Coming Home to Oaxaca By the Numbers

07/17/09  Print this post Print this post    6 Comments   Popular   Written by Teresa Ponikvar
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Notebook editor Teresa Ponikvar breaks down her commitment to expat life by the numbers

Minutes it took to decide to move to Oaxaca after husband lost his job in Hidalgo: 3

All Photos: Ibis Alonso

Properties viewed: 12

Properties with complete houses viewed: 1

Properties with houses with the roof caved in viewed: 1

Properties with unfinished houses viewed: 1

Properties with unfinished houses purchased: 1

Windows installed: 5

Doors installed: 3

Floors tiles installed: lots

Solar panels installed: 5

Times I reminded myself to never, ever, think about “The Ring” while looking down the well: 27

Trips to buy materials stalled by teacher protests in Oaxaca: 3

Trips to buy materials stalled by burro-pulled carts making alfalfa deliveries in Tlacochahuaya: 8

Building code inspections: 0

Locally-owned businesses supported: 10

Friends and family members who donated their expertise and labor: 8

Round trips from Hidalgo to Oaxaca: 5

Households slept in while waiting for house to be finished: 3

Lots for sale nearby: 15

Family members and friends who have expressed interest in buying one of these lots: 6

Number of times I insisted to the neighbor that I didn’t want a puppy: 3

Number of puppies given to me anyway: 1

Sad, mangy dogs evicted from property after the arrival of said puppy: 3

Money left in our bank account in US dollars: $53.74

Nights we’ve slept in new house: 2

Nights we’ve slept insanely well and woken up to the sunrise over the mountains in new house: 2


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About the Author

Teresa Ponikvar

Teresa Ponikvar lives with her husband in Oaxaca, where she co-edits Traveler's Notebook and trades English classes for handmade rugs, cooking lessons, and occasionally money.

6 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Tim Patterson replied on July 17, 2009

    Congratulations!

    ↵ Reply
  • Andy Hayes replied on July 17, 2009

    Cute place :-) And what a pup!

    ↵ Reply
  • Sarah replied on July 17, 2009

    This almost made me cry! I’ll be back in Oaxaca on Monday night–we definitely, definitely need to have a noche de chicas with tlayudas! A quick by the numbers (maybe I’ll write a full one a week from now):

    Number of ecstatic yelps I’ll let out seeing Jorge at the airport: 20
    Bowls of homeade caldo de pollo I’ll eat after arriving: 3
    Number of sighs I’ll emit upon eating the first breakfast of chilaquiles verdes: 10

    The rest remains to be seen.

    ↵ Reply
  • Anna replied on July 18, 2009

    Gorgeous! You out by Tlacochahuaya?

    ↵ Reply
    • Teresa Ponikvar replied to Anna on July 21, 2009

      Exactly–right between Tlaco and Lachigolo. Do you live around here?

      ↵ Reply
  • Suzanne replied on July 18, 2009

    Awesome! Are you U.S. expat? I was in Oaxaca about 5 years ago, and read about some bad times there since then. Would love to hear more about your experience.
    Suzanne

    ↵ Reply

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