"La Casa de las Bugambilias" Bed and Breakfast invites you to participate in one of the most important festivities of Oaxaca. During this time, the City of Oaxaca and all the surrounding villages come alive with a special beauty of flowers, food, creativity, and folklore.

The holiday represents a rich blend of Catholic and indigenous traditions, and is both a celebration for the living and for the dead. Spirits of the beloved dead are believed to return to their homes and visit for a short time with their families and friends. The first day of November the souls of departed children arrive, and on the second day they are joined by spirits of adults. Like all visitors, they are welcomed with food, drink, stories, memories, and good will. Their presence is thought of as a blessing rather than a curse, and brings joy rather than pain to their loved ones.

In preparation for this day, the last days of October are spent preparing special loaves of sweet bread ("pan de muerto"), and desserts; harvesting special flowers, including marigolds; creating altars in the home; and decorating grave sites. Decorations in the form of macabre but whimsical skeletons and candy skulls abound.

The Cabrera Family invites you to participate in this magical time by taking advantage of one or more of the workshops or tours listed below. Workshops are small and personal, and take place in a family atmosphere. Tours respect local traditions and sacred rites.

Calendar of Activities 2012:
Day
Date
Activity & Cost
Schedule
Place
Thursday
October 25
Cooking class (hands-on)
Enchiladas de coloradito
Given by Pilar
Cost: $70 USD
9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Chef´s house
Saturday
October 27
Chocolate tour, weaving demostration & Lunch
Given by René
Cost: $60 USD
10 am to 3 pm
Teotitlán del Valle, Oax.
Sunday
October 28
Tour to Teotilán del Valle to see a rug workshop & elaboration of wax candles.
Given by René
Cost: $45 USD
10 am to 4 pm
Teotitlán del Valle, Oax.
Monday
October 29
Tour to the Abastos Market
Given by René
Cost: $25 USD
10 am to 1 pm
Las Bugambilias
Monday
October 29
Indigenous steam bath with herbs
Cost: $70 - $115 USD
11 am, 1 & 3 pm
Temazcal
Las Bugambilias
Monday
October 29
Demo class
Black mole and Yellow mole
Given by Pilar
Cost: $60 USD
9:30 am to 2:30 pm
La Olla Restaurant
Tuesday
October 30
Indigenous steam bath with herbs
Cost: $70 - $115 USD
11 am, 1 & 3 pm
Temazcal
Las Bugambilias
Tuesday
October 30
Cooking class (hands-on)
Black mole with turkey
Given by Pilar
Cost: $70 USD
9:30 am to 2 pm
Chef´s house
Wednesday
October 31
Indigenous steam bath with herbs
Cost: $70 - $115 USD
11 am, 1 & 3 pm
Temazcal
Las Bugambilias
Wednesday
October 31
Decoration of the Altar
Given by Adriana
Cost: $25 USD
10 am to 2 pm
Las Bugambilias
Wednesday
October 31
Tour to the cemetery in Xoxocotlán
Given by René
Cost: $35 USD
6 pm to 10 pm
Xoxocotlán, Oax.
Wednesday
October 31
Cooking class (hands-on)
Tamales with black mole and chepil
Given by Pilar
Cost: $70 USD
9:30 am to 2 pm
Chef´s house
Thursday
November 1
Indigenous steam bath with herbs
Cost: $70 - $115 USD
11 am, 1 & 3 pm
Temazcal
Las Bugambilias
Thursday
November 1

Comparsas del Día de Muertos en San Agustín Etla. Given by René.
Cost: $45 USD
8 pm to 12 pm
San Agustín Etla, Oax.
Thursday
November 1
Demo class: Tamales with beans and coloradito.
Given by Pilar
Cost: $60 USD
9:30 am to 2 pm
Chef´s house
All the activities have been arranged with your comfort in mind.
We hope that these activities will increase your knowledge of our customs & culture.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

René Cabrera or Adriana Zavala
Reforma # 402 Int. 1, Col. Centro
Oaxaca, Oax. México
C.P. 68000
Tel/fax: 0 11 52 (951) 516 1165
From USA: 1 866 829 6778

Make your reservations by e-mail at:
tours@lasbugambilias.com
 Casa de las Bugambilias Bed and Breakfast
Temazcal (Indigenous steam bath with herbs)

 Photos courtesy of Edward Ornellas - Oaxaca Day of the Dead '06