OK. I´ll write in english. Translation:
Hi friends! My spanish classes are going well. My mind is dizzy with spanish.
Truly, after the first two days I couldn´t even recall the spanish I had known before, because I was trying to process so much new information. Yesterday, my teachers took it easy on me; we basically conversed the whole time, so I could practice all the new tenses, without adding too much new information. Today all the new tenses were starting to come together for me. My most recent realization, however, is that I am nowhere near fluency. Humbling indeed.
Through the school, I have found some new and interesting places in the city. One fellow student has introduced me to the marketplace where all the indigenous people come to sell their goods. It is a sight to behold: stall after stall presenting colorful vegetables, fruits, flowers, beans, clothing, electronics, live chickens, pig heads, etc. Anything a person might need (except a repair for a broken MacBook), one can find it in this market. I have yet to take photos because, in general, the indigenous people do not like their photos taken. Also, I have been completely disillusioned with technology. However, I plan to sneak a few photos in the next couple days, so stay tuned.
Yesterday, I visited an interesting orchid preserve. A man from California began it in the early 90s, by rescuing orchids and other epiphytes after forests were clear-cut. Now it is managed by an NGO called ProNatura that works here to conserve forests in general. The orchids are in a large, very unconventional, greenhouse on a beautiful piece of land with gardens, ponds, birds, etc. (see photos, below)
This is the greenhouse. I loved the design!
It is hard to tell from this photo, but the orchids are growing from chunks of branches that hang from above on wires. It is quite magical in there. Really, the experience included the smells and the dampness, and the textures, etc.
After the orchid preserve I joined a tour offered by the school at a home-made museum in the house of Sergio Castro. This man does amazing work. He came to Chiapas from Mexico City something like 40 years ago, and began treating burn victims in the indigeous villages. He still does this work, both travelling to the villages and also from his home in San Cristo. Additionally, he has collected authentic examples of each indigenous group´s traditional clothing and has them on display in his museum. He gave us an excellent tour, during which I learned that there are seven distinct language groups among the indigenous people in Chiapas. (He speaks them all.) Within the seven language groups there are many many distinct ethnic groups with different ways of living, dressing, marrying, etc. There is one group, called the Lacandones, that is down to 600 people, and only 6 families within that 600 have resisted conversion to Christianity. Those 6 families are trying to preserve their native practices, which date back to Mayan times.
Sergio Castro giving his tour.
An example of the clothing from one ethnic group. I am embarrassed to say I don´t remember which group, specifically. It was a bit overwhelming.
Today is a holiday here: El Dia de Reyes Magus. I have been here a total of 10 days, and I think at least 5 of them have been celebrated holidays. From what I´ve gathered, today´s celebration commemmorates the three kings (a.k.a. wise men) bringing gifts to bless Jesus after his birth. The children receive gifts and candy, and everyone eats a ring-shaped cake called Rosca de Reyes. Inside the cake is a small figurine of a baby, representing Jesus, and whoever gets the piece with it inside has to make tamales for their whole family, for another holiday in February. At the school, today, we shared one of these cakes. We ate the whole thing and there was no baby Jesus inside. Can we get our money back from the bakery?! I´m just glad I don´t have to make tamales for everyone at the school! I did, however, eat tamales for lunch. By the way, these ¨wizard kings¨are known for astrological practices. I have enjoyed this reminder that the ¨pagan¨and the ¨Christian¨are often quite intermingled in the religious practices here.
OK. Enough for today. My computer malfunction probably means that you can expect fewer, and less frequent, blog entries, but perhaps they also be a bit longer and encompass more time. So it is. Love to you all.....
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