Finally after more than a week of constant cloudiness and rain, there is an absolutely beautiful day! I’m sitting outside on my balcony right now and thinking about how I’m absolutely in love with Mexico (the good and the bad)… In my little private place here outside my room, I can hear the sounds of my neighbors working away on their traditional tapestry and although it’s Saturday that I’m writing this, I can hear the sounds of the bells from the church up the street. Someone is sweeping their entryway a couple doors up and I can hear the annoying toot of a horn from a vendor that’s walking through the streets selling this certain type of candy made from bananas. And although sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the noises here in the city: [the truck that sells gas (a super annoying song that for some reason includes a cow-like sound and ends with “EL GAAAAS!”); the water man that yells at 7:30 in the morning (“AGUAAAA!”); the constant ringing of our doorbell with someone selling pan dulce or tortillas or some sort of food; the sounds of people laying on their horns during traffic-jams on the highway two blocks away; or the silly subtle sounds of “CH-CH! CH-CH!” from some of the boys when I walk by] … I’m comforted and lifted up by the giggles of the kids playing in the streets; the daily greeting from the little two-year-old girl in my house who has learned “Good mooorning!”; the kissing-sounds of the cuijas (little lizards that visit me in my room and eat those annoying mosquitoes); the songs of the birds that sit in the tree right next to my balcony; and the now-oh-so-familiar sound of playful laughter as my Oaxacan friends tease and pick on me (I need to start working on my witty comebacks in Spanish!). Yes, today I’m in love with Mexico. And it’s funny because for some reason as I’m sitting here enjoying the sun and the slight breeze… there’s a feeling of home in the air. “Home” as in I feel comfortable here in this city but also “home” as in I’m reminded of Spokane. There’s a smell in the wind that whispers of autumn in Spokane. I can't really explain it but it’s so comforting and I feel happy. (Autumn in Spokane is my absolute favorite season!) You know when you smell something like a certain perfume or the smell of bread baking in the oven or some other sort of scent that suddenly opens up this dusty door in your head and a long-forgotten memory rushes in and greets you? It’s kind of like that for me right now… a swirled feeling of my new life here and my childhood memories of autumns in Spokane. :) Mmm … happy.
On a different note, I’m finally starting to feel a connection with my host family. It’s kind of hard because I had this stereotypical idea that families in Mexico were completely open and immediately accept you as one of the children… in reality, most families here, while having close relationships with each other, are actually closed off to other people and it’s hard to become a part of the family. Finally last Saturday, I went to coffee with Ana (my host sister) and it was really great to finally have some time to chat and get to know one another. The next day, for the first time, I had lunch with the whole family. It was so nice! (Although because I wasn’t used to it, I felt a little shy.) Afterwards I watched TV with Ana and Luis (her husband) while Camila (their daughter) played with bubbles. It was so nice and relaxing. It seemed to start the week off in a different light and I’ve felt this change, although subtle, in my relationship with the family. (Although Bruno, the little white fluff-ball of a dog who usually seems to adore me decided to pee in my room not once, but three times the other day … and my door was only open for maybe 5 minutes! Grrr.)
Quick story of my other new “pet” … whenever it’s raining (and remember it was raining all week this week), I have a little (well actually an inch-and-a-half long) friend that comes to visit me, traveling through the drain of my shower. Yep, my cucaracha. The first time he visited me, I was a little uncomfortable but thought, “Ok, whatever … I can get used to him.” The second time, he definitely passed the line of our friendship by surprising me late one night… I was holding my toothpaste about ready to take off the lid when I realized there were antennas come out from behind. Sleepily confused, I flipped the toothpaste over and there, practically in my hand, was Mr. Cockroach. Good thing I’m not a screamer (since everyone else in the house was sleeping) but Mr. Cockroach along with my toothpaste went flying across the bathroom. Tsk, tsk. Not ok with me. So now, although I’ve kind of gotten used to my new friend, I’m always a little apprehensive to go to the bathroom on those rainy nights, especially when I’m approaching the bathroom in the dark. (Always wear shoes in the houses here!) …. (Lauren… which would you rather have… our friendly squirrels who, while uninvited, made themselves at home with us ? Or nightly cockroaches?! Haha!)
So obviously I feel like talking, talking, talking today. But what’s with this one-way conversation??? I don’t want you forgetting about me ;-) EMAIL ME!!! please? I miss you guys! What’s going on in your lives? Tell me all the little details! Any funny stories or awkward moments in life you’d like to share? Well … I truly hope that all is well with each and every one of you, and I hope every once in a while something reminds you of me because it’s seems like every night I have a dream of someone different in the United States … so know that you are in my thoughts from time to time. Take care! And I REALLY hope to hear from you soon!
Much love all around!
Chao!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Mixteca
Ok. Wow. Every time I'm on the internet I feel so overwhelmed because everything is continuously happening so fast and there's such a variety to everything that's happening. So the most recent.....
This past weekend (left on Saturday and just got back yesterday) my group and I went to Mixteca. It's a huge region in the state of Oaxaca. We are working with the organization Witness for Peace and therefore we're going on three trips during this semester; the first Mizteca. We were split into two groups and each group with to a different "pueblo" in the country. Very small towns, and significantly poor. My group went to a town called San Andres Dinicuiti; a town of artisans who make different art out of palms. There were nine of us and we were split into three groups to stay with three families. The family I stayed with was absolutely amazing! There was Lupe and his wife Oraida as well as Lupe's mother who lived in a small brick house with floors of cement and an outside oven made of stone. Almost all the food they eat they grow in their backyard and they make all their tortillas by hand with corn and the flower from pumpkins. They were so wonderful, immediately welcoming us into their home and it was as if we were long lost friends. The first night we were already deep in conversations about immigration and how it's really hard to manage during the dry times of the years. Because of the huracanes, there has been sufficient water this year, but other years, they can't produce enough corn. The stories Lupe shared were incredibly personal, but he told us with such ease and confidence. Lupe and Oraida gave up their bed for another lady and me although we tried to resist. And never in my life have I eaten so much in one weekend! Oraida was continuously making us eat! The last night there, after having eaten three huge meals that day, we were all in bed getting ready to fall asleep when she rushed in and said, "Oh no! We didn't eat the pitayas! We have a lot of fruit to eat tomorrow!" Haha! (And by the way, pitayas are amazing!) But yes, the next day in deed we ate so much food. We were all meeting in another house to eat breakfast as a group, but Oraida insisted that we eat a little (actually a whole) papaya, atole (a special milky drink ... don't really know exactly what's in it) with bread, as well as elotes (corn on the cob basically). THEN, we went and had breakfast with the group. I was so full that I couldn't sit comfortably and I joked with my professor that I was afraid to return to the family in fear that they would make me eat more. Well, in fact, when we arrived she insisted that we eat some "small" mamelitas before we go as well as try her salsa and then she packed us five tortillas each, four pieces of pitaya, and two more elotes. OH MY GOSH!!!!! I wasn't hungry for the whole rest of the day and I'm definitely going to start running in the mornings. It was like yoga for my stomach ... an incredible task to learn how to stretch the stomach!
The point: this family, although they didn't have much in the eyes of society, welcomed us with open arms and honestly gave us EVERYTHING that they had. All the food they could provide, their beds, their time to discuss personal topics, and their hearts by immediately developing an amazing friendship. Only two days with them, and I was incredibly touched. Incredibly incredibly touched. And this family, a family who has had to immigrate to the US not because they wanted to (because they love their country home) but because they had to .... how would they be accepted in the United States? Would anyone one of us Americans welcome them in with such love and selflessness? Would we give everything we had to this family who we barely knew or would we simply give up the necesities? And would it be with an open heart, or annoyance because we have other important things to to? And would we offer our friendship or feel uncomfortable as strangers slept in our homes? I can't even express how loving this family was. And after all this hospitality, when we were leaving the grandmother started giving us their baskets made of palms ... what they do as a living and one of the only ways to make money ... as gifts. I tried to give them money for them, but they defiantly refused. We all gathered for a picture and when we said goodbye, Oraida began to cry as she hugged me and of course I burst into tears. The grandmother as well held onto my face and told me how precious I was. I was sincerly touched. Lupe gave me his number and told me to come back to visit whenever I wanted to, that his house was always open. And what can I do in return? I was able to gather myself for the rest of the goodbyes, but immediately when I stepped onto the street to walk back to our vans, I was beside myself. How could they be so incredibly caring and loving when they barely knew me? I felt more of a connection with them in two days than I have yet to feel with my family in Oaxaca who have so much more to offer. Ted, the other student who stayed in the same house, also recieved a gift of this special, traditional type of bowl to make salsa ... the grandmother refused money but said that she's in need of new shoes. So I think Ted and I are going to try and return with shoes for the grandmother.
This is a lot to read, I know ... but this has seriously been the most touching experience I have ever had. And I hope I can always remember how to be like them ... always sincerely welcoming and loving others as if they were family. I believe that we all must learn how to live not only with open minds but truly with open hearts.
I have one picture of the family that I haven't uploaded onto my computer, but I will post it soon! LOVE YOU ALL and MISS you all! Take care!!!!!
This past weekend (left on Saturday and just got back yesterday) my group and I went to Mixteca. It's a huge region in the state of Oaxaca. We are working with the organization Witness for Peace and therefore we're going on three trips during this semester; the first Mizteca. We were split into two groups and each group with to a different "pueblo" in the country. Very small towns, and significantly poor. My group went to a town called San Andres Dinicuiti; a town of artisans who make different art out of palms. There were nine of us and we were split into three groups to stay with three families. The family I stayed with was absolutely amazing! There was Lupe and his wife Oraida as well as Lupe's mother who lived in a small brick house with floors of cement and an outside oven made of stone. Almost all the food they eat they grow in their backyard and they make all their tortillas by hand with corn and the flower from pumpkins. They were so wonderful, immediately welcoming us into their home and it was as if we were long lost friends. The first night we were already deep in conversations about immigration and how it's really hard to manage during the dry times of the years. Because of the huracanes, there has been sufficient water this year, but other years, they can't produce enough corn. The stories Lupe shared were incredibly personal, but he told us with such ease and confidence. Lupe and Oraida gave up their bed for another lady and me although we tried to resist. And never in my life have I eaten so much in one weekend! Oraida was continuously making us eat! The last night there, after having eaten three huge meals that day, we were all in bed getting ready to fall asleep when she rushed in and said, "Oh no! We didn't eat the pitayas! We have a lot of fruit to eat tomorrow!" Haha! (And by the way, pitayas are amazing!) But yes, the next day in deed we ate so much food. We were all meeting in another house to eat breakfast as a group, but Oraida insisted that we eat a little (actually a whole) papaya, atole (a special milky drink ... don't really know exactly what's in it) with bread, as well as elotes (corn on the cob basically). THEN, we went and had breakfast with the group. I was so full that I couldn't sit comfortably and I joked with my professor that I was afraid to return to the family in fear that they would make me eat more. Well, in fact, when we arrived she insisted that we eat some "small" mamelitas before we go as well as try her salsa and then she packed us five tortillas each, four pieces of pitaya, and two more elotes. OH MY GOSH!!!!! I wasn't hungry for the whole rest of the day and I'm definitely going to start running in the mornings. It was like yoga for my stomach ... an incredible task to learn how to stretch the stomach!
The point: this family, although they didn't have much in the eyes of society, welcomed us with open arms and honestly gave us EVERYTHING that they had. All the food they could provide, their beds, their time to discuss personal topics, and their hearts by immediately developing an amazing friendship. Only two days with them, and I was incredibly touched. Incredibly incredibly touched. And this family, a family who has had to immigrate to the US not because they wanted to (because they love their country home) but because they had to .... how would they be accepted in the United States? Would anyone one of us Americans welcome them in with such love and selflessness? Would we give everything we had to this family who we barely knew or would we simply give up the necesities? And would it be with an open heart, or annoyance because we have other important things to to? And would we offer our friendship or feel uncomfortable as strangers slept in our homes? I can't even express how loving this family was. And after all this hospitality, when we were leaving the grandmother started giving us their baskets made of palms ... what they do as a living and one of the only ways to make money ... as gifts. I tried to give them money for them, but they defiantly refused. We all gathered for a picture and when we said goodbye, Oraida began to cry as she hugged me and of course I burst into tears. The grandmother as well held onto my face and told me how precious I was. I was sincerly touched. Lupe gave me his number and told me to come back to visit whenever I wanted to, that his house was always open. And what can I do in return? I was able to gather myself for the rest of the goodbyes, but immediately when I stepped onto the street to walk back to our vans, I was beside myself. How could they be so incredibly caring and loving when they barely knew me? I felt more of a connection with them in two days than I have yet to feel with my family in Oaxaca who have so much more to offer. Ted, the other student who stayed in the same house, also recieved a gift of this special, traditional type of bowl to make salsa ... the grandmother refused money but said that she's in need of new shoes. So I think Ted and I are going to try and return with shoes for the grandmother.
This is a lot to read, I know ... but this has seriously been the most touching experience I have ever had. And I hope I can always remember how to be like them ... always sincerely welcoming and loving others as if they were family. I believe that we all must learn how to live not only with open minds but truly with open hearts.
I have one picture of the family that I haven't uploaded onto my computer, but I will post it soon! LOVE YOU ALL and MISS you all! Take care!!!!!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Two weeks in...
Hello hello, everyone! Well so many things have been happening and I haven’t had enough time to put it all on the blog so I hope I can remember all the details I have been wanting to tell you!
One thing that has been very interesting here in Oaxaca are all the marches. There are different groups who want to display their ideas and desires to improve the life of Mexico and so they display them by marching through the streets of Oaxaca with signs and whatnot. The first time I saw a march was a week and a half ago on Wednesday. I was heading to the library and when I turned the corner, there was a march coming towards me for a group called “Mujeres de hoy” (Women of today). The march was a silent march as women (and men as well) walked by with signs and handouts. Their goal is to improve the lives of the women here and to diminish discrimination as well as looking to improve the life of Oaxaca in general and improve those situations of poverty in the surrounding area. In this march there was maybe 100 people.
This past Monday however, there was a march that passed our school where 5,000 people participated. It was crazy! We stopped class to go watch a little while our professors explained what was going on. They were walking down the street “Niños de Héroes” which is a super busy street that eventually turns into a highway. It would be like 5,000 people walking down Division in Spokane or Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. All the traffic was stopped, people were honking like crazy because obviously some people we really angry that they had to wait for 5,000 people to pass. These people were protesting on Monday because the president was going to give a speech later that day, and they were protesting against the law “Instituto de serguridad social de los sindicatos de trabajadores del estado” or ISSSTE which is a law that was supposed to support a lot of the schools, hospitals, and other work places. But I guess nothing has happened since that law was made. For instance, the government would say that so many new schools were going to be built but yet not one school has appeared; or that the hospitals were going to receive more funds yet they haven’t received one peso… things like that. And this is why there were 5,000 people … teachers, students, doctors, nurses, and many other types of workers. They had microphones where they would explain what they were marching for and the march ended up in Zócalo which is the downtown area where they held a meeting. It was very interesting to watch and hear about it. Another big thing that has angered people here is the law IMSS – “Instituto mexicano seguridad social” which, I believe, is what Mexico depends on for the safety of their cities … what funds the police I’m guessing. But, people are complaining that the police aren’t doing enough. For instance, as of now, Mexico is number one for what they call “secuestradores” or what is literally translated as kidnappers … ahead of Colombia even. But *IMPORTANT NOTE* it is in a different manner than in Colombia. It’s not directed towards foreigners whatsoever but rather towards the really REALLY rich people in Mexico and mainly in Mexico City, I believe. (So, Mom, Dad, family and others … no worries about me, ok? I’m completely safe!)
Anyway, so that’s what I have been learning about in a more political sense. Hopefully I haven’t bored you because for me, it was a real eye-opener.
Oh and yesterday, I went to Monte Albán … which is another Zapotec ruin. It was huge! And really interesting to hear all about the anthropology of the area, which I’ll do my best to retell with my pictures! :)
I have also been meeting some more Oaxacan friends! I have an “intercambio” every day who goes to a different university in Oaxaca. We talk for a half an hour in Spanish and half an hour in English. It’s been really great getting to know her. Her name is Patricia or Paty and while at first I was kind of shy, we are already starting to tease and laugh and I might possibly go with her one weekend to visit her family who lives in a little town outside of Oaxaca. Most of the time I don’t have too much trouble understanding anyone … the trouble is with me when I have so many thoughts in my head and can’t seem to spit them out in a grammatically correct manner! Although I believe my Spanish has really improved after listening to one friend, an intercambio of another person in the group, who talks inCREDibly fast. I thought maybe it was just his Spanish and was kind of feeling bad that I couldn’t understand him very well but then we had a conversation in English the other day and he speaks just as fast in English! I was thinking, woah! I don’t even think my girlfriends and I speak that fast when we’re all excited about something that’s happened or whatever it may be.
One final thing, on Thursday night my salsa class as well as the teacher went to La Candela to dance salsa. It was a BLAST! I am absolutely in love with dancing! And it was cool that our teacher joined us (since he's usually really busy with his jobs and family) and by the end of the night, he had taught me a little bit of a Dominican Republic dance. :) Fun fun fun.
Ok, well, I think I’ve caught all you up on this past week (can’t believe it’s only been two weeks!), and hopefully it hasn’t been too much to read. I really do love it here and the second week has definitely been easier than the first and I’m already feeling at home here in Oaxaca.
Hope all is well back in the states … or for some people France, and other countries! Love and miss you all!!!
Chao!
One thing that has been very interesting here in Oaxaca are all the marches. There are different groups who want to display their ideas and desires to improve the life of Mexico and so they display them by marching through the streets of Oaxaca with signs and whatnot. The first time I saw a march was a week and a half ago on Wednesday. I was heading to the library and when I turned the corner, there was a march coming towards me for a group called “Mujeres de hoy” (Women of today). The march was a silent march as women (and men as well) walked by with signs and handouts. Their goal is to improve the lives of the women here and to diminish discrimination as well as looking to improve the life of Oaxaca in general and improve those situations of poverty in the surrounding area. In this march there was maybe 100 people.
This past Monday however, there was a march that passed our school where 5,000 people participated. It was crazy! We stopped class to go watch a little while our professors explained what was going on. They were walking down the street “Niños de Héroes” which is a super busy street that eventually turns into a highway. It would be like 5,000 people walking down Division in Spokane or Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. All the traffic was stopped, people were honking like crazy because obviously some people we really angry that they had to wait for 5,000 people to pass. These people were protesting on Monday because the president was going to give a speech later that day, and they were protesting against the law “Instituto de serguridad social de los sindicatos de trabajadores del estado” or ISSSTE which is a law that was supposed to support a lot of the schools, hospitals, and other work places. But I guess nothing has happened since that law was made. For instance, the government would say that so many new schools were going to be built but yet not one school has appeared; or that the hospitals were going to receive more funds yet they haven’t received one peso… things like that. And this is why there were 5,000 people … teachers, students, doctors, nurses, and many other types of workers. They had microphones where they would explain what they were marching for and the march ended up in Zócalo which is the downtown area where they held a meeting. It was very interesting to watch and hear about it. Another big thing that has angered people here is the law IMSS – “Instituto mexicano seguridad social” which, I believe, is what Mexico depends on for the safety of their cities … what funds the police I’m guessing. But, people are complaining that the police aren’t doing enough. For instance, as of now, Mexico is number one for what they call “secuestradores” or what is literally translated as kidnappers … ahead of Colombia even. But *IMPORTANT NOTE* it is in a different manner than in Colombia. It’s not directed towards foreigners whatsoever but rather towards the really REALLY rich people in Mexico and mainly in Mexico City, I believe. (So, Mom, Dad, family and others … no worries about me, ok? I’m completely safe!)
Anyway, so that’s what I have been learning about in a more political sense. Hopefully I haven’t bored you because for me, it was a real eye-opener.
Oh and yesterday, I went to Monte Albán … which is another Zapotec ruin. It was huge! And really interesting to hear all about the anthropology of the area, which I’ll do my best to retell with my pictures! :)
I have also been meeting some more Oaxacan friends! I have an “intercambio” every day who goes to a different university in Oaxaca. We talk for a half an hour in Spanish and half an hour in English. It’s been really great getting to know her. Her name is Patricia or Paty and while at first I was kind of shy, we are already starting to tease and laugh and I might possibly go with her one weekend to visit her family who lives in a little town outside of Oaxaca. Most of the time I don’t have too much trouble understanding anyone … the trouble is with me when I have so many thoughts in my head and can’t seem to spit them out in a grammatically correct manner! Although I believe my Spanish has really improved after listening to one friend, an intercambio of another person in the group, who talks inCREDibly fast. I thought maybe it was just his Spanish and was kind of feeling bad that I couldn’t understand him very well but then we had a conversation in English the other day and he speaks just as fast in English! I was thinking, woah! I don’t even think my girlfriends and I speak that fast when we’re all excited about something that’s happened or whatever it may be.
One final thing, on Thursday night my salsa class as well as the teacher went to La Candela to dance salsa. It was a BLAST! I am absolutely in love with dancing! And it was cool that our teacher joined us (since he's usually really busy with his jobs and family) and by the end of the night, he had taught me a little bit of a Dominican Republic dance. :) Fun fun fun.
Ok, well, I think I’ve caught all you up on this past week (can’t believe it’s only been two weeks!), and hopefully it hasn’t been too much to read. I really do love it here and the second week has definitely been easier than the first and I’m already feeling at home here in Oaxaca.
Hope all is well back in the states … or for some people France, and other countries! Love and miss you all!!!
Chao!
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