On Sunday night and all Monday I was super busy getting a lot of homework done as well as working ahead so I wouldn't have to do much while Mom, Dad, and Neal are here. However, of course I had to catch up with my family on Skype so I spent a few hours doing that Sunday night. On Monday I went to the Patronato as usual and finally got to work with some pre-schoolers! They are so darn cute I could hardly contain myself. All their cute little smiles and laughs just made me smile all over. I really love the names of the kids in the class. One little boy is named Moses, another Joel, a girl Ingrid. They are very traditional and different from many kids names that we hear in the states. But, when I started working with the students, I didn't know that I was going to have an amazing experience that day.
I was spending time with all of the students one-on-one before one of the teachers told me that Joel had some homework to do. He spends part of the week at a normal school and the other part at the Patronato, or so I understood. He was doing an art project that included a bird sitting in a nest in the middle of a tree. He first glued feathers onto the bird, pieces of sticks on the trunk and branches, tiny sticks for the nest, and actual leaves for the leaves of the tree. But what you don't realize, is that Joel has down syndrome. Before even starting this art project, I helped him clean the tables after they had breakfast. He had the rag and I had the cleaner. He was so diligent about not missing any spots that hadn't been cleaned and then we get to do this art project together where he is so focused that sometimes he didn't even hear me talking to him. I talked to the teacher about it because it was amazing to me that he has down syndrome and is so disciplined on whatever he is working on at the time. She said he has had a lot of instruction but now he is just blossoming. He is only about 4-5 years old too! In the states I feel like a regular 4-5 year old would not be that disciplined. But to see Joel, the cutest little boy with down syndrome being so disciplined made my heart smile. I am going to find out more information about him this week because I am interested in his story.
This coming week (after mom, dad, and Neal leave) will not be an easy one. For starters, I am ready to go home but not ready to leave the students at the Patronato as well as the staff here at the Central house. I am going to have to say good-bye to all the beautiful faces of the students that have touched my heart so dearly. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry but I am trying my darndest to hold them back until next week. I am ready to go home to my family, friends, and pets, but not really ready to leave for any other reason. These past 3+ months have just flown by. I am going to have to go back and read my blog posts from earlier because I really don't remember a lot of the things I have experienced here because it is all second-nature now.
But anyway, I spent most of Monday and I guess Tuesday running around like a chicken with its head cut off just trying to get as much done as possible before they got here. I am so thankful that they are able to come down. So thank you!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Chichen Itza and Tinum weekend
This past weekend the Merida program went on its last excursion together. We started the weekend on Friday by going to Chichen Itza for the morning. It was a warm morning but not too bad. When we got to Chichen Itza pretty early in the morning there was no one there. However, as the morning went on, many more people showed up. On any given day, the site can have 5-15,000 people come through. Right now it is about 7,000. These first few pictures are from the mayan site.
Me standing in front of "El Castillo" or The Castle. There is a smaller pyramid inside this one. It is also considered one of the 7 wonders of the world. That is one of the reasons why Chichen Itza is so popular for tourists.
Where they performed human sacrifices. They would do this as an offering to the gods but before doing it, they would have to drug the person in order to get them up the stairs. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have been able to do it.
Archaeological findings over the past 5 months. Archaeologists are and were working on this when we were at the site. It is amazing that they discovered all this in such a short period of time!
El Cenote Sagrado. This is the cenote that they did human sacrifices in as well. Kind of creepy!
After going to Chichen Itza we headed to a small village called Tinum. It was about 30 minutes away. The purpose of us going there was to stay with a mayan family for 2 days and nights. When we arrived when got an orientation about what to expect from the family and the experience. The few things we talked about were the bathroom and shower situation, eating alone at the guest table while the family at at the tortilla making table, and to also just enjoy ourselves. Our connection to Tinum was Lisa and Schulze. Schulze is a retired psychology professor from Central and his wife also worked at Central. Friday afternoon and night was spent with the family. I was fed right when I got there and it was ok. I started talking to the mom and just finding out what their family was like and she was asking what mine was like. Luckily there were 4 kids in the family and 3 of them were pretty young. The family consisted of a grandma, her two sons, (one was single and the other one was married), the wife of the married son and their four children. The kids were 11, 7, 4, and 2. I absolutely loved them. After eating a little at each meal because the food was very different, I went to bed and slept really well in my hammock. The next morning (Saturday) we got up and met as a group and went out to a milpa (farm), a molino (where they grind the corn into tortillas), and la panaderia (bakery). The following pictures are from Saturday on.
When we were at the farm we got to learn the process of de-graining the corn, planting, and harvesting the crops. This is the corn that we got to de-grain by hand since they don't use any sort of machines like we do in the States. It was such a fun experience to participate and really learn how their farming careers are much tougher than the farmers have it in the states. The corn shown above is 2-year old corn! That was crazy in my mind after coming from the previous saturday being back at home and harvesting about 600 acres in 3ish hours. This farmer that we spent time with only farms 5 acres. It takes about 1 month to harvest all the crops in that one piece of land.
They plant all the corn the same--the good corn goes for eating and the bad corn goes to the animals. They said that these other four types of corn taste all the same and that the white corn offsets the red corn to make it clearer. Interesting! We told them that we spend quite a bit of money on this color of corn for fall decorations and they just harvested it from their field!
They plant by hand as well about 1 meter apart. So, we got to try ourselves! The bucket that is hanging from my neck has the biggest kernels from the middle of the corn cobs that are used for planting and just put right back into the ground. They have tried to use seed like farmers buy in the states but it doesn't work in their rocky soil. So, they are sticking with what works and what they know. They plant 3 corn kernels in each hole along with bean and squash seeds. The beans grow up the corn stalk and the squash protects the bottom of the corn stalk.
I'm trying to aim 5 kernels into the tiny hole I made, but I only made 2. =( Oh well! It was fun.
This is where they house the corn cobs (still in the husk) after they have been harvested. It sits there for quite some time!
Once the corn stalks are tall enough, and before the rainy season starts (August-November) they bend the stalk in half so that the corn cobs are facing the ground. This prevents the birds from eating the crop and the heavy rains from ruining it.
Along with harvesting corn, they harvest the beans and the squash. The farmer was harvesting the squash in front of us. They wear the basket hung from a strap that is on their head. They then throw the squash, corn, or beans in there. But, they only harvest one crop at a time.
We got to try it, so of course I took up the opportunity!
The farmer also set up his hunting stand so we could see how he does it. It wasn't that interesting to me because I am not a fan of hunting but I learned his way of doing this is way different from the hunting stands in the states. I am completely clueless about hunting, if you can't tell! Haha.
After leaving the farm, we went to the molino (mill) where they grind the cooked corn from the fields into masa (dough) and if they want to, they can have the molino make the masa into actual tortillas. This is the final step in the milling process.
After going to the molino, we went to the bakery where they make all the bread by hand.
They also bake it in a wood-brick oven! I would love to have one of those someday. It gives the food such a better flavor!
The sweet bread they made and just came out of the wood-brick oven.
Now I'm going to show you pictures of the very rustic house I stayed in while in Tinum. Before going to Tinum, we had to fill out a questionnaire about what our preferences were. I decided since it was going to be my last weekend in Mexico on my own (without my parents and Neal here) I really wanted to live with a very traditional mayan family. I told Val I wanted to live in a very rustic home and that I didn't care about the bathroom situation (may or may not have an actual toilet). However, when I got there, I was surprised to find that they did have a shower, toilet, and sink! It had just been added two years ago, but that was a big deal for their family!
As you can see, the house was very rustic. This was their kitchen.
This is where I ate alone at every meal. It was weird eating by myself especially since I didn't enjoy the food. It was just very different with very strong smells and tastes. But even though I didn't eat a lot, I still got to experience the typical mayan/yucatacan food. After comparing with the other students, I think my food wasn't as much (in quantity) and as good was because of their financial situation. They had dirt floors, thatched roofs, and the walls inside of the lined sticks that made the walls were only cardboard. I think you can see it in this picture. But, if you can't in this picture, you will in the next one.
This is part of the family I stayed with. The husband and other guy (brothers) as well as the oldest child were not present for the picture. The single guy works in his milpa while the husband (other brother) works for the police department. To earn some extra money, the family has 2 pigs in the backyard and will be selling the meat for money. The wife also weaves hammocks (which she taught me how to do) and also crochet's the bottom part of the skirt that goes under the traditional mayan dress that the grandma is wearing.
While there, I also got to attend a meeting by the hammock makers. I had no idea what was going on before we got there because we just kept walking toward the edge of town on Friday night. We ended up going to two meetings. There was a candidate that wants to become the president of the hammock worker's project. It is a microfinancing project. A guy gave them the yarn to start making the hammocks and took the hammocks to Chichen Itza to sell. However, he never gave them the money back. He came to Merida and just took the money for himself. So, now the women have no way of making money for the work they do. So, in turn, this other guy was asking for their votes to become their president and was promising to do the job that the other guy (that has now passed away) was doing but that they money would be brought back to them. I wonder what will come of all that!
This weekend was a great experience. It was definitely an eye-opening one! After staying with the family for 2 nights and 2 days in the very rustic home, I don't know if I could do it again. It was way out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did it. It was something that I will probably never experience again. This past weekend will never be forgotten. Thanks for reading this long post!! =)
Me standing in front of "El Castillo" or The Castle. There is a smaller pyramid inside this one. It is also considered one of the 7 wonders of the world. That is one of the reasons why Chichen Itza is so popular for tourists.
Where they performed human sacrifices. They would do this as an offering to the gods but before doing it, they would have to drug the person in order to get them up the stairs. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have been able to do it.
Archaeological findings over the past 5 months. Archaeologists are and were working on this when we were at the site. It is amazing that they discovered all this in such a short period of time!
El Cenote Sagrado. This is the cenote that they did human sacrifices in as well. Kind of creepy!After going to Chichen Itza we headed to a small village called Tinum. It was about 30 minutes away. The purpose of us going there was to stay with a mayan family for 2 days and nights. When we arrived when got an orientation about what to expect from the family and the experience. The few things we talked about were the bathroom and shower situation, eating alone at the guest table while the family at at the tortilla making table, and to also just enjoy ourselves. Our connection to Tinum was Lisa and Schulze. Schulze is a retired psychology professor from Central and his wife also worked at Central. Friday afternoon and night was spent with the family. I was fed right when I got there and it was ok. I started talking to the mom and just finding out what their family was like and she was asking what mine was like. Luckily there were 4 kids in the family and 3 of them were pretty young. The family consisted of a grandma, her two sons, (one was single and the other one was married), the wife of the married son and their four children. The kids were 11, 7, 4, and 2. I absolutely loved them. After eating a little at each meal because the food was very different, I went to bed and slept really well in my hammock. The next morning (Saturday) we got up and met as a group and went out to a milpa (farm), a molino (where they grind the corn into tortillas), and la panaderia (bakery). The following pictures are from Saturday on.
When we were at the farm we got to learn the process of de-graining the corn, planting, and harvesting the crops. This is the corn that we got to de-grain by hand since they don't use any sort of machines like we do in the States. It was such a fun experience to participate and really learn how their farming careers are much tougher than the farmers have it in the states. The corn shown above is 2-year old corn! That was crazy in my mind after coming from the previous saturday being back at home and harvesting about 600 acres in 3ish hours. This farmer that we spent time with only farms 5 acres. It takes about 1 month to harvest all the crops in that one piece of land.
They plant all the corn the same--the good corn goes for eating and the bad corn goes to the animals. They said that these other four types of corn taste all the same and that the white corn offsets the red corn to make it clearer. Interesting! We told them that we spend quite a bit of money on this color of corn for fall decorations and they just harvested it from their field!
They plant by hand as well about 1 meter apart. So, we got to try ourselves! The bucket that is hanging from my neck has the biggest kernels from the middle of the corn cobs that are used for planting and just put right back into the ground. They have tried to use seed like farmers buy in the states but it doesn't work in their rocky soil. So, they are sticking with what works and what they know. They plant 3 corn kernels in each hole along with bean and squash seeds. The beans grow up the corn stalk and the squash protects the bottom of the corn stalk.
I'm trying to aim 5 kernels into the tiny hole I made, but I only made 2. =( Oh well! It was fun.
This is where they house the corn cobs (still in the husk) after they have been harvested. It sits there for quite some time!
Once the corn stalks are tall enough, and before the rainy season starts (August-November) they bend the stalk in half so that the corn cobs are facing the ground. This prevents the birds from eating the crop and the heavy rains from ruining it.
Along with harvesting corn, they harvest the beans and the squash. The farmer was harvesting the squash in front of us. They wear the basket hung from a strap that is on their head. They then throw the squash, corn, or beans in there. But, they only harvest one crop at a time.
We got to try it, so of course I took up the opportunity!
The farmer also set up his hunting stand so we could see how he does it. It wasn't that interesting to me because I am not a fan of hunting but I learned his way of doing this is way different from the hunting stands in the states. I am completely clueless about hunting, if you can't tell! Haha.
After leaving the farm, we went to the molino (mill) where they grind the cooked corn from the fields into masa (dough) and if they want to, they can have the molino make the masa into actual tortillas. This is the final step in the milling process.
After going to the molino, we went to the bakery where they make all the bread by hand.
They also bake it in a wood-brick oven! I would love to have one of those someday. It gives the food such a better flavor!
The sweet bread they made and just came out of the wood-brick oven.Now I'm going to show you pictures of the very rustic house I stayed in while in Tinum. Before going to Tinum, we had to fill out a questionnaire about what our preferences were. I decided since it was going to be my last weekend in Mexico on my own (without my parents and Neal here) I really wanted to live with a very traditional mayan family. I told Val I wanted to live in a very rustic home and that I didn't care about the bathroom situation (may or may not have an actual toilet). However, when I got there, I was surprised to find that they did have a shower, toilet, and sink! It had just been added two years ago, but that was a big deal for their family!
As you can see, the house was very rustic. This was their kitchen.
This is where I ate alone at every meal. It was weird eating by myself especially since I didn't enjoy the food. It was just very different with very strong smells and tastes. But even though I didn't eat a lot, I still got to experience the typical mayan/yucatacan food. After comparing with the other students, I think my food wasn't as much (in quantity) and as good was because of their financial situation. They had dirt floors, thatched roofs, and the walls inside of the lined sticks that made the walls were only cardboard. I think you can see it in this picture. But, if you can't in this picture, you will in the next one.
This is part of the family I stayed with. The husband and other guy (brothers) as well as the oldest child were not present for the picture. The single guy works in his milpa while the husband (other brother) works for the police department. To earn some extra money, the family has 2 pigs in the backyard and will be selling the meat for money. The wife also weaves hammocks (which she taught me how to do) and also crochet's the bottom part of the skirt that goes under the traditional mayan dress that the grandma is wearing.While there, I also got to attend a meeting by the hammock makers. I had no idea what was going on before we got there because we just kept walking toward the edge of town on Friday night. We ended up going to two meetings. There was a candidate that wants to become the president of the hammock worker's project. It is a microfinancing project. A guy gave them the yarn to start making the hammocks and took the hammocks to Chichen Itza to sell. However, he never gave them the money back. He came to Merida and just took the money for himself. So, now the women have no way of making money for the work they do. So, in turn, this other guy was asking for their votes to become their president and was promising to do the job that the other guy (that has now passed away) was doing but that they money would be brought back to them. I wonder what will come of all that!
This weekend was a great experience. It was definitely an eye-opening one! After staying with the family for 2 nights and 2 days in the very rustic home, I don't know if I could do it again. It was way out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did it. It was something that I will probably never experience again. This past weekend will never be forgotten. Thanks for reading this long post!! =)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
This past week
Right after surprising my dad. Absolutely priceless and unforgettable! Oh how the tears were flowing!
Surprising my dad before the tears started coming...First off, I need to apologize for not writing for a week. Last Tuesday afternoon mom found me a flight to get home for the weekend. My uncle Kevin had a stroke about a week before that and we had found out that a bunch of farmers were going to help get the rest of dad's corn out of the field. I knew there was going to be a lot of people involved so I wanted to be there, but most importantly, I wanted to be there for my dad and uncle. My dad had been emotional ever since they found out about the farmers wanting to help, so I thought I would add more tears! Just kidding, I didn't want my dad to have more tears, but I only wanted him to know I was there for him even though I had been in a different country for 3 months. So Wednesday and Thursday I worked ahead in homework so I wouldn't have anything when I got back. I also worked ahead for this week knowing that I would probably be tired when I returned to Mexico. So here's how the weekend went:
Friday: Got up at 4:30AM, took a taxi to the bus station at 5:15AM, Bus left for Cancun at 6AM, got to Cancun at 10:30AM, took a shuttle to the airport in Cancun at 10:30AM, arrived at the airport at 11AM, walked around ate, etc. until the plane took off for Dallas at 3PM, landed in Dallas at 6PM, flew out at 7:45PM, arrived in Des Moines at 9:15ish, got home at 10:30PM. It was quite a long day! But, it ended in a big hug with my mom and jumping into Neal's arms. Friday was completely surreal. It was very weird going home and walking around the house, seeing my puppy and kitties, and knowing I was going to surprise my dad the following morning since he was already asleep when we got back from the DSM airport.
Saturday: woke up to my mom at 6:30ish saying we were going to leave for the farm in an hour. I got up, woke up Neal because my mom told me his alarm kept going off =), and got ready to go to the farm. But before leaving home, my mom's cousin, and her mom and daughter came to our house to follow us out to the farm. They had no idea I was coming either so I ran out of the garage to surprise them, and let me tell you, they were surprised! My cousin Liz said, "What the heck are you doing here??" Haha. So, we ended up heading out to the farm and as we approached I ducked in the front seat until my mom parked, got out of her seat, and got her camera ready and then I ran to my dad with other family members around. He was in complete shock. It all went so fast but I will never forget his hugs and his tears. He had no idea that I slept in my own bed the previous night! Oh how I love surprises! So after giving hugs to family and talking to my dad, I rode with my dad in the semi for a few hours hauling grain and then I switched with Neal and got in the car with my mom, aunt, cousin, and grandma as they were going around taking pictures. Again, no one knew I was home, including one of my best friends, my grandma. She is so special to me and I wanted to surprise her, but I wasn't ready for her reaction! She said, "Oh Stephanie!" and gave me a huge hug and just started crying. I jokingly told her to stop because she was making me cry, but at that point, we were so glad to be back together that the tears didn't matter. So, as Neal got in the semi with my dad and I went with my mom, I was able to see all the action. There ended up being 84 men and 27 women that came to help, 32 semis I believe, 22 combines, and a load of grain buggies. They got about 600 acres (sorry dad, if thats wrong!) of corn out in a matter of about 3 hours! It was quite a site. At one point there were 22 semis on the blacktop waiting to get through the elevator--all full with corn!! Everyone was such a blessing and we are truly indebted to them.
After all that was done, we loaded up all the food and drinks that were left over from the meal we provided for everyone and then my dad's side of the family came to our house to hang out before going down to Ames to visit my Uncle. I forgot to mention, too, that my aunt and I were keeping a secret without the other knowing it! She surprised everyone and was able to get my uncle out of the hospital for a few hours so he could watch everything taking place!! So after awhile, we all made it down to the hospital and hung out. My mom of course took 272 pictures in a matter of 4 hours so she was putting all of the pictures of flash drives and CDs for everyone. She is quite the photographer! I think she has found her new favorite hobby! But of course, Neal's and my tummy's were getting very hungry so I told my dad and he surprisingly threw the keys to his truck to Neal. So, Neal and I went and had supper, just the two of us, at Panera Bread in Ames. It was our first date since I had been back from Mexico so we really cherished it. However, it was a very informal date since I was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt and he was in his work clothes from the morning! We returned to the hospital when my parents were wanting to leave, so we got back home and just crashed. We were all exhausted.
Sunday: My mom and dad went to the early service since my tummy was upset that early in the morning from lack of sleep so I kept sleeping and then Neal and I went to the second service. That was such a blessing since we love going to church together but haven't been able to for 3 months. We enjoyed it and came back, had lunch, and then made our way up to my grandma's to spend a couple hours with her. She got to learn more about Neal and viceversa. The three of us truly enjoyed it and we can't wait to spend more time together when I come back for good. The only thing I wish was that Grandpa was here to meet Neal. However, after a couple hours, we left there and made our way up to Webster City to spend time with Neal's grandparents. We had many laughs but also serious talks that we are so thankful for. Who would have thought that our families could live so close to each other!? Neal and I left there in time to drive back to Story City so he could pack and get on the road to drive back to Winona. At this point I was an emotional mess because I didn't want to return to Mexico without he and my family, but he just kept telling me that we only have to wait 8 days at that point, to be back together again. I think that if I would have gone home any earlier, it would have been much harder for me to come back to Merida.
Monday: got up at 3:30AM, dad drove me to the airport at 4:15AM, got there at 5:15AM, flight left at 6AM, got to dallas at 8AM, flight left for cancun at 11:30AM, arrived in Cancun at 2PM, caught the shuttle from the airport directly to Merida at 3PM, arrived in Merida at 7PM, got subway, and took a taxi back to the house. I went to bed early after getting my little carry-on bag unpacked, showered, talked to Neal, and got organized for the week.
It was quite the busy weekend, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am so thankful that my uncle is really improving through therapy and time and that I got to spend time with the people I love the most. It was great to surprise dad and the rest of my family and to spend time with my best friends, my mom and grandma, and to get to see Neal finally after 3 months of being apart! Thanks mom, for getting me home, and thanks to everyone else for such a memorable weekend!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Pictures of San Juan Chamula
Sorry these pictures are soo big!! I got them off the internet. (Just click on the picture and the full size will pop up). These are pictures of San Juan Chamula and that is the town I couldn't take pictures in. Now you can see what I was talking about!
The church and courtyard where the parade and fireworks were at.
Inside the church. Those are the banners hanging from the walls I was talking about and the elaborate altar in front. This looks like a typical Sunday service with lots of candles where single family units have their own service.
The sheep skin vest things! Sorry if you didn't get this kind of picture in your head after I wrote about it! I'm not the best at describing things!
This is part of the cemetery. Very primitive. This picture also shows the women's elaborate blouses and their black sheep skin skirts.
Los autoridades with their bastones. This is the typical setting where they bring justice to the community.
The church and courtyard where the parade and fireworks were at.
Inside the church. Those are the banners hanging from the walls I was talking about and the elaborate altar in front. This looks like a typical Sunday service with lots of candles where single family units have their own service.
The sheep skin vest things! Sorry if you didn't get this kind of picture in your head after I wrote about it! I'm not the best at describing things!
This is part of the cemetery. Very primitive. This picture also shows the women's elaborate blouses and their black sheep skin skirts.
Los autoridades with their bastones. This is the typical setting where they bring justice to the community.Random Thoughts
As those of you that probably haven't seen my blog for a while, I changed it! I like it a lot, except for the fact that the pictures of the equinox does not stretch all the way across the brown area at the top. Oh well. Not important. I'm trying to not be so perfectionist, so this is more practice! =)
But anyway, life is flying by. I can't believe I only have two weeks until mom, dad, and Neal come down here. We have been talking about that day before I even left for Mexico so it is weird that it is already here! I'm trying not to mourn the time passing but I am. I know I keep talking about how I am going to miss the people, the language, the culture, and the differences but I think about that everyday. I miss my family, my pets, my friends, and Neal but living outside of reality has been kind of nice. However, I'm afraid of having culture shock when I return home just from adapting myself to a completely different place, culture, and language. I have learned a lot about myself while on this journey and I hope that doesn't end when I return home. I have gained a new appreciation for my family who is waiting patiently for us to reunite again and my friends that are doing so well in school but are also a void in my life right now. We all miss each other but it has become something accepted in my life since I have been without everyone for 3 months. I thought these days would never come, but they have, and of course, now its going to be bittersweet. I feel that God is teaching me not to be anxious about anything or think at all about the following day because he can always surprise me and he has surprised me.
Something can happen that changes our lives forever. This experience in Mexico will never be forgotten. It will not be a lost memory in the back of my mind or little souvenoirs (sp) sitting on a bookshelf or table. Everything has meaning and a purpose. Now I'm just trying to figure out what my purpose in life is which I can tell will be a lifelong journey. My alone times with God every morning have been refreshing. I have no reason for not doing it in the past but for me He has to bring me to a point where I can't do anything but rely on Him to actually listen to his soft voice, to be able to see his creations and glory all around, and to feel His tender hugs comforting me in times where I can't find comfort anywhere else. I'm so glad for those times and I pray that I would continually to seek comfort and peace in Him alone and not to take control of it all.
God has little by little been opening my eyes to His presence and His work in so many peoples' lives and how he intervenes. Little things like the rain stopping right before I leave for my internship, keeping me safe on bus rides that I don't feel safe after bus drivers checking me out while they are driving, not getting in any accidents on the buses, and allowing my uncle to be awake and not driving when he had his stroke. God is gracious and merciful. I am constantly learning what it means to bask in His glory and I pray that wouldn't stop when I return to my comforts at home. I also hope that He would put me out of my comfort zone when I'm at home. I'm getting excited to see what is coming my way. I don't know if I am out of a storm, in a storm, or going into a storm but I have a feeling that will be evident soon. But thanks to Liz, lately I have had her phrase of "Love the person, Hate the sin" stuck in my head because it has been something I have had to deal with this whole semester. This week has been going by slowly but this weekend was great. I had time to myself while all the girls went to a movie and shopping. I ate pizza to myself and just meditated on what God's desires are for my future. We will have to see what the rest of this week brings!
But anyway, life is flying by. I can't believe I only have two weeks until mom, dad, and Neal come down here. We have been talking about that day before I even left for Mexico so it is weird that it is already here! I'm trying not to mourn the time passing but I am. I know I keep talking about how I am going to miss the people, the language, the culture, and the differences but I think about that everyday. I miss my family, my pets, my friends, and Neal but living outside of reality has been kind of nice. However, I'm afraid of having culture shock when I return home just from adapting myself to a completely different place, culture, and language. I have learned a lot about myself while on this journey and I hope that doesn't end when I return home. I have gained a new appreciation for my family who is waiting patiently for us to reunite again and my friends that are doing so well in school but are also a void in my life right now. We all miss each other but it has become something accepted in my life since I have been without everyone for 3 months. I thought these days would never come, but they have, and of course, now its going to be bittersweet. I feel that God is teaching me not to be anxious about anything or think at all about the following day because he can always surprise me and he has surprised me.
Something can happen that changes our lives forever. This experience in Mexico will never be forgotten. It will not be a lost memory in the back of my mind or little souvenoirs (sp) sitting on a bookshelf or table. Everything has meaning and a purpose. Now I'm just trying to figure out what my purpose in life is which I can tell will be a lifelong journey. My alone times with God every morning have been refreshing. I have no reason for not doing it in the past but for me He has to bring me to a point where I can't do anything but rely on Him to actually listen to his soft voice, to be able to see his creations and glory all around, and to feel His tender hugs comforting me in times where I can't find comfort anywhere else. I'm so glad for those times and I pray that I would continually to seek comfort and peace in Him alone and not to take control of it all.
God has little by little been opening my eyes to His presence and His work in so many peoples' lives and how he intervenes. Little things like the rain stopping right before I leave for my internship, keeping me safe on bus rides that I don't feel safe after bus drivers checking me out while they are driving, not getting in any accidents on the buses, and allowing my uncle to be awake and not driving when he had his stroke. God is gracious and merciful. I am constantly learning what it means to bask in His glory and I pray that wouldn't stop when I return to my comforts at home. I also hope that He would put me out of my comfort zone when I'm at home. I'm getting excited to see what is coming my way. I don't know if I am out of a storm, in a storm, or going into a storm but I have a feeling that will be evident soon. But thanks to Liz, lately I have had her phrase of "Love the person, Hate the sin" stuck in my head because it has been something I have had to deal with this whole semester. This week has been going by slowly but this weekend was great. I had time to myself while all the girls went to a movie and shopping. I ate pizza to myself and just meditated on what God's desires are for my future. We will have to see what the rest of this week brings!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Only 4 weeks left here. This is the phrase that has been playing over and over in my mind this week. This weekend will not be one full of travel because we are wanting to go to a soccer game Saturday night and we were supposed to have a field trip for my Art and Architecture class to see some more ruins but we are getting the effects of Hurricane Ida that is on the east coast of Nicaragua. It is predicted to hit the state of Quitana Roo which is where Cozumel, Cancun, and Tulum are on Sunday. So right now we are having tons of rain which is very unusual and high winds. Since Merida does not have a system of drainage due to the kind of land we have, going downtown right now could be risky. They seriously don't have deep drains in the streets so the streets downtown end up flooding until the sun comes out and evaporates all of it. The rain here also makes the roads slick and scary to drive on. So we don't have our field trip because Val is considering it a Yucatacan style of a snow storm! Yay! So who knows if we will end up going to the soccer game Saturday night or not. However, I am able to catch up on some sleep, talk to family, and enjoy some alone time. =) I have worked ahead in classes so that I hardly have homework anymore unless it is my literature class which we don't have a syllabus for so there is no way to work ahead. But, I only have 4 weeks left here. Every other weekend is jam-packed with traveling and spending time with mom, dad, and Neal so I am trying to take advantage of this calm weekend here in Merida.
And just to calm everyone's fears, we are 4 hours away from the coast of Quitana Roo so we will only have lots of rain and high winds. Everyone here is keeping a close eye on the storm and the worst thing that would happen would be that we lock ourselves in this mansion and hang out! There is nothing to be scared of and personally, I am welcoming the hurricane-like conditions. Val, as you read this you will probably not like this, but this will probably be my only time to live through hurricane-like conditions in my lifetime so why not want to experience something I will never get to experience again!?!? We will have to see what this weekend brings! It is actually chilly here to all of us. I know you are all going to hate this, but it is 73 right now and I have a long-sleeve t-shirt and running pants on as I write this. It is quite chilly with all the rain and wind coming through the windows. But oh how the air smells fresher! Thank you rain!
I have also been in prayer for the past 2 days because I found out yesterday morning that my uncle, one of my dad's brothers had a mini stroke Wednesday late at night. He is only 3 years older than my dad so it makes me scared that something like that could happen to my dad since strokes are very common on his side of the family. But thank goodness, he has been taking a baby aspirin everyday since his mom, my grandma, died of an annurism. And, my dad's dad, my grandpa Torgeson, has had a stroke that has affected his left side as well, so fighting the worry of my future has seriously become a battle in the past 2 days.
But, for me, this situation doesn't calm my fears about having a blood clot someday--it makes it worse. After having the scare earlier this semester, and knowing that a stroke is caused by a blood clot in the brain and that my mom has already had a blood clot in her leg does not look optimistic for me! I keep reminding myself that I am not in control so the only thing I can do is take a baby aspirin and pray. If anyone feels lead, and is prompted by the Holy Spirit, simple prayers for strength and a calm heart for me would be greatly appreciated. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing weekend as winter is fast approaching.
And just to calm everyone's fears, we are 4 hours away from the coast of Quitana Roo so we will only have lots of rain and high winds. Everyone here is keeping a close eye on the storm and the worst thing that would happen would be that we lock ourselves in this mansion and hang out! There is nothing to be scared of and personally, I am welcoming the hurricane-like conditions. Val, as you read this you will probably not like this, but this will probably be my only time to live through hurricane-like conditions in my lifetime so why not want to experience something I will never get to experience again!?!? We will have to see what this weekend brings! It is actually chilly here to all of us. I know you are all going to hate this, but it is 73 right now and I have a long-sleeve t-shirt and running pants on as I write this. It is quite chilly with all the rain and wind coming through the windows. But oh how the air smells fresher! Thank you rain!
I have also been in prayer for the past 2 days because I found out yesterday morning that my uncle, one of my dad's brothers had a mini stroke Wednesday late at night. He is only 3 years older than my dad so it makes me scared that something like that could happen to my dad since strokes are very common on his side of the family. But thank goodness, he has been taking a baby aspirin everyday since his mom, my grandma, died of an annurism. And, my dad's dad, my grandpa Torgeson, has had a stroke that has affected his left side as well, so fighting the worry of my future has seriously become a battle in the past 2 days.
But, for me, this situation doesn't calm my fears about having a blood clot someday--it makes it worse. After having the scare earlier this semester, and knowing that a stroke is caused by a blood clot in the brain and that my mom has already had a blood clot in her leg does not look optimistic for me! I keep reminding myself that I am not in control so the only thing I can do is take a baby aspirin and pray. If anyone feels lead, and is prompted by the Holy Spirit, simple prayers for strength and a calm heart for me would be greatly appreciated. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing weekend as winter is fast approaching.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A Godcidence
Last night after returning from our field trip downtown, a woman that works in the Central College Abroad office arrived here with her sister to spend a couple days sitting in on classes, going to internships, and spending time with us one-on-one to see how things are going. She and her sister as well as Val and the visiting professor came and visited me at the Patronato when I was there today. They gave me a ride home so I didn't have to spend an hour making the trek back to the house which I was very appreciative of. As we were sitting in the car discussing why I was working with the kids and how it doesn't fit with my major but that I am trying to get as much experience as possible working with children with disabilites, we got to talking about how she started working at Central. I knew her name was Jen Larson and her sister's name is Megan Stewart (spelling) but I had never seen Jen on campus. Come to find out, she worked at Cornell right after graduating from Central. So my first response/question was, do you know Nancy Reasland (Neal's mom that is a nurse at Cornell) and she said, ya! of course! Jen then told me that her mom works in the alumni office so she and her mom both know Nancy. At that point, Jen says, of course I know the Reasland's. I am from Lisbon. I then started laughing so hard. Come to find out, Jen's sister Megan who was with in the car graduated with Liz, Neal's sister-in-law and Megan's boyfriend graduated a year ahead of Aaron, Neal's brother and is now an assistant football coach at Cornell so I'm sure Ray knows him. I first told them that I am very good friends with Aaron and Liz and they were saying, "Oh we love them! They are so fun to be around!" And I of course had to ask if they knew Neal. They both said yes and Megan turns to me and says, "Neal is such a sweetheart" and I said, "I completely agree" and she responds, "You do? Why is that?" and I say, "Well I'm dating him...". Their responses were priceless. It became very obvious that this world is very small!!! Come to find out, Neal knows Megan pretty well since she transferred to Cornell from Central when Neal was there and they were only two years apart in school. So basically we all had to come to Merida to find out we both knew the same family! How crazy. We then started talking about FCA and just their faith so it was awesome to learn more about them and to think that they know the Reasland's! Sorry, but as you can probably tell, I am still in shock that it is such a small world! Jen already invited me to her and her husband's house for supper some night in Pella. She and Megan are so sweet. It was definitely a Godcidence today! =)
Colonial Architecture
Sorry this is blurry...but off to the left is a church that used to be a fortress because when the Spaniards came to conquer Mexico, they brought friars or monks with to bring catholicism here and the Mexicans were the ones who had to build the churches so they became to look more like fortresses than churches because in Yucatan, the mayans were constantly fighting the monks so the church and other buildings around it became a place for the monks to live, a place of worship, and place of defense. The churches served three purposes at that point.
The patio in the middle of the school of architecture. Our professor took us there because that is where she studied to get her Bachelor's and Master's of architecture. I really wish I could go to a school that looks old but now functions as if it was new! I just love the look of it being old...
One staircase that took my breath away--stone steps with rounded doorways and ceilings.
This is inside the oldest building in Merida. It is now a art and music school for children but this is where the monks would have lived. The classrooms used to be the monks' rooms. I love the tile, columns, rounded doorways, and rounded ceilings!On Tuesday after returning from Chiapas we had regular classes which went really well and fast. I got a lot done yesterday and even got in a nap which I was happy about! Then at night I always have Art and Architecture and last night we went to downtown Merida to look at colonial architecture. I have decided that I love colonial architecture because it looks old and has so much character. I love it when buildings and homes look old but yet have been refurbished to live in or conduct business in. I just love the character that older homes give! I thought I would share some pictures that I took last night so that way you could also see what a lot of downtown Merida looks like.
Trip to Chiapas: Monday
On Monday we made our way back to Merida and made good time. The van was of course becoming very uncomfortable really quickly but we did it. We made it back in about 7 hours when it usually takes 8-9 hours. We only stopped twice so that helped! There were also not as many curves like there are in the mountains so we didn't have to slow down all the time. I think I forgot to mention on Sunday and well Friday too that I officially am against topes (toe-pays). Topes are speed bumps and they are all over the place on the way up and down the mountain because there are so many small villages that we pass through. When I was co-pilot for Raul, the driver of the van, I joked with him and told him in Spanish that I just love topes. He looked at me and smiled and knew I didn't mean it. Haha...He picked up on my sarcasm!! And he replied, in Spanish, I think that every family has a tope. I got a kick out of it! He was hilarious and a great driver that put up with all of us. Koodos to him for putting up with a bunch of American college students! Once we got back to Merida, I unpacked all my gifts out of bags and packed them into Neal's suitcase that I brought down here because I really don't have room for them. Its not quite full yet, but I know it will be. I'm afraid mom, dad, and Neal are going to have to bring down a small empty suitcase with them! It is only 19 days until they get down here!! At least we are under 3 weeks now! But, it means that my time here is coming to an end very quickly. I just have 4 weeks and 2 days left here and I feel like its not enough. Don't get me wrong, I want to come home, but this semester has come and gone. I feel like its all been a dream and has passed overnight. Luckily, I have this blog to go back and read what I went through over the past 2 1/2 months I have been here. I can't believe on Sunday it will be 11 weeks since I have been here. I just can't believe it. Before I know it, I will be back and be able to spend time with and see you all!! I am rather excited for that.
Thanks for taking the time to read all my posts about Chiapas! I hope you all understand what I mean since I couldn't take pictures. The week is almost over!
Thanks for taking the time to read all my posts about Chiapas! I hope you all understand what I mean since I couldn't take pictures. The week is almost over!
Trip to Chiapas: Sunday
On Sunday morning after having breakfast at the hotel we all hit the road and went to two indigenous villages up in the mountains outside of San Cristobal. The first village is called San Juan Chamula and it has been selected as a World Heritage Town. We were not able to take pictures of anything in the town--buildings, people, etc. because they don't want it to become a huge tourist spot. Bare with me as I try "to use my words" to explain everything I saw...as Josh Groban is playing in my headphones. =)
Chamula is about 20 minutes by car from San Cristobal. As we were driving there, people were walking down from their houses outside of Chamula to go to the cemetery. They all had pine needles and marigolds in their hands. The pine needles are used to clean off the graves and then they put marigolds all over the graves. This cemetery was very different from the cemetery in San Cristobal because this town has kept its heritage since the Pre-Hispanic area so (1200-1500AD) so the graves are very simple and are covered with dirt and not buried very deep. They also did not have any tombs like my pictures showed from the cemetery in San Cristobal. We then walked down into the town and I was in love with the difference in culture and the fact that this village has kept its heritage. The men were wearing sheep skins as almost a shawl (space cut to go around their neck, and then their arms were free--There were not sleeves). They wore a long sleeve shirt like a button down flannel shirt underneath and had a belt around the sheep skin probably about the height of the belly button because then they just wore jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat to finish it off. The women wore black sheep skin skirts and very decorative blouses. It was also that undergarments were not that important to them because there were women just openly breast feeding while we were there. I have no problem with that but it is completely different than if we were in the US.
As we walked to the market which was in the town square we got a little glimpse of their culture. It would have been a perfect postcard to take a picture of men sitting around or standing and talking amongst themselves outside the municipal building, but of course we didn't even take our cameras with us to respect their desires. Then the church courtyard and church were about a football field length away from the municipal building. Since we didn't have Luis who knows everything about anywhere we go, we didn't really know if we would be allowed into the church. Since Day of the Dead was Monday and we were there on Sunday, they were starting a whole ceremony that Val had never seen before because she had only been there on a regular Sunday which is a completely different experience. As we walked to the church, the autoridades or authorities were kind of outside their church courtyard when normally they are on one of the sides of the market taking care of business. Val told us that usually people come and tell them about what has happened like someone stole some sheep or something and they will make justice happen. It is just like it was in the Pre-Hispanic era.
So as we were walking into the church courtyard, we just kind of kept our distance and walked slowly because we didn't even know if we were allowed in. Right away Val noticed that the church doors were completely open which is never the case. When we walked in the doors my jaw dropped probably to the floor. The actual sanctuary was huge! There were banners hung from the walls across the width of the walls that were very elaborate. The length of the church was probably about 50 yards. So as we walk in, there are only men filling up the church except for about 30ft. from the church doors. There were about 15 flags that different men were holding that had different depictions of Jesus. There was then incense filling the church from closer to the altar. Then as I look to the direction of the altar, I see 3 different, decorated crosses on poles being carried closer to the church doors where we were standing off to the side at. As they start making their way to the men with the flags, the band really starts playing. There were a couple brass instruments and a trumpet and quite a few drums. So by this time, the sounds, smells, and what we were seeing was becoming overwhelming but an amazing overwhelming feeling. There was no culture shock for me because I was just trying to experience everything and not think about anything else.
So once the crosses got to the men with the flags, I saw 5 saints neatly decorated with silk and cloth and mirrors around their necks that the people believe reflects the bad spirits out. All of a sudden, they make a line and face the church doors and church courtyard. They start marching out and I was in awe. These people were so into their ceremony that they didn't realize we were there. Once they all paraded out, we walked up front and saw saints in glass boxes on both sides of us. I was kind of feeling awkward and really felt that there was a presence of a demonic spirit. So I walked down the middle and looked at the saints which freaked me out and then looked at the altar which was very decorated and decided to walk out. Once we got back into the church courtyard, we saw that the whole parade was making a pass around the entire fenced-in courtyard. So we decided to stand in the middle of the courtyard to be out of the way but the bells outside of the church were ringing at this point and the authorities were lighting fireworks that were on poles that they were holding up in the air. Then they put a bunch of small fireworks on terraces and they all went off at once. There were three terraces that made sort of a triangle figure and when they went off we wished someone would have taken video of us because we all jumped, screamed, huddled in together and felt awkward because all these fireworks were going off around us. Normally in the US we have to be about a football field distance away from the fireworks going off, but no, not here! They weren't like normal fireworks with colors but they were VERY loud! So at this point, we decided to walk out of the church courtyard and walk around the market. Once the parade of flags, crosses, saints, and the band made one pass around the courtyard, the saints were carried back into the church but the rest of the parade made 4 or 5 more passes by the time we left.
Chamula was an experience I will never forget. I just hope you understand what I mean as I am trying to explain in detail what my perceptions and experiences were. Once we left Chamula, we headed for Zinacantan which was about 10min. away and the town was completely dead. We didn't even know where the cemetery was. This town is known for their flower fields which produces flowers that are then shipped around the world. We couldn't take pictures of the people or the church at this town either but I did get a couple pictures of the town. However, they didn't turn out very well at all so I'm not going to put them on here. This church was not as elaborate but it was nicely decorated. There were about 5 glass caskets with a figure of Jesus laying in them and I asked why that was and I found out that for the Mayans they believe they need to see Jesus in the tomb. I don't know if its to symbolize that He actually came here or to see Him dead. I have no clue. I just know I do not believe that He is still dead, because I know for a fact that He is ALIVE. I also found out that if you go outside the church into a separate building that is like a chapel, there are authority figures that hand out liquor that is supposedly their form of communion? I feel that I am missing a lot of information because Luis wasn't with us. But, when he goes with us to Chichen Itza, I will ask him these things and get it all cleared up! =)
But while standing around outside the church in Zinacantan I found out that if we would have gone to the church in Chamula on a typical Sunday we would have seen families performing their own ceremonies on the floor of the church. They probably would have been sacrificing a chicken or small animal and then had the liquor in front of them with the candles as well as a 2L bottle of Coke or Pepsi. They have the pop because they believe that evil spirits are released when they burp. There is definitely a combination of Peganism and Catholicism. However, it is hard to explain their beliefs because they pray to saints and have crosses but yet they still make animal sacrifices, have to burp to let evil spirits, and have to see Jesus laying in a tomb. So I was trying to find a balance between their religion and traditions and my beliefs and The Truth. However, I was just observing so I was just trying to experience everything possible.
After leaving Zinacantan, we made our way back down the mountains to Palenque where we spent Sunday night in the same hotel we spent in Thursday night. I can't tell you how much I will not take TV and air conditioning for granted! I have only had either when we have been in a hotel. But then again, its been great not having to have a TV especially since I hardly watch it anyway except to pop in a movie or to watch TLC. =)
Chamula is about 20 minutes by car from San Cristobal. As we were driving there, people were walking down from their houses outside of Chamula to go to the cemetery. They all had pine needles and marigolds in their hands. The pine needles are used to clean off the graves and then they put marigolds all over the graves. This cemetery was very different from the cemetery in San Cristobal because this town has kept its heritage since the Pre-Hispanic area so (1200-1500AD) so the graves are very simple and are covered with dirt and not buried very deep. They also did not have any tombs like my pictures showed from the cemetery in San Cristobal. We then walked down into the town and I was in love with the difference in culture and the fact that this village has kept its heritage. The men were wearing sheep skins as almost a shawl (space cut to go around their neck, and then their arms were free--There were not sleeves). They wore a long sleeve shirt like a button down flannel shirt underneath and had a belt around the sheep skin probably about the height of the belly button because then they just wore jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat to finish it off. The women wore black sheep skin skirts and very decorative blouses. It was also that undergarments were not that important to them because there were women just openly breast feeding while we were there. I have no problem with that but it is completely different than if we were in the US.
As we walked to the market which was in the town square we got a little glimpse of their culture. It would have been a perfect postcard to take a picture of men sitting around or standing and talking amongst themselves outside the municipal building, but of course we didn't even take our cameras with us to respect their desires. Then the church courtyard and church were about a football field length away from the municipal building. Since we didn't have Luis who knows everything about anywhere we go, we didn't really know if we would be allowed into the church. Since Day of the Dead was Monday and we were there on Sunday, they were starting a whole ceremony that Val had never seen before because she had only been there on a regular Sunday which is a completely different experience. As we walked to the church, the autoridades or authorities were kind of outside their church courtyard when normally they are on one of the sides of the market taking care of business. Val told us that usually people come and tell them about what has happened like someone stole some sheep or something and they will make justice happen. It is just like it was in the Pre-Hispanic era.
So as we were walking into the church courtyard, we just kind of kept our distance and walked slowly because we didn't even know if we were allowed in. Right away Val noticed that the church doors were completely open which is never the case. When we walked in the doors my jaw dropped probably to the floor. The actual sanctuary was huge! There were banners hung from the walls across the width of the walls that were very elaborate. The length of the church was probably about 50 yards. So as we walk in, there are only men filling up the church except for about 30ft. from the church doors. There were about 15 flags that different men were holding that had different depictions of Jesus. There was then incense filling the church from closer to the altar. Then as I look to the direction of the altar, I see 3 different, decorated crosses on poles being carried closer to the church doors where we were standing off to the side at. As they start making their way to the men with the flags, the band really starts playing. There were a couple brass instruments and a trumpet and quite a few drums. So by this time, the sounds, smells, and what we were seeing was becoming overwhelming but an amazing overwhelming feeling. There was no culture shock for me because I was just trying to experience everything and not think about anything else.
So once the crosses got to the men with the flags, I saw 5 saints neatly decorated with silk and cloth and mirrors around their necks that the people believe reflects the bad spirits out. All of a sudden, they make a line and face the church doors and church courtyard. They start marching out and I was in awe. These people were so into their ceremony that they didn't realize we were there. Once they all paraded out, we walked up front and saw saints in glass boxes on both sides of us. I was kind of feeling awkward and really felt that there was a presence of a demonic spirit. So I walked down the middle and looked at the saints which freaked me out and then looked at the altar which was very decorated and decided to walk out. Once we got back into the church courtyard, we saw that the whole parade was making a pass around the entire fenced-in courtyard. So we decided to stand in the middle of the courtyard to be out of the way but the bells outside of the church were ringing at this point and the authorities were lighting fireworks that were on poles that they were holding up in the air. Then they put a bunch of small fireworks on terraces and they all went off at once. There were three terraces that made sort of a triangle figure and when they went off we wished someone would have taken video of us because we all jumped, screamed, huddled in together and felt awkward because all these fireworks were going off around us. Normally in the US we have to be about a football field distance away from the fireworks going off, but no, not here! They weren't like normal fireworks with colors but they were VERY loud! So at this point, we decided to walk out of the church courtyard and walk around the market. Once the parade of flags, crosses, saints, and the band made one pass around the courtyard, the saints were carried back into the church but the rest of the parade made 4 or 5 more passes by the time we left.
Chamula was an experience I will never forget. I just hope you understand what I mean as I am trying to explain in detail what my perceptions and experiences were. Once we left Chamula, we headed for Zinacantan which was about 10min. away and the town was completely dead. We didn't even know where the cemetery was. This town is known for their flower fields which produces flowers that are then shipped around the world. We couldn't take pictures of the people or the church at this town either but I did get a couple pictures of the town. However, they didn't turn out very well at all so I'm not going to put them on here. This church was not as elaborate but it was nicely decorated. There were about 5 glass caskets with a figure of Jesus laying in them and I asked why that was and I found out that for the Mayans they believe they need to see Jesus in the tomb. I don't know if its to symbolize that He actually came here or to see Him dead. I have no clue. I just know I do not believe that He is still dead, because I know for a fact that He is ALIVE. I also found out that if you go outside the church into a separate building that is like a chapel, there are authority figures that hand out liquor that is supposedly their form of communion? I feel that I am missing a lot of information because Luis wasn't with us. But, when he goes with us to Chichen Itza, I will ask him these things and get it all cleared up! =)
But while standing around outside the church in Zinacantan I found out that if we would have gone to the church in Chamula on a typical Sunday we would have seen families performing their own ceremonies on the floor of the church. They probably would have been sacrificing a chicken or small animal and then had the liquor in front of them with the candles as well as a 2L bottle of Coke or Pepsi. They have the pop because they believe that evil spirits are released when they burp. There is definitely a combination of Peganism and Catholicism. However, it is hard to explain their beliefs because they pray to saints and have crosses but yet they still make animal sacrifices, have to burp to let evil spirits, and have to see Jesus laying in a tomb. So I was trying to find a balance between their religion and traditions and my beliefs and The Truth. However, I was just observing so I was just trying to experience everything possible.
After leaving Zinacantan, we made our way back down the mountains to Palenque where we spent Sunday night in the same hotel we spent in Thursday night. I can't tell you how much I will not take TV and air conditioning for granted! I have only had either when we have been in a hotel. But then again, its been great not having to have a TV especially since I hardly watch it anyway except to pop in a movie or to watch TLC. =)
Trip to Chiapas: Saturday
On Saturday morning I got up for breakfast and went to one of the markets that has fixed prices before going to the cemetery at noon. The following are pictures I took at the cemetery in San Cristobal when no one was in the area. There are tombs that are very elaborate and some that are very simple. Some are very old and some look very modern. I tried to pick the pictures so you could in a sense get an idea of the differences in tombs and how close they are packed together. Walking through the cemetery was uplifting for me since I am not scared to die. I am also not afraid of people when they have passed away. I think the most comforting but hardest thing I have ever done was kissing my grandpa's forehead before his funeral. There was no need to be scared since I knew where he was at and I knew he was better off but Saturday was not an easy day because walking through cemeteries makes me really think of him and what he meant to me, what I miss, etc. I really do miss him so see these tombs or graves was hard knowing that he is not here anymore. There have been days where I look at my American phone or my bulletin board here because they both have pictures of the two of us together and its almost as if he has never left. I do feel him around me quite often and there have been times where I have cried about something and all of a sudden he is here and has his arms wrapped around me and I become calm all of a sudden. Its hard to explain but his spirit comes back very often and I think that is one of the reasons I am so comfortable being around people that have died. I also have the hope of eternity with my Creator but knowing that my grandpa who I was very close to, is much better off and not having to deal with pain, stares or difficulties gives me all the peace in the world.
This area of the cemetery basically only had graves with crosses and grass around the graves. I don't think any family members had been there yet. This area also shows the difference in social class and income compared to the other pictures below.
There were many colorful tombs but others that were very simple. The architecture of the tombs and the colors, etc. are decided by the family because here in Mexico the family is in charge of the grave or tomb and they do not pay someone to take care of the plot of land like we do in the US.
This one was my favorite. It has so much character. There was not a grave in it. Some tombs are built over a grave and others have bone boxes in them. After a family member has died and there isn't more space to put someone else, they dig up the body and put the bones in a box and then place those boxes in the tombs. Otherwise like the picture above this picture has a tomb that is orange with black metal over the windows and it is built so that the caskets could be placed in one of the sides of the tomb. If you can see it, the caskets would go on the left side of the tomb where there are no windows.
The cemetery was sooo beautiful!
This was the entrance to the cemetery. The castle looking building to the right is an actual tomb.
This area of the cemetery basically only had graves with crosses and grass around the graves. I don't think any family members had been there yet. This area also shows the difference in social class and income compared to the other pictures below.
There were many colorful tombs but others that were very simple. The architecture of the tombs and the colors, etc. are decided by the family because here in Mexico the family is in charge of the grave or tomb and they do not pay someone to take care of the plot of land like we do in the US.
This one was my favorite. It has so much character. There was not a grave in it. Some tombs are built over a grave and others have bone boxes in them. After a family member has died and there isn't more space to put someone else, they dig up the body and put the bones in a box and then place those boxes in the tombs. Otherwise like the picture above this picture has a tomb that is orange with black metal over the windows and it is built so that the caskets could be placed in one of the sides of the tomb. If you can see it, the caskets would go on the left side of the tomb where there are no windows.
The cemetery was sooo beautiful!
This was the entrance to the cemetery. The castle looking building to the right is an actual tomb.After being at the cemetery, us girls got some lunch and then got all of our shopping done at a market downtown that we could bargain at. I got all my Christmas gifts already bought for!!
Trip to Chiapas: Friday
On Friday we left Palenque and made our way to San Cristobal which was another 5 hours driving through the mountains on very curvy roads. On the way we stopped at two waterfalls.
This was the first waterfall we stopped at. Its called Misol Ha. It was spectacular and in the fall there is more water because it is the rainy season, so we lucked out and were able to just watch the water constantly falling below.
We were also able to follow a paved path to go behind the waterfall. It was great!! However, we did get a little shower while behind it. It must have known that we were going to have to all ride together for a few hours! It was something I have never experienced before so it was fun to do something different instead of things always being in Yucatan.
The second waterfall we went to was called Agua Azul (Blue water) which is very obvious as you can see that the water is blue once it falls off the rocks. These waterfalls were spectacular and we were able to swim in the water after climbing many steps and going to the top of the waterfall where there is a calm pool where hardly any water falls. The water was absolutely freezing!! I was screaming for a couple minutes because it was like ice water and the sand below was disgusting! It was super wet sand and squishy. I couldn't stand it for long. All the girls starting laughing at me but I hated standing on the squishy sand. Also, I think my body freaked out as I was just sweating like crazy and then jumping in a pool of ice cold water. It probably wasn't a good idea, but I couldn't resist the cold water.
Once we stopped at Agua Azul we kept trucking along to make good time to San Cristobal. A lot of the girls took dramamine because of all the curves and even after taking it they felt sick the whole trip. I, on the other hand, had a great time. I didn't take Dramamine at all because I think the curves are fun and when we went around them quickly I would laugh and have a good time as most of the other people looked at me as if they hated me. =) I thought back on my experience with my parents in Norway when we were on a tour going down a mountain that had 27 tight turns and I was the youngest one on the tour. So, it ended up being the 80+ year old lady and I sitting in the very front seat by the driver and throwing up our arms going around the corners. It was hilarious but it reminded me of it!
San Cristobal is a colonial city surrounded by mountains. The architecture was absolutely beautiful. I was able to wear jeans, a fleece, northface jacket, and a scarf the whole time I was there!! I was pumped! I even wore my hear down both days all day which I haven't done since being down here. My hair is definitely getting long! But Friday after we arriving we got settled in at the hotel and went to find some food downtown. After relaxing at supper with a couple cups of coffee to warm up, we walked around to different shops to find prices for different things so we would know what to barter at the markets on Saturday. It was also the night that all of the Day of the Dead festivities started so as we walked from our restaurant to the main square, we heard a band playing and I didn't know if they were protesting. But, come to find out, it was a high school band with a director and all were dressed in Halloween costumes. We stood and watched them for a while and then Tiffany and I went back to the hotel because we were both exhausted. All the other girls stayed out and did whatever. I don't even know what they did the rest of the night. The sad part about the walk from our restaurant to the main square was that we walked by refugees that were captured by the federal government for supposedly having arms and so a couple of their members were assassinated by the government. Chiapas isn't exactly the safest state. It also demonstrated again that the Mexican federal government is very corrupt and will file false charges on someone and make them suffer. It was very sad. But, I was glad to get a good night's rest since I knew I had a big day of buying gifts coming up!
This was the first waterfall we stopped at. Its called Misol Ha. It was spectacular and in the fall there is more water because it is the rainy season, so we lucked out and were able to just watch the water constantly falling below.
We were also able to follow a paved path to go behind the waterfall. It was great!! However, we did get a little shower while behind it. It must have known that we were going to have to all ride together for a few hours! It was something I have never experienced before so it was fun to do something different instead of things always being in Yucatan.
The second waterfall we went to was called Agua Azul (Blue water) which is very obvious as you can see that the water is blue once it falls off the rocks. These waterfalls were spectacular and we were able to swim in the water after climbing many steps and going to the top of the waterfall where there is a calm pool where hardly any water falls. The water was absolutely freezing!! I was screaming for a couple minutes because it was like ice water and the sand below was disgusting! It was super wet sand and squishy. I couldn't stand it for long. All the girls starting laughing at me but I hated standing on the squishy sand. Also, I think my body freaked out as I was just sweating like crazy and then jumping in a pool of ice cold water. It probably wasn't a good idea, but I couldn't resist the cold water.
Once we stopped at Agua Azul we kept trucking along to make good time to San Cristobal. A lot of the girls took dramamine because of all the curves and even after taking it they felt sick the whole trip. I, on the other hand, had a great time. I didn't take Dramamine at all because I think the curves are fun and when we went around them quickly I would laugh and have a good time as most of the other people looked at me as if they hated me. =) I thought back on my experience with my parents in Norway when we were on a tour going down a mountain that had 27 tight turns and I was the youngest one on the tour. So, it ended up being the 80+ year old lady and I sitting in the very front seat by the driver and throwing up our arms going around the corners. It was hilarious but it reminded me of it!
San Cristobal is a colonial city surrounded by mountains. The architecture was absolutely beautiful. I was able to wear jeans, a fleece, northface jacket, and a scarf the whole time I was there!! I was pumped! I even wore my hear down both days all day which I haven't done since being down here. My hair is definitely getting long! But Friday after we arriving we got settled in at the hotel and went to find some food downtown. After relaxing at supper with a couple cups of coffee to warm up, we walked around to different shops to find prices for different things so we would know what to barter at the markets on Saturday. It was also the night that all of the Day of the Dead festivities started so as we walked from our restaurant to the main square, we heard a band playing and I didn't know if they were protesting. But, come to find out, it was a high school band with a director and all were dressed in Halloween costumes. We stood and watched them for a while and then Tiffany and I went back to the hotel because we were both exhausted. All the other girls stayed out and did whatever. I don't even know what they did the rest of the night. The sad part about the walk from our restaurant to the main square was that we walked by refugees that were captured by the federal government for supposedly having arms and so a couple of their members were assassinated by the government. Chiapas isn't exactly the safest state. It also demonstrated again that the Mexican federal government is very corrupt and will file false charges on someone and make them suffer. It was very sad. But, I was glad to get a good night's rest since I knew I had a big day of buying gifts coming up!Trip to Chiapas: Thursday
This past weekend I went to the state of Chiapas and got to experience the difference in geography, climate, and lifestyle. On Thursday we made it to Palenque, a city in Chiapas that has amazing ruins. The drive was about 8 hours including a couple stops to eat. It was still very warm in Palenque because we weren't in the mountains yet but it was more humid than it was hot. The Palenque ruins are in the middle of a jungle. The geography and climate was very different because Chiapas is full of water and rivers unlike the Yucatan. Having that said, this was the reason why it was so much more humid than here in Merida. When we arrived at Palenque we got ready to go to the ruins, so I of course was preparing myself to sweat like crazy! Us students had the choice of staying with our personal tour guide that we brought from Merida or we could go off on our own and take pictures. I decided to stay with Luis our tour guide since I wanted to be able to see all the ruins and know the story behind each building. Luckily, another girl came with me so I wasn't alone with the visiting professor and his wife. I was so thankful that she came along.
In my opinion, God intervened and she came for another reason than just to come on the tour. Once we had been on the tour for about 30 minutes, we walked up some very wet, steep stairs to see a building that hasn't been completely exposed. This is so hard to talk about because it is always playing over and over in my head. So at the edge of this building once we had climbed up, Luis went to see if there were stairs but in a matter of seconds he was on the ground below. He put his right foot out to look over to see if there were any steps but the overhang was so wet that he slipt and his whole body went. I keep overplaying the incident in my head and I hear his gasp when he was falling and his huge eyes and gasping for air when he had landed. He landed on his back but more on his right side. I was so thankful that Tiffany came along because she has had first aid training or whatever you want to call it. The visiting professor and his wife and Tiffany were already down by him by the time I moved. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed so I was standing looking down at him with my mouth wide open as he is gasping for air and screaming. I was freaked out but luckily Tiffany was able to calm him down, go through asking him questions and got him up slowly. We all walked him back 20 min to the entrance while trying not to fall again going down the steep, wet steps.
The other driver took him to the hospital and found out that he broke 3 ribs and cracked another. One way or another, he didn't puncture a lung which is amazing after falling about 15 feet to the ground below. So after walking back, Tiffany and I went back into the ruins, took pictures, saw the cascades that were on the way out of the site and found Val. We made it all the way through the huge ruins within 35min. and had to wait another 30min. until everyone else showed up. That night another driver and Luis' son came to Palenque so that we would have another driver because we took Luis' car and a 15 passenger van. Luis' son then took Luis back home to Merida where he has to wait and do nothing for 45 days which is killing him. His life is all about driving and giving tours and now he can't for a while. We missed him throughout the whole trip because Val and the other two drivers didn't know much about things we saw. Thursday night I had supper with the girls downtown in Palenque and then headed back to the hotel to relax and watch tv before falling asleep since I knew we had another 5 hour drive tomorrow through the mountains.
The following are pictures of some ruins and a cascade on the way out of the Palenque ruins.
We had to have a little fun after being stressed out but yet thankful that Luis was talking, walking, and breathing.
In my opinion, God intervened and she came for another reason than just to come on the tour. Once we had been on the tour for about 30 minutes, we walked up some very wet, steep stairs to see a building that hasn't been completely exposed. This is so hard to talk about because it is always playing over and over in my head. So at the edge of this building once we had climbed up, Luis went to see if there were stairs but in a matter of seconds he was on the ground below. He put his right foot out to look over to see if there were any steps but the overhang was so wet that he slipt and his whole body went. I keep overplaying the incident in my head and I hear his gasp when he was falling and his huge eyes and gasping for air when he had landed. He landed on his back but more on his right side. I was so thankful that Tiffany came along because she has had first aid training or whatever you want to call it. The visiting professor and his wife and Tiffany were already down by him by the time I moved. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed so I was standing looking down at him with my mouth wide open as he is gasping for air and screaming. I was freaked out but luckily Tiffany was able to calm him down, go through asking him questions and got him up slowly. We all walked him back 20 min to the entrance while trying not to fall again going down the steep, wet steps.
The other driver took him to the hospital and found out that he broke 3 ribs and cracked another. One way or another, he didn't puncture a lung which is amazing after falling about 15 feet to the ground below. So after walking back, Tiffany and I went back into the ruins, took pictures, saw the cascades that were on the way out of the site and found Val. We made it all the way through the huge ruins within 35min. and had to wait another 30min. until everyone else showed up. That night another driver and Luis' son came to Palenque so that we would have another driver because we took Luis' car and a 15 passenger van. Luis' son then took Luis back home to Merida where he has to wait and do nothing for 45 days which is killing him. His life is all about driving and giving tours and now he can't for a while. We missed him throughout the whole trip because Val and the other two drivers didn't know much about things we saw. Thursday night I had supper with the girls downtown in Palenque and then headed back to the hotel to relax and watch tv before falling asleep since I knew we had another 5 hour drive tomorrow through the mountains.
The following are pictures of some ruins and a cascade on the way out of the Palenque ruins.
We had to have a little fun after being stressed out but yet thankful that Luis was talking, walking, and breathing.
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