Fiesta Adiós!

Last week the school took some time away from their regular schedule to throw us a good bye fiesta. It started with the school band playing tribute to our whole family. Their performance was excellent. Then Raramuli, a math teacher who has hosted us in his home and several excursions sang to us with two of his friends.

The school´s Mexican cultural dance team performed a couple numbers. We felt so honored by all the effort that went into the fiesta.

Then towards the end of the performances, Ranulfo and the Vice Principal Romiro presented us with white polo shirts with the schools logo on the front. On the back written in both Spanish and English was the commitment of unity of La Huacana Technical School and OSU to education and culture. Ranulfo´s wife had made the shirts for our family along with a minuture school banner.

As we reflect on our time here in Mexico, we have all agreed that we have been treated with the upmost respect and honor. We have made friends that we hope will visit Oregon and that we will be able to return in the future to La Huacana. We were told by several people before we came that we would really love the people. One person even said that we would be treated so well that we would not want to return. At the time I heard it, I didn´t believe it. But now I do. Good thing the highest tempertures of the year here in La Huacana are approaching in April and May. It seems like it is getting hotter each day. Even though we have been treated like royalty, the heat is making these Oregonians all the more eager to get back home.

This is 3 views of a house down the street from ours. The kids pass it everyday walking to school. This is the home of one of the young men that visit us. There are many homes like this in Mexico, many of which do not have any brick used in their construction. (Notice the box spring mattress).
This is the front view of the house. Because of the gate and the sign, you can tell that the owners are also selling out of their home. This is how most people make their money.

Notice that this side of the house is also held together with a box spring mattress, along with other supplies.

The Tequila Plant

This is the plant that is used to make Tequila. The Mexican people are proud of their Tequila and word is, it is of the best in the world. I do NOT like the flavor of Tequila myself but have learned to like the famous Margarita which has Tequila in it.

In Mexico, the preferred alcohol is Tequila and Corona Beer, both readily accessible. Unfortunately, they are even available to teens.

U.S. Soccer Team defeats Mexico's 2 to 0

We had a house full last Wednesday night for the U.S. soccer team vs Mexico. We had over 8 students here and 2 teachers. You can imagine the huge disappointment when the US beat Mexico by 2 to 0.

Tammy prepared two batches of guacamole and two of Mexican Salsa. Tammy brought back to life her infamous 3 can chili green sauce that she had frozen by adding it to one of the batches of guacamole. It was hot! Hugo made a face that made us all laugh when he bit into his tostada with the secret guacamole sauce.

We were really blessed by the the Math Teacher Raramule who gave us a carving of Jesus that his uncle made. We have been entertained by him and his family all week. The following night, he and his uncle the Physics and Technology Teacher Enoc took us to a fish hatchery and had a fish fry. Both Raramule and Enoc plan on coming to Oregon this summer when OSU 4-H hosts teachers from Mexico.

Aldama Street on Sunday Evening

Every Sunday evening this is what Aldama Street looks like. I am taking the photo from the front of my Mexican home. Many times we have been pinned inside our own house, unable to get the van out of the garage. One week, Mike returned and could not park his van back in our garage. Our van's side door was damaged trying.

Why are all these cars here? Well, we found out! A local stopped by our house to invite us to see. Rooster fighting is a legal way to gamble. Roosters are raised to fight to their death for the purpose of people making money. Mike had taken a picture of two roosters fighting, I just could not bring myself to publish it. (Made me think of Gladiators).

People are finding partners to see who'd like to bet $50. Each rooster has a colored band tied around the leg, along with a weapon, since some roosters look so much alike. I will spare you much more details but it was difficult to eat dinner that night. Our curiosity got the best of us; we don't plan on seeing what all the fuss is about again. That's what I get for being afraid to miss out on something.

Mexico's Best Kept Secret

Morelia is the best place you have never been. The colonial heart of the city has been well preserved; it was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1991! I was awestruck by the 16th and 17th Century stone buildings, baroque facades and archways that line narrow downtown streets and are home to museums, hotels, restaurants, exquisite bars, rooftop lounges, chocolaterias, and sidewalk cafes. Few tourists have discovered this city. Could it be because they are not willing to trade the artistic architecture with a tropical beach?

My 15 yr. old son approached me while in Morelia. It was clear that this city was having the same effect on him that it was having on me. With a sparkle in his eye, Josh confided to me that he will be bringing his wife to this city on their honeymoon. Entertaining ideas myself, Morelia had a romantic feel.

Traffic jams in this city won't bother you. The slower pace will have you drinking in it's beauty and snapping pictures as fast as you can. One of my teens said, "Mom!", with an embarrassed flick of his head. I must have looked like a silly tourist. A sense of urgency had overcome me.

In the town square there are free public concerts, art fairs, performers, and music. Oh, and I have to mention the adorable doves walking about. It is a place you wouldn't mind hanging out in all day - or all month. Does it sound like I have been hired to sell Morelia. No - I just loved the city and wasn't able to be there nearly long enough. If you are planning to come to Mexico, it would be a mistake to leave Morelia out of your tour plans.

The Soul of the City

The front doors leading inside the cathedral.

Downtown Tiendas

This is the main street of La Huacana.

Most businesses have their living quarters on top of their grocery stores. Garage doors roll up to allow customers in. Sometimes, when I walk into the store, the home is visible, just father back into the building on ground level.

Yesterday Mike and I had lunch together in a "restaurant". After inside, we could see that we were eating in someone's actual home. It was mostly out-of-doors and very spacious. The food is incredible.

There are numerous small businesses here. Most people make their income through selling food either in an outdoor eatery or in a grocery store. There are other small business as well, but food is the main enterprise. These are the true essence of "home business".

Local Cementarys

Roadside Memorials

Roadside memorials decorate all of Mexico. God knew that I should stay uninformed as to their significance until just the other day. I recently learned that for every roadside memorial, someone has died in a car accident. Eeek! That would be quiet a bit for they are all along the roads and highways! Based on the driving here, it is believable. It has been an adjustment for me to travel in Mexico. For 6 weeks, I was frightened to get in our van. Yesterday while driving to Morelia, for the first time I was not afraid.

This memorial here is a little more extensive than some. Some are left up for a few months, others forever, while some are displayed annually in remembrance of a loved one.

Primary Education

School Supplies is scarce. This was it for one classroom. Most learning is done through recitation.

Dance is very important part of Mexican culture. Kids practice everyday after school in all grades.

I regularly visit a primary school in LaHuacana. I have had the privilege of playing volleyball many times with some younger children. My blue eyes are of great interest. Mexican people may get to see someone with blue eyes once in every ten years. Like my kids, children crowd to my sides trying to communicate with me.

This is after school help. The children have already gone home to change out of their uniforms.

I Am Sad Tonight. Tony's Story. . .

I'd like to introduce this young man to you. His name is Tony and he has become very fond of our family. At least it seems that way since he spends as much time with us as he can. When I introduce you to Tony, and I am also introducing you to countless other young people like him. The reason for this is his story is all too common in Mexico.

Tonight started out to be a delightful evening. We walked into town to have a taco. With us was Lupe and her children, the owner of the house we are living in, Tony and one other student from the escuela secondaria. We enjoyed a tasty dinner and a long stroll afterwards. The evening ended very sad. Lupe, Mike and I got into a very heart-felt discussion. Mike told Lupe Tony's story. Lupe went on to tell us more than our hearts wanted to hear.

Tony's story is very sad. See, his father died when he was a baby, serving in the Mexican army. Shortly after, Tony was forced to move in with his grandparents and lives with them to this day. His grandparents are very poor. Why did Tony move in with his grandparents? His mother decided she wanted to start a new life in America. She found herself a new lover and moved to America and has stayed there every since. Tony's mother has had four more children of whom Tony has never met. This means Tony never saw his mother again.

Lupe wasn't surprised by Tony's story. She knows how true it is. Lupe told us that "mucho" of the children in her school live with relatives. Parents abandon their children to chase after a new, promising life that America offers them. The reason they don't take their children with them? Because they have to get to America through dangerous territory, crossing deserts and swimming across waters. Many die trying.

Tonight Tony asked us if he could come back to America with us. We said, "Yes, you come over to see us in America. You will need a VISA". Tony replies, "No, I will go around". I am sad for this young man and all of us are loving on him while we can. Tony knows that VISAs into America are rarely granted.

GREAT DIFFICULTY IN MEXICANS OBTAINING VISAS

It is barely possible for Mexicans to obtain VISAS. We desire that our new friends here in La Huacana would be able to come to America to visit us and experience life there. They have been invited but they say there is no way. The process takes too long, is very expensive and they will be told no in the end. Our friends won't even give it a second thought knowing the facts.

I wanted to gain more understanding for the Mexican community. Wow. I have learned so much. There is about 7 weeks left. Wonder what else is in store.

Community Clean-up; Protecting Against Dengue Fever

Mike heading out with a group of kids to clean-up garbage in the streets and in people's yards.

This is a work crew. Notice the garbage bags.

The students are knocking on doors. Everyday a new class goes out into the town. They search people's backyards for litter. Sorting through the burn piles is important to retrieve half-burned plastic bottles.

A Series of Photos on Mexico Homes

Mike and I drove to the closest town to us to get groceries. It was only an hour away. I snapped some pictures in the in-between small towns. People in America need to see how most of the people here in Mexico live. We could all be more thankful. I will be calling these my "Thankful pictures".

I know that there are many who love to look at landscape, architecture, plants, and scenery. These pictures are for you.

Wouldn't you love to live here? Like in America, there is the rich and the poor. There is town life and country living.

No Seat Belt or Car Seat Laws

I have been trying to get this picture since I got here. I have to be sneaky. The fuzzy photograph was taken though the windshield of our van. Of the people who own a vehicle, a a small truck is the most popular. There is no need for mini vans like in America since a truck packs a lot more people in the back. Also, people can haul their goods from town.

Most people don't own vehicles. Walking, buses and taxis are what most people depend on.

This is What Makes Mexico, Mexico

El hombre (a man) riding his cabello (horse) down the

middle of the street, with the rest of traffic. I have yet to get my photo with an old-man on a donkey.

Snapping pictures can be tricky. I try to be discreet but sometimes there is no way around it. Today I got a dirty look. I have missed a lot of great pictures for fear of being rude. I have not seen people here taking pictures ever, like we do in America. Electronics are more expensive than in the states, while everything else is considerably cheaper. ~T

An English Class for La Huacana Teachers

Mike has 15 students. They are all teachers for the secondary school. It is quiet a challenge teaching English to Spanish students when you have a limited vocabulary yourself. As you can see, hand motioning and body gesturing come into play. I was going to delete this picture but then I saw the humor in it. The silly things we have done to communicate!

To learn English, people have to take very expensive classes in a larger city. Few can afford this. Having an English teacher is a privilege for this community.

My kids have reported how loud the classroom setting is. The adult classes aren't much different. Mexico culture is loud no matter where you are.

School Uniforms in Mexico

All over Mexico, very young kids and high school alike, all students are required to wear uniforms to school. In La Haucana, it has been very confusing to our family when to wear what.

There are PE uniform days, formal uniform days, casual uniform days, and casual clothing day. And to beat all that, PE day is constantly changing so that means the uniform is changing as well. Does that sound confusing? I hear every morning someone shouting from their closet asking what day it is.

In La Haucana schools, girls are not allowed to color their hair or wear make-up to school. Also, calves are not allowed to show, therefore girls must wear long, thick socks. The principle has been very gracious with our family and has not required us to follow all the strict dress guidelines.

School Dance Team

The school dance team is comprised of muchachas and muchachos. They learn historic mexicans dances that you saw in an earlier post. The costumes are bright and varied and always have full skirts to swoosh about. The dance teams often perform for community events.

Liberties in Mexico

Town Square in La Haucana

When we first arrived our family couldn’t help but notice the freedoms here in Mexico. There is a lot less laws and governmental control. I must admit, I like this about Mexico. In America, we have ordinances for everything. Now, after being here for awhile, I am respecting many of the laws in America, like honor thy neighbors’ sleep (put in my terms). These laws are making a lot more sense to me.

Teens and children alike drive cars, motorcycles, mopeds and trucks

Kids and teens drink alcohol and have it offered to them at fiestas.

Anyone can operate a business, just open the door. Cleanliness not a requirement.

Don’t have to follow traffic laws. Most aggressive wins. Stop signs are just for looks. Drive extra fast. Pass everyone you can on blind corners honking. Use brakes abruptly. What are pedestrians?????? (Many animals, even large animals like cows and horses, get killed on the highways).

Young children purchase and use fireworks with no adult supervision.

Loud fire-crackers are used randomly. It sounds like TNT blowing up.

Very young couples marry and have children.

No minivans or seatbelts necessary. Just load up in the back of the pickup and pack in tightly.

Haul your donkey or horse in the back of a small Toyota truck while still sitting on it. LOL!

Ride your donkey to town down the middle of the cobble-stone street in between the rest of traffic.

Entrepreneurship is alive and well. Peddle your goods. Stand at all speed bumps and stop signs to knock on windows

Cook whatever food you want (on the street), wherever you want and then sell it.

No prescription needed. Walk into the pharmacy and just ask for it.

Build onto your house anytime you want without asking authorities.

Throw your garbage down anywhere anytime. Burn the litter down the streets.

Clean bathrooms not necessary. Provide your own TP everywhere you go.

Burn your household garbage all hours of the day

Dogs roam the streets and sleep in the roads and market places.

These are a few ways that Mexico culture is different than our own. I am sure there are many more that haven’t yet been obvious to me. Mike thinks kids would have more fun growing up here without all the rules we have in the USA. ~T