Interesting People

One of the many benefits of travelling is the people you meet. I have met good friends while travelling. At the school, in particular, it is very fun. Not only have I become very good friends with the teachers, but the students as well. There are people from Canada, Japan, South Africa, U.S., all over really. There are people of all ages and races. There are families with young children, teenagers with grandparents, girl scout groups, single, older women, a couple of sisters who teach Span., a woman I would guess to be in her 50s who is staying at a hostel and decided to take some Span. before she takes off on her next adventure, a young pilot from the Houston area who rents an apt. here, flies back and forth, and takes Span. lessons at the school 3 days a wk., a young professor with his family, a young backpacker who has studied here a week, is quite fluent in Span. and just left Fri. to go further into South America, backpacking and staying in hostels along the way. He decides where he wants to go, heads out, stays as long as he wishes, then moves on. He is on a year sabattical from his employment in London.

Last year we met an older man from South Africa who had been teaching Eng. at San Louis Potossi, then ventured this way for Span. lessons. There is a single man from the states, in his 50s, who is a teacher in Venezuela. I could go on and on. The thing that impresses me most is the desire/ability of people to just take off backpacking with really no definite destinations, reservations, transportation planned in advance. Although we see many young Europeans/Canadians doing this, we also see people such as the woman in her 50s. The young man from London told me he hoped to do some volunteer work in Guatamala along the way. We wonder how these young folks in particular can just do this. I do find it fascinating! Yet, I must admit, as a mom, I would be concerned.

Not only is it fascinating to hear of these experiences and secretly wish you had the nerve to do it yourself, but it is fun being in a group, with the same goal, in this case learning Span. Therefore, people are eager to meet and talk to one another in Span. It doesn't matter if you are 20 or 50, you become friends in class. That's not to say we necessarily enjoy the same activities after school, but we do enjoy one another while at school. An extra benefit of learning a language is not only being able to communicate with the people in town but also being able to communicate with people who don't know your lang. and you don't know their's but you both know enough Span. to converse. For instance, there are many Japanese students here and French Canadians, etc..We communicate through Spanish.

Not only are there people with interesting lives here at the school, but also we have enjoyed the people at "The Gringo Group." Now, I must admit the idea of a Gringo Group turned me off a bit at first. One of the things I love about MX. is really getting into the culture. If I wanted to isolate myself in a "Gringo" community I would stay in the states. However, I must admit I have begun to see the benefits of connecting with "Gringos" too. :) They, too, are interesting, friendly people, who haven't been afraid to step out of the box. Some are renting and have for years. Others have built huge homes. Some have bought smaller homes. Regardless of the circumstances, they are interesting, friendly, talented people. It is fun to talk to and email people about where they were from, where they are living now, etc...

What equally blows me away is to sit at a table with someone, such as I did today. She was a single woman in her 40- 50s, I would guess, who had purchased land here. However, she hadn't just purchased a lot to build. She had purchased land, an hr. away from here, in the midst of the farmers, in the middle of nowhere. She had lived in Guanajuato for 11 years; but decided, I suppose, that she wanted to build in a remote area. Now that takes some independence too, doesn't it? Another couple has also moved about an hr. away and is renting a home and land for 18 years. They have started a school for disabled children. I had met the woman at a previous stay while in Guanajuato. Anyway, I am so proud/pleased about the work they are doing. Curtis and I hope that one day we can help them out some. Maybe one day we can do just that!
Hasta Luego Mis Amigos Interesantes!

Callejones de Guanajuato/Tunnels of Guanajuato

Okay folks. I'm taking the easy way out tonight. Curtis has a good description of the callejones of Guanajuato on his blog. Check it out at cwcary.blogspot.com

The only thing I might add is that Guanajuato has a wonderful tunnel system, that Curtis mentioned. It is great being a pedestrian here because there are very few streets where vehicles are allowed. The tunnels were developed for vehicles. They were developed after the flood in Guanajuato, when the river was diverted from it's original channel. In place of the river, which flooded the town, some genius, in my opinion, came up with the tunnel idea. It is fascinating seeing all the tunnels here. It seems they are building new ones each time we come. Guanajuato is a place like no other we have seen. It is really hard to describe. Come and enjoy!

Children of Guanajuato

One more comment regarding the bus. Yesterday, Curtis and I took a bus from the “mega” market, around the city, back to La Presa, where we are staying. As mentioned on Curtis’s blog, it was a busy day, with much activity due to una fiesta aquii. The city was crowded with Mexican tourists, many probably from Guadalajara and Mexico City. There were school groups, etc…On this particular bus was a nicely dressed and well-behaved school group. As you know, Guanajuato is a mountainous city. As we were going down on the bus, it was a bit fast (which the school kids loved I might add). Spontaneously everyone in the bus through up their hands as if on a roller coaster and yelled, “Wheeeee!” It is so much fun here! :)

As stated previously, some of the best times are ones you never expect. Last week, ( our first here), we met another “Gringo” at the mega. Solomon is a Jewish hippie from California, perhaps a little older than us. He has a long gray braid. You meet all kinds of interesting folks here. Solomon has lived here 5 yrs. and also loves it. Anyway, we had struck up a conversation with him last wk. when it was raining and he was trying to transport some paint for his apartment. We thought we were to meet him at the mega yesterday, but apparently we missed connections. Anyway, while we were waiting, we saw the most adorable little Mexican boy, around 3, who was having so much fun entertaining himself without a toy in site. He was a choo-choo train, and was circling the fountain saying, “Choo-choo, choo-choo.” Not a toy train in site, but “no importa.” :) He kept looking at us. We do sort of stick out in the crowd, you know. :) Finally, he started playing peek-a-boo. His mom and abuelita were sitting by. Children and animals are great ways to bring people together, aren’t they! Anyway, it wasn’t long before Curtis was running around the fountain with Jonathon and I was speaking with mom and grandmom. What lovely people, what fun we had, and although I missed the Weds., night intercambio (conversation exchange) with Span. Students at Academia, it didn’t matter. This was even better. I got to practice my Span. And didn’t even have to spend part of the time speaking Eng. I told Jonathon’s mother that her little one reminded me so much of Luke, out-going, fun-loving, etc….Jonathon’s mom is a kindergarten teacher at a nearby school. As I said, some of the best times are the ones you least expect. Included is a pic of Curtis and our friend, Jonathon. :) Also, included are pics from the fiesta Curtis referred to on his blog. You can check out more info. re: the fiestas etc... at:
http://www.cwcary.blogspot.com

So Who Wants To Ride The Bus?/The Choir

Hola Amigos! Today I am writing about riding the bus here in MX. So, how long has it been since you've ridden a bus? Not long enough you say....Well, maybe you'd feel differently if you had the bus ride we did yesterday. The best way to get around in this small mountain city is to take one of the numerous public buses to wherever you wish to go. They are very cheap, just a few pesos, and cover every imaginable place in the city. Anyway, yesterday we boarded a bus. A handsome Mexican man around our age "muy joven, of course," :), boarded with his guitar. He then started singing at the back of the bus. Curtis and I both looked at one another and said, "He has a beautiful voice!" So for a few pesos we not only got to our destination just fine but were treated to some beautiful songs enroute. I wonder even if I had the talent to sing and play the guitar so well if I would have the self-confidence, lack of inhibition to do that. I doubt it. Things are so different here. People seem to be so unconcerned that someone might think them silly. It seems enjoying life is more important than worrying about what others think. That's something I really love about Mexico, the passion for life, and lack of embarrassment to pursue it.

I wish I had thought of that when I interviewed with Eva's brother Tues. Eva, is an excellent teacher here at the Academia. She asked me if I would mind doing an interview for her brother who is working on his thesis here at Univ. of Guanajuato. I spent about 30 min. with him, being interviewed in Span., about a tourist"s perspective of Guanajuato/Mexico. I was rather nervous because he was recording it and I know my Span. certainly wasn't perfect. I did mention that some of my favorite things were really the little things that happen unexpectedly, (such as the beautiful singer on the bus). Previously I wrote about walking around and unexpectedly seeing all the great dancers (pics included on this blog), and/or discovering a parade while walking.

Yesterday, we walked up on a group of women, all around my age except a one younger and one much older whom I will describe later. They were in a choir and were singing. This was one of the few groups that we have heard that wasn't super, but the thing we loved about it was apparently they worked with whomever showed without regard as to how well they could or could not sing. Don't misunderstand, there were some good singers, but we had to laugh when we saw the much older woman, with no teeth, standing and singing in the choir. Again, just enjoy life! Amor, Joy

Skype

Just wanted to mention this to some of you who may not have used it. Last summer, when I was in MX., some students were using skype. I had no idea what that was, but I did know that they were supposedly calling people free over the internet. So, prior to leaving this time, I set up Skype on my home computer and also on this laptop. Last night we called and got to speak to Luke and April. It was phenomenal! I not only had a great reception but we also got a great video feed of them, all for free!

Also, for a very low fee you can set up skpe to call mobile phones. This doesn't involve anyone having to download skpe on their computer prior to your leaving. All they do is answer their mobil phone. All you do is pay a very small charge. So, we tried that last night too with Curtis's folks. We are set! That reception was great too. So, even in MX. it is possible to chat with loved ones without leaving your residence, for a very low price and if you have downloaded the program on your computer prior to leaving you can even see them! We told Luke and April we would buy a small video cam here so they could see us. Yes, even here there is a Radio Shack. Anyway, I'm sure most of you know of this, but for those of you with college students or family on extensive leaves/vacations it's perfect. You can download at http://www.skype.com/ Hasta Luego, Joy

La Senora y El Gato :)

As I have mentioned before, we eat our big meal during the week at the school at 3. La Senora is an excellent cocinera. She usually has such a pleasant disposition, but yesterday she was " Muy Enojada." The school cat, which I call Blackbeard due to this physical feature apparently really upset La Senora yesterday. Remember all my comments re: all the beautiful birds and all their beautiful songs....Well apparently yesterday "El Gato, or Blackbeard" had just had enough of all that optimistic chirping, perhaps he was ready for his siesta, "no se la razon" for his sudden desire, but regardless of his reasons or motivation, El Gato decided he would get him a bird. I was in the next room and suddenly heard all the beautiful chirping turn into "una sonida loca" Later, I was visiting with the two sisters who are studying here. Apparently while they were eating in the covered patio area, El Gato decided to get a bird. He accomplished his feat and brought it to La Senora. I am sorta glad I wasn't around when it first happened because La Senora was still "muy enojada" when we ate lunch at 3 o'clock. I saw her constantly grumbling at the cat, pointing her finger at him and saying, "Feo, feo!" When I asked La Senora about the incident she informed me that she had just fed the cat, that he wasn't hungry, and didn't even eat the bird. Well, all I've got to say I guess is I suppose a cat will be a cat, but I don't believe I would ever want to get on the bad side of La Senora. She is too good of a cocinera. :)

Peek a Boo-I See You "Old Man"

Street Dancers in Guanjuato