A day to get our bearings. We’ll start at the local mercado - eating and drinking all manner of strange and wonderful foods and end with lunch at a local hot spot. Afternoon to relax poolside or explore more. Evening dinner And textile talk..

We leave bright and early on our way to Pinotepa Nacional. En route we stop in Tututupec, a town that has been continuously inhabited for a couple of thousand years. We visit the tiny community museum which houses many important artifacts from this ancient culture. Later a young man, working to revive his towns traditions, teaches us about natural dyes using shells. 

Heading to Pinotepa de Don Luis, we meet with the town muralist and learn about the old stories.  Then we‘lol see a demo of  the traditional skill of gourd carving for which Don Luis is famous. See how these carving skills are being translated into contemporary printmaking and even make their way into your favorite kicks when we visit an artists co op. The afternoon is a very special stop in the neighboring village of Jicayan known for their primitive pottery.  Using little more than rocks and sticks, our friend crafts beautiful vessels to hold water precious to the town. Then back in Pinotepa for dinner and a swim, 

We leave the Mixtec villages and head to the mountain town of San Pedro Amuzgos.  The Amuzgos women are, arguably, some of the best weavers in all of Mexico and we meet one who will demonstrate cleaning, carding and hand spinning cotton, a nearly forgotten art in the Americas.  We’ll learn more about symbolism and technique.  Be humbled by this ancient wisdom. Lunch at a local Fonda where we’ll learn about nixtmalization and fresh corn tortillas while drinking fermented pineapple juice.  Then settle in at our amazing accommodations the home of a local weaver who is also a folk art collector. 

This is the double whammy of good shopping days.  For those on the textile hunt and those willing to get up early, we have it on good authority that local weavers come down from the hills to sell their wares today from 5 to 8. Quality varies and prices are unbelievably good. Doesnt quite fit? No worries, our local guide can have same day alterations. Then off to a tiny village of women who only speak their native language where a master weaver will open her home and invite her weaving friends to enjoy tamales and a fashion show with us.  We’ll learn about the role fashion plays in their lives and their hopes and dreams This is also a rare chance to custom design a piece for yourself.. Amuzgis weavers are considered some of the finest in all of Mexico and you’ll see why. 

We head to the end of the road and stop at a women’s coooerative in the tiny town of San Juan Colorado and learn about natural dyes, the revival of local cotton and fair trade. Yet another chance to buy weaver direct.  And in this case, they grew it, they picked it, they spun it and they wove it. How cool is that? In the afternoon a visit down tiny alleys to one of the towns best known mask makers.  Learn some about the traditions of mask and dance in these towns. 

We check back in with our favorite family in Don Luis.  All the daughters weave, the men (and one daughter) carve gourds and they have a side gig as performing acrobats (can’t make that up). We never know what’s in store when we visit. 

We head back to the coast today stopping on our way to visit a village of weavers and carvers.  Hear how the tiger came to have mirrors in his eyes and other local tales.  The town is also famous for its challah like bread and we visit an artisan bakery and sample the goods.  Last stop of the day is an evening swim in the magnificent bioluminescent waters of Manielteoec Lagoon.