photography by Diana Ricci Yesterday was Columbus Day in the U.S. of A. There were p... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The more things change, the more they are the same by Stan Gotlieb

The ruins at Yagul, a few miles outside Oaxaca city. Photography by Diana Ricci I read a very interesting newspaper article the other day. It was a wire service feed from Pacific News Service, writte... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Dancing in the streets by Stan Gotlieb

A French theater troop presents a "son et lumiere" performance of an ancient indian legend, in the reconstructed ruins of Monte Alban (1995). Photography by Diana Ricci One of Oaxaca's many fine ar... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Music in the streets by Stan Gotlieb

The Oaxaca State Band plays a Sunday Concert in the Zocalo. Photography by Diana Ricci The trucks arrive about 11 a.m. Two small flatbed trucks, piled high with folding chairs. Half a dozen workers m... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca