Giving Thanks in Mexico

Homesickness finally set in.....it was Thursday this week, which happened to be Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Just another work day here in Mexico. I did take the opportunity to give my students a brief history of the holiday, which many weren't familiar with at all. I was able to talk to all my family, thanks to SKYPE...the free internet phone service! If you haven't discovered it you must. It seemed everyone at home had a wonderful time doing family dinners and American Football.

On Saturday our very considerate coordinator, Edith Salem decided to find a place to take us to help celebrate. There is a Marie Callender's (an American restaurant chain from CA) here in Mexico City. Their pies are wonderful and we had pumpkin and a variety of other flavors.

I have so much to give thanks for...my faith, my family and friends, my health and the experience here in Mexico. We are soooo fortunate to have Edith as our coordinator here. Edith and I were also able to spend the day together in the city doing some errands, like checking out the bus schedules for the holidays trips I'll be taking and making several stops before arriving at the restaurant. It's so easy to fill 8 hours with interesting places here in the D.F. not really having a plan. We passed the main campus of the IPN University...it is massive with many attractions of its own...like a planetarium, sports facilities, huge library and art attractions.

We made several other stops including a 1500 century Franciscan chapel with a cemetery that had obviously been decorated for the Dia de los Muertos. We also drove around the area where the Virgin de Guadalupe cathedrals (there are 3) are located. I will be taking my family there when they come. Can't wait.

Finally, before our dinner and pie we stopped at a wonderful park called "Hundido" or hidden park. In the park are individually colored trails of the routes the Olmec, Mayan, and Toltec Indians took with replicas of the stone carvings from each group. It also contains the first outdoor amphitheatre in the D.F. where classical music was playing... Beautiful area!

Our dinner was great...in attendance were my Fulbright colleagues, Melissa, her daughter Graciela, Brenda and of course Edith. Muchas gracias Edith!

There are places I'll remember....

As one of my favorite Beatle songs goes....our 1st semester at the IPN just ended today. I didn't realize how attached I had become to my classes until I had to say good-bye. As a teacher or person, you sometimes form stronger bonds with a particular group or individuals that you just can't deny. This was the case with my second class and individuals in my first and third.

My second period surprised me with a fiesta...complete with tinga, which is a delightful blend of spiced chicken, to be put on a taco shell with cream, lettuce and cheese. All had been prepared by the mamá of one of my students...Sweet Lilian.


Sweet Janai brought in a delicious peach pastry.

She's the one on the left of Isaac, and to the right is Nancy. They were so considerate to make sure that I understood what I was eating and how it was to be eaten. I felt like a queen, being served and doted upon. It was hard to stop the tears from flowing as they said a cheer for me and we all shared abrazos (hugs), several times before they left. Daniel, an advanced English speaker in class tried to sum it up for everyone in a speech that I will never forget...saying that I was one of the best teachers they had ever had at the IPN. I felt like they didn't want to leave even though I had another class waiting to come in....and I certainly didn't want them to leave. The good-bye scene was repeated for my next class, very emotional for me indeed...

Next, we have a couple of weeks of testing and then the semester officially ends. Wow...hard to believe...feel like I just got off the plane. The second semester I may have some of the same students but probably not because I'm changing schedules to come in earlier and leave before darkness. My wonderful students made an impression on me about how much people can care for one another and not be afraid to express it verbally and every other way. They are people I will remember all my life.....

Museo de Arte Popular

I've lost count of how many museums I've visited so far...if you count the churches then it's in the 100's. Sunday we visited this creative museum of Popular or Contemporary Art. There were a variety of materials used for the creations exhibited here: including metal, wax, paper, wood, beads...just about anything imaginable, they can create something beautiful and colorful. On special exhibit for the coming Navidad or Christmas celebration was an amazing exhibit of piñatas!
My other favorites are something that looks like giant shields, brightly decorated in themes...such as "The Tree of Life" "The Wedding" and my favorite "Arts and Crafts!













They start them young, as I observed at a workshop for children at the museums...they were making pinwheels and paper turtles.

Día de Revolución

Here are the main points of this celebration: It was a civil war that began with the purpose of overthrowing Porfirio Diaz, a dictator with the desire to exploit land from the natives to enrich his own chosen group of citizen, both Mexican but mostly international. It was initiated by Mexican leaders such as Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. It ended in 1911 with Mexicans trying to redeem the damage of property loss that had been initiated by Diaz.
In Chapultapec Park we ran across a celebration of the Mexican Air Force, honoring soliders from World War II.












There were also several other demonstrations that include present day conflicts, for example Obrador, who calls himself the President-elect. His situation was similiar to the very close Presidential race we had in the U.S. the last go round.

Día de los Muertos

I'm a little late in describing what I saw here in the D.F during this fantastic and colorful celebration in Mexico. It is a time in Mexico when they celebrate the return of the souls of their loved ones..November 1st being for the children who have passed and November 2 for the adults. Everywhere you go there are "ofrendas"(altars) colorfully decorated with candles, marigolds, incense (important to give the souls guidance) and all the favorite foods and items of the persons they are honoring. Taking a quote from one of Mexico's finest authors, Octavio Paz "Our deaths illuminate our lives" Loved ones have the responsibility of keeping the memories of
their loved ones alive and this is the designated week to do so. I have included a variety of photos, including one for Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo, Dolores Olmedo (whose house in Xochimilco was donated and is now a museum)









Another extremely artistic tribute to this celebration were a collection of skulls, each uniquely decorated to depict the artist style. They were displayed on a main road where all can enjoy.