Janitzio the Island

Is now available on the 'Nearby Places' page. Nathan and I put off going there for a long time because we have only ever heard how horribly touristy it is. Well, this week after Christmas seems to be a national vacation week and since town has been so crowded, we thought "Hey..why not?" and made our way to the island along with all the tourists in Patzcuaro. It turned out to be really fun...fun because we like people watching and there were oh-so-many to watch struggling up the hill! The views were pretty, the boat ride pleasant and piña coladas and margaritas plentiful. The sheer number of tourists on that little island was probably the most spectacular part of it all. However, the highlight of the day was talking to the little boys selling Chiclets, souvenirs and whatever else you would buy from them..
   One boy (15) was learning English in school and was brave enough to try and talk with us. It´s always so  stimulating and quite adorable to see other people get excited about the idea of practicing their english on us..young and old. Alas, the boy´s english was restricted to saying his name and what his favorite (insert whatever) was, so our conversation continued in spanish.
    These poor kids were so desperate to sell trinkets or candy for what amounts to less than a dollar, it was quite depressing. They walk around asking everyone if they want this or that and nobody wants it...frustrating and tiring for young boys, some of which were only 8 or 9 years old. It makes you thankful for what you have and the childhood you led...
    Anyhow, I posted pictures and a general synopsis of island´s features on the Nearby Places page. Enjoy.

Christmas has always been spent with family...

But this year we're on our own and not too keen on all those plastic christmas trees everyone sells down here...too much storage of plastic.

So I thought I'd try and bring a teensy bit of Christmas to us.  

Piñata included but not up yet :)

The Most Amazing Celebration Ever!!

On December 8th the entire town celebrated El Día de La Señora de Nuestra Salud. And I mean the WHOLE town. It was so amazing that I devoted an entire page to it, which you can find here:  La Festival de la Senora

Nathan and I agreed that this was by far the best celebration we've been to. It even surpassed Día de los Muertos. This, I know, is quite incredulous. However, I have no doubt it was better. This was a celebration, not a festival catered to the tourists. In fact, there were not any tourists beyond the other gringos that live here. It felt so much MORE heart felt and authentic than anything else I have experienced here. Part of the reason for this is that it brought so many different types of people together. The poor and wealthy, indigenous and mestizos all came to worship together. It is extremely uncommon to see that around here..the two social classes do not mix on equal footing.

Everyone seemed very joyous and incredibly reverent during the many Mass ceremonies that occurred throughout the day. I can´t imagine there was a person who didn´t come to one..

I tried to put up as many photos as possible without over doing it and unfortunately, I lost the videos that I took. Nevertheless, you´ll see things that you probably haven´t seen at other festivals before...enjoy!

Nathan's new painting is up on the 'Our Projects' page!

Ay Ay Mexican time..

We FINALLY got around to calling someone to order wood. He said he would be here at 9 or 9:30. 11 has come and gone...how (increasingly) typical.

New Info on Jamaica and Eronga!

I just posted about Aguas y Jamaica on our Projects page and about Eronga on the Places page!! Follow the links to check them out.

Erongarícuaro

Eronga was great! There is an 'Alternative Fair' there on Sundays. It's a place where organic farmers, bakers, jammers, food vendors, belly dancers, potters and jewelry makers can display and sell their work. I thought it would be bigger and more catered to everyone, but it was smaller and catered to gringos and non-gringos with money to spare. Though it was smaller than expected, I was reminded of our farmers markets in California and I was very happy to have found it.

OOPS!!

Sorry everyone, I guess I had comments turned off on all the pages. You are now free and encouraged to comment on anything you like!

Things I LOVE about Mexico

Here is a working list of things I am in love with here in Mexico. I hope to see some of your favorites here too!

• Buenas tardes, buen provecho, etc Why couldn't everyone be this courteous at home? People don't avoid making eye contact with strangers here (ok well not all the time). It makes me feel a teensy bit less isolated to know that someone took the time out of their day to greet me.

• Siestas I don't know how we always manage to leave the house during siesta when everything is closed, but I love it! Nathan and I are going to start a business in the states just so us and all our employees can shut down, relax and recharge mid-way through the day. I think everyone would be 50% more productive if they took a nap!

• Mercados They're so lively and colorful! Who cares if that tomato fell on the ground - c'mon guys there's nothing wrong with it!!

• Plazas They are so relaxing and great for people watching! You could easily sit in a plaza for the entire day and nobody would look at you weird - as if you are lazy or dangerous for some reason. 

• The noise! Marching bands, fiestas, processions, church bells, the camote man in front of our house, laughing children, honking cars, bleating goats and (of course) the many firecracker/rocket/grenade launches at all hours of the morning, day or night. I feel that there is always someone about or something happening! The atmosphere feels incredibly non-sterile with all the social interaction and events. 

• Food I really needn't say more. 

• Tequila and Fresca - or tequila with aguas..stepping away from my microbrew love affair has given me great perspective, as well a lighter stomach :)

• Not feeling guilty for not recycling or using styrofoam Ok, for those who know me, this is completely against my core and I think is still difficult to explain to myself. However, I will attempt it for you. Of course we try to do what we can: bring our own bags, reuse, compost, etc. But spending energy lamenting the situation here is absolutely pointless for me. There are so many more pressing problems of poverty, corruption, inefficient bureaucracy, etc. Plus, who am I, some young gringa from another country, to make a fuss? So, I just have to let it go right now. And I feel that a terrible negativity and guilt has been lifted. Thank you Mexico for making me feel responsible for only myself and not the world.

• Last but not least - Idiosyncrasies The marching bands are almost reliably out of tune, the fancy bars blasting 80's pop music from the US, the billboard advertising "2 por 1.5" pizzas, the unpredictability/lack of punctuality, pestering street vendors, the free 2 band-stand concert lasting all night on a Wednesday night..gosh I could go on and on! These things make me smile because I know that back at home they would be abrasive, annoying or just plain weird; but here it is ok. I can sit back and enjoy it. My conditioned responses to things have flown out the window or are still flying I should say.. 

This is another example of an idiosyncrasy:

 

 I bet that was really annoying.

This was the ending of a long parade celebrating the 101st Anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. The parade was awesome, but at the end of the parade there was a 10 minute long procession of firetrucks, police cars and ambulances all blaring their sirens together - just feet from the crowd. Another wonderful example of Mexico's idiosyncrasies.

Tell me what you love!

Gringo Cocktail Party

Well, we went to our 2nd gringo party and this time we weren't the youngest people there by 30 years! There are apparently hundreds of expats in the area, but they are almost all retired. So not only do we stand out around town, but we also stand out at the gringo parties!

Notes to Self in Mexico:

• Do not cook the black beans that you forgot about and soaked in iodine for 6 hours. 5 minutes is sufficient.
• Do not get into the shower without thoroughly testing and adjusting the hot water.
• Do not assume that everyone takes a siesta when you are - especially marching bands. 
• But do assume that the internet will take a siesta at 3pm everyday.
• Don't walk around the casa in socks after the floors were cleaned - you may end up on your butt. 
• Do drink tequila and DON'T expect to find Negra Modelos anywhere.
• Never ever expect ANYONE to show up at the time they said they would. 
• Remember to juice the oranges and not throw them in the blender (ok that's pretty universal..)
• Always pretend you are a warrior who must get change whenever and wherever possible.

A couple of the many firecrackers/grenades that go off at any point on any day.