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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.

REMEMBER: Everyone is welcome at Zipolite.

ivan

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Could you learn Spanish in Oaxaca? BRIAN J CANTWELL

Could you learn Spanish in Oaxaca?

BRIAN J CANTWELL
Last updated 05:00 12/08/2014
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Oaxaca
Reuters
COLOURFUL: People dressed in robes stand amongst graves at a cemetery in Oaxaca.

South America

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The first morning at the Spanish language school I proved just how much I needed to be there.
In my stumbling Espanol I had asked for directions to the "bano" - any traveller who's been in a Mexican airport knows the word for bathroom - and had been directed toward a door in deep shadows at the end of a hall.
As I washed my hands, a woman came in and stepped into a stall. Ah, unisex, it must be a cultural thing - I was cool with that.
Only when a second woman entered and shot me a quizzical look did I catch on.
Quickly stepping to the door, I looked on the outside and saw the word "Damas," which hadn't registered with me on the way in. (The light was poor, I'll say in my defence.)
I scooted down the hall. Just to confirm, I looked up the word. Yep, I'd been in the ladies' room.
Embarrassment aside, it was true to the concept of Spanish-immersion education, for which I had come for a week to the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca.
Take away interpreters, toss in a gringo and see if he can swim.
Or if he can find the right restroom.
Other than what I've picked up in years of travel in Mexico, my Spanish education amounted to one year in the seventh grade.That was a long time ago.
A week of classes wasn't much but my goal was to get a taste for the school and take the first step toward learning more Spanish for my travels.
Spanish-immersion schools, a popular fixture catering to visitors across Mexico, typically offer inexpensive home stays as a supplement to the language experience (which can make for a very cheap vacation).
My first morning at Senora Amelia's breakfast table, a five-minute walk from the school, was the start of my challenge: Her English consisted of the word "breakfast".
Other than that, we pointed at things and smiled a lot that first day.
I had augmented my immersion by forgetting to pack my favourite, dog-eared Berlitz phrase book. So while my widowed hostess prepared the first of a series of wonderful "desayuno" dishes, I madly pored over the bulky Larousse Spanish-English dictionary I had crammed into my luggage.
"Jamon! (Ham!) Delicioso! (Delicious!)" I uttered with a distinct economy of words.
The first step at the school was to take a short written test to determine at what level I would study.OK, matching pictures of everyday objects (table, window, etc.) with a list of Spanish words wasn't too hard; the Latin root is often the same. Easy enchilada.
Answering open-ended questions? Not so much. 
"Tell a story based on this picture," I managed to figure out. But my answers got very short.
After that, a five-minute oral interview with a smiling woman at the admissions desk confirmed that I was hopeless at answering questions posed in rapid Spanish.
I hadn't a clue what she was asking. Luckily I knew how to sheepishly say, "No comprendo."She wrote down my class assignment: Cynthia in Salon 3. 
I was with the novices.
The website 123teachme.com, devoted to Spanish-immersion schools, lists eight in Oaxaca, also a popular destination for its food culture - aah, the mole - and crafts, including masterful rugs and unique carved-animal figures called alebrijes.
I chose the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca based on online reviews noting that, among other things, it was good for beginners.
Another plus: the beautiful campus at the far edge of downtown, a spreading hacienda belonging to the Topete family, which runs the school.
Outside the walls rushes the busy Pan American Highway. Inside, royal palms dot a lawn in front of a tiled patio under a graceful arched entry where students gather for lunch or conversation.Some online commenters complained about being "locked" inside the walls all day with a bunch of other Americans, which might be the experience at times, but my fellow students were more diverse: Ingeborg, an 18-year-old on her first solo trip out of Norway; 40-year-old Isik, on a sabbatical from her finance job in Istanbul; Ayumi, a 28-year-old from Osaka, Japan; and Tucker, 20, whose slight drawl reflected his North Carolina home.
That diversity manifested itself in interesting ways during our lessons. As we learned to use the Spanish verb "disgustar" (dislike) by describing problems in our hometowns, Isik talked about democracy's growing pains in Turkey.
I dissed Seattle's traffic. Tucker griped about summer humidity in Raleigh.As a place to test my skills after my daily 9-to-noon class, Oaxaca was a stimulating, visitor-friendly setting.
Ordering in restaurants is good practice, so I set out to find the city's best mole.
My visits ranged from friendly "comedors" (diners) in the public markets to the white-tablecloth Restaurante Los Pacos Santo Domingo, where the Mole Combinado (combination platter, about $US12.50) stole my taste buds with three sweet moles and three savuory, their spices and flavors including chocolate, cinnamon, onion, chili pepper, peanuts and more. On the side: tortillas, pickled vegetables, lime wedges and a range of salsas.
My heart, however, was stolen by the friendly faces and good value at Comedor Maria Teresa, one of a score of little sit-down food counters in the Mercado 20 de Noviembre (named for the street it's on). Just 40 pesos for cocoa-spiced mole negro, or about $2.85 U.S.And I knew to politely ask, "La cuenta, por favor," when ready for the check.
Oaxaca moments that stick in my mind include buzzing through downtown, three on a motor scooter, when I asked new friends where to find a camera store. ("Vamanos!" they said. "Let's go!") I clenched knees and elbows in tightly as we zipped between speeding trucks inches away.
Wandering the Mercado Benito Juarez, I ventured down the meat aisle to review words such as "pescado" and "pollo," but the drone of flies, stench of fish and long rows of yellowing chicken feet sent me fleeing to the flower ("flor") stalls.
As is typical in Mexican cities, life revolved around the downtown square, the zocalo.
One evening, a man under a tent bellowed into a microphone about the controversy of privatising PEMEX, the state-owned oil company, while not 20 metres away people bent their ears to a tootling mariachi band, while20 metres in another direction an elderly busker played the trombone (badly) with occasional pauses to belt out folk songs.
It's a madcap, happy scene that goes on every day and night with what must be half the world's supply of SpongeBob and (unlicensed, no doubt) Buzz Lightyear balloons on sale from scores of vendors all across the park.
"El zocalo es muy animado (the square is very lively)," I told my classmates the next day.
I felt more and more at home, thanks to coursework that entailed filling out a work sheet with names of public buildings and quizzing fellow students. Is the banco next to the escuela? No, the banco is next to the hospital. (But all conversations were strictly "en Espanol".)
Much was simple, tourist-oriented vocabulary. But lessons were serious. We had quizzes and homework. And there were enough grammar lessons to force the realisation that in my Mexican travels heretofore I had relied on the Spanish equivalent of pitiful baby talk.
I'll study more before I go again. Or take more courses.
After each class, my group adjourned to the veranda for an hour of Spanish conversation - or we played games, such as the Spanish version of Uno, a popular card game. I can make this claim: My pronunciation is good. But I got flustered at Uno, trying to put blue 8's on red 7's. ("Prohibido!" Cynthia scolded with a prim smile.)
My classmates, some of whom had been at the school for weeks, gave it good marks.
"They have structured teaching methods and (the instructor) is very good and friendly and you don't get bored," Isik said.
"Using the language outside school, too, and with a family, forces you to learn."And I learned to locate the right toilet, with the best of them.
LEARNING SPANISH IN MEXICO
Spanish-immersion programs are offered at language schools across Mexico, with concentrations in the cities of Cuernavaca (with 13 schools), Guanajuato, Merida and Oaxaca.
WHAT'S OFFERED
Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, the school I attended (icomexico.com), is typical in offering add-on workshops in cultural pursuits such as dancing, cooking and weaving, plus guided tours to nearby attractions of culture and natural history. A teaching staff of 13 to 25 (depending on season) is university-educated. Peak-season enrollment: about 130, with class sizes of 3 to 10.
CLASS STRUCTURE/COSTS
Language lessons at Spanish-immersion schools typically range from individual tutoring to small classes. US colleges may award credit; check with your school.At Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, Monday-Friday class offerings include 3 hours a day (NZ$165 for first week); 4 hours a day, including a conversation hour NZ$185 for first week); or 4 hours a day plus a 2-hour cultural workshop most days (NZ$210 for first week).
Paying for multiple weeks can reduce the weekly cost. There is also a one-time $US55 registration fee.
HOUSING
My home-stay, arranged through the school, was a tremendous bargain at $18 US per day including breakfast.
GUIDED TOURS
The school offers small-group guided tours, in Spanish, to nearby destinations such as the ruined city of Monte Alban, circa 500 BC,  ancient capital of the Zapotec people.
MORE INFORMATION
For listings of Spanish-immersion programs throughout Spanish-speaking nations, see 123teachme.com.
More on Instituto Cultural Oaxaca: icomexico.com
More about Oaxaca: visitmexico.com/en/oaxaca
-MCT

Sunday, August 10, 2014

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Best of Beach Pranks - Best of Just for Laughs Gags

lucaalucaaa 4 days ago finally got to rock climb. i cut my hands up pretty good. #zipolite #oaxaca #mexico #rockclimbing #noshoesnonothing #sharp

lucaalucaaa
4 days ago
finally got to rock climb. i cut my hands up pretty good. #zipolite #oaxaca #mexico #rockclimbing#noshoesnonothing #sharp

heber_dali 4 days ago #amigos #fiesta #zipolite #alohabar

heber_dali
4 days ago

miltonarista 4 days ago tu eres de esas cosas que son tan bonitas que van a la costa y adornan el mar

miltonarista
4 days ago
tu eres de esas cosas que son tan bonitas que van a la costa y adornan el mar 

marissagmacias 3 days ago colores de méxico. #méxico, zipolite

marissagmacias
3 days ago
colores de méxico. #méxico

zelzin2311 3 days ago realmente hermoso y eso ques shit de ave #zipolite

zelzin2311
3 days ago
realmente hermoso y eso ques shit de ave #zipolite

stefanieguzman 1 day ago my favorite place in the world #zipolite #playa #oaxaca #love #beach

stefanieguzman
1 day ago
my favorite place in the world #zipolite #playa#oaxaca #love #beach

carolinagode

carolinagode

janealhi

janealhi

Puerto Angel, a Mexican paradise surrounded by rocky hills


http://hottrip.net/puerto-angel-a-mexican-paradise-surrounded-by-rocky-hills/

Puerto Angel, a Mexican paradise surrounded by rocky hills

Puerto Angel is a small coastal town in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, which together with San Agustinilo and Playa Zipolite make the famous “Riviera Oaxaquena.” Despite the strong development of tourism that began in šezedesetim of the last century, the city is still known as a fishing village, located in a small bay surrounded by rocky hills that lead into the Sierra Madre del Sur. As you drive into Puerto Angel, the first beach you will see is Playa Principal. In the mornings, much activity is centered around the pier where fishing boats are arriving with their catch. Tuna is probably the most common (Try a real tuna fish salad at one of the restaurants.), Include red snapper, shark, bonito, sailfish, lobster, conch, octopus, and many others. Tuna and lobster will not be as plentiful when the water temperature is higher.
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When viewed from the tourist side, then Puerto Angel right place for those who want to discover a little exotic world. Specifically we recommend Zipolite. It is a classic and rustic village close to Puerto Angel with beautiful and long beaches. The old concrete pier, Which really sits too high above the waterline to be of much use for unloading the boats, was built before there were paved roads in the area for the purpose of shipping coffee. The pier was refurbished in 1999 There are several restaurants along the beach and a small naval installation.
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At the west end of the beach and the paved walkway curves along the rock cliffs connecting to Playa Pantheon, named for the cemetery located nearby. More restaurants here. Both beaches are suitable for swimming but Playa Panteón is perhaps a little more sheltered and offers better snorkelling around the rocks. The water was quite warm, but despite that swimmers should be careful. In the village there are many shops that their interesting articles attract large numbers of tourists. A large part of the restaurant located next to the beach, where you can feel the lightness and above all, relaxed people who surround you.
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As to the location and if you’re on a budget then we recommend a cheap hotel Shambala with incredible views of the beach this really interesting places. Next to the hotel there are a series of bungalows for rent, which have recently become quite popular, so we must hurry up with reservations. Here we recommend “El Aquemistu” with a beautiful restaurant in the northwestern part of town. Four miles west of town is Playa Zipolite, known for its surfing and popular with European tourists. This is a 1-mile long straight beach directly on the ocean with numerous restaurants or watering holes.
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For those who do not want to miss an opportunity, there is organized the famous fishing on sharks. So not only do you have the opportunity to see these creatures up close, but you have the opportunity to spend some time with the local people who will give you a little better explain how it is to live in this part of the world and thus they all have fun. The undertow at this beach is dangerous as evidenced by regular drownings. There are sometimes offered bathers here although the local officials occasionally discourage it. There have been reports of armed robberies in Zipolite and on the road between Puerto Angel and Zipolite.
2009-04-16.004.Mexico.Oaxaca.Puerto.Angel.Daniela.PS2
We can say to you in Puerto Angel get a chance to get to know firsthand the lifestyle of the local people and in a fun and above all interesting way. We should however bear in mind that this is a totally different civilization, we are almost completely foreign.

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Saturday, August 9, 2014

Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, & Zipolite, Julio 2014

Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, & Zipolite, Julio 2014



Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, & Zipolite, Julio 2014 from Veni on Vimeo.

On the prowl for the best food — and mezcal — in Oaxaca, Mexico



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Friday, August 8, 2014

nosnorb 14 0 Normalabout 4 hours ago zipolite, oaxaca, famous for nude hippy surfer italian-chilango expat beaches and playful stray dogs. #perros

nosnorb


Normalabout 4 hours ago
zipolite, oaxaca, famous for nude hippy surfer italian-chilango expat beaches and playful stray dogs. #perros 





sac_ha nos vemos pronto :/ #bye #zipolite #oaxaca#byesummer

sac_ha
about 3 hours ago
nos vemos pronto :/ #bye #zipolite #oaxaca#byesummer




danonearvea arenero #zipolite


danonearvea
about 2 hours ago
arenero #zipolite

@hevenzipolite Follow User HEVEN Zipolite HEVEN es una casa de huespedes en Zipolite, Oaxaca. A solo una hora de Huatulco, HEVEN Residence sobresale por su joven belleza. http://www.hevenresidence.com

@hevenzipolite


HEVEN Zipolite

HEVEN es una casa de huespedes en Zipolite, Oaxaca. A solo una hora de Huatulco, HEVEN Residence sobresale por su joven belleza.
http://www.hevenresidence.com
Follows: 9
Followers: 32
Images Number: 24




Lyctum - Summer Mix 2014

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Gino Soccio - Turn It Around (Radio Version)

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Milk N Cookies Brady Volkman Play Post - Bro Milk...

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Playa Zipolite. Welcome To The Beach Of The Dead!: Zipolite Where in the World Are William and Kelly...

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Thunderstorm 11 hours. Inspiring Thunderstorm & rain sound. Natural sounds of storm and rain