Aguascalientes

My friend, Rosario and I, along with her two teenagers, took the bus from Guadalajara to the city of Aguascalientes last Friday, the 16th. It is about a 2 hour drive between the cities. She has two sisters who live there and we are staying with Estela and her little girl, in her lovely big house.



Aguascalientes is the capital city of the state of Aguascalientes, the state just northwest of Jalisco. Once again, do you mind if I abbreviate? Aguascalientes = AGS. It is an old city, founded in 1575 as a postal rest stop between Mexico City and the state of Zacatecas.



The name, Aguascalientes (aguas=waters, and calientes=warm), came about as a result of the many thermal springs in the area. There are still several public bath houses and spas in the city which are open to the public. The Ojocaliente is an original bath house still in use today and fed by the thermal springs.



The Patria Plaza is the historical center of the city. There are several impressive buildings there. The Govenor's Palace with its Neoclassical facade of red stone was built in 1664. Inside there are 111 arches under which are five murals depicting stories about the city. They were painted by the Chilean artist, Oswaldo Barra Cunningham. Other notable buildings are the Municipal Palace, built with pink quarry stone, and the Cathedral, Nuestra Senora de la Asunacion, built in 1575. A very tall statue of an eagle stands high in the plaza and it is said that it covers the spot which is said to be the exact center of Mexico.



There are many plazas, parks, churches, theaters and museums in the city. At the Old Train Station I learned that in 1884 AGS was the largest train hub in Latin America. I enjoyed looking at an original locomotive and browsing through the station itself which has been restored and looks just like an old train station. The rail yard is now a park with trees, flowers, benches and a "Dancing Waters" fountain when each hour the waters "dance" to programmed music.



AGS is well known for its handcrafts, festivals and fairs. The San Marcos fair is one of the oldest (175 years) and most famous fairs in Mexico and is held for four weeks each April. It showcases the regional culture and folklore, art exhibits, cultural events, dance performances and cockfights. Yes, cockfights! Cockfights are very traditional in Mexico. There are also horse races and bullfights during the fair. Many people wear traditional clothes and traditional foods are available. There is also a national competition for young artists at that time.



Another popular festival, The Festival of the Skulls (Festival de las Calaveras) occurs Oct. 31-Nov. 2. It honors the pre-hispanic tradition of paying respect to the dead. It is also known as "El Dia de los Muertos" and is celebrated with candy skulls, offerings of food and drink, and a living altar. La Catrina is the symbol most recognized for the festival and she appears permanently in many places in the city. "Catrinas" are humorous figures of modern people depicted as skeletons.

AGS is also widely known for their handcrafts: embroidery, knitting, crocheting, and weaving. Embroidered clothing, tablecloths, doilies, and tortilla covers are cultural symbols of the area. Pottery made from natural clay, kneaded, molded and painted by hand grace the tables in restaurants and homes. Also wool textiles (cowboy clothes), stained glass, and artistic ironworks are "hecho mano"---made by hand---here in AGS.

The city is rich in history but is also a very modern industrial city. Nissan, Texas Instruments and a Coca Cola bottling plant are located in the city. There are several big shopping malls as well as a busy downtown shopping area. Movie theaters, restaurants, video game arcades, and this week: a circus is in town!! I wish I could go to the circus but, I guess I will have to miss it!

AGS is a big city, but smaller that GDL, thus the lifestyle is more relaxed and quiet, not so busy and crowded. I have enjoyed seeing the sights and interacting with the people. Soon I hope to be able to post some pictures of the city. In the meanwhile...

Hasta luego

Pictures of Guadalajara

When I visited friends in La Chona (more about that later) Brenda had a laptop and I could upload photos to my blog. I hope you enjoy them





This is my birriria de chivo! Yum! It is good with tortillas and aguas frescas de jamaica to drink. A good dinner!

I am standing in front of the kitchen in the restaurant. Notice the Talavera tile. My friend, Rosario, is sitting at our table.

The restaurant where we ate our dinner (la comida). The little animal statue in front is a goat. The signs say: Birria of goat and the other barbeque of sheep!

In front of the Instituto Cultural de Cabanas where there are many of Orozco's paintings.

I am sitting in front of the Fountain of Fire in the Plaza Tapatio. It is a pretty place.

One of the big jewelry stores in the area.

Kids playing in the fountain!

The Plaza Fundadores, the plaza of the founder of GDL.

This is the Degollado Theater. Some day I hope to go inside!

The Plaza Liberacion, the main plaza in GDL. The cathedral is in the background.


Hasta luego

Guadalajara, Guadalajara!

Do you know the song, "Guadalajara"? I'm sure you would recognize it if you heard it. Pull it up on your computer and give a listen! It is a great song and Guadalajara is a b-i-g city! It is the second largest city in Mexico, after Mexico City, with about 4,000,000 people.

Guadalajara (GDL) (Do you mind if I abreviate?) is in the state of Jalisco in the central western region of the country. The founder of the city, Cristobal de Oñate, named it in honor of the city of GDL in Spain. Its nicknames are "The City of Roses" and also "The Pearl of the West". The city is a big industrial and commercial city and is rich in culture, architecture and Mexican traditions. There are several universities in the city and the University of GDL is the second oldest university in Mexico.

As in any big city, there is lots of traffic but one can get around very easily using taxis and city buses. The main streets are good--many divided highways and 4 lane streets-- but the side streets are something else again! You haven't seen potholes until you have seen Mexican potholes! And the topes....oh, yes...the topes! Topes means "speed bumps", the like of which you don't want to drive your car over! Often they are spaced about every 20 feet apart!

GDL has a well-known soccer team, the Chivas, which plays in a big, fairly new stadium, and, depending on with whom you talk, the team is either very good or lousy---maybe much like the Atlanta Braves or the White Sox!

In GDL's historical center, the buildings are of Colonial architecture. The Metropolitan Cathedral is surrounded by 4 lovely plazas with trees, fountains and benches. In these plazas are many beautiful, old buildings. The Governor's Palace is the main office of the government of Jalisco and inside there are murals by Jose Clemente Orozco, the famous painter from Jalisco. The Degollado Theater, inaugrated in 1866, still is a very active theater. Unfortunately, each time that I have been there, it was closed so I can only peer in through the windows to see the lobby. The Regional Museum is said to have one of the best archeological collections in the Western Hemisphere.

My friend, Rosario, and I walked from the main plaza to the Instituto Cultural Cabañas (Cabañas Museum) where we looked at more that 50 pieces of art by Orozco. While we were there, a docent explained several of his murals. After the tour, in the museum bookstore, I bought brochures in English, so I could read about what the man had said to us in Spanish!

Although Rosario and I could have taken a "Calandria tradicional"---a horse drawn carriage---from the main plaza to the museum, we chose to walk so we could browse through one of the biggest jewelry areas in Mexico. Store after store of jewelry! One store was a city block long and wide, with several floors inside. We wandered though a few of the stores, admiring and drooling over the jewelry! Also, the stores are air-conditioned, a welcome relief from the sun and heat.

One of my favorite experiences in GDL was attending the Ballet Folklorico. I love the regional dancing and the music. Although they were not performing this week, I remember the last time I was here and enjoyed the evening with friends.

GDL is famous for many of the things that you may think of as "Mexican". Tequila, fancy horseback riders (charros) and mariachi music all originated in GDL. The mariachis started playing at weddings in the 19th century and they tell me that the name came from a French word for "marriage". The original instruments were all strings but a trumpet was added in the 20th century. A guitar, mandolin, violin, sometimes a harp, a trumpet and a gitarron are the usual instruments in a mariachi group. Their costumes are usually black (but not always) and are decorated with little silver chapetones (decorations) and a huge sombrero.

The "charreria" are experts in capturing cattle with a lasso and excellent horseback riding. It is considered a national sport. The charros ride in the Rosebowl parade each New Year's Day. They wear fancy suits decorated with the silver buttons, similiar to the mariachi suit, and a big sombrero. The women wear beautiful big, full skirts with brightly colored bands that cover the backs of the horses, a tight fitting blouse and a hat.

GDL is also known as the birthplace of tequila although nowdays most of the tequila is manufactured in the town of Tequila, about 1 hour west of GDL. The discussion of tequila is another blog all of its own!

I arrived in GDL in the evening of the 14th and we spent only one, very busy, day there. I chose not to bring my laptop, which may have been a mistake, since I have not been able to find an internet cafe where I can post photos from my camera. I am sorry about that but if I come upon a computer whiz who can help me download my photos, I will send them to you. It is a very pretty, interesting city, and I would like to share the sights with you. (I am not very computer literate and C--where are you when I need you??!!)

Rosario and I stayed with a good friend of hers who welcomed me into her home. We also met with another friend who took us to dinner at Mexican restaurant. If you notice, most of the Mexican restaurants in the USA say on their signs "authenic Mexican restaurant". NO! They are not! This one was! GDL is known for "birria de chivo o de res". This is beef or goat meat, shredded, steamed and then roasted. It is served in a broth and eaten with tortillas and is very delicious. I like it very much. My friends ate Caldo de Tlalpeño, chicken soup full of vegetables, and served with avocado and tortillas. The kitchen was open to view and the walls were covered with Talavera tile. Even the restroom sink and mirror (outside the main bathrooms) was in the Talavera tile.

The next day, Friday, Rosario, her 2 teenagers who had an overnight with their friends, and I boarded a bus for the one and a half hour ride to the city of Aguascalientes where I am now.

It has been very nice to see friends again and to meet new people. In fact, Martha, the friend who took us to dinner in GDL, has a brother living in Gainesville and a sister in Alpharetta. Small world!

Another day I will write about Aguascalientes and hopefully, by then I can figure out how to put photos from my camera onto the blog! My little niece, E, want to learn about Mexico and I want to show her how pretty it is!

Until next time, hasta luego.

Let's Go Back To Mexico!

After spending the year 2009 having both my knees replaced, going to Physical Therapy for months, and doing hours and hours of knee exercises, I am ready to return to Mexico! Yea!



A kind invitation from my friend, Rosario, instigated the vacation and I leave next Wednesday, July 14th. I will fly into the city of Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, meet Rosario, and we will travel to her sister's home in the city of Aguascalientes, about 3 hours north of Guadalajara. My trip will end in the city of Puerto Vallarta where I lived in 2007-08 while teaching there.



I am excited about the trip and I look forward to sharing with you some interesting stories, photos and information about Aguascalientes as well as the other places that I visit.



On the left side of my blog, scroll down and you will see a small word: "blogarithm". You can enter your email address there and you will be notified by email when I write a new post. Sign up there and you won't miss a thing!



I hope to visit with you often and to pass on some entertaining and informative tidbits about life in Mexico. Won't you come with me on this vacation?



Hasta luego.

Happy New Year 2009

Happy New Year to all my family, friends and readers! OK, I know I am a bit tardy in sending you my New Year's wishes but they are sincere, just the same!

When I was a child, my mother, who was a second grade teacher, always took down the Christmas tree on New Year's Day because she had to return to work on Jan. 2nd. Also on New Year's Day, she cooked cabbage and said we eat cabbage on New Year's Day for good luck for the upcoming year.

When I moved to Chicago, friends taught me to eat herring on New Year's Day, and now that I am living in the south, I have learned yet another tradition for the holiday.

Some southerners eat black-eyed peas, collard greens and cornbread, saying that the peas represent pennies, the greens are for dollars, and the cornbread is for gold for the new year.

Other southern tables are loaded down with Hoppin' John (rice and black-eyed peas) and ham hocks.

I wondered about the cabbage that we used to eat and using the miracle of "Googling", I learned some interesting myths for New Year's.

Eating cabbage is a German practice while the Italians and Brazilians eat lentils---all hoping to become wealthy in the New Year. Herring is a Scandinavian and German custom and the Spaniards and Latin Americans eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight---one grape each time the clock strikes---in order to become healthy, wealthy and wise in the New Year!

Although I was in Mexico last year, I really don't know if they have a special superstition for New Year's Day food. If anyone knows a Mexican custom, please write a comment and let me know.

Many cultures eat some form of pork for the New Year's dinner. They say that since pigs root forward and never go backwards, that means good luck will come to you as you go forward into the new year. It seems a universal thought never to eat lobster on New Year's day because lobsters move backwards!!

Well, New Year's Day found my larders empty of black eyed peas, cabbage and herring! Oh, dear! What to do? What about my luck in 2009 and would I never get any money?!!? Searching through Mother Hubbard's cupboard, I found split peas which I made into a delicious soup and added cornbread (at least I will get some gold in 2009!).

Here is my New Year's meal, along with a bayberry candle which, as the poem goes:

A bayberry candle burned down to the socket,

Brings luck to the home and wealth to the pocket.

So perhaps I will be covered for luck and wealth in 2009, thanks to my cornbread and bayberry candle!

Hasta luego.

The December Holidays

Advent: the time of expectation; the time of waiting; the time of preparation.

It is a busy time, preparing for Christmas: shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking---but also a peaceful, quiet time: reading, attending church services, lighting advent candles.

We had some of both, during the month of December, beginning with three very delightful musical concerts.

Our son, MJ, plays bassoon in the Alpharetta City Band and on a chilly Sunday afternoon, we tapped our toes to Jingle Bells Forever, Sleighride, and other holiday favorites. What fun!

Next was a lovely holiday concert at Z and C's high school. There were about 60 students in the Wind Ensemble. The guys, very handsome in their tuxs and the gals, looking lovely in black dresses, played music from the "Nutcracker Suite", and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" among other selections. Z plays Euphonium and C plays the tuba and we are very impressed with the talent of all these young musicians.

Finally, we were entertained by M's 4th grade chorus at his elementary school. "Experiencing Winter Through Song and Poetry", the children said poems and sang songs about Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and winter. They had worked hard all fall on their music and did a great job!




Here is part of the 4th grade chorus.

Next we were entertained at our church's Great Wednesdays at Grace by Kristi, our expert caterer, and John, our florist extraordinaire, who gave us ideas for holiday table decorations and special holiday foods. Kristi was ably assisted by Mr. Neat and two friends who cook lunch each week for a local mission. We all had a good laugh as Kristi struggled to teach the men how to make a quiche!!!

Mr. Neat watches as Bill pours cream into the food processor.


As we got closer to Christmas, we decorated the Christmas tree and put out the manger scenes.


This is our tree, adorned on the top by the angel we bought for our first Christmas tree, and at the bottom by a tree skirt made by our sister-in-law many, many years ago. As we put each ornament on the tree, we talk about when and where we got the ornament and who gave it to us or where we bought it and why. We reminisce, recalling old friends and years gone past. Little pleasures!




Stockings made for each of us (including the dog), by our good friend and neighbor in Chicago, hang each year at the fireplace. Angels from Germany, a Christmas clock, and a tiny sheep that was from my mother's childhood are some of the special memories on the mantel. On the small table is one of our three manger scenes.

This manger scene must go on the table so Nellie, our Goldendoodle doesn't pick up the pieces!

And finally, the tiny nacimiento that I bought in Mexico brings back memories of last December when I celebrated Advent in Mexico. In Mexico, the baby Jesus is not placed in the nacimiento until Christmas Eve and the Wise Men continue on their journey, arriving at the nacimiento on the Three Kings Day, Jan. 6th.

Finally, all the work completed, the anticipation coming to an end, Christmas Eve arrives.

Our family gathers at our son's home for an afternoon of food, fun and music. CA's pretty table was laden with ham, turkey, salads and dips.

The afternoon passed quickly with everyone playing games.

C and Mr. Neat playing Gin Rummy!

After dinner, the ladies in red posed for a photo!

Z, CA, me, and AE dressed in our holiday finest!

Then it was time for the music to begin!

"The Family Band" plays Christmas music. M changed from playing piano to his new saxophone; C plays trumpet instead of tuba; and new member, MD, plays in the band for the first time with his toy tambourine! C was on guitar and MJ played piano for several rousing Christmas songs!

Finally everyone went to church for midnight mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas morning found all of us at our daughter, AE's home, to see what Santa left, to empty stockings, and exchange gifts.

Mr. Neat tries out the 3-D glasses that the boys got as he waits to open his stocking!

MD is delighted with his gift of a toy saxophone while MA waits to open his present.

Christmas Day is over but December celebrations continue! Friends invited us to their annual Boxing Day party.

Judy works in her new kitchen with the help of friends.

It was such a warm day that the party spilled over onto their patio. Good friends, good food, good fun!

We closed out December with a Christmas brunch, with AE's family, at our house . MJ's family left for Orlando the day after Christmas. The marching band was performing in the football bowl game on Saturday and marching in a parade on Monday so they missed out on the Feliz Navidad Huevos Rancheros, (Merry Christmas Eggs) fresh pineapple, orange juice and warm coffeecake--homemade yet!

The table looked festive.

After brunch, M and M watched a movie and played Lone Ranger, while the adults visited. Before going home, they gathered around the tree for a family photo.

Mr. Neat and I are truly blessed to have our families close and good friends with whom we can celebrate the season.

Christmases will come and go and the years will pass, but I will never forget my friends and the children with whom I celebrated the Advent season last year in Mexico. (I was home here for Christmas Eve and Day.) It was a wonderful experience, opening my eyes to the unique celebrations of others. This year I shared some happiness with my friends there by talking on the telephone to many of them before Christmas.

Just for fun, scroll down the page and look back at some of the blogs from December of last year and reread the writings about the Dia de Guadalupe and look at the picture of the children of the Salvation Army singing Christmas carols in front of WalMart.

I am very fortunate to have friends in both countries.

Hasta luego.

My English Class

This fall I have been teaching English as a Second Language to Hispanic adults here in Georgia. It is a great class with some beginners, a few intermediates and a couple of advanced students. These are parents of children who attend an elementary school in our town and they are a committed group. They are making great strides in learning English and I am proud of their efforts!

They not only study English with me for three hours, twice a week, but also take a parenting class taught in Spanish by Joyce. They are learning much about our culture and how parenting in the USA differs from parenting in their country.

Here is the class:





Last week I gave each of them a small Christmas remembrance: an ornament and a candy cane. They learned some Christmas vocabulary words and sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"!

Today Joyce organized a Christmas party for our students and their children. Pizza, drinks, candy, gifts for everyone, a Christmas story for the kids and a rousing chorus of Jingle Bells made a fun day for everyone! The adults gave a gift to each of their children and made little Christmas trees with candy hidden inside.

Some of the mothers put last minute touches to the Christmas trees. Lift up the tree and---a surprise: candy!

Joyce had poinsettias and bags of candy for everyone.

Lots of pictures, lots of smiles, and lots of fun! The children were so happy and the parents were very pleased.

We will have a break for Christmas but everyone will be back, studying English once again, at the beginning of January.

Hasta luego.