On Sunday, the baby in my house, Samantha, was baptized. Her grandmother and great aunt make all the prepartions for the fiesta afterward. Tamales and chocolate are the traditional foods for a baptism. The party was held at a special ¨jardin de fiestas¨ a fenced in area for rent with a covered patio, tables, chairs, a kitchen counter with stovetop and a playground for the kids including trampoline, swings, slides and a bounce house.
Marimar, Memo, Samantha and I left the house about 9:15am, the car was really loaded down. We went to the fiesta site first where Marimars´aunt and mother were setting tables and getting things ready. I jumped in to help. We set the round tables for 8 each + a really long childrens table. A possibility of 75 guests. An arch of balloons and a piñata completed the decor.
At each placesetting we put a disposable plate, fork, spoon, 2 cups, and a jello. A container of napkins set in the center. Then we filled one of the cups with juice. I was worried that the gathering clouds would blow everything away, but it was fine.
We went on to church, being too late for Mass. There was a gathering of family members that attended the baptism itself. Memo´s brother and Marimar´s sister were the Padrinos (godparents) the pre-sacrament talk the priest gave was all about the parents and godparents responsibility and promise to be good examples to the child, teaching them about Christ and living it out. Samantha did not protest during the ceremony and was fast asleep by the time we got to the fiesta.
There were 2 types of tamales, dulces (a sweet one I did not care for) and de rayes (a strip of chile down the center, very good) In addition there were pan dulces, hot chocolate milk, the jellos, apple juice, cake (delicious tres leches) and popsicles----a whole lotta carbs!!
I sat with Rebecca, another alumna of the Institute, she is 24 from Texas, and is studying for 4 months. Rebecca lives with the mother and sister of my host, Marimar. We were scolded by Memo´s father for speaking English with each other!! But truely we mostly spoke in Spanish with our tablemates, though everyone seems to want to talk politics and whether one likes Obama---argh! After awhile I claim I only hablo español pocito and take a break. It is exhausting to listen and speak---particullarly with the American Disco music blaring in the background. I did seek out Memo´s sweet older Tia that I had met on father´s day. She is recovering from a broken arm, so it is easy to start up a conversation, and she speaks slowly and distinctly, so she is easy to talk with.
The children all had a good time, and the Piñata breaking was fun, if not dangerous. The older kids get quite ferocious and the little ones, are anxious to pick up falling candy, not minding the swinging bat.
After cleanup we went home. I took a nap and worked on my homework to get ready for the new week.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Los Caballos
On Saturday morning I left the house about 8:30 to get downtown by bus by 9:00. I went via taxi with 3 other alumnos to Calpan, a small farm village near the volcanoes. I thought we would be ascending and seeing the volcanoes, but that was not the case. We rode the horses through the village and out to the farmland in the arroyos near the volcanos. None the less, it was fun.
Mis compadres are: Ann, (about my age) a middle school teacher from North Carolina, Bryan (27) Seminarian, studying to be a Catholic priest in LA--home in Seattle, and Fin (16) High School student, saxaphone and soccer player from a rural town in Washington state.
As we neared the village, we began to see horse and mule drawn carts and wagons used in very practical ways---plowing, hauling lumber, livestock, etc. The pueblita was quaint. Cobblestone streets, cement block housing, dogs on the roofs, bouganvilla and prickly pear cactus.
We were taken to the home of Edmundo (Mundo) and his wife Pati for breakfast. After breakfast, he told us what to expect and riding instructions---in spanish with alot of gesturing and panto. For me, very easy to understand. We soon were matched with horses and ambling through town. Because of the inexperience of our members, Carlito and Patricia, Mundos kids, walked alongside us. One of the horses was led by rope. We ascended a hill, then down into the arroyo.
The scenery was beautiful, and you felt like you were in the ¨real¨ Mexico. Women were hand washing clothes by the stream. Farmers were cutting weeds with machetes. Everywhere young cornstalks were growing. There is typically alot of rain in June, sometimes accompanied by hail, so the timing of the planting coincides with this fact. Many families were walking along the path, carrying a picnic, and farm implements to tend the fields. I´m not sure if it is communally owned land or what, but everyone seemed to have their own spot.
Mundo took us along the arroyo, and into the streambed. There were some steep inclines and decents. The trees seemed willowy, there were berries and ferns I recognize from home. I have some pictures but not many, Mundo wanted us to keep one hand on the reins and one on the saddlehorn. He took alot of pictures and gave us a disk when we left---but they are all of horse and rider, rather than the vistas and people we passed. All this time, Carlito, Patricia and Mundo ran alongside!!! We were out a total of 3 hours.
At one point, Ann, from North Carolina, fell off her horse!! It was a slow slide, so she was not hurt, thankfully. But an illustration of why Mundo and kids were running alongside. Darn Gringos! Ann got right back on the horse. She teaches middle school, so she says ( in her darling accent) "I face adolescents all day long, no way a little ol´horse is gonna scare me off".
After awhile we stopped in a little orchard alongside corn and oat patches for a rest. Patricia gave us fresh plums from the trees, then Mundo indicated that he was taking the hombres on up the hill, but not the mujeres. I was envious because I thought they were going up the side of the volcano. Ann and I waited with the kids for about 1/2 hour. We chatted with Patricia, she is entering the Universidad in Puebla at age 16.
When the guys came back Bryan declared he had been in over his head. At the top was only flat land, where Mundo made the horses gallop!!! Bryan is still saddle sore today. The saddles are carved wood with a leather seat cover--not the softest. So I didn´t need to be envious. We rode back to the house a different way than we came. It was wonderful. The sound of fireworks greeted us. "you are in Mexico" says Mundo, "every day is a fiesta" We figured some saint´s day or perhaps a wedding. Back at the house, Pati had lunch ready. Caldo a Res--beef soup with fresh vegetables, picante----"to avoid muscle soreness" Mundo explained.
The taxi ride back to Puebla was animated with conversation. We all had a fabulous time and will recommend others take the trip.
Mis compadres are: Ann, (about my age) a middle school teacher from North Carolina, Bryan (27) Seminarian, studying to be a Catholic priest in LA--home in Seattle, and Fin (16) High School student, saxaphone and soccer player from a rural town in Washington state.
As we neared the village, we began to see horse and mule drawn carts and wagons used in very practical ways---plowing, hauling lumber, livestock, etc. The pueblita was quaint. Cobblestone streets, cement block housing, dogs on the roofs, bouganvilla and prickly pear cactus.
We were taken to the home of Edmundo (Mundo) and his wife Pati for breakfast. After breakfast, he told us what to expect and riding instructions---in spanish with alot of gesturing and panto. For me, very easy to understand. We soon were matched with horses and ambling through town. Because of the inexperience of our members, Carlito and Patricia, Mundos kids, walked alongside us. One of the horses was led by rope. We ascended a hill, then down into the arroyo.
The scenery was beautiful, and you felt like you were in the ¨real¨ Mexico. Women were hand washing clothes by the stream. Farmers were cutting weeds with machetes. Everywhere young cornstalks were growing. There is typically alot of rain in June, sometimes accompanied by hail, so the timing of the planting coincides with this fact. Many families were walking along the path, carrying a picnic, and farm implements to tend the fields. I´m not sure if it is communally owned land or what, but everyone seemed to have their own spot.
Mundo took us along the arroyo, and into the streambed. There were some steep inclines and decents. The trees seemed willowy, there were berries and ferns I recognize from home. I have some pictures but not many, Mundo wanted us to keep one hand on the reins and one on the saddlehorn. He took alot of pictures and gave us a disk when we left---but they are all of horse and rider, rather than the vistas and people we passed. All this time, Carlito, Patricia and Mundo ran alongside!!! We were out a total of 3 hours.
At one point, Ann, from North Carolina, fell off her horse!! It was a slow slide, so she was not hurt, thankfully. But an illustration of why Mundo and kids were running alongside. Darn Gringos! Ann got right back on the horse. She teaches middle school, so she says ( in her darling accent) "I face adolescents all day long, no way a little ol´horse is gonna scare me off".
After awhile we stopped in a little orchard alongside corn and oat patches for a rest. Patricia gave us fresh plums from the trees, then Mundo indicated that he was taking the hombres on up the hill, but not the mujeres. I was envious because I thought they were going up the side of the volcano. Ann and I waited with the kids for about 1/2 hour. We chatted with Patricia, she is entering the Universidad in Puebla at age 16.
When the guys came back Bryan declared he had been in over his head. At the top was only flat land, where Mundo made the horses gallop!!! Bryan is still saddle sore today. The saddles are carved wood with a leather seat cover--not the softest. So I didn´t need to be envious. We rode back to the house a different way than we came. It was wonderful. The sound of fireworks greeted us. "you are in Mexico" says Mundo, "every day is a fiesta" We figured some saint´s day or perhaps a wedding. Back at the house, Pati had lunch ready. Caldo a Res--beef soup with fresh vegetables, picante----"to avoid muscle soreness" Mundo explained.
The taxi ride back to Puebla was animated with conversation. We all had a fabulous time and will recommend others take the trip.
Friday, June 26, 2009
fin de semana
Well I made it through the first week. The Language school is the easy part. I managed to speak only spanish for 2 hours yesterday afternoon when out with my guia. So I´m pretty proud of myself. I am pretty homesick. Don´t know what I´d do if I wasn´t able to call home daily. That really helps. I´m also realizing how demonstrative (extraordinarily so?) my family and friends are at home. I´m pretty hungry for a hug.
I will be joining 3 other students tomorrow for a horseback ride in up the volcanos (Calpan) it includes breadfast and lunch---so that will fill the time. On Sunday the baby (Samantha) in my house, will be baptized. There will be a fiesta too, so that will be fun and interesting. Other than that I have made 100 flash cards, with commonly used verbs that I will be filling in. I´m very good at the present tense, but have to learn to use the preterite (past) and future.
Hopefully, early next week I can get some help posting photos. I already have mucho! Yesterday I toured the Talavera pottery fabrica, it´s all handmade, from stomping the clay, turning it on the wheel, grinding the minerals for the colors, and the beautiful hand painted designs. Anne (a student, from North Carolina) here bought a complete set for 12 yesterday. The shipping alone costs $600. It is so beautiful!!!
Right now, school is over, but there is a terrific thundersorm, so several of us are waiting it out at the institute. Usually, this happens daily and passes in an hour or so.
I will be joining 3 other students tomorrow for a horseback ride in up the volcanos (Calpan) it includes breadfast and lunch---so that will fill the time. On Sunday the baby (Samantha) in my house, will be baptized. There will be a fiesta too, so that will be fun and interesting. Other than that I have made 100 flash cards, with commonly used verbs that I will be filling in. I´m very good at the present tense, but have to learn to use the preterite (past) and future.
Hopefully, early next week I can get some help posting photos. I already have mucho! Yesterday I toured the Talavera pottery fabrica, it´s all handmade, from stomping the clay, turning it on the wheel, grinding the minerals for the colors, and the beautiful hand painted designs. Anne (a student, from North Carolina) here bought a complete set for 12 yesterday. The shipping alone costs $600. It is so beautiful!!!
Right now, school is over, but there is a terrific thundersorm, so several of us are waiting it out at the institute. Usually, this happens daily and passes in an hour or so.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Getting to School
This is the 2nd day I got myself to school. My bus stop is right around the corner from the house. I´m on Calle 11 Sur, which is a busy one, several lanes of one way traffic, going very fast.
I stand on the curb, squint to try and figure which of the many buses is mine, so that I can flag it down. The bus pulls closer, comes to a "rolling stop" and starts up again as soon as I step in. You have to grab and bar and hold on, because the bus immediately turns a corner. After that you can pay the man 5 pesos (1/2 cent)---and THEN I look to see if there is somewhere to sit, negotiate my backpack so I don´t smack anyone, and sit.
The bus travels down Calle 9 Sur, I go from Calle 43, to Calle 11. This side is the odd number streets so it is roughly 16 blocks to ride. At Calle 13 I stand to indicate I´ll be getting off. Mention to the driver "por Calle once (11)" He stops, but just barely. I call out "gracias" and begin my walk. I walk east on Calle 11 from 9 Sur past Calle 16 de Septiembre (Independance Day) Calle 16 de Septiembre is the divider between east and west. Calle 5 de Mayo is the divider between north and south. The institute is #10 on the east side.
This is the historic district, so no signs are allowed on the buildings. #10 is the only distinguishing mark on the Institute door--other than a small plaque around the doorbell.
Usually noone speaks on the bus. Many seem sleepy, young people have their earbuds in---listening to music. On my walk after exiting the bus, I walk the narrow sidewalk. People are beginning their workday, unlocking shops and sweeping the sidewalk. There is virtually no trash around, and though the streets and sidewalks are in disrepair, they are pretty clean. Trash, bottles and cans hang in plastic shopping bags from the trees. Someone takes those away each day. The closer you get to the center of town and the Zocolo, the more colorful the buildings are.
This morning I was stopped by an older gentleman waiting outside his workplace very near the Insitute. He spoke to me in English, told me he had worked in Arizona for 14 years, and liked to practice speaking English, he asked why I wanted to speak Spanish, was satisfied when I told him I teach children to read and many of my students are Latinos. He offered his assistance for anything, and we shook hands. His name is Julio Sanchez---it will be interesting if I see him on other mornings also.
I have yet to go home by myself. Yesterday we went on a field trip to Cholula and returned late. I joined the other students for a beer and merienda (evening snack) and we were treated to a fierce thunderstorm. 3 of us shared a taxi home, so today, I´ll see how I do on the way home. It is a different route/bus because of the one way streets. Time for class
I stand on the curb, squint to try and figure which of the many buses is mine, so that I can flag it down. The bus pulls closer, comes to a "rolling stop" and starts up again as soon as I step in. You have to grab and bar and hold on, because the bus immediately turns a corner. After that you can pay the man 5 pesos (1/2 cent)---and THEN I look to see if there is somewhere to sit, negotiate my backpack so I don´t smack anyone, and sit.
The bus travels down Calle 9 Sur, I go from Calle 43, to Calle 11. This side is the odd number streets so it is roughly 16 blocks to ride. At Calle 13 I stand to indicate I´ll be getting off. Mention to the driver "por Calle once (11)" He stops, but just barely. I call out "gracias" and begin my walk. I walk east on Calle 11 from 9 Sur past Calle 16 de Septiembre (Independance Day) Calle 16 de Septiembre is the divider between east and west. Calle 5 de Mayo is the divider between north and south. The institute is #10 on the east side.
This is the historic district, so no signs are allowed on the buildings. #10 is the only distinguishing mark on the Institute door--other than a small plaque around the doorbell.
Usually noone speaks on the bus. Many seem sleepy, young people have their earbuds in---listening to music. On my walk after exiting the bus, I walk the narrow sidewalk. People are beginning their workday, unlocking shops and sweeping the sidewalk. There is virtually no trash around, and though the streets and sidewalks are in disrepair, they are pretty clean. Trash, bottles and cans hang in plastic shopping bags from the trees. Someone takes those away each day. The closer you get to the center of town and the Zocolo, the more colorful the buildings are.
This morning I was stopped by an older gentleman waiting outside his workplace very near the Insitute. He spoke to me in English, told me he had worked in Arizona for 14 years, and liked to practice speaking English, he asked why I wanted to speak Spanish, was satisfied when I told him I teach children to read and many of my students are Latinos. He offered his assistance for anything, and we shook hands. His name is Julio Sanchez---it will be interesting if I see him on other mornings also.
I have yet to go home by myself. Yesterday we went on a field trip to Cholula and returned late. I joined the other students for a beer and merienda (evening snack) and we were treated to a fierce thunderstorm. 3 of us shared a taxi home, so today, I´ll see how I do on the way home. It is a different route/bus because of the one way streets. Time for class
Monday, June 22, 2009
I´m at school|
I´m here and I´m very nervous. The Institute is very clean, beautiful and friendly. The street outside, not so much. I hope I will be able to post pictures, but if not, I´ll try to describe things well.
I was met at the airport by Rosalia, an employee of the institute. From there it´s been spanish only--and I get by better than I could have imagined.
My family, Guillermo, Maria and baby Samatha are very nice. They have a 3 bedroom condo, one of 8 on a small courtyard. The courtyard is for parking. It is very cheery and comfortable. Samatha is only 6 months old and the quietest child I´ve ever been around. Yesterday we went to Guillermo´s parents for a Father´s day dinner. His sister, brother-in-law, Anna (5) and Manuelito (1) as well as another brother were there as well as a sweet Aunt who made me feel very welcome. Dinner was many courses in the formal dining room.
Today Guillermo escorted me by public bus to school, he will also meet me to escort me home. Tomorrow we will walk, then I will be on my own. That is the most scary. I need to be very aggressive, all streets look the same, and I´m far from comfortable about it all.
El Director is meeting with us in 5 minutes, so I´ll sign off for now.
Love and hugs to all
I was met at the airport by Rosalia, an employee of the institute. From there it´s been spanish only--and I get by better than I could have imagined.
My family, Guillermo, Maria and baby Samatha are very nice. They have a 3 bedroom condo, one of 8 on a small courtyard. The courtyard is for parking. It is very cheery and comfortable. Samatha is only 6 months old and the quietest child I´ve ever been around. Yesterday we went to Guillermo´s parents for a Father´s day dinner. His sister, brother-in-law, Anna (5) and Manuelito (1) as well as another brother were there as well as a sweet Aunt who made me feel very welcome. Dinner was many courses in the formal dining room.
Today Guillermo escorted me by public bus to school, he will also meet me to escort me home. Tomorrow we will walk, then I will be on my own. That is the most scary. I need to be very aggressive, all streets look the same, and I´m far from comfortable about it all.
El Director is meeting with us in 5 minutes, so I´ll sign off for now.
Love and hugs to all
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Our baby has graduated, and now Mama is going to school!
Four years ago I was hired by Medford School District to teach phonics in a Bi-lingual Kindergarten, which resurrected Spanish Vocabulary I had from my growing up in So. California schools. With that, the remembrance of how much I enjoy the Spanish Language. It has been a dream of mine to become confident and conversational, and so by my husband's generosity and the encouragement of many, I'm flying this Saturday to Puebla, Mexico, for a 3 week Spanish Immersion course.
I'll be staying with a family, attending small classes in the mornings (max 8 students) and about town in the afternoons, one on one with a professor. I'm excited about Language School, terrified about traveling by myself and being away from home longer than ever before.
I'll try my best to keep this blog updated. I covet your prayers and support while I'm gone.
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