Many happy wishes to you and yours this Christmas Eve.12.24.2008
12.18.2008
God Bless Costco!
Despite my best efforts to find out, I have no idea why yellow lemons are not grown in Mexico. Everyone here claims the little green "limones" have the same taste as yellow lemons. I have learned to just smile and nod because they simply do not. There is nothing like a wonderful fresh true lemon lemon. I have to admit I let out a little scream when I found bags and bags and bags of lemons at Costco last night. Three have already been consumed...one in the form of lemon ice cubes, one with last night's salmon and another this morning in a cup of hot water. I am in heaven!
12.15.2008
My office compañero
Without students, the Central house is very, very quiet, but I am not alone. This little gecko appeared early this morning and seems quite content to watch as I file, toss, make notes, send emails, answer the phone and just generally go about my business.
According to geckocare.net (seriously), there are 800 different species of geckos. I have no idea what his/her species is nor do I plan on finding out just as I do not plan to fing out gender, sexual orientation, age, or religion. But I do hope he/she stays around for awhile to give me someone to talk to.12.13.2008
¡Buen Viaje!
The semester is over! The taxis pulled up at 4:45, students piled in, the taxis pulled away, and it was over...just like that! 
Based on the evaluations, grades, good bye notes I found on my desk, and tears shed (their's and mine), the semester was a success.
Now it is time to clean my desk, organize files, post the photos of the spring semester faces to start putting names and faces together, and take care of a million other little details for the January health care conference. But for right now, I am headed home and back to bed.
12.10.2008
Student reflections as the semester slips away....
Excerpts from an end-of-semester survey given as a part of my re-entry seminar:
1. What did you miss most about the US?
Friends and family was the overwhelming winner. Driving came in a close second, and alone time/privacy was next.
2. What will you miss most about Mérida?
Local friends won hands down followed by dancing, sun, and food.
3. What will you miss least about Mérida?
Traffic was tops on almost every one's list. My favorite was, "Lame pick up lines."
4. What would you have done differently?
I was gratified to see that "spent less time on the computer with the aforementioned friends and family" topped most lists. Next was "chosen to live with host family rather than in the Central House." "Budgeted better and earlier" got a laugh.
5. Advice to the next group?
Every student listed some variation of "Get involved!" "Get out into the community" "Make local friends" "Be in the present." (This last one came from the class brown noser as this was my mantra...Be Here Now.
Next time I will add another question: What did you miss least about the US?
1. What did you miss most about the US?
Friends and family was the overwhelming winner. Driving came in a close second, and alone time/privacy was next.
2. What will you miss most about Mérida?
Local friends won hands down followed by dancing, sun, and food.
3. What will you miss least about Mérida?
Traffic was tops on almost every one's list. My favorite was, "Lame pick up lines."
4. What would you have done differently?
I was gratified to see that "spent less time on the computer with the aforementioned friends and family" topped most lists. Next was "chosen to live with host family rather than in the Central House." "Budgeted better and earlier" got a laugh.
5. Advice to the next group?
Every student listed some variation of "Get involved!" "Get out into the community" "Make local friends" "Be in the present." (This last one came from the class brown noser as this was my mantra...Be Here Now.
Next time I will add another question: What did you miss least about the US?
12.03.2008
Only piñata of the semester
Jill, the last birthday girl of the semester, and her piñata.
No matter what your age, diving into the candy once the piñata breaks is a competitive sport.
The confetti, a requirement for all piñatas, is the most fun. Luckily, it is easy to clean up afterwards because of tile floors.
11.28.2008
11.23.2008
The last official field trip of the semester -- Part 3
Our final destination was the city of Campeche, located on the western side of the Yucatán peninsula. Campeche was the first port used by the Spaniards during the conquest and also became a target for pirates during the colonial period. As a result, a wall was built around the city for protection. We are pictured at one of the main forts that now houses a museum on the first floor (third photo) and the remains of the fort above. This group photo is our current top pick for the most favorite group shot. If it is the big winner, I will have it enlarged and then hung on a wall in the upstairs hallway along with photos from many, many other semesters.
Even though this was our final field trip, the semester does not end until December 12. Between now and then, we have plenty to do. We are hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday for host families, instructors and staff. Everyone is then taking off for a long weekend. We have rented a large beach house in nearby Progreso for the first weekend in December. Classes will continue to meet until the 11th. Then there are all of those other "leaving Mérida" celebrations that the students have planned that I know nothing about!
The last official field trip of the semester -- Part 2
Welcome to Edzna, our last archaeological site of the semester. The joy of this site is that it is so far off the usual tourist track that what few visitors there are can climb to their heart's content which was one of the reasons this site was included in the visit. Needless to say, my students took one look at this main temple and were not seen again until it was time to leave. They had an absolutely wonderful time.
Here they are searching for ways to scale the very top of the temple. Luckily for the temple, there was no way up.
Edzna had not been discussed in the civ class so the group arrived with no prior knowledge; we did not have a formal guided tour. Most of their time at the site was spent on this highest temple. When asked as we were leaving, how they would describe Edzna if, as a wild example, they were given a bonus question on their final civ test, there was at first a lot of moaning and groaning about how the site wasn't covered in class, no tour, etc. "How are we supposed to know anything about this site?" And then one student threw out an observation that was followed by another and then another. They talked about public vs. private space, probable type of government based on the layout of the site, the geographical orientation of the site, the meaning of the very small ball court, the architectural style of the main buildings, the glyphs, and the probable Maya period to which this site belonged. I was proud of them, but, most importantly, they were proud of themselves.
Here they are searching for ways to scale the very top of the temple. Luckily for the temple, there was no way up.
Edzna had not been discussed in the civ class so the group arrived with no prior knowledge; we did not have a formal guided tour. Most of their time at the site was spent on this highest temple. When asked as we were leaving, how they would describe Edzna if, as a wild example, they were given a bonus question on their final civ test, there was at first a lot of moaning and groaning about how the site wasn't covered in class, no tour, etc. "How are we supposed to know anything about this site?" And then one student threw out an observation that was followed by another and then another. They talked about public vs. private space, probable type of government based on the layout of the site, the geographical orientation of the site, the meaning of the very small ball court, the architectural style of the main buildings, the glyphs, and the probable Maya period to which this site belonged. I was proud of them, but, most importantly, they were proud of themselves.The last official field trip of the semester
This weekend's field trip included several stops. The first one was a small village called Becal where the entire village is dedicated to making hats. Once again, I don't know why the photos are in reverse order. Here are students modeling the finished product.
Below is the shaping machine. Once the hat has been woven, it is placed in this machine. This particular family makes about 10 different styles; each style has its own mold. The mold is heated by propane gas and left in place only about 10 seconds.
This woman weaves an average of 2 hats per day in a small underground grotto on the family's property to keep the palm strands flexible. It takes 12-15 days to weave the finest quality hat. The wholesale price varies from $2.00 USD to $80 USD. We were unable to ascertain how much a weaver earns per day, but we all expressed concern about her working conditions and the long-range effect on her lungs, wrists, back and eyes.
The palm strands are dyed and semi-dried before weaving.
Below is the shaping machine. Once the hat has been woven, it is placed in this machine. This particular family makes about 10 different styles; each style has its own mold. The mold is heated by propane gas and left in place only about 10 seconds. 
This woman weaves an average of 2 hats per day in a small underground grotto on the family's property to keep the palm strands flexible. It takes 12-15 days to weave the finest quality hat. The wholesale price varies from $2.00 USD to $80 USD. We were unable to ascertain how much a weaver earns per day, but we all expressed concern about her working conditions and the long-range effect on her lungs, wrists, back and eyes.
The palm strands are dyed and semi-dried before weaving. 
11.18.2008
The colors of my life
I had heard of an obscure junk shop but had not yet been able to check it out until yesterday when I was in the neighborhood. I was thrilled to find these wonderful examples of Guatemalan folk art.
I am planning to use these pillow covers below on my patio chairs.
This pillow case will look wonderful on my bed.
And I saved the best for last. I love these bookends!
I am planning to use these pillow covers below on my patio chairs.
This pillow case will look wonderful on my bed.
And I saved the best for last. I love these bookends!
11.17.2008
What is your definition of paradise?
We were lucky enough to be invited to the beach house of one of our Spanish teachers for the weekend. The photos speak for themselves.
Hacienda tour continued
The goal of this field trip was to visit haciendas that are still producing henequen. All are in various states of disrepair as you can see above. Below is a photo of henequen leaves waiting to be "de-fibered."
The photo below shows the fibers drying in the sunshine. The drying process takes about 2 days. The fibers are then moved into the rope plant.
Hacienda tour
Believe it or not, there is actually a method to my field trip madness. Most are designed to follow the syllabus of the one course that is required of all students: Mexican and Yucatecan Civilization. The semester started with the pre-Hispanic era of the archaeological sites. We then moved into the Spanish conquest with specific emphasis on the role of the Catholic church.
Last Friday, we visited three haciendas as a part of the study of the colonial period in Yucatán. Once the Spaniards had gained control of indigenous people and land, they found there was little, if any, gold, silver or other precious metal or gems to send to Spain or to reward faithful soldiers. The only available reward was land. As a result, the peninsula was divided into estates of various sizes and given to soldiers depending upon their rank, family importance, time of service, etc. The new owners were not only given the land but also the people who lived on and worked the land. Many haciendas had their own monetary systems. The early haciendas produced cattle and corn, but beginning in the mid-1700s, a new crop was discovered in a plant that is native to the area: hennequen or what we know thanks to Pottery Barn as sisal.
The plant was used mainly to make rope for export to Europe; the industry flourished until the mid-1900s when synthetics made the natural fibers obsolete. Sound familiar? Substitute "plantation" for hacienda, "cotton" for sisal, and "slaves from Africa" for indigenous people and you could be talking about the South. Fortunately for this area, there is some renewed interest in sisal because of the market for natural fiber rugs. Shown below is one of the few remaining rope making operations.
The photo below is one that always makes me happy....students taking notes. They usually have to submit a written assignment following a field trip for the civilization trip. The trips are also topics for conversation and composition in their Spanish classes.
For some reason, I cannot post more than 3 photos at a time. I will post more photos on another entry.
Last Friday, we visited three haciendas as a part of the study of the colonial period in Yucatán. Once the Spaniards had gained control of indigenous people and land, they found there was little, if any, gold, silver or other precious metal or gems to send to Spain or to reward faithful soldiers. The only available reward was land. As a result, the peninsula was divided into estates of various sizes and given to soldiers depending upon their rank, family importance, time of service, etc. The new owners were not only given the land but also the people who lived on and worked the land. Many haciendas had their own monetary systems. The early haciendas produced cattle and corn, but beginning in the mid-1700s, a new crop was discovered in a plant that is native to the area: hennequen or what we know thanks to Pottery Barn as sisal.
The plant was used mainly to make rope for export to Europe; the industry flourished until the mid-1900s when synthetics made the natural fibers obsolete. Sound familiar? Substitute "plantation" for hacienda, "cotton" for sisal, and "slaves from Africa" for indigenous people and you could be talking about the South. Fortunately for this area, there is some renewed interest in sisal because of the market for natural fiber rugs. Shown below is one of the few remaining rope making operations.
The photo below is one that always makes me happy....students taking notes. They usually have to submit a written assignment following a field trip for the civilization trip. The trips are also topics for conversation and composition in their Spanish classes.
For some reason, I cannot post more than 3 photos at a time. I will post more photos on another entry.11.06.2008
A Welsh Field Trip
Meet Tecwyn Vaughan Jones (isn't that a fabulous Welsh name?), director of the Wales program. He was our fearless leader today for a trip that took us into a couple of North Wales's valleys. The scenery was beautiful as you will see for yourself. The most interesting for me, however, was the history of slate mining in this part of Wales. It turns out coal mining takes place in South Wales, but the process is very similar. There are enormous heaps and piles of waste material sitting on the sides of the mountains. The slate industry is nearly dead. Small towns are looking for ways to re-build their economies. It is the same story everywhere....
We hiked past this stream on our way to lake where supposedly King Arthur threw Excalibur. I have more photos from our hike to post, but for some reason I am only able to post 3-4 at one time.
Here are are pictured with Mount Snowden in the background. Mount Snowden is the highest peak in England, Wales and Ireland but not in Scotland as our two Scottish companions were quick to point out. In the first row (from left to right) is Ruth from Vienna, Lyn Isaccson from the Pella campus, Veronica from Granada, Spain, Shelley from Paris. The men from left to right are Tecwyn whom you have already met, Eric who is actually our boss, Mark from the London program and Stef from Leiden, Holland. In spite of all that you have seen and read, we have been holding meetings!
We hiked past this stream on our way to lake where supposedly King Arthur threw Excalibur. I have more photos from our hike to post, but for some reason I am only able to post 3-4 at one time.
Here are are pictured with Mount Snowden in the background. Mount Snowden is the highest peak in England, Wales and Ireland but not in Scotland as our two Scottish companions were quick to point out. In the first row (from left to right) is Ruth from Vienna, Lyn Isaccson from the Pella campus, Veronica from Granada, Spain, Shelley from Paris. The men from left to right are Tecwyn whom you have already met, Eric who is actually our boss, Mark from the London program and Stef from Leiden, Holland. In spite of all that you have seen and read, we have been holding meetings!
11.04.2008
Barbra Ann, this is for you!
I was hoping to find something fabulous, but as the store sits in the middle of the student area of the city, the stock reflected its clientele. I will, however, keep looking for other thrift stores in the "civilian" sections of the city.
OK...that is the end of today's photos and postings. Tomorrow is another day!
OK...that is the end of today's photos and postings. Tomorrow is another day!
My morning stroll continues
The Management Centre of the University's Business School where we are staying and meeting....any time now.
Student housing. The university has an enrollment of about 10,000. There are approximately 1000 international students. Central students live in student housing and take regular university classes. They also have an incredible outdoor experience course that enables them to do everything from surfing to rapeling to skiing. 
This is the library. The university opened in 1884.
The School of Education
I am getting a taste of fall!
I am getting a taste of fall!
Lessons from a Welsh grocery store
My morning walk took me by the local grocery store in search of tea and lemons. My first surprise was that one has to "rent" the use of a cart for 1 pound which is the equivalent to about $1.60 USD at today's exchange rate. The pound is returned when the cart is returned to the proper place. There were no stray carts at the end of the check-out lines or in the parking lot. For those who are just buying a few things, hand carts are available at no charge.
The next surprise was at the check out line when I learned there is a 3 pence charge of the ubiquitous plastic grocery bag. According to my calculations, that would be about a nickel per bag. I purposely stood in a line of about 7 people to see how many people paid for the bag or brought their own. Gosh, it should come as no surprise that all seven people had their own bags. 
This is the store that has a lot to teach us about being environmentally savy.
This is the store that has a lot to teach us about being environmentally savy.
The next blog will have other photos taken as I walked along.
Yes, I really am here for a meeting that is due to start soon.
11.03.2008
From the other side of the pond
After a long but uneventful trip, I am here in Bangor, Wales, located in the Menai Straights in North Wales. The weather is cold, clear and sunny. Meetings do not begin until Tuesday. In the meantime, I a free woman! This was my hotel for the first night, but I will soon be moving to the University of Wales' Business Management Centre where we will be lodged and where our meetings will take place.
The Bangor pier is over a kilometer. It was once a working pier for the local fishing industry, but it is now a tourist attraction.
View from the end of the pier
My itinerary was Merida to Houston to Newark to Manchester, England (approximately 10,000 air miles round trip...need I say more?) The final leg was by train from Manchester to Bangor. Such a civilized way to travel...
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