Flowers in the Winter

Well it's the end of January here in the D.F. and the average temperature is in the low 70's during the day and 40's at night. Flowers are blooming everywhere. At Christmas time I was surprised to see poinsettias in the form of 10 foot trees. As I walked home today I was amazed to see a Norfolk pine tree with bright pink bougainvilleas vining their way up it..had to remind myself, yes it is winter. Freezing weather is something I am not missing this year, in Colorado it is below 0 some days. It's interesting that people here do dress as we would back in Colorado, that being apres ski boots and fur lined jackets..it is winter.

Think I'll take another walk through my neighborhood!

Going East - Xalapa and Beyond

My personal goal for the second semester is to continue exploring this beautiful and intriguing country of Mexico. Also, my professional goal would be the opening of the English Language section at the Polytecnico ESCA library and help my students use it to develop their English skills. Finally, work is still in progress to have an student exchange with a prepa or high school here in Mexico and Highlands Ranch High. I have a feeling this semester will be a quick one.

This past week-end I took a 5 hour bus trip east to Xalapa for $45.00/round trip. It is also sometimes spelled Jalapa for the Spanish influence. Xalapa is about an hour from Veracruz, where Cortez made his first landing in Mexico from Spain. My fellow Fulbright colleague and friend Nancy hosted me at her apartment. Xalapa is her assignment of teaching English at a university associated with the Universidad Veracruzana. We made the most of the week-end, I had already done some research on places of interest that we could visit.

Being my first time venturing in this direction of Mexico, the scenery from the bus was quite breath-taking. We passed yucca, pine, and cactus forests and the volcanic area of Perote...most of the trip passing through the state of Puebla.

On Saturday we visited the small town of Xico (he-ko), about 45 minutes ($1.80/round trip) from Xalapa in search of the Texolo waterfalls. We disembarked in Xico and strolled for about an hour down a long stone road to reach the falls. The walk was so beautiful through banana groves and small quaint haciendas covered with all kinds of colorful plants and flowers. This area is quite humid and supports all kinds of bromelaids, orchids and variety of flowers I didn't recognize.



People in this area were so very hospitable and gracious! People caring about people and enjoying nature together!

Next we stopped in a small town called Coatepec. For being such a small town, it certainly had its share of colorful Catholic churches. The style is much more simple that in the D.F. area. We had lunch in the Coffino Caffe & Restaurant housed in a small rustic building with a courtyard full of flowers and a fountain. It is hard to believe it is January, where it's snowing back in Colorado. I tried something new called Milanesa de res, which is a narrow cut of meat breaded and cooked. ¡Deliciosa!

In the evening we met some friends of Nancy at La Casona de Beaterio, an old monastery. It was a lovely place mostly open air with live music. The band used very regional instruments, a beautiful harp, the smaller guitars and percussion instruments.









Sunday, Margarita, her daughter Miriam, Nancy and I took off for Hacienda El Lencero, outside of Xalapa.





It was a refuge for General Santa Ana back in the 1800's.













It also has a beautiful garden of exotic flowers, plants and a 500 year old tree. ( if only those branches could talk!)











We relaxed on their portico after our visit and then went over to elMuseo de Antropología. This museum houses the best collection of original stone megalithic heads from various Olmec sights. It was quite impressive indeed.













There is so much more to see in Xalapa and I hope to return soon! Muchas gracias Nancy!

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo

Here in Mexico City Christmas is celebrated in full glory...no Happy Holiday needed..they are predominately Catholic and proud of it. There were numerous beautiful "nacimientos" or nativity scenes throughout the city.

I had the opportunity to host one of my 3 daughters, Jessica in the D.F. for 6 days. She was amazed at how much there was to do and see here and we filled the days with non-stop touring of museums and other sites. We also took a bus trip to Guanajuato, which I think was her favorite. She learned about Don Quijote in the Museo Iconográfico del Quijote, one of my favorites and we climbed the pyramids of Teotihuacan here in the D.F. and the Pipila trail in Guanajuato. She was also fortunate to see one of the many ice skating rinks that the city had constructed for the people. One hour of skating could be had free of charge for those who came out early and waited in line daily. The one in the Zocolo area was claiming to be the biggest rink in the world!


My family and a couple of friends also had the opportunity to spend 16 days at a house in Pie de la Cuesta near Acapulco for our Christmas and New Year celebration.


Was one of the most relaxing times of my life, watching beautiful sunsets every day, swimming, and laying in the hammocks and a pleasant surprise of watching the whales, who migrate through this area in December.

The caretakers of the house, Ruth and Antonio shared their traditional celebrations with us, which included the Las Posadas Christmas Eve, a brindis toast for the New Year and Tres Reyes Magos celebration of gift-giving on January 6th. For this they had chocolate and the pastry with one doll hidden in it..the person to get the doll in their piece of cake will host the tamale party for the Candalaria celebration February 5th. This will celebrate the end of winter..a bit early I think? It does seem that one celebration leads into the next. Family is always of the utmost importance in all they do We felt very fortunate to be included in the traditional celebrations here. A beautiful memory for all who came.