TONI SOBEL
“A native of New York City, I came to Oaxaca in 1971, via Stanford University, to work for Dr. John Paddock, author of “Ancient Oaxaca” and curator of the Frissell Museum in Mitla. Two years later I began 8 years of teaching and research at the IIISEO, an Institute of the State of Oaxaca dedicated to training young people from the indigenous communities to teach Spanish as a second language. This gave me an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the ethnic diversity of Oaxaca.
I have lived in Oaxaca for 38 years, and am a federally certified tour guide. Since 1986 I have been helping visitors experience firsthand the uniqueness of Oaxacan life.”
These are some of the wonderful recommendations people wrote about Toni:
"Toni Sobel has been guiding groups from The Archaeological Conservancy through the Valley of Oaxaca for nearly 15 years. Our members love her insightful interpretations and her wide range of knowledge. With her archaeological education and experience combined with decades of living in the valley, Toni is as comfortable discussing Zapotec culture history as she is outlining Oaxaca's secondary education system or explaining how to make mole. Our tours not only cover the area's archaeological sites but they also emphasize local village crafts. Her long-term personal friendships with local artists make visiting the nearbyvillages really special. She is an asset to our tour program." |
"Over the last two decades, I've learned so much about Oaxaca from Toni Sobel--about history and culture, archeology and local cuisine. Having lived there for over three decades, she has an insiders' view of what makes Oaxaca tick and why so many of us are drawn to it. Toni is a great teacher and guide, but most of all she's a genuinely wonderful person who's love of Oaxaca is infectious." |