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Join us for a unique cultural tradition that celebrates one of the heroes of the Christmas season: baby Jesus. Many devotees praise the importance of Jesus in his representation as an infant during this time of year. Families take dolls made in his image from their Nativity scenes or home altars, dress them in intricate, locally-made ensembles, and bring them to church on December 31 to take part in a community blessing. The day-long celebration involves a community parade of church-goers with the town´s figure and dancing with Christmas pine branches. The party is colorful and joyous - a really fun regional tradition to witness as you deepen your understanding of Oaxacan culture in mezcal country!
Cost per person: $185 USD/3,475 MXN
Includes:
Comfortable transportation round trip from Oaxaca City (1 hour each way). Pick up and drop off from your hotel or vacation rental (Centro, Jalatlaco, Xochimilico, Reforma, San Felipe)
Big breakfast of at our favorite roadside comedor, which only uses wood fire for cooking and specializes in local corn tortillas
Tour of 2 mezcal palenques producing clay pot distilled mezcal
Tour of an agave nursery or agave fields and palenque which produces small batch clay pot distilled mezcal. We learn about the mezcal production process from seed to bottle with the family who makes this small batch mezcal. The palenque is owned and operated by a family that has been making mezcal for 4 generations and has a focus on sustainable agriculture and maintaining local traditional production methods.
Visit to a second palenque in the home of a traditional mezcal producer working with his sons to make micro batches of mezcal minero for local consumption
Tasting of mezcal made on site at each palenque. We have the opportunity to taste upwards of 25 different mezcals
A chance to purchase mezcal directly from the producers (price not included), our help packing it for travel
Watch the procession for Niño Jesús, a chance to participate in the dancing and merriment
Lunch at Ocotlán market of regional dishes
Drinking water and light snacks
Donation to community library