Another eventful week in
Thursday was a normal Mexican siesta day, with lots of down time. The morning began with a short literature class with Vicki. We continued to discuss our book “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.” Slowly this book has uncovered the close relationship of the Hmong culture and Indigenous Mexican culture. Around 4:00 or so Estella came to pick us up to go listen to her friend, an environmental activist named Humberto. He expressed his passion for beginning recycling and trash pick up in the state of Morelos. We found out last year that
Friday was our first test in language school! No one knew what to expect and we are still in wonder to this day how we all did. Vicki topped it off with her famous quote “to hell with it anyways, what does it matter!” This gave us all some laughter and eased our minds about our tests. After a quick lunch, we headed out for our first weekend away. After about a 45 minute crammed van ride we arrive in San Andres. Each paired off and were placed in different families homes to stay for the weekend. Today was a special day because it is the Day of the Corn or The Feast of Saint Michael. We ended up eating corn all evening (actually all weekend) and making crosses out of yellow flowers called pericone. They are traditionally hung above doorways to keep the devil out.
Saturday we experienced the traditional healer of the village named Delfina. She took us out on a hike up the mountains and we collected plants to make medicine. At her house we learned how she makes her medicines and looked at a book of different plants and their medicinal uses. It was getting pretty hot out so we all decided to go swimming….a bad idea. Trudging through muck and dung, dodging massive thorn bushes, and ducking from huge yellow and black massive spiders, we felt we were on Survivor. After this freaky experience, we had to make our own fun. Some of the group played cards and soccer with the neighborhood kids in the streets.
Sunday was a continuation of the celebration of Saint Michael. We awoke and went down to the parade of schools. Many children dressed in white marched in front of a town princess and a loud marching band. A traditional Mexican dance took place in the schoolyard afterwards. The group ventured off to awe at the two Catholic churches, one existing since the 1500’s. All we can say is that they were beautiful. Today was also the birthday party for Delfina’s husband. An abundance of family members and friends came to make tamales, roast corn, and drink coke and tequila.
Monday we returned to school and the typical routine of class. New teachers for us all and we realized we are halfway done with language school. Tuesday we awoke early to the sound of Gerardo’s voice and all jumped into the good ole conversion van to visit a