Mexico
By Robert Waite
Oaxaca, Mexico – I have a confession to make. I tend to shy away from places whose names aren’t obvious to pronounce, much like someone might hesitate to order acai berries at a smoothie stand.
Oaxaca is one of those places. Hence, I have been to a dozen or more spots in Mexico but never ventured there. Until now.
I was lured by the city’s annual one-of-a-kind Noche de los Robanos (Radishes) festival, along with Oaxaca’s reputation as a stellar foodie destination and cultural center. Its reliably mild December weather was a bonus.
The language enablers were my Santa Monica-based daughter and her husband. Not only do they know how to pronounce Oaxaca – waa-haa-kuh – but some members of his family hail from there.
Oaxaca, with a population of about 700,000, is located in Mexico’s far south. At an elevation of 5,102 feet,… Continue reading
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Thinking of retiring or moving overseas? It’s a huge step, but one that has been successfully negotiated by many expats searching for mild climates, lower costs, and simple changes of pace and cultural experiences.
The editors of International Living have compiled a list of five good-value countries that currently accept American travelers — and might make good retirement havens to boot. They also suggest specific locations/cities that welcome retirees.
Of course, it’s wise to do a number of scouting expeditions first. If you’re serious about relocating, they’re a must. But even if you’re “just browsing” and not buying, you’ll at least have a chance for a nice vacation.
As the editors stress, the current COVID situation is volatile and situations can change, so before buying your tickets be sure to check the websites of the U.S. State Department and the other countries’… Continue reading
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Learn sea kayaking with Sea Kayaking Adventures
I was a little taken aback when I received a press release from a company called Sea Kayak Adventures titled “Baja, Mexico Gray Whales For the Gray-Haired,” promoting a whale-watching base camp trip in Baja intended for travelers aged 50-plus.
While I myself would more qualify for the “Baja Hairless Whales for the Hair-Impaired” trip — having turned gray (prematurely, of course) some years ago, and then deciding to go more for the mostly shaved-head look — I wondered whether 50-plus folks who retained dark hair (natural or otherwise) might feel offended or even forego the trip for that reason.
(Hey, stranger things have happened when it comes to deciding how to spend vacation dollars.)
So while I don’t recommend that promotional approach, exactly — is the play on “gray” really worth possibly costing business? — I have to say the trip… Continue reading