Sunday, April 10

We Suttons conclude our visit with a stay at the home of Claudia, who was our guest in Burlington in '07.

 She teaches law and also works in area of child abuse. Between Claudia and her other lawyer friend, a federal prosecutor, we learned of the frustration for justice in the present climate of violence in Mexico.

They treated us to an over-the-top brunch at the Westin, up in the hills of the city.  http://www.westinslp.com.mx/

 

There they talked frankly about the culture in Mexico that's in contrast with the joy and enthusiasm of the students. Instead it's the scofflaw habits of the people and the corruption of some government leaders and police, which hampers effective prosecution of criminals. While use of drugs in the US is certainly fueling the trade, the Mexicans have also increased their own use of illegal drugs.

 

We close sending love and thanks to all who made these last 11 days so special. NUESTRA CASA ES SU CASA.

Friday, April 8

Today was a Friday kind of day ----RELAXED!. Students cooked lunches for us, explaining recipes in English. One teacher arranged a mariachi band and sang with them as her father was one of the musicians. We danced ---NO!! The student who asked me to dance proudly wore a traditional Spanish flamenco costume.

That evening we concluded our teaching week with a farewell dinner at the Museo San Agustin, the multi-star boutique hotel, a short walk from the hotel. First we were guided around the hotel but our pictures can't tell it all, so I suggest you Google this name. It's a work of art and history.

 Originally built in the 1600's as a hacienda , it was used by the Augustinian monks as a place to sleep, as they traveled throughout the country to convert the indigenous people to Christianity. We loved the beautifully painted walls and ceilings; valuable objets d'art; plaques in Latin quoting biblical passages (translated perfectly by our own Jim Romer); French antiques; the chapel upstairs and two large balconies with views onto the city. Then we had cocktails in the lobby as a pianist played music from Cats, Pacobel Canon and other classics. The ceiling in the lobby was originally open but is now covered with gorgeous stained glass. http://hotelmuseopalaciodesanagustin.com/

After a delicious “alta cucina” dinner and more good conversation, we exchanged gifts, made individual comments and thanks, and the Director shared more of his dreams for the university and students. All of us part feeling far more ENRICHED than the day we stepped off the plane.

For those students reading this blog, remember to see TV and movies in ENGLISH and form language “clubs” in which you practice speaking with each other regularly. To quote a Dartmouth College language professor: “SPEAK to LEARN”. Don't “learn to speak”.

Thursday April 7th

We were warned ahead of time that the student projects involving making and presenting desserts (in English) would happen before lunch.  The class period ran over by 30 minutes because no one wanted to leave until all the desserts had been sampled.

The next class period had more desserts but first we were entertained by a Mariachi band that was hired by Araceli who is also one of the English teachers.

The students invited us to dance while the band was playing. 

This was a really long day.  After the Marachi band came more desserts followed by a trip to a restaurant near Santa Maria del Rio.  Then we went to the somewhat primative factory to see how the Rebozos (expensive Mexican scarfs) are made.

Some models demonstrated a few ways the Rebozos can be worn. 

And even some more familiar models.

Wednesday, April 6

Wednesday was a day with the dignitaries. And we were in their ranks! Our “limousines” in the form of red firefighting vehicles escorted us from our hotel to the town hall in Soledad de Sanchez Graciano (this small town in the “official” sister city right next to SLP).

We were greeted by the mayor & director of tourism (both strikingly handsome gentlemen)and people with titles too much to keep up with; then escorted into a courtyard to be seated in chairs marked “special guests”. There we heard speeches about friendship between the cities and saw the most wonderful group of happy folk dancers who spun around the floor in yards upon yards of brightly colored materials.

 Then officials dressed us in rebozos – our gifts – the beautiful hand made scarfs which take some three months to make. We also toured the room where the rebozos are made and later visited the little restaurant serving the original enchilada potosina. Of course we had delicious samples and I volunteered to make one, but I didn't have the touch.

Special comment here: While waiting for the program to begin (that courtyard was filled with townspeople) I spoke to a gentleman behind me, who turned out to be a well known artist named Jose Cruz. He and his family live on a ranch about 30 km outside the city. Here is a picture of him which we took later, with his son (our guide) outside Soledad's church.

We had just seen two of his very large oil paintings inside the church. Hopefully the next Sister Cities group can visit there.

 

Later in the day we gathered in a wonderful Brazilian restaurant, as guests of the mayor, and that's when everyone shed the formality and had quite a good time! Grilled meats (about 20 different kinds) were brought out on long skewers and sliced with super sharp knives.

Ben referred to this event as a “tsunami of meat”, and when we translated this to our Mexican hosts they laughed since they too use this word.

Monday April 4th

Meeting in the morning with students at the other university, “Tec Superior” a four year school, with many students studying mecatronics, a combination of mechanics and electronics. One of the students dances for the famous Ballet Folklorico which I saw years ago in Mexico City; another invited us to a baseball game on Sunday.

Disaster strikes!!! The camera is lost. Don't know how we will add pics to blog from here but we haven't given up.

Our afternoon visit to the CASA DEL MIGRANTE was poignant and sobering. Run by a Catholic church, we toured this way station for migrants from countries south of Mexico who make their way through the country and up to the US by train, by foot, etc. We saw their crammed dorms, dining area, place where they keep their shoes (sanitation), and medical room where doctors sometimes treat them. It's one thing to hear & read about these people but quite another to meet them. Many jump trains and are victims of the Zeta – Mexican gangs which abuse them through kidnapping/ransom – even though they hardly have a cent to their name. They can only stay for an overnight, with some exceptions. There were boxes of clothes & shoes and food donated by Mexican stores, including WalMart. They come for the dream to make money for their family. One man from El Salvador left 5 children to find work. I had a very frank talk with another young man from Honduras, who wanted either to wash dishes or work in the field, but hardly spoke English, so I wrote those words on a little paper for him. He had facial bruises from being pushed out of a train by the Zeta, before he could escape. I was frank about the difficulty at the border and and the attitude of illegals with our present political climate. I asked permission to take his picture (now lost) along with the three university students who helped with translation. It seemed like the only moment he looked a little happy. I said with this picture I would remember him and pray for him. (Good thing I had on my dark glasses).

Sunday, April 3rd

We met up with the Burlington group at the hotel where we are now. From there we visited an arts center featuring dance, graphics, art of all kinds

Very impressive.

That night another gathering of teachers, this time with games and music and some played scrabble in Spanish.

Saturday, April 2nd

Alejandra went to her second job and we relaxed at her home with her boys. Eddie is a cute10 year old, but Raoul is quite the talented boy with remarkable English.  He wants to study electrical engineering. Late afternoon the teachers we've known in the past came to Alejandra's house for a party. Two of them now have the cutest little boys.

  

                                                                                    

Friday, April 1 - A WHOLE DAY OF ENGLISH CLASSES??????????

Thursday evening we arrived on the tarmac and into a balmy and welcoming evening air. Customs were so polite and spoke excellent English. Then onto enchiladas potosinas, a local specialty, with our friends, Alejandra and Claudia (both of whom have been in Burlington), Alejandra's two boys and Ale's mother, Elena.

Friday was full up and fun: Here are pictures of the new buildings and gorgeous cacti at Universidad Technologica

         

 and students in the English classes. In two classes, we got an intro to zumba and “hay fi:, the newest dance in Mexico. Shot it on the video shown here.

 You say, what's that to do with English, and the answer is that the students just love to share their culture with us and we are happy to oblige.

By late afternoon we went to what can best be described as a high energy and deafening smoke & body- filled disco with blasting pulsating music, which would strike fear into the heart of any firefighter. Fun to see but, as you may guess we didn't stay long.

Later that evening we strolled on the Plaza de Armas, where folks of all ages were dancing tangos, cha chas and pasadobles under the stars; then watched a super talented local group dancing to African drums. Still hoping the video will work, but here are some pictures.