Last day

After class today we walked over to the Alameda Hidalgo. Alameda is another way of saying "park" in Spanish. There are so many tall trees that it is pure shade and people like to go there to sit in a cool, quiet spot. Lulu also explained that on Sunday afternoons/evenings, lower-class people (her words, not mine) spruce themselves up and go there to flirt. The young women (most of them maids, says Lulu) wear high heels and sit on the surrounding benches while the young men (construction workers) walk around the park. When eye contact is made and sparks fly, then the young man sits down next to the lady and they chat. What I find even more interesting is that people of lower-middle class go to a different park. They're very conscious of dating within their social class. I thank Lulu for telling it like it is!

Later on we met again for a second dance lesson. Some students were feeling a little tired or had some stomach problems so only a few participated, but WOW they were great!

Then all of our Senoras came to the school for a little going-away party. Gabi, the school's director, provided some delicious tamales for us to eat and atole to drink. Atole is warm beverage made from chocolate and maiz. It's very sweet and served in tiny cups. I drank about half of it before I was really craving some water.

I have to say I think this group of mamas is just outstanding. They are warm, friendly, caring, funny and very easy to get to know. They obviously enjoy having student guests in their homes. This has been a truly rewarding experience!

Now, I just need to keep my fingers crossed that everyone will be well enough to travel tomorrow. It's time to get back to our regular diets and get some rest!

La piramide

I am fascinated by Pre-Hispanic history so today was a real treat for me. There is a pyramid just four miles from downtown Queretaro! It is believed that Teotihuacan and Toltec cultures populated this area from around 600 A.D. and later by Chichimecans, Otomis and Tarascans. They call it "El Cerrito" (Little Hill) because that's what everybody thought it was for many years until an excavation began.

Later in the day we got together with Lulu for a little song session focusing on the classics.

Last update tomorrow!

Convento de la Santa Cruz

I'm happy to report that all students were in class today! Everyone was talkative and ready for the day ahead. After class we walked over to the Santa Cruz Convent. It's really old! Let me quote what my tourist map says about it:

The Spanish conquest of the city ended here on July 25, 1531, where this magnificent convent was later built. During the battle between the Spaniards and the local indigenous people, a vision of a cross in the sky appeared to all. With both sides in awe, the battle ended abruptly. A replica of that cross, carved in stone, is suspended above the main altar of the church. Coincidentally, thorns in the perfect shape of a cross grow on an extremely rare ancient tree found in the garden of the convent.

They sell the large, cross-shaped thorns all over Queretaro to help support the convent, which now serves as a functioning seminary school. (Yes, I bought one, and yes, it has stabbed me more than once.)

After a brief tour we went back to the school to check emails and facebooks and then we went to a nearby market to look for a little gift for Lulu. The rest of the afternoon was free time!

San Miguel de Allende

We started class an hour earlier today so that we would have more time to spend in San Miguel de Allende. Unfortunately, Austin was still feeling a bit sick so he stayed at home. (I just spoke with him and he's feeling much better!)

We took 3 different buses and finally we arrived at the market place. It was nice! I called it the "Nieman Marcus" of mercados. What a difference a weekday visit makes - almost nobody there! It so happens that many stores close on Tuesdays in San Miguel -sort of their day off. We didn't notice. There were still a lot of stands open and the merchandise looked a lot nicer, although a bit more expensive. A lot of the stuff you might find at stores in Santa Fe, for example, but SO much cheaper. Oh, by the way, I picked up a big blue bag for you Mrs. Rogers! I forgot to tell Austin that a moment ago when I spoke to him.

The overcast skies were a relief from our normal sunny afternoon walks. We saw more Americans than we have seen in the past week - including at school! American artists and anti-war protesters moved to San Miguel and have had a positive influence on the community by supporting education and children's issues. You can even see/hear the young adult children of these Americans in the plaza and cafes. They look American but they are speaking Spanish like a native. Americans also like to retire there.

General Ignacio Allende, a native of the town, was a leading player in the war against Spain for Independence. He is now a national hero. (He was ultimately captured and beheaded, of course.)

After spending a little time in the market we saw another beautiful church then relaxed at Starbucks for awhile. Just as we were getting to the bus stop it started raining. Most of us had an umbrella, a raincoat or something to put over our heads for the few minutes we had to wait. Then it was nap time on the bus!

Of our three day trips I have to say this place is my favorite. It's just my style.

Second week begins

After class today we went to a nearby small town called Can(y)ada (I don't know how to do accents and tildes on my blog yet, sorry.). That is where the aqueduct began hundreds of years ago. Now it is all dried up, but still you can get an idea of how it all works. There was a nice park around the reservoir with big trees. Spencer, Diego and Alejandra couldn't resist a climb!

After lunch we got together with Lulu at the school and played some typical Mexican board games. It was fun and we learned some new vocabulary words. Austin and Rachel took the afternoon off to get some rest. As you can see, our daily schedule is packed and can wear you out!

Tomorrow after classes we will drive to San Miguel de Allende for another day trip. Mrs. Mullins is getting back on that bus!

Guanajuato

Sorry for the delay in my blog, but I ate a funky chicken taco yesterday at lunch in Guanajuato and got a bad case of food poisoning. Yuck! I've been resting all day and I think tomorrow I'll be all better.

We left at about 8:30 and it was a two-hour bus ride. Guanajuato is a pretty town in the mountains. It was born from silver mining during colonization. The first place we went was el Museo de las Momias (the Museum of the Mummies), where Spanish priests would torture non-conformists and lawbreakers of all kinds. Terrible things happened there during the Inquisition.

We went to an old silver mine and the students got to actually go down the mine to see the kinds of conditions the men used to have to work in. Then we stopped by a church which is considered the second-most important church in Mexico due to the 24 karat gold altar. Very impressive.

After that we went to the market for a little shopping and then had lunch on the plaza. Some mariachis were strolling along looking for clients and so we bought a song. They were fantastic! Then, the table next to us bought three songs (one song is about $9). It was very entertaining.

After lunch (which would haunt me later) the kids went with Lulu to see the Universidad de Guanajuato and Diego Rivera's house. Diego Rivera was famous for his murals and was married to Frida Kahlo. Lauren and I stayed downtown to finish up some shopping.

It was a three-hour ride home thanks to Mrs. Mullins being so sick, but the kids were all in good spirits. I will never be able to thank Lauren enough for taking such good care of me.

Market/Cooking Day

After class today we all got on a bus and rode over to the big market in Queretaro. This was the first time for us to use public transportation so it was a new experience. Upon arriving the mercado, the students were told which grocery items they were to go buy. The found the queso ranchero, onions and cilantro without any problems. After that we had some time to walk up and down the aisles and see all of the typical items found at a Mexican market. I love those colorful nylon bags so much I bought ten of them - for only $14! I was so absorbed in all the surroundings that I forgot to take any pictures. Sorry about that!

Then we took a private minivan to Graciela's house. Graciela was our cooking instructor. Turns out that her husband, Vicente, did most of the cooking and the students did most of the prep for the guacamole. That was the best darn guacamole ever! They also made the cucumbers and limonada (limeade). Vicente prepared Enchiladas Queretanas, chicken, potatoes and carrots over the fire. Delicious! They also had a huge dog that was only 11 months old who barked at us.

We missed Spencer today because he was feeling a little under the weather but he has recharged his battery and rejoined the group.

Five days in

Everything is going so well. Each day we grow more accustomed to our routine and our surroundings. We know many new people by name and talk to them everyday. Hearing Spanish all the time seems more normal now. This is fun!

After class, we walked over to see the city's colonial-time theater, but unfortunately it was closed. So what do we do instead? Why, buy an ice cream of course! Feeling happy with our malts and shakes, we walked toward our next destination, the church of Santa Clara. One word: ornate! It's an incredible sight to see. On the way we stopped in to a former Mexican president's house, which is now open to the public and individual businesses. One can only imagine how beautiful of a home it was during its time of the president's residence.

Later in the afternoon the students came together for a lesson on papel picado (cut paper) and how it is used during Mexican celebrations. They made some typical party decorations using tissue paper. Lulu explained the process step by step and as always, in Spanish.

Another full day

Again, all students arrived on time for school. They tell me that they are sleeping well and getting plenty to eat. (I imagine they will be craving a hamburger pretty soon!)

After class we loaded up in a van and went to a beautiful park called el Cerro de las Campanas (the Hill of the Bells). Lulu explained the story and history behind everything. The Benito Juarez statue was HUGE and there were amazing flowering trees and cacti everywhere. Some students learned how very prickly cacti are, as well as tasty.

After lunch, everyone came back to the school for cumbia dance lessons. It started to rain, but that didn't stop them! A dance teacher came and taught them some basic moves. After only about 20 minutes they were really dancing la cumbia! They looked great! I'm hoping they will want to do it again.

Busy!

Everybody made it to school on time today, no problems. After an hour and a half of grammar review and conversation, the kids headed out to the Museo Regional de Queretaro for more culture and history lessons. After lunch, they were to go shopping.

All seven students in this little group are becoming friends very quickly. They like to stay in touch and plan activities together. They are totally immersed in the Spanish language and Mexican culture. Queretaro is such a beautiful place to learn!

First day of school

This morning we all met at a predetermined corner and walked to school together. Marta (one of the moms) led the way. It's about a 15 minute walk. The weather is beautiful in the morning, sunny and in the sixties.

The students stayed in class from 10:00 to 11:45. When they came out they were talkative and smiling. Class went well. Lulu then took us on another walking tour of the city. We first went to a nice lookout spot with a fabulous view of the old aqueduct. Lulu explained the "romantic" story of how it came to be and then told us what the "real" story was. I preferred the romantic story. After that we walked across the street to a small museum with statues and paintings of famous Queretanos and other influential Mexican men and women. (There is an interesting story behind why the women in the paintings have little mustaches.)

The afternoons are hot so we take comfort in the shade when others are still looking at something, taking pictures or asking questions. We visited another church, did a little more shopping, and then it was back home for lunch.

Another great day!

First 24 hours in Queretaro

Wow! It's been almost 24 hours since we arrived at our homes and we have done so much! The flights went well, no problems with baggage claim or customs, our driver was waiting for us, we all exchanged some money before leaving the airport and we were on our way. Jose, our driver, was very friendly and did a great job driving us the 1 1/2 hours to our final destination. We even stopped for strawberries and cream, a favorite local snack.

We were hot and tired by the time we arrived at the Centro Intercultural, but still excited because we were about to meet our "Senora" de la casa. They were all there waiting for us and we quickly loaded our things and went home. Plans varied last night. Rachel and Alex went to a birthday party while Lauren and I talked our host, Patricia, for the next 2 hours on her beautiful patio.

This morning we all met at one of the plazas and Lulu gave us a walking tour of this beautiful city. On a Sunday morning there is very little traffic and very few people out and about so we felt free to pose for pictures and walk around at a leisurely pace. After a couple of hours we ate breakfast at a beautiful restaurant called Las Monjas (The Nuns). The food was delicious and it was very relaxing.

From there we got on a bus and headed toward El Bernal, another town in the state of Queretaro. There is huge butte there called La Pena. You can hike up and get a great view of the town below. For those of us who wore flip flops and/or were not ready for a two-hour hike, there was plenty of shopping to keep us busy. This is a fun place where many families come to spend their Sundays walking around, eating ice cream and buying little gifts. We tried a local favorite called gorditas. Yum! We also explored a local cemetery, which is always interesting. The highlight of the afternoon was probably when the reptiles from the local circus showed up and you could play with a huge turtle, iguana or even put a snake around your neck! (I had to say no gracias to that one.)

The bus ride was an hour and a half so by the time we got back to Queretaro everybody was ready to go home and rest for awhile. All the moms were there waiting for us to pull up.

Tomorrow - first day of school!