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!
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It seems you had a lovely time in Xalapa. Edith
Cece:
I found your site quite touching and lovely. I hope everything that you have discovered and learned in this trip has gone beyond to your expectations. Also, I hope this experience will become part of your life and that we all have a special place in your heart.
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