i have a lot of it.
it's kind of incredible.
i have somehow managed to have such a care-free stress-free year, that now that it's hit me, it feels like a load of bricks.
reasons for my stress:
1. i have not been sleeping well. no matter where i am, i just don't ever seem to wake up rested anymore. perhaps this is due to the immense heat we are experiencing now, but who knows.
2. i have just over two months left here in Cuernavaca...and i have recently realized how much i am hoping to get done before i leave, and i just don't know if there is enough time left to get it all done. there are places to visit, books to read, work to finish, gifts to prepare, recipes to learn, i tell you its never ending...
3. my work/project: i am in the thick of things. i hope to have my first draft done by the end of next month, and there is SO much to do before then. right now i'm in the midst of interviewing the community, which is interesting, though rather stressful AND very time consuming
4. i am trying to decide what to do with my life. more specifically, what to do post-SALT. i'm in the midst of the application process with MVS (Mennonite Voluntary Service), and looking into a position in Madison working with Latino immigrants. We'll see where that goes....
but to get my mind off all my stress and things to do, i'm headed to mexico city this weekend to hang out with my aunt and uncle. should be a grand time!
hasta la proxima.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
la via...new and improved
Yesterday I spent the majority of my day, along with the other maestras, cutting designs out of colored sheets of plastic. Moms came in the afternoon to help with project. We stayed later than normal at school to staple all the sheets onto cords that ran the width of La Via (the street/community the school is in/on) between the primaria and the kinder. This morning, as parents arrived to drop their kids off, they stayed awhile to help hang the colorful banners across the street, just as everyone else the whole way down La Via was doing in front of their own homes. Everyone was preparing for the grand fiesta. For it was finally the day of the inauguration of the road.
April 15. Inauguration Day. When I arrived in Cuernavaca and settled into my (what turned out to be temporary) home in La Via, I was quite amazed at the state of the "street." I arrived during rainy season, which made matters even worse. Rain turned the dirt road into a muddy river. It was literally a disaster. About two weeks after my arrival, construction began on the street. I was told that they would be done by the end of December. DECEMBER....yApril 15. Inauguration Day. Welcome to the world where things just don't get done on time, or in a logical order. (check out my blog from september from when the construction began...)
It's been quite an experience spending the last 7 months watching the process of this street being put in. I watched as they dug through rocks down about 15 feet below the ground in order to put drainage tubing in. (That's a lot of noise, for the record. Not quite conducive to carrying on school about 20 feet away....) I watched as the workers spent a lot of their time just sitting around, drinking coke, and I wondered if the project would ever get finished. I watched as the community had junta (meeting) after junta, organizing payments, who would go to what organization to get what paper that was needed for the next step, etc. etc. I watched as they forced a large number of families to tear down part of their houses so that the street would be at the regulated width. (Dona Juana's house, where I lived my first month, was essentially cut in half. The government cut it and left it literally in rubbles, but the family had to pay to fix it back up.) I watched as they laid the pavement and the sidewalks, and as they dug up parts of it to fix something underneath that they forgot to do before. I watched as they did not put the sidewalk in front of the one house of the one person who refused to participate and pay her dues. It has been quite a process.
It has been a process that has included lots of incredible stories, the main one being the ability of the community to organize themselves in order to bring about the creation of the street. It is harder to capture the essence of this community in words, and where they have come from, and how far they have come, but suffice it to say that their ability to organize for this project is a serious demonstration of the great strides that have been taken over the past few years here. But mind you, only half of what is La Via now has a paved street with drainage and water. The other half, unable to organize themselves, remains a dirt street. Now standing at La Buena Tierra (my school) when I look to the left I see what appears to be a dignified community, with a paved street, closed homes, and a sense of safety and pride. When I look right, to "el otro lado" ("the other side"), I see an urban slum, with a dirt road, dilapidated housing, and a lack of dignity for the people who live there. It saddens me that there is such a concept of "the two sides" in La Via. Despite all the different people I have asked, no one can actually give me an answer to why there is such a division among the people. It is something that started so long ago, that has been passed down from generation to generation, to the point that the people who hate each other today can't even explain why it is the way it is. El otro lado wasn't even invited to the fiesta today for the inauguration of la calle.
I have gotten off track.
April 15. Inauguration Day.
After school let out, all of us maestras from La Buena Tierra headed out of school, and followed our ears to the booming music. The entire walk down the street was a colorful one, as everyone had hung the colorful banners from one side of the street to the other in front of their homes. As we arrived on the scene of the grand fiesta, I was utterly surprised by the white linen table clothes and the vases filled with roses that sat on the middle of the tables. We took our seats, and were then served coca-cola (of course), and a plate of puerco, frijoles, y arroz. With huge speakers and Latin music blasting in our ears, it was difficult to carry on conversation, but we had a good time enjoying the scene in general. It truly was a joyous occasion and I sensed it in every face I saw. They are so incredibly proud of what they have accomplished for themselves.
After spending about two hours hanging out, eating, and enjoying each others' company, we headed towards the beginning of the street, where there was a big red ribbon waiting to be cut underneath a giant banner that said "Bienvenidos a la inaguracion de nuestra calle" (Welcome to the inauguration of our street). Kids were running around with balloons, and everyone was giddy with anticipation of the big moment. Some important people from the city (don't ask me who...) showed up to do the honors of cutting the ribbon. Cuetes (firecrackers) were fired, and Chinelos danced. We all then paraded down the street, dancing the Chinelo dance, and watching the joy in each others' faces. It rocked.
This day marks the end (and beginning) of such an incredible success story in La Via. Granted, I have only been here 8 months, and I really don't know what it was like "before." But I do know that huge advances have been made, and this street, although a success in and of itself, is more of a tangible testament to the internal advances the people have made as a community. And the street itself stands a success. I can not explain the feelings of pride I saw in these people today. They are so proud of what they have accomplished, and so glad to be living in a community that gives them a sense of dignity. It has been a blessing to witness.
...Fabiola, Luisa, and Vicky heading to the fiesta after school...
...Fabiola and the pretty roses on the table...
...The eating part of the fiesta...
...serving up the delicious food.Dona Juana is the one in the middle...
...Adela, el Chinelo, Salma, and I waiting for the festivities to start...
...the entrance of the street..."Welcome to the Inauguration of Our Street"...
...the important people and the chinelos ready to cut the big red ribbon...
...following the chinelos and the parade down the street...
...dancing it up with the chinelos...
...parading down the street!...
...festivities...(those things in the sky are like the ones we made yesterday)...Tuesday, April 13, 2010
SB '10
Two weeks ago, on Friday, March 26, as soon as school let out, I took off. I was out of there. With the following two weeks school-free (yes, spring break is TWO weeks long in mexico...love it), I was headed off on a multi-faceted adventure.
Stop 1: San Miguel de Allende
Saturday morning I hopped on a Primera Plus bus, destination: San Miguel de Allende. After spending the first two hours of my trip in stop-and-go traffic trying to get out of Mexico City (welcome to Semana Santa in Mexico...everyone on the go/vacation) and trying to get the chatty-kathy nun sitting next to me to give me a little bit of peace and quiet, we were on our way. I arrived in San Miguel, in the state of Guanajuato, about 5 hours after we left Mexico City. I took a taxi to Calvario street, a few blocks away from the town centro. As the taxi came to a stop, out of the door walked the shining face of my dear aunt, Cynthia Yoder. She and her husband, Bob Gravelin, had just moved about a week before to the city of San Miguel, where they will be for the next few months. And let me just say, am I ever jealous of them. I pretty much fell in love with the town...its architecture and small town feel were a big draw for me, someone used to big city living. (ha, that feels funny to say...) If it weren't for the huge gringo community, I would seriously say sign me up to live there!
Besides taking in the sights and sounds of San Miguel, my aunt, uncle, and I also took a day trip to nearby Guanajuato. Highlights - El Museo de Las Momias (mummy museum), the childhood house of Diego Rivera, coffee and crepes (mmm), searching for paintings that Bob had donated many years ago, seeing the university where one of my fav movies was filmed (El Estudiante ... English synopsis), and checking out a book fair. It was a delightful day, and if I don't sound redundant, I seriously would love to live in Guanajuato. For more info on the town and the mummies, check out my uncle's blog on the trip.
I also had the honor of experiencing Semana Santa and all the festivities that that entails in San Miguel. I went to parades, saw altars, and watched the Mexican people prepare for the risen Christ. It was quite an experience, and I was somewhat disappointed to not be able to experience San Miguel on actual Easter Day. We spent the rest of our week hanging out, walking the adorable cobblestone streets, looking for a guitar, swimming, eating great food, and moving into my aunt and uncle's new apartment (SO freaking cute).
After spending a fun-filled week, I hopped on another Primera Plus bus Friday morning for the trip back into Mexico City.
The following pictures are from my time in San Miguel...
1- Jesus on his donkey on Palm Sunday
2- Diego Rivera's childhood home in Guanajuato
3- phenomenal crepes
4- Bob in classic form, with Cynthia
5 & 6 - mummies
Stop 2: Karen Graber Roth
Friday night, after a potentially disastrous terminal/meeting point mixup, I miraculously found my dear friend Karen in the grandiose Mexico City airport. We spent the first night in Mexico City, waking up in time to make some delicious orange-craisin scones for breakfast. Then we headed to Cuernavaca, where we at some rocking comida corrida and I showed her around the zocalo. Sunday we head south out of Cuernavaca towards Xochicalco. Maybe I'm a terrible history teacher but those ancient ruins all just start to look the same to me after awhile...but it was good to go because I have been told since I got here that i HAVE to go. It was a good adventurous daytrip. Monday morning we headed back to Mexico City...sadly Montezuma decided to get his revenge on the both of us in those two days we had left, and he didn't quite let us do anything too far from a toilet. So we spent our last two days hanging out at the MCC Office and Guest House, watching movies, etc. etc. I felt terrible because one of Karen's main goals was to eat as much phenomenal food possible, and then she only had two days in which to do so! Sorry Karen! It was a delight to have another (and the last...) visitor come hang out with me and see what life is like for me.
Stop 3: Relaxing in Mexico City
After dropping Karen off at the airport Wednesday morning, I headed back to the Office where I would spend the rest of the week just relaxing and doing whatever. Although I didn't quite let myself relax....instead someone came up with the bright idea that I should organize all the books (mind you, we seriously have a mini library there), which then turned into rearranging the furniture, and organizing/cleaning out the kitchen. Granted, I had Elizabeth (another MCCer) to help me out, but it was seriously a lot of work! But work that I enjoy at least. I also went on a reading fest an interviewed the MCC rep for the project I'm working on. The highlight of my time was helping Elizabeth move into her new apartment in Mexico City. We had some genuinely entertaining times and some seriously great laughs. I need those sometimes.
The office library after I had my way with it.
Stop 4: "Home"
I came back to Cuernavaca Sunday evening, not exactly ready to be heading back to school. I decided at the end of my vaca that I seriously love Mexico, but that I don't always love going to school everyday. Such is life I suppose. So now I'm back in the swing-of-things, and really starting to get into this project I'm doing even more. Lots of interviewing to be done, lots of writing, and lots of keeping our fingers crossed that it all gets done before I leave in three months (what!).
p.s. the picture behind the title of my blog is of San Miguel de Allende
Stop 1: San Miguel de Allende
Saturday morning I hopped on a Primera Plus bus, destination: San Miguel de Allende. After spending the first two hours of my trip in stop-and-go traffic trying to get out of Mexico City (welcome to Semana Santa in Mexico...everyone on the go/vacation) and trying to get the chatty-kathy nun sitting next to me to give me a little bit of peace and quiet, we were on our way. I arrived in San Miguel, in the state of Guanajuato, about 5 hours after we left Mexico City. I took a taxi to Calvario street, a few blocks away from the town centro. As the taxi came to a stop, out of the door walked the shining face of my dear aunt, Cynthia Yoder. She and her husband, Bob Gravelin, had just moved about a week before to the city of San Miguel, where they will be for the next few months. And let me just say, am I ever jealous of them. I pretty much fell in love with the town...its architecture and small town feel were a big draw for me, someone used to big city living. (ha, that feels funny to say...) If it weren't for the huge gringo community, I would seriously say sign me up to live there!
Besides taking in the sights and sounds of San Miguel, my aunt, uncle, and I also took a day trip to nearby Guanajuato. Highlights - El Museo de Las Momias (mummy museum), the childhood house of Diego Rivera, coffee and crepes (mmm), searching for paintings that Bob had donated many years ago, seeing the university where one of my fav movies was filmed (El Estudiante ... English synopsis), and checking out a book fair. It was a delightful day, and if I don't sound redundant, I seriously would love to live in Guanajuato. For more info on the town and the mummies, check out my uncle's blog on the trip.
I also had the honor of experiencing Semana Santa and all the festivities that that entails in San Miguel. I went to parades, saw altars, and watched the Mexican people prepare for the risen Christ. It was quite an experience, and I was somewhat disappointed to not be able to experience San Miguel on actual Easter Day. We spent the rest of our week hanging out, walking the adorable cobblestone streets, looking for a guitar, swimming, eating great food, and moving into my aunt and uncle's new apartment (SO freaking cute).
After spending a fun-filled week, I hopped on another Primera Plus bus Friday morning for the trip back into Mexico City.
The following pictures are from my time in San Miguel...
1- Jesus on his donkey on Palm Sunday
2- Diego Rivera's childhood home in Guanajuato
3- phenomenal crepes
4- Bob in classic form, with Cynthia
5 & 6 - mummies
Stop 2: Karen Graber Roth
Friday night, after a potentially disastrous terminal/meeting point mixup, I miraculously found my dear friend Karen in the grandiose Mexico City airport. We spent the first night in Mexico City, waking up in time to make some delicious orange-craisin scones for breakfast. Then we headed to Cuernavaca, where we at some rocking comida corrida and I showed her around the zocalo. Sunday we head south out of Cuernavaca towards Xochicalco. Maybe I'm a terrible history teacher but those ancient ruins all just start to look the same to me after awhile...but it was good to go because I have been told since I got here that i HAVE to go. It was a good adventurous daytrip. Monday morning we headed back to Mexico City...sadly Montezuma decided to get his revenge on the both of us in those two days we had left, and he didn't quite let us do anything too far from a toilet. So we spent our last two days hanging out at the MCC Office and Guest House, watching movies, etc. etc. I felt terrible because one of Karen's main goals was to eat as much phenomenal food possible, and then she only had two days in which to do so! Sorry Karen! It was a delight to have another (and the last...) visitor come hang out with me and see what life is like for me.
Stop 3: Relaxing in Mexico City
After dropping Karen off at the airport Wednesday morning, I headed back to the Office where I would spend the rest of the week just relaxing and doing whatever. Although I didn't quite let myself relax....instead someone came up with the bright idea that I should organize all the books (mind you, we seriously have a mini library there), which then turned into rearranging the furniture, and organizing/cleaning out the kitchen. Granted, I had Elizabeth (another MCCer) to help me out, but it was seriously a lot of work! But work that I enjoy at least. I also went on a reading fest an interviewed the MCC rep for the project I'm working on. The highlight of my time was helping Elizabeth move into her new apartment in Mexico City. We had some genuinely entertaining times and some seriously great laughs. I need those sometimes.
The office library after I had my way with it.Stop 4: "Home"
I came back to Cuernavaca Sunday evening, not exactly ready to be heading back to school. I decided at the end of my vaca that I seriously love Mexico, but that I don't always love going to school everyday. Such is life I suppose. So now I'm back in the swing-of-things, and really starting to get into this project I'm doing even more. Lots of interviewing to be done, lots of writing, and lots of keeping our fingers crossed that it all gets done before I leave in three months (what!).
p.s. the picture behind the title of my blog is of San Miguel de Allende
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