Happy Thanksgiving! and more

well, today is Thanksgiving
probably the first that I have ever been away from home and family
given that it is one of my favorite holidays, i am sad to be away however I will be eating two thanksgiving meals--one with the bball team and one with my group from the states and our host families!
but nothing compares to grandmas mashed potatoes!!!
in fact, I am the one who signed up to make the potatoes..
They are my favorite food so I hope I do them justice!

This past weekend I went back to Orizaba (where I spent one month last summer) with my old host sister. We stayed at my old home and saw many friends. Ate Don Filipe hot dogs...played with my little cousin...and impressed them all with my improvements in spanish. It was great to go back and re-live my experience. I hope to go back soon!!

Soon in my class on relations between the us and mexico, we are going to have an internet chat with a class of students from georgia, usa. Yesterday, the teacher from that school came here to talk with us. From his questions of the other students I found out that all except for maybe one of the students in my class has at least one relative that has traveled or is in the US without papers. aunts, uncles, and even one brother
I was very surprised given that they are all from the middle class, and I had a preconceived notion that the only illegal immigrants entering were from the lower class or workers in small towns elsewhere. It seems like everyone is affected by immigration. There stories were impactful--some more draumatic than others, but all very interesting.

Lastly, I want to give thanks for family and friends---you all. I have a wonderful support network back in the states and I am very greatful. I am also thankful that I have found friendship and family here in Mexico. AND for this wonderful amazing experience.

See you soon!

mas!

Hey all! It is comical to me that this blog is named ¨its all about the frijoles¨ given that I do not eat many frijoles in my house. Mostly meat--great for the cholesterol! I took my first spinning class last night which consists of middle eastern music and stationary bikes and an instructer telling us how fast to go... not the most fun,... but it is about time for some physical exertion and fitness, so I will continue

About my weekend trip:
On Sunday I woke to my alarm at about 7:30 after only 3 hours of sleep (after the birthday party of my host sister). I decided I was not going and made the call to my friend Yahana´s family. But after waking up a bit I decided why not and I met them at the bus station in 30 minutes. We hopped on a bus and took it 45 mins away towards the gulf. We arrived to a much hotter climate, got off the bus, and took a taxi across beautiful countryside to a small town named...jolopo? o algo asi
It was the day of their patron saint, which calls for major festivities. This is common in most all small towns in Mexico. We arrived at the house of the brother of the father of my friend. They were already cooking. We talked with their talking parrot and playng with the baby puppies. Then we carried on to the next house, where an old old friend lived. He was a bit poorer and I could barely understand him when he spoke. I am also fairly sure that he said his son had been working illegally in the US and was deported. But what I did understand was very interesting. He said that in his town, if someone dies, everyone chips in. He was complaining that 3 people died the day before, so he doesnt have much money at the moment.
And...we ate--OH did we eat! Chiles filled with goodness, homemade tortillas...AND seafood soup. However, the seafood soup was indeed straight from the sea--with all of the animals intact, eyes, tenticles and all. I fought the urge to throw up and ate almost all of it. We were STUFFED! WE continued on to his other brothers house--a house with lots of land and basically a jungle/garden---I ate at LEAST 8 different types of fruit growing in trees and on bushes. I have never heard of most of them. I helped them pick oranges and avocados from the trees...which was fun but much harder than I expected! We sat and chatted and ate mangos for about 3 hours--talked about immigration and my opinions on Bush.
Met a outspoken man on the street who said that if we named any song, he could tell us the artist and the recording date. And he fulfilled his promise
Went back to the uncles house and ate MORE, and walked through the center where there were games and rides and all of that

What was most interesting of all is that they told me that in any house, even if it wasnt a special day, you may knock and enter and they will make you a meal! On this day there were tables all over peoples lawns where tons of townspeople came and ate--family and strangers alike. It was special.
The people in this town were more formal, yet more hospitible at the same time--using couteous phrases and greeting you even if you were just passing by! It was very different than the city life.
To top the day off we hitched a ride from a random family on the way back to the larger town because we couldnt find a taxi...and rode on the back of their truck! (which happens to be in my top 10 favorite things to do)

From there (still VERY full) I found out we were stopping by a memorial service of a friend
it was in a regular house and we stood outside the patio during the ceremony
we stayed awhile to chat with the family and talked about the woman who had died, and other things too such as the friendliness of mexicans (which is something they always claim with pride)

another unique cultural experience

after all of the seafood, spicy chiles, and mounds of fruit that i ate, i was asking for tummy problems---there was nothing about the day that did not say ¨bathroom time¨...BUT nothing!

on the bus ride back i fell asleep in my own lap and woke with a neckache BUT with great fulfillment because of my wonderful, out of the norm day in the country

more

Hey all! Only a bit more than a month and I´m back with you all! Very excited
but still happy to be here

have you all heard about what happened/is going on in tabasco? well there was major flooding and basically they are calling it the new new orleans although I have heard that more people will die or be affected by the damage--apparently tabasco is important for oil and the government was not very prepared even though there is much water on both sides of Tabasco (located in the lower part of Mexico) People are helping out by sending food and supplies

this weekend I stayed home from the trip with the US group (which i did hear was amazing) BUT it was my sisters 21st birthday here and they had a HUGE halloween bash with friends and most importantly, family
I will be staying with this family for a year so I want to become apart of it--and it was a great chance to speak lots of spanish
I will write more later about the celebrations PLUS an amazing day trip to a small town festival in the country! (AMAZING)
off to bed!
ciao!

more

Hi all! This past weekend was day of the dead! Traveled to Oaxaca with two of my good friends-stayed in a cheap yet lovely hotel--traveled to see the enormous tree in a town called Tule, visited churches and markets--and overall just enjoyed the charming city. Oaxaca has more celebration of the day of the dead than here in xalapa--we went to the graveyard and it was decorated and filled with people visiting their loved ones graves...and also tons of tourists
there was a day of the dead play in the street, and also a parade with fireworks
we also got to play with a bunch of little kids hanging out in the street which was great spanish practice and great fun!

it gave me much pride to have planned the 10 hour bus trip with just two friends--and we pulled it off! mexico is bringing much needed independence and responsibility

my family in xalapa put up an alter celebrating the life of their daughter that died in her 20´s--
the family had never been much on the day of the dead but because she was a a theatre major and always celebrated it herself, they now honor her in this way

today when i asked for the (in my opinion overused) creme with my spicy breakfast food, i realized that i have adapted a lot to the mexican way of eating! it made me smile

this weekend we have another excursion with my group from the states, but it is also the weekend of my host sisters birthday extravaganza--a costume party of more than 200?
decisions decisions

off to more class, lunch (la comida), work at matraca, and then a basketball game in the evening!

love,
sara

Noreaster and more

A noreaster just came through- robbing me of a nights sleep, and granting us all a "noreaster day"!
having a seasons worth of the show, grey´s anatomy, helped me get through the night of crazy, but did not help my sister´s car get out without some very ugly scratches

today instead of class we visited Matraca, a community organization that works with street kids and poverty in general--hoping to volunteer there very soon!

my house mom gave me permission to vent (give a yelling to) the next man on the street that acts inappropriately.... which has already passed 5 times over but, in time my frustration will give way to some words exchanged

the concert last weekend was fantastic! it stormed and we were able to get fairly close and jump and dance in the rain
a friend from my university was able to be a securty guard during the concert
we spent the night wandering the city in order to get the next bus home

I am extremely glad that I am staying for a year--my spanish needs a year, and the time flies so fast that one semester seems extremely insufficient

but very excited to see everyone over christmas!!!

currently i am reevaluating my career goals as well...

and going to spend a night camping on the beach! if another noreaster does not rock veracruz in the next few days

:)

The workload has increased, but its not excessive
I was able to go to a salsa club and watch a salsa competition as well!
Also went to the beach for a day with some friends from Mexico, got burnt, but had a wonderful day flying kytes and swimming
This coming weekend I am off to a concert in Veracruz of a Mexican band-Cafe Tacvba, apparently the best one from Mexico -according to my music friends
also traveled to nearby towns, Coatapec and Hico, and explored the waterfalls
havent been sleeping well, probably due to the millions of bugbites from the beach
but doing great here in Mexico

link and more

If you would like to read current political commentary about Mexico, a friend here in Mexico has a page http://lifebeyondthewall.blogspot.com

I have been attempting to speak more Spanish with friends from the states and canada, although it is very tiring

have been talking with my host family about poverty and about conditions in Xalapa--they say that Xalapa has so much poverty because prices are high, yet jobs have low pay and there is not much industry
its great for students and for retirees, but rough on the working individual

I will get some facts to share about poverty and stratification in Mexico--the gap between the rich and the poor is very very significant
and the richest man in the world now is Carlos Slim, a Mexican who runs the phones and such here in Mexico

feel free to share any news from the US! I am currently oblivious

These last few weeks have been great. No homesickness, not too busy, great conversations in Spanish. I went to a friends´ concert violin performance and also rode on a mo-ped. These past nights have been filled with gatherings that included not only people from Mexico, but also from France, Slovenia, Canada and Denmark. I filled myself up with crepes and other french food last night at the home of several French students.
Recently I have been thinking about stereotypes and judgement
In my Mexico-US relations class a girl was talking about how her boyfriend has a strong dislike for the US as well as the people, the culture, the English language. It was uncomfortable to hear this even though I am quite aware that others dislike the US. I also thought about how although I have serious problems with the government of Mexico, I dont relate the government to the Mexican people. However, the government of Mexico and other nations often dont have an obvious affect in my daily life in the US or my culture. I feel that our nation is infringing upon the culture of Mexico, and of course the government and business ventures also have great affects on the economy here. Thus, I can see how hate could be directed towards all things US.

Also, last night I was at a gathering of people from France and there were many people from Mexico as well. I was the only American and I heard the term gringa, which doesnt bother me that much. Later I got to talking with the same guy. Before talking for more than a minute, he told me that I, along with other Americans, only like the discos in Mexico and do not care about the culture. He also said that Americans are just spring breakers. And to finish it off he said that all Americans are racists. I responded that first, I do enjoy dancing but that I am learning about Mexican culture and am living with a host family, traveling around the country, and would not be staying a year in Xalapa (as opposed to cancun) if I did not want to learn about Mexico, more than the beaches and discos. I agree that a lot of Americans come to Mexico for the beaches, but it was rough for him to tell ME that I was one of them without knowing me at all. I also told him that there is racism in US, but that in Mexico, Americans and lighter skinned persons get into clubs easier, and are treated blantantly different. Later, I became pretty angry when returning to my house.
However, it was a thought-provoking experience, because judgement for Mexicans in the US is a big problem. Sometimes I feel like people think that it is ok to judge and poke fun of Americans in Mexico because we are the US and we are the hegemony. However, I think it is wrong in all cases. But it was a wake-up type of experience.

BUT, all in all, the people here are VERY nice and this guy was an exception. I feel like many of these thoughts are common, but others try to approach these types of conversations in a different manner than a of pointed accusations and blanket statements. It was a very interesting experience and although it is a learning experience, it does not make me feel any less angry today.

Feel free to comment with any thoughts, opinions, questions

Off to eat the last meal of the day, la cena which is always scrumptious

Weekend in Las Tuxtlas

Hi all!
This weekend our BCA group took a trip to the volcanic mountain range- las tuxlas. www.tuxlas.org We visited a rural community but our sleeping location was up in the jungle/forest run by a community organization in order to support the community by creating opportunities to share natures beauty. It was truly beautiful and we took many nature hikes: one to a lake in a crater (then the rain chased us back to our cabins) and the other to a gorgeous waterfall where we swam. We ate handmade tortillas and enjoyed our time. It was great to get out of the city and to experience the different parts of Mexico. The scenery from the busride was incredible. If any of you have seen the movie, Apocolypse(sp?) we were in the area where it was shot.
Soon I will post a few short videos both of Xalapa and of the trip!
hasta luego!

Hi again!
Things have been going swimmingly
I have no current sickness and have had the opportunity to practice the art of salsa
The only stresses in my life are having too many activities to choose from!
The class that intrigues me most these days is a class on US/Mexico relations. It is a class where I am the only American and I find myself explaining a lot about the US, but not always being sure about the accuracy about some of my statements. We discussed 9/11 a few weeks back and it was very interesting to hear about views of US security. I also shared about my pacifist views during that time.
Last night I went out for coffee with a good friend from Oaxaca and we chatted about machismo in the US and Mexico.
Catcalls and machismo in Mexico are probably my least favorite things about the country.
The dulcerias and food venders on every corner are some of my favorites.
There are millions of parks here in Xalapa as well as cafes and discos(now called anthros)
On Fridays I go to a elderly home with a friend from North Carolina. We just chat with the folks there and learn about their lives while also practicing our Spanish! We were able to accompany an ex police officer to the police academy for brunch, a place where we would normally never be able to enter.
This weekend we are off to the mountains for some ecotourism!
Well, I am off to my class of translation
Hasta luego
:)

Mexico!

Hi all! This blog is for my friends and family in the states about my experiences while spending my year abroad in Xalapa, Mexico.
I am here living with a family and taking courses with foreign students as well as Mexican students at the regular university.
While having occasional home and university sickness, I am enjoying my experience so far. Speaking, and moreover understanding spanish can be difficult at times but improvement will come with time and practice.
There are always fascinating things to see on the streets, being in Mexico AND in a city. Musicians, street venders, artisanos...
...always something to see or do
Off to class, and then a 3 day weekend like every weekend :)
more interesting stories to come!
Ciao