Two weekends ago, the Buena Tierra had its annual "Kermes" or fundraiser and these little weapons are always a hit with the kids. If you were wondering what a Mexican fundraiser looks like, let me describe it for you.
There is lots of good food. Lots of it. I had several new Mexican dishes which were still unfamiliar to me and of course, they were all delicious! Besides the numerous tables of food and central eating area, there was the game section with classics such as bingo, face painting, hoop throwing, jenga, among others. With the help of a few local high school students, us teachers supervised the game activity and the dolling out of prizes.
Some of the participants enjoying the tasty food.
Left: Brenda, one of the tutoring students I get to work with on Tuesday mornings
Right: Blanca, my host-sister!
A Mexican version of pogs has become very popular here, the kids play them everywhere! On the right is Fransisco, one of my Wednesday afternoon tutoring students.
Getting those marbles into the right holes can be difficult! Maestra Lizy (left) and Maestra Sabrina (middle) have a competitive game going.
The weekend prior to the Kermes, I went to Xochicalco - a World Heritage Site - with one of the MCC families that happened to be staying in Cuernavaca for a few weeks. It was amazing! I had such a good time. The pyramids and ruins were fascinating, the setting was absolutely stunning, and there was open grassy spaces in which to run around! I had not realized how much I missed grass fields (of which there are none that I have found in Cuernavaca) until we arrived and I realized that all I wanted to do was run around. Fortunately, there were three kids with us which provided a great excuse to do just that!
One of the many spectacular views from on top of one pyramid, looking at another.
The Friesen-Pankratz family enjoying a break from the intense sun and intense playing.
The four 1,000 year old airplanes racing to the ancient ramp!
These were the actual ruins of the Feathered Serpent temple, which was the only temple which had been reconstructed on the whole site.
Beautiful.
Other than those special events, daily life at la Buena Tierra continues as normal. I have missed a few days due to a cold which turned out to be a sinus infection. The good news is that I am almost completely recovered! and anticipate returning to work at full capacity very soon!
I can tell that my Spanish is improving in that I can now understand and even have conversations with random people in the street! When I go to grocery stores or bus stations or other such places, I can sometimes get through the whole experience without sounding too much like a gringa!
Until next time...
