Frequently asked questions Stan Gotlieb

Before you send me an EMail, check here to see if your question has already been answered. Since going on the World Wide Web, I have received many letters from readers requesting specific i... read more

Monarch butterflies: fewer where you live this year? Stan Gotlieb

These Monarchs were snapped by a young entrepreneur who walked around with a fistful of copies of different photos, gleefully selling to Gringos like us who, even though we had our own camera, lacked c... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Letters from Mexico - everything comes to those who wait... in the Zócalo Stan Gotlieb

In some towns, it is called the Plaza Nacionál, the Plaza de las Armas, the Parque Independencia, or the Plaza Centrál, but wherever you go, the local folks know it as El Zócalo. Whether it is a hug... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The struggle continues Stan Gotlieb

When this was written in the fall of 1994, there was still a sense of hope in the air: for democracy, for the economy, for a fair and equitable relationship with the U.S. People still believed that wit... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Sequoia Park or Oaxaca, there's no place like home Stan Gotlieb

Of course we miss the Zocalo, and the more active social life in Oaxaca, but there are things we don't miss so much. It's different. read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

I don't mind you disagreeing: Mexican emigration and the economy Stan Gotlieb

From time to time, I receive letters like the one I have reproduced below. Most often, they are well thought out and not without compassion, as is this one. Usually, I answer them in my "Letters To The... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

On becoming a statistic: A story of two children in a Oaxaca hospital Jules Siegel

(Originally published in somewhat different form in The Mexico City News, November, 1982) Eli was sick a lot in Oaxaca. The air of the city of Oaxaca in those days was fecalized. Many people there sti... read more

health perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Spring-time boogie: From Oaxaca to California Stan Gotlieb

Misol-Ha, where the trail takes you behind the falls. Situated between the Mayan ruins at Palenque and the city of San Cristobal, in the highlands of Chiapas, this site has been developed as ejido (co-... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Rain, rain go away: Summer in Oaxaca Stan Gotlieb

Whether rain or shine, the protests in front of the government palace in Oaxaca go on. This banner, with likenesses of Ricardo Flores Magon and Emiliano Zapata, says "This paradise, this flag, this lan... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Traffic control, Mexican style Stan Gotlieb

This picture was taken in the Sumidero Canyon, a man-made lake in Chiapas. The cliffs reach over half a mile in height in places. © Dan McWethy, 2000 Gringos call them "speed bumps". Mexicans nic... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Lila Downs Stan Gotlieb

Lila Downs Sanchez and her band will be appearing at the Alvaro Carillo Theater in Oaxaca on February 12. It's a benefit for the Casa de Mujer. If you're in town, don't miss it. Photography by Diana Ri... read more

music perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

History of Oaxaca: The Modern Era Maria Diaz

History of Oaxaca Part 3 - Modern Era By Maria Diaz Her Bio Her email: maria@oaxacalive.com Part 1 Pre-Hispanic Era - Part 2 Colonial Era Let us continue our... read more

history Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Why am I laughing? Street clowns in Mexico Stan Gotlieb

Some days you have to laugh to keep from crying; some days you have to laugh, period. The following stories are true, but the names (and other details) have been changed to protect the author. read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Mutual aid and survival in the mountains of Oaxaca Stan Gotlieb

This road, graded to a high standard for gravel-based bituminous construction, was less than one year old when it washed out. Fortunately, there was still enough mountainside left to make a bypass. Man... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Green means food, red means starvation: Agriculture in Mexico's Mixteca Alta Stan Gotlieb

These bells were removed from the church at Santa Maria Tiltepec. An earthquake caused severe structural damage to the bell tower in June of 1999. Erosion caused the red gashes in the surrounding hills... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

History of Oaxaca: The Colonial Era Maria Diaz

History of Oaxaca Part 2 - Colonial Era By Maria Diaz Her Bio Her email: maria@oaxacalive.com Part 1 Pre-hispanic Era Welcome to the continuation of an overview o... read more

history Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Stay in Mexico, or go North to work? Every family's dilemma Stan Gotlieb

There are three sons missing from this family portrait. They have gone "North" to find work. Like most villages in southern Mexico, theirs depends on its' migrants for the money to buy food, clothing a... read more

perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The Oaxaca library: A project of, by and for the people Stan Gotlieb

Ruth Gonzalez, Librarian, in the front room of the Oaxaca Circulating Library, where she has worked for almost all the 35 years of its existence © Diana Ricci, 1999 For the English speaking commun... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Bring it with you when you come: Susan Trilling in Oaxaca Stan Gotlieb

In more than five years as an expatriate living in Oaxaca, I have forgotten much, learned a little, and been more amazed than bored. One of the things I think I have learned is that for most of us here in Paradise, what we get out of it depends a lot on what we bring with us. read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

History of Oaxaca: The Pre-hispanic Era Maria Diaz

History of Oaxaca Part 1 - Pre-hispanic Era By Maria Diaz Her Bio Her email: maria@oaxacalive.com In three installments we will present a history of Oaxaca, its pe... read more

history Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Internet services and cyber cafes in Oaxaca Stan Gotlieb

Internet Service Providers are readily available. All services support modems to 56k baud. Here are five: Antequera Red, at Colegio Militar #1009, 3rd floor (across from Gigante Reforma) is an unaff... read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Who's boss here, anyway? Stan Gotlieb

This picture appeared with an earlier article, "The Servant", about four years ago. The girl is still playing and singing along the "tourist walking street" in Oaxaca, as are a couple of her you... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Gringos helping to fight AIDS in Mexico Stan Gotlieb

Condon Mania, a project of the Frente Comun Contra SIDA (Common Front Against AIDS), sells health - and life - to hundreds of Mexican youth and adults every month. The Frente's major concern is slowing... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

A Glass Garden Elizabeth (Beth) Kelly

There is a sense of permanence in so much change. "Travel is like peeling an onion, at least one layer will make you cry." I don't recall who wrote that line, but it holds true. My trek started in th... read more

original-fiction Cholula, Puebla Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Glad to be in Oaxaca, Mexico Stan Gotlieb and Diana Ricci

In January, I celebrated my fifth anniversary in Oaxaca, the second longest period of time I have ever spent in one place. " Soy vagabundo" (I am a wanderer), I often answer when asked what I "do... read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca, Oaxaca