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A little about Playa Zipolite, The Beach of the Dead . . .
Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. A little bit about my favorite little get-away on this small world of ours.
Zipolite, a sweaty 30-minute walk west from Puerto Angel, brings you to Playa Zipolite and another world. The feeling here is 1970's - Led Zep, Marley, and scruffy gringos.
A long, long time ago, Zipolite beach was usually visited by the Zapotecans...who made it a magical place. They came to visit Zipolite to meditate, or just to rest.
Recently, this beach has begun to receive day-trippers from Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, giving it a more TOURISTY feel than before.
Most people come here for the novelty of the nude beach, yoga, turtles, seafood, surf, meditation, vegetarians, discos, party, to get burnt by the sun, or to see how long they can stretch their skinny budget.
I post WWW Oaxaca, Mexico, Zipolite and areas nearby information. Also general budget, backpacker, surfer, off the beaten path, Mexico and beyond, information.
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It’s the middle of the first week of November, which means that the Day of the Dead has come and gone. The holiday is one of the most interesting and colorful in Mexico, taking place in big processions on the street, in people’s homes, and in cemeteries across the country. Please read a more detailed description here.
Not having too much time to write, I uploaded a bunch of photos to this blog’s Facebook page. Please click here to take a look.
Or, look to the right to find the little Facebook box. Besides the photos for Day of the Dead, I have other collections from my travels in Mexico. Click “like,” and when I post links to articles about Mexico or more photos, they will appear in your feed.
And while you’re looking to the right of this page, check out the blog stats. As I write this, I’m a couple thousand short of one million hits. One million hits! I remember when I passed ten thousand a few years ago, and how I couldn’t believe it was that many.
So, thank you very much for visiting my blog. I’ll be writing longer articles soon, but for now please enjoy a few of my photos from the Day of the Dead:
Over the last 20 years or so, airlines have experimented with many ways to lure consumers away from online travel agencies (OTAs) and toward their own websites. The most effective strategy so far: prevent OTAs (and apps such as Hopper) from displaying their prices. Southwest has long prevented third-party sites and apps from selling its fares, which is why you’ll never see Southwest on Google Flights or Priceline. Delta Air Lines over the last few years has withdrawn permission to display its fares on about 30 sites and apps, such as Hipmunk, Fare Compare, and Hopper.
And now jetBlue has removed permission for a dozen mostly small OTAs (most notably Vayama) to sell its fares.
Other tactics in this assault on OTAs include offering more frequent flier miles or points if booked directly with the airline, promo codes which can only be redeemed on the airlines’ websites, and ticket discounts (for example, British Airways offers lower fares to AARP members, but only if booked at BA.com).
An industry insider told me that Delta may one day add larger OTAs to its “banned list” and jetBlue in its announcement restricting access to those 12 sites hinted that it might not be finished limiting access to its inventory.
There are several reasons why airlines are divorcing from third-party sites, but there are still some good reasons why consumers should consider OTAs anyway.
I recently searched for a flight from New York to Detroit on Expedia.com and compared the same flights and dates on Jetblue.com, leaving January 23 returning January 30. The experiences could hardly be more different. jetBlue shows three airfare classes: “Blue,” “Blue Plus” which includes a free checked bag, and “Blue Flex” which includes two free checked bags and free changes or cancellations. The lowest “Blue” fare for those dates, on connecting flights, is $191.62 round-trip per person on JetBlue.com.
Then I looked at Expedia to book my imaginary New York to Detroit trip. It only showed the lowest “Blue” fare on jetBlue, which means the airline misses a chance to lure consumers into other fare options. JetBlue also forfeits any opportunity to market its credit cards, vacations, and other products if a consumer doesn’t book directly on Jetblue.com. Plus, the airline probably has to pay Expedia for a referral (although exactly what OTAs charge airlines and hotels for sending them business is a closely guarded secret).
Free airfare if I book a hotel?
In any case, Expedia had other plans for me. It didn’t suggest that I fly on jetBlue at all. Rather, it offered a nonstop basic economy airfare (meaning I’d have to pay for a carryon bag unless I have status in American’s frequent flier program or carry one of their co-branded credit cards) on the outbound flight with a return on Delta, and further suggested that if I book a one-week hotel stay at the Comfort Inn Metro Airport along with my airfare, then the airfare would actually be free. Really now?
In Mexico, the Day of the Dead - November 2 - is a day to honor all the deceased. And to say "all", including both those who died hundreds of years ago and those who died from the two strong earthquakes that shook the center of the country last September, claiming 471 lives and leaving more than 150,000 families without a house.
The earthquake of September 7, of magnitude 8, affected mainly the state of Oaxaca, where 80 people died. Throughout this week the population of this state - where about one million indigenous people of 18 different ethnic groups live - has been placing their offerings in front of the churches to remember the victims. The offerings are the typical ones: sugar skulls, "bread of the dead" (made of egg white, sugar, and flour) and bouquets of orange-colored cempasúchil flowers.
But as the population prepares for the Day of the Dead celebrations, no one forgets the protests due to the slowness in the tasks of reconstruction after the earthquake, or the controversial questions about whether property corruption had to do with the collapse of several schools and buildings.
The correspondent of La Vanguardia(link is external) Andy Robinson, strolling through Oaxaca, poses the following question: will earthquakes impact the presidential elections of July 2018 in the same way as the 1985 earthquake did? (After the 1985 earthquake, popular outrage ended the PRI's hegemony in the capital).
Although the death toll is much lower, the political impact of the earthquakes of September 7 and 19 can be great. In Oaxaca and Chiapas, the population complains that the victims have received more help from individuals or civic organizations than from the government itself. La Vanguardia(link is external) quotes several experts who denounce that the earthquake has uncovered the prevailing corruption and that the authorities monopolize the government’s aid and distribute it according to their interests.
The Spanish newspaper El Mundo(link is external) also recently recalled that a month after the earthquakes, civil associations and residents of the Mexican capital have reported cases of urban corruption that caused the collapse of buildings. At least 89 people died due to illegal works, according to the Housing Commission of Mexico City.
Juana Martínez, from the town of Juchitan, in the state of Oaxaca (Mexico), is seen near a wreath today, Tuesday, October 31, 2017. The Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 2 in Mexico, is a very significant date that honors the memory of the deceased by means of ceremonies in which catrinas, altars, offerings and traditional dances are gathered. EFE / Luis Villalobos
The term artesanía roughly translates to “handcrafts” or “folk art” although cultural differences mean that the terms are not completely equal. For example, the adjective artesanal can and often is applied to certain processed foods such as bottle salsas, chocolate, coffee and alcohols if said products are made at a home or by a small enterprises that do not use industrial methods.
Despite the tempation cover some of these artesanal goods (as they ARE wonderful), I have stuck to products that fit the definition of handcrafted in English. However, there is one tradition that truly blurs the line between edible and non-edible “handcrafts.”
Alfeñique is the creation of a sugar paste, which is then molded into various decorative shapes. The term is not known to foreigners, but anyone who has been to Mexico during Day of the Dead (esp. in central Mexico) has seen its most representative product… a highly decorative sugar skull, with a place to add the name of a person. If the skull is to be placed on an altar dedicated to loved ones passed on, it can take the name of the deceased. If it is a gift to be eaten, then the name of the recipient.
The craft has a long history in Mexico, from the early colonial period. A number of sources link it as a replacement for the pre-Hispanic making of figures of amaranth seed and agave syrup, which was banned by Catholic religious authorities. This old link is probably why the tradition is most firmly rooted in the old colonial cities of central and southern Mexico.
Unfortunately, the cookie-cutter sugar skulls seen in supermarkets and even traditional markets are unlikely to be “artesanía” but rather more mass-produced. That does not mean there are no longer true artisans who work in sugar paste. They can be found in most of Mexico’s central states, Puebla, Estado de Mexico, Veracruz, Michoacan, parts of Zacatecas… but the center of truly creative sugar work is the city of Toluca, just west of Mexico City.
4th generation alfeñique maker Judith Gonzalez (722 601 3110) at her booth at the Feria de Alfeñique in Toluca.
Here the paste is used to make all kinds of figures, not just skulls and while figures such as animals and such can and are made for other occasions, by far most of the production is for and related to Day of the Dead. The city has had a fair dedicated to its production of alfenique and other Day of the Dead crafts for years now and recently opened a museum dedicated to the craft as well.
The finished pieces are perfectly edible, but in reality most are not eaten. It is not sugar candy in the modern sense. It is a mixture of powdered sugar and egg white, with colors added depending on what the paste will be used for. In the case of skulls, the base is thicker and formed with a mold. The decorative elements are made with a softer paste that is piped on, much the way that decorative icing is applied onto fine bakery cakes. Both harden to something that is not only very hard to break with the teeth, but really does not melt in the mouth (a la Jolly Ranchers) because of the protein in the egg whites. In the past, they were certainly eaten as sugar used to be an expensive commodity. But today, if one wants skulls or other decorations that can truly be enjoyed as candy, items made from other materials can be had. At the Feria de Alfeñique, artisans demonstrate skills in making items from chocolate, amaranth (a nod to the past), tamarid, peanut marzapan, wafers and pepita (a sweet paste made from pumpkin seeds). While skulls are still central, the Toluca event also features other items such as coffins, miniatures of food items often found on Day of the Dead altars, (mole, breads, fruits…), full skeletal figures and animals, in particular deer.
The Feria de Alfenique begins in mid October and runs through Day of the Dead on November 2. The stands are open every day during the entire time, with cultural activities such as music and craft workshops available on weekends.
All photos by Alejandro Linares Garcia. Featured photo of lighted sugar skull by Dulceria Tradicional Zarco of Toluca
Finding it difficult to get good information for the Puerto Angel area. We have confirmed a house rental for 3 weeks in Feb. The house is sort of up hill ...
Puerto Angel area - Local Collectivo and Taxi vs car rental
Oct 30, 2017, 2:42 PM
finding it difficult to get good information for the Puerto Angel area.
We have confirmed a house rental for 3 weeks in Feb. The house is sort of up hill on a cliff and my concerns are daily trips to town or beach or for a meal and the uphill battle home.
So, car rental, lots of horror stories on extra insurance and high costs
Local Collectivo bus or taxi, are there enough of them in such a small area? Do they go close enough to the house we have rented which is called "Mina Complex" beach close by is Mina Beach.
It appears this area has very minimal discussion so any help is so greatly apprecaited.
Navette aéroport. Navette aéroport disponible moyennant des frais supplémentaires. Vous pouvez demander ce service à la prochaine étape.Navette aéroport
IMSS Health Clinic Rd. (Adelante de Clinica IMSS sobre la playa), 70904 Zipolite, Mexique
Bénéficiant d'une connexion Wi-Fi gratuite, le Cafe Maya - Casa Acalli vous propose un hébergement familial à Zipolite, à 400 mètres de la Playa del Amor. Vous profiterez d'un restaurant sur place. Certains logements possèdent un coin salon propice à la détente. Moyennant un supplément, vous pourrez profiter d'un réfrigérateur/minibar, de plaques de cuisson électriques et d'ustensiles de cuisine. D'autres chambres disposent d'une terrasse ou d'un balcon. Un service d'étage est assuré. La région est prisée des amateurs de surf, de pêche, de visites en bateau et pour la plage. La zone commerciale de Zipolite est à 1,1 km du Cafe Maya - Casa Acalli ; vous y trouverez un distributeur automatique de billets, une épicerie à fruits et légumes, ainsi que des restaurants servant une cuisine internationale et des bières locales. L'aéroport de Bahías de Huatulco est à 41 km, tandis que l'aéroport de Puerto Escondido est à 73 km.
C'est le quartier préféré des voyageurs visitant Zipolite, selon les commentaires clients indépendants.
Les couples apprécient particulièrement l'emplacement de cet établissement. Ils lui donnent la note de 8,9 pour un séjour à deux.
L'établissement Cafe Maya - Casa Acalli accueille des clients Booking.com depuis le 21 juil. 2016.
Featuring free WiFi, Cafe Maya - Casa Acalli offers pet-friendly accommodation in Zipolite, 400 meters from Playa del Amor. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.
Some units have a seating area where you can relax. For a surcharge, guests can enjoy a fridge / minibar, electric hotplates and kitchenware. Other rooms have a terrace or balcony. Room service is available. The area is popular for surfing, fishing, boat tours and the beach.
Zipolite Commercial Zone is 1.1 km from Cafe Maya - Casa Acalli; There is a cash machine, fruit and vegetable shop, and restaurants serving international cuisine and local beers. Bahías de Huatulco Airport is 41 km away, while Puerto Escondido Airport is 73 km away.
This is the preferred area for travelers visiting Zipolite, according to independent guest reviews.
Couples particularly appreciate the location of this property. They give him the rating of 8.9 for a stay with two.
Cafe Maya - Casa Acalli has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Jul 21, 2016.
The finished pieces are perfectly edible, but in reality most are not eaten. It is not sugar candy in the modern sense. It is a mixture of powdered sugar and egg white, with colors added depending on what the paste will be used for. In the case of skulls, the base is thicker and formed with a mold. The decorative elements are made with a softer paste that is piped on, much the way that decorative icing is applied onto fine bakery cakes. Both harden to something that is not only very hard to break with the teeth, but really does not melt in the mouth (a la Jolly Ranchers) because of the protein in the egg whites. In the past, they were certainly eaten as sugar used to be an expensive commodity. But today, if one wants skulls or other decorations that can truly be enjoyed as candy, items made from other materials can be had. At the Feria de Alfeñique, artisans demonstrate skills in making items from chocolate, amaranth (a nod to the past), tamarid, peanut marzapan, wafers and pepita (a sweet paste made from pumpkin seeds). While skulls are still central, the Toluca event also features other items such as coffins, miniatures of food items often found on Day of the Dead altars, (mole, breads, fruits…), full skeletal figures and animals, in particular deer.
