In light of the current influenza outbreak (and relevant hype in the media), I wanted to write and let you all know that I am completely fine and healthy. We have been informed (numerous times) how to prevent our own contamination, and I am taking those precautions. Though the picture above shows me in the mask, I am not wearing it around school (as I live with a bunch of gringas and no one is travelling to or from DF right now). I will wear it to the center, if I am going there, but I pretty much am avoiding it.

I don't have time now to write more. As you have noticed, I've been ridiculously busy. After spring break, we came home to our assignments for the rest of the semester. I wouldn't say they are academically challenging, but they are ridiculously monotonous, repetitive, and time consuming. Moreso, I am disappointed in the lack of commitment, enthusiasm, and academic performance of my peers here (that is not new, but is escalating). I am missing in some ways the pressure of academic excellence at SU, though trying to maintain my personal commitment to do my best. However, that is challenging when your school is asking you to write 20 pgs a week (or 10 pages and a project) and go to class for 12hrs two days a week. It's like they waited until the last weeks when our attention spans are shortest, when we are all really tired, and when we are all trying to make the most of our remaining weeks while preparing to go home to give us a semester's worth of work. We are all frusterated. My face is a mess. And I am trying to make time to go see my mom here because she leaves for Texas in two days (if they are still letting flights out). Ademas, I would like to see Omar at some point. Right now, we have been restricted to one two hour date during the week and mass and part of Sunday afternoon. Not a lot of time together. And that time is running out.

Pray for us, pray for peace.

love
sorry the picture didn't load...love the unreliable internet here. welcome to my frusterated life.

Semana Santa: April 8-12

Our days in Patzcuaro were nothing short of blissful. We spent one day exploring, and ended up by fresh berries in the market (which was quite extensive). One thing led to another, and soon we were buying ingredients for a picnic lunch! We took our things back to the hotel and then continued scouting the town, stopping in to observe about 5 churches. Both Omar and I were impressed at how polite and friendly people were in Michoacan. Cuernavaca is more pushy, cars won’t stop to let you cross the street, and few people say hello. In contrast, Patzcuaro’s people were engaging and more positive. I suppose in a word, it was charming. We also stopped in to an old Jesuit College (now used as a church/community center) and an old convent which now houses an artisan market. Then we went back to enjoy our delicious feast. I loved that the hotel had a full-size kitchen for us to use. My how I am starting to miss cooking for myself in my own kitchen! We ate, relaxed, and went out to buy a bottle of wine to enjoy by the fireside later that night. This is the life!

The next day we headed for the island of Janitzio. It was really fun to be on the water for the first time in months. Even though it was obviously polluted water (from overuse, misuse, and run-off from nearby farms), still, it was fun to have the wind blow through my hair and to see the islands growing closer. We reached the dock and were helped off the boat by some little boys who make quite a business of loading and unloading the boats all day long. As soon as we hit the shore, the small street packed with vendors and some good-looking lunch spots start calling for us to stop and find all that we need. It is quite an interesting experience, and can sometimes be overwhelming or just plain annoying. So, we hiked up this huge hill to the statue (which was kind of painful because my cough had developed overnight and I had trouble breathing). We tried these little fried fish at the of the island, and though the flavor was good, I told Omar I just didn’t like having eyes looking back at me from my food! Then we started up the inside of the statue, reading the history of Morelos as it was muraled around the body of the statue. We stood in line, probably for an hour, and finally made it to the outside to stand on a little ledge and stick our head out over the edge to catch a glimpse of Lake Patzcuaro, the other islands, and the fisherman at work with their butterfly nets below. It was pretty spectacular. We climbed down, I bought earrings outside, we took some photos, and then we continued on to find lunch down by the dock. We stuffed our self with fish and gorditas of wonderfully flavorful masa. I watched a Purepachan abuela work up tortillas, her daughters sitting nearby helping with the restaurant, and later her granddaughter jumping up in front of her to take over. She couldn’t have been more than 3 years old. It was just beautiful. I told Omar, these are the memories I will keep with me forever: good food with my good friend, sitting at a family restaurant overlooking the water and listening to those little boys advertise their service to incoming/outgoing tourists. *sigh* We headed back to Patzcuaro, fat and happy. We rested awhile, then made our Michoacan hot chocolate and ate strawberries...by the fireside. All in all, a beautiful day.

Good Friday arrived and after breakfast, we went back to Tzintzuntzan for the Viacrusis. The puebla was packed with people: artisans, vendors, and the courtyard of the church with people ready for the pilgrimage. We stood crammed in the crowd, trying to avoid the hot sun, watching the play of Judas. It was really incredible to watch these men, and he who play Jesus especially, sacrifice their body in representation of Christ's Passion. It made me cringe, and cry. Penitents, believing in the guilt, walked through the crowd with a white cloth over their head, barefoot, and chains on their hands and ankles. And the crowd was all ages too: babies, kids, adults, older people. To them, it seemed like just another Good Friday, but I was hit pretty hard in the heart. Later, we made a path around the courtyard carrying the heavy Jesus statues and praying the stations of the cross over a loud speaker. I walked next to a horse as well. Omar was offered to help carry Jesus on the cross into the church and accepted. I feel that in Mexico, Easter is much more about the death of Jesus then the resurrection, which is a great contrast to the American celebration. I think there may be many explanations as to why, most for cultural historic reasons, and empathy for the Passion of Christ. I missed the joy of our celebrations back home. Jesus did rise from the dead, and he will come again, but that was hardly even mentioned on Easter Sunday.

Anyway, I think we pretty much peaced-out for the rest of the day because we were in Tzintzuntzan most of the afternoon. We went for dinner and packed a bit...and had another fire after some star-gazing. Saturday we packed up early, had a really great breakfast at a Cafe de los Angeles in Patzcuaro and started out for Taxco: our spur of the moment idea! Unfortunately, our road trip home was full of traffic and we were hungry and exhausted (and I was becoming more sick and cranky) by 6pm when we finally reached Cuernavaca. Neither Omar nor I wanted me to stay in our school-house alone in my state so as I withered in a fever, Omar came in to check on me every few hours through the night, bring me water, and offer to do anything and everything he possible could so that I could be well. At 5 in the morning on Easter Sunday, I woke up from the cold and gazed out the window. I realized how incredibly lucky I was to have met Omar, to have this new friend and companion who not only can I enjoy fun activities and adventures with, but who feels grateful to care for me like this. I can't imagine how different my experience of Mexico would have been if I hadn't met Omar and finally decided to give him a chance. I would have missed so many fabulous cultural experiences and exchanges here. We realize our great fortune in meeting one another. And we realize our great challenge that we face in our future. But nothing is impossible before God.

On Easter Sunday, we decided it was best that we stay in Cuernavaca and rest. We woke, I met his mom briefly because she was heading to Il Centro to work, and then Omar and I went to the Church for the mass. Since we were early, we walked to the grocery store for a jump rope to take to DF so I could do some form of cardio activity at our seminary where we would stay for a week. I hate being cooped up without exercise. Then we went to mass, which was really crowded, hot, and the speakers weren't very good so I really couldn't understand a lot from our spot in the very back. It was a bit of a disappointment because I am used to great celebrations in Seattle now with lively music and big smiles etc. And here, it seemed kind of mundane.

So, that's pretty much a summary of my Semana Santa. Sorry it took two weeks to recollect for you all. Enjoy the pictures...I have more to show you. Soon I'll try write about the stay in UNAM, but right now I'm pinned down with a weighty amount of homework. I guess our teachers decided to save it all for the end. greeeeat.

Love,

aly

Semana Santa: April 4-7

The view from the pyramids of Tzintzuntzan. It was so beautiful and peaceful there. A nice contrast to the constant traffic and crowded streets of Cuernavaca.

Mmm...our view of the center of Quiroga eating carnitas. While a barracho recovered on a bench, families milled about, the kids making huge bubbles that seemed to float magically through the air.

Some of the orchids from the orquidea! How delightful!

The street outside the birthplace of Morelos. As usual here in Mexico, it is interesting to be at such a historically important space on one side of the street, and to look out across the street at modern Mexican stores and restaurants. How times have changed...

Aly at a fountain in a plaza in Morelia.

Por Fin! Semana Santa 2009. Long had I waited for this week to arrive. I was not only completely ready to get out of Cuernavaca and head to the highlands of Morelia for some green open space and a view of a lake, but I desperately needed some time to just relax and maybe even have some fun. Omar and I left for Morelia (where we would spend two days) on Sunday morning.

After a long, hot ride through the countryside, sluggish traffic through the packed pilgrimage hotspot of Chalma, a few wrong turns, and of course a couple of potty breaks for antsy/carsick/overhydrated Alysson, we finally made it to Morelia. Our hotel was simple but situated well in the city so we could walk to the historic center or the more modern downtown. And we did both. Our first night we just dawdled around and found dinner, then went to mass in the Cathedral, which was beautiful (and packed..we stood on the border for the Palm Sunday mass).

The next day, we went sight-seeing in Morelia. Among other things, Omar and I visited an artisan market (and decided how we would decorate our future home), the birthplace of Morelos (a leader of the Mexican Revolution), the market of dulces, and also the orquidea. Unfortunately the modern art museum was closed and so was the planetarium. Also, one of the palaces was closed. But, we had enough for one day anyway. Excursions in the morning, descansa in the afternoon, more excursions, change for dinner, eat a lot, and drink some fabulous wine on the streetfront looking out at the glowing Cathedral in the center. A little lightheaded, we made it back to our hotel.

As fate would have it, our waiter at that restaurant gave us a detailed itinerary for our transitional journey from Morelia to Patzcuaro, which took us through three pueblos before we reached our final destination. We started off on the route the next morning, sampling fruit at admiring the pottery in Colima, eating the famous (rightfully so!) carnitas and sampling the marketplace in Quiroga, and observing the tranquility and the gorgeous view from ancient ruins in Tzintzuntzan. It was a long day of travelling, but we enjoyed every minute of it! And we arrived at our hotel without any problems. Upon arriving, we sensed that the next couple of days would be wonderful. We rested a bit, and went out for a light dinner and a sunset walk.

To be continued.

UNAM in Cuernavaca: 30 March- 3 April

UNAM students teach us the school cheer. If you could see this live at a Puma (their soccer team) game in the stadium, you'd understand why it was exciting. They have great school spirit!

All of us: so happy together!

Me and the powerpoint presentation. An addition to the 10-page research paper I wrote in one day :) Gotta love college and study abroad.

Well, it's been awhile. My apologies. These three weeks have been pretty much ridiculous. I've decided to catch up by making a different entry for each week. You will see that each week has been completely different and completely packed.

After returning from Texcoco, I came home to two big projects for my policy class, which consumed the first 48 hours of the immersion week. The UNAM students came from Mexico City to live with us this week. We shared classes to compare some SOCW policies (I presented Housing and Development's Strategic Plan), and to share experiences of SOCW in our countries. It was quite a change of pace and environment for us, going from our urban homestays to overflowing shared spaces. I felt badly that I couldn't spend more free time with them, but I did manage to tan by the pool with them for an hour one day!

During the week we had several interesting speakers visit us to talk about various issues: racism and the third root of Mexican heritage, the politics and perspectives of indigenous women, etc. We also had large group discussions of these issues, as well as other challenges and rewards of the SOCW field. All in all, it was a interesting experience. I think all students benefited from one another and from the sharing of ideas, time, and space. After all, we, as social workers, have the common goal of working to increase social justice in our communities, our countries, and our world. We all readily addressed the stereotypes we had brought with us to our convivio, and were pleased to find most of them false or overgeneralized. This week was a great way for us to make more connections to social work/social workers in Mexico. Undoubtedly we expanded our resources as professionals and students by augmenting our understanding and connections to the country and our coworkers across the border.

While all this was going on, I was thinking about going on Spring Break finally. I also missed my host family dreadfully, so fled our busy house for a good home-cooked meal and short visit with my Mom on Wednesday. In my other life in the States, I received notice of upcoming job applications with due dates over the break/our stay in DF, so I had to complete those before I left Friday. It's really hard to even try to think about summer jobs or summer plans. I had a lot of options, and everything was way out of my reach. I didn't (and wouldn't) have enough information to make a sound decision. And I was considering extending my stay another week. And did I mention that I also received notice that I was accepted to work my practicum at the VA in Seattle this week also!? The thing with making all of these decisions is that, unlike the organized flow of falling dominoes (where one decision depends on the result of another), these are more like the untangling of a big ugly knot (where slowly and with difficulty to pull out one piece at a time until finally it comes apart and you can move on). Everything depended on the results of another decision, or another office at SU, or another person, on a job decision, and on my own personal choices in regards to what will be most advantageous to this summer and my last year of undergrad when I return to Seattle. That means that I needed to be reflective, and our schedule doesn't allow a lot of time for personal evaluation lately...Therefore, the cold persisted, the stomach ulcer increased, and the stress zits continued into the Easter weekend.

weekending

So, last weekend, after the draining day on Friday, I totally checked out of everything school related. Novio and I went to his hometown north of DF to visit a cousin and go to the feria (fair). I was so excited: horses, cowboys, and good times! We bussed through DF, which was fine until you're in the metro terminal, which was crazy! People were pushing and shoving to get onto the trains, which were filled to maximum capacity. There wasn't even breathing room. Luckily we didn't have a long trip there. We managed to make it to the other bus station and drove out to Texcoco. I was really relieved to see open space outside the city, to see horses milling about in a field, and cows being herded up. It was interesting to imagine this space covered in lakes hundreds of years ago before the Spaniards arrived.

When we made it to Texcoco, I discovered that barbacoa (barbeque) is the town specialty! yep, this is gonna be a good weekend. We met his cousin, and his wife at their store and shortly the four of us went to dinner...for barbeque of course. But it was by this little pond with carpe and geese and ducks. it was refreshing. Omar and I went out later for ice cream and a meandering through the town square that night, feeling too tired to go to the fair and be abused by barrachos (drunks). We slept in Sunday, went for coffee, and then went to the fair. I enjoyed it immensely! And I got a sunburn. not unusual.

We had to leave because as novio had promised, we were going to mass at the Basilica de la Virgen de Guadalupe. That was one thing I wanted to do when I came to Mexico, and I don't think it would've been possible without novio. So we bussed, metroed, and walked, and made it to the basilica. I was so enthused and touched in my heart. The place has such incredible historical, political, and social significance for Mexico, besides being one of the spiritual capitals. People were walking on their knees to the steps of the church (common way of proceeding and praying), and we were there just in time for mass. It was a beautiful service, I liked especially that Nahuat still influenced the service (bilingual, incense, song, procession). It was just a beautiful and very authentic experience for me. And, we were able to come within feet of San Juan Diego's cloak as it hangs in front of the church. I was weak in the knees. We wandered the grounds afterword, and eventually taxied back across town to the bus station.

It was a long weekend, and it was beautiful. I came home to discover that I had a policy research paper and powerpoint due Tuesday morning. oops. And, 17 UNAM (Autonomous University of Mexico) were coming to stay with us for the week. But I had needed the break, and I had needed that visit to the Virgin.

Last Friday I moved out of my homestay. My mom made me chamoron (I think) it is chocolate flavored and spiced atole for breakfast. It is my favorite. We sat for our last breakfast conversation and she gave me a really pretty, pale purple blouse (which I told her I would wear for Easter). I reluctantly packed up a few more things, and she called a cab for me one last time. We hauled my stuff out when it finally showed up. Before I left, she gave me a huge hug and told me “te quiero mucho” (I love you a lot), which she had never done before. We both had tears in our eyes and I told her we would see each other soon. As soon as I got in the cab I started sobbing.

I threw my stuff in my new room and started getting ready for the day trip to a rural community that is very very poor. I was not in the mood. I was crying hanging up my dresses in the closet. I was extremely upset, and trying to smoother the feelings so I could be present to this intense and powerful day.

The day was pretty tough. The people live in extreme poverty in some cases. The water is polluted with arsenic and lead, and usually they have to hike up a huge stone hill to carry it back. We participated in this activity, taking turns carrying the garrifon (pictures soon). Then we met with a family in their home. In a dark, smoky room we crouched as sun broke through a hole in the plastic and stalk-covered roof. It’s fine for now, but when the rainy season comes, the mother of 5 will be cooking in a mud puddle. We made and ate tortillas over the woodburning fire. Then we moved to the room to make small, woven-palm baskets. This is their only income generating project, and it dates back to their indigenous heritage. They live isolated on a hill where natural resources are scarce and farming is difficult. But, many are so poor that they eat tortillas and salt. Water is so scarce right now that they live with dehydration. As we wove baskets, we could sometimes notice the effects of the toxic water in our mom’s delayed responses or slow thought processes. To make worse the situation, the dyes used on the plants (because plain palms won’t fetch a price [but even the colored are sold at dirt-cheap prices]) contains lead and other harmful chemicals that hurts all exposed. She has never left the village. Many haven’t. They fled the conquerors and the town’s name means “people who fear.” This is the root of many social problems here. They live in fear and isolation. Now, domestic abuse is quite high also as men who travel the state to sell the baskets often bring back alcohol addictions (if they come back).

We went with an organization founded and located in Cuernavaca that has slowly been developing programs for education, empowerment, and improved living conditions for the people. More than anything, they hope to free the people from the darkness of fear and suspicion that has been ingrained for 500 years.

It was kind of too much for one day. Even though hearing the children laugh and talk at the school was beautiful and consoling, all I could feel was grief and sadness. More, I feel confused and pray to God that I will know what my calling is in this life, in this world with such dire need of service, attention, goodwill, and love. I had a breakdown in the van on the way home...a laughing fit of delirium with tears running down my face. It as not a pleasant day, to be honest. I was exhausted and slept without moving that night.

Pray for them. Pray for us. Pray for justice. Live for Love.