This trip takes us to the rebozo making centers of Mexico, including Santa Maria del Rio, where we learn of the silk jaspe (ikat) rebozo traditions, La Piedad, Michoacan, where we see how "artisela" is used in the production of jaspe rebozos, to the Purepecha Plateau of Michoacan where we visit master weavers in the communities of Ahuiran and Aranza. Finally, we travel to one of the finest rebozo production centers of Mexico, Tenancingo, where we meet the master resist dyers and weavers of these fine "jaspeado" cotton rebozos. If you love textile traditions, dye resist techniques and colonial cities, you will love this trip.

• View private rebozo collections in Mexico City
• Visit Mexico's Rebozo Weaving and Dyeing meccas
• See master artisans use intricate dye resist techniques, known as "jaspe"(ikat)
• Visit Santa Maria del Rio, Tenancingo, La Piedad, Purepecha Plateau, Mexico City
• Learn about Heritage and Threats

• Day 1: Mexico City, We arrive in one of the world’s great urban centers, Mexico City. Here, we are invited to a special and private viewing of important antique rebozo collections at the Franz Mayer Museum. We also will be invited to view the textile collection of renowned folk art collector, Ruth Lechuga. Ruth Lechuga was one of the pioneers in the study, collection and attempts at preservation of the indigenous art forms throughout Mexico . Anthropologist Marta Turok will lead our group during these visits that will only be afforded to our group. In the evening, we will enjoy a presentation on the History of the Mexican Rebozo by Marta Turok, followed by a lovely welcome dinner at one of Mexico City’s favorite restaurants, La Fonda del Refugio, known for the best margaritas in Mexico! (D)
• Day 2: Mexico City, On our second day in Mexico City, we will visit the Ethnographic Halls of the Museum of Anthropology to learn more about cultural diversity and identity through clothing. Here, we will again see the depth and breadth of the cultural diversity that makes up Mexico. We will also see the combined influences of the pre-Hispanic Era with the Colonial Era. From here, we will go to the city’s Historic Center, where we will walk and make numerous strategic stops, including, The Palace of Fine Arts, numerous historic buildings, and finally the Zocalo. Tonight, a special treat is in store: we enjoy a private viewing of an exquisite rebozo collection in Mexico City.(B, L)
• Day 3: Tenancingo, State of Mexico, Our timing is good, as today is market day in Tenancingo, where upon arrival, we will be greeted by the sight of women selling rebozos in the open – air market. The temptation will be great to purchase many rebozos, as the dye resist, weaving, and fringe / knot tying of these rebozos is among the finest anywhere in Mexico. We have scheduled special visits with some of Tenancingo’s master rebozo weavers. Here, we will focus on the traditional work in this community, from dye resist, loom dressing and weaving techniques. The intricacy of the snake skin like patterns is amazing, (thought to represent the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl) and for those weavers / dyers among us, we will greatly appreciate the degree of accuracy and precision required to establish tight register patterns by tying bundles of warp threads and dressing the loom. Overnight Malinalco (B,L)
• Day 4: Malinalco, State of Mexico, We enjoy a second day in this rebozo weaving and dyeing region of Mexico, this time by visiting Camelia and Don Isaac Ramos in the neighboring town of Malinalco. We will learn of Don Isaac’s unique designs and use of color as he developed a unique and identifiable style of ikat rebozos. Malinalco is a charming town and has a pre-hispanic site that is worth visiting, as well! Overnight Malinalco (B,L)
• Day 5: Morelia, Michoacan , Morelia is a colonial gem with pink quarried stone buildings dating back to the 16th Century. We will enjoy a morning walking city tour to learn of this city, named after Morelos, one of the leaders of Mexican Independence. The arched patios of the Government buildings display mural masterpieces painted by the late artist and 2nd generation Mexican muralist, Alfredo Zalce. We travel to Moroleon, Guanajuato to see another important weaving center of Mexico, where cotton jaspe rebozos are woven. Overnight, Morelia (B, D)
• Day 6: The Purepecha Plateau, Michoacan, Angahuan, Ahuiran, Paracho, Zacan, Cocucho, Today we travel to this remote and culturally rich region of Mexico. The Purepecha are proud, independent people who fended off the advances of the Aztec Empire during the pre-Hispanic era, and were fortunate to be under the wing of Bishop, Vasco de Quiroga during the Evangelization period. To this day, he is referred to as “Tata Vasco”, (tata is a term of endearment for father). He established schools and community centers, called hospitals, where each community could develop their unique craft and utilitarian objects for long term trading (economic) opportunities and independence. We visit some of these temples, chapels and hospitals with their exquisite coffered ceilings, known as “artesones”, and will have the opportunity to see and learn of the unique dress style of this region, a blend of pre-Hispanic and Spanish influences. We spend time with some of the prized rebozo makers of this region. Overnight, Uruapan (B,L)
• Day 7: La Piedad, Michoacan, we continue our journey making our way to La Piedad, visiting an outstanding Rebozo Cooperative that specializes in the “artisela” jaspeado rebozo. The rebozo making tradition is threatened to extinction in this rebozo making community”, due to various reasons, such as: lack of perceived market value and cultural importance of this utilitarian art form (by the artisans themselves), limited generational teaching, no sponsored schools / workshops. Perhaps more attention by outsiders will help keep this tradition alive. Overnight, Guanajuato (B)
• Day 8: Guanajuato, Guanajuato, today we enjoy a walking tour of this most fascinating city in Mexico’s Heartland. We will learn about the importance of Father Dolores Hidalgo and the Independence movement, that lead to revolution against the domination of Spain over this region, called New Spain. Overnight in Guanajuato (B, L)
• Day 9: Santa Maria del Rio, Located in the Central Highlands of Mexico, Santa Maria del Rio is known as the “Birthplace of the Rebozo”. Today is dedicated to the study of the history and revival initiatives of the exquisite silk jaspe rebozo, making this region famous for producing award winning masterpieces. With the support of government and non-government institutions, three groups of associated producers are working today to produce fine silk rebozos. We visit these rebozo schools / workshops to better understand what has happened in this region and to meet the master weavers. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight, San Luis Potosi (B,D)
• Day 10: Depart San Luis Potosi

Textile Traditions of Mesoamerica and the Andes: An Anthology, Edited by Margot Blum Schevill, et al. 1991/1996, Chapter 13, page 309, Resist Dyeing in Mexico: Comments on Its History, Significance and Prevalence, by Virginia Davis
Rebozos de la Coleccion Robert Everts, Museo Franz Mayer y Artes de Mexico, 1995
El Rebozo, Artes de Mexico No. 90, 2008