Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B.

Large trucks regularly wending their way through the streets of Oaxaca with signs stating “agua para uso humano” (water for human consumption) are not transporting drinking water. And what they are in fact carrying might be a yellow shade of beige.
Usually these pipas, as they’re commonly known, contain between 2,500 and 20,000 liters of water. Throughout the year they supply commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants, for their washrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. They also provide water to many residences which are hooked up to city …

One often assumes that the years added to your life by leading a much more stress-free existence in Mexico, will be lost by the inferior health care system to which you will be exposed, subjected and restricted. This, then, is an assessment of the extent to which such presuppositions are accurate, together with information and advice for both would-be ex-patriot residents of and travelers to Oaxaca. It has general application for other Mexican cities.

Aside from the small, private hospitals, often referred to as clínicas, there are four publicly funded …