Arrival Day, Mexico City: (D)
Arrive to Mexico City (MEX) and transfer to our centrally located hotel in Mexico City’s Historic Center. Enjoy an orientation and welcome dinner together.
Hotel and Dinner Included
Day One: The Rebozo in Mexico City, Transfer to Tenancingo, Edo Mex (B, L, D)
Today begins with a stroll in Mexico City’s Historic Center, to learn about the history of the rebozo in the important city in Colonial and Present times. We’ll pay a visit to the Patron Saint, “Nuestro Senor del Rebozo”, in the Church of Santo Domingo, to learn how the faithful offer their rebozos in hopes of healing and other petitions. After our visit, we’ll enjoy lunch in the Historic Center, before transferring to Tenancingo, Edo. Mex., epicenter of the cotton ikat rebozo. We’ll check into our charming hotel, and time permitting, take a stroll to the market. (if we do not get to the market today, we’ll return on another day). Tenancingo is in a fertile valley, so the produce here is exceptional. We’ll also begin to see the the permanent rebozo stalls, that sell daily and collection quality rebozos. We’ll enjoy a festive welcome dinner together.
Day Two: Visit Rebozo Workshops & Master Artisans (B, L)
This morning, we’ll visit the workshop of Fermin Escobar, who will help us understand the multiple steps that go into ikat rebozo thread preparation and weaving. Most of the work required to weave an ikat rebozo happens in the thread preparation phase. Fermin has 12 looms, so we have the opportunity to see a cottage industry approach to the production of rebozos. Then we’ll visit master Adolfo “Fito” Garcia, who has fewer looms, and is known as a creative master, designing with new colors and patterns for his rebozos. His wife Carmen travels to Toluca every week to sell rebozos. After a fun regional lunch, we’ll visit the rebozo vendors in the permanent market. Evening is at leisure.
Day Three: Rebozo Feria, Afternoon Visit to Empuntadoras and Mezcal producers! (B, L)
The first half of the day is dedicated to attending the annual Rebozo Feria! All of the reboceros, the fringe makers (empuntadoras), local designers come out to showcase their traditional and innovative designs. Adapted products are also sold, such as: handbags, change purses, shoes, dresses and other items, that are very creative. After we have fully scoured the Feria, we’ll travel to nearby San Pablo to pay a visit to the empuntadoras (fringe makers). They will show us the multiple techniques they use to complement the ikat rebozo. They are a big part of the rebozo story and end result. We’ll also visit an area mezcal producer. Surprise! Mezcal is not just from Oaxaca! In fact some states, such as Edo. Mex., Michoacan and others have excellent mezcal. Our evening is a leisure…perhaps to stargaze!
Day Four: Last Visit Feria a.m., Visit Malinalco in the afternoon (B, L)
We’ll spend a little time attending either the Rebozo Feria, before traveling to the nearby town of Malinalco. It is a favorite place for “Chilangos” to go on the weekends, with it’s charming cobblestone streets, beautiful plaza, stunning murals in the Dominican convent, and for those who want to climb, a fantastic prehispanic site, of the extended Aztec empire. We’ll also visit the small but well done Museum there. In between our visits, we’ll enjoy lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Mexico! We’ll return to our hotel, and enjoy our own fashion show with our new treasures.
Day Five: Transfer to Michoacan, with a stop in Mazahua country (B, L, D)
Today we’ll make our way to Michoacan, where we’ll immerse in the world of the Purepecha and learn about the production and use of the rebozo in this singular region. En route, we’ve been invited to visit Mazahua women (textile artists and silver artisans). Arriving in Morelia, we’ll stroll in this lovely Colonial City, and enjoy a fun dinner together at our favorite Mezcaleria.
Day Six: Transfer to Uruapan, Visit Angahuan (B, L)
Today we’ll enter the incredible “Meseta Purepecha” region of Michoacan. After checking into our centrally located hotel, we’ll drive through the Purepecha countryside, headed to Angahuan where we’ll meet some of the finest weavers of the brocade weave technique, all done on the backstrap loom. We’ll share a wonderful regional meal with the Purepecha women, likely corundas and declicious “churipo” stew. Returning to Uruapan, our evening is at leisure.
Day Seven: Ahuiran and Aranza in Municipio de Paracho (B, L)
Today we’ll visit two communities with outstanding and very different weaving techniques. In Ahuiran, we’ll meet the artisans who, on backstrap looms, weave cotton cloth, typically in striped patterns. What makes their rebozos so singular and identifiable is the fringe. Bright rayon threads are tied into the open spaces of the knots to create beautiful and bright patterns. In Aranza, we’ll learn about the technique called “pataqua”, a form of complex gauze weave, done on a backstrap loom, where the weft thread wraps around the warp thread.
Day Eight: Eduardo Ruiz National Park, Transfer to Morelia or Other (B, L)
After breakfast, we’ll visit the beautiful Eduardo Ruiz National Park, full of wild orchids and cascading waterfalls. It’s a lush and enchanting setting. From here, we’ll begin our return trips home: Mexico City, Chapala/Ajijic, Morelia
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