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
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
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
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
Monday, October 1, 2007
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
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
:)
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
:)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
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
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
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