At last --- A New Post!

Many apologies to my faithful readers, but I have simply not been inspired to post at all this semester. I have a feeling that may change starting now. We are heading out Thursday on another new field trip to a small Maya village called Tinum. Students will be staying with local families for 2 nights. While I was in Iowa earlier in the month, the group spent 2 nights in a biocultural reserve called Kiuic....also a new adventure. Reactions were mixed, but the students agreed that their experiences in Kiuic helped prepare them for a village stay. As a part of the trip, we are going to work in a trip to Chichen Itza more to study the impact of tourism (an average of 8,000 visitors per day pass through the doors) than to study the ruins.

News from south of the border is not good. The US State Department has issued a new travelers warning against traveling in Mexico because of increased violence. While the statement does say the violence is confined mainly to the northern border cities of Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nueve Laredo, one has to read carefully to find this information. The overall feeling is that the entire country is ready to explode or collapse. Some commentators are referring to Mexico as a "failed state" similar to Pakistan or Afghanistan. Mexico is not failing. Civil society is strong. Public services are being provided. The government is firmly in control. The reality is that the border area is to be avoided at all costs while Mérida remains as calm and peaceful as ever. Please do not worry about Yucatan if you hear about the travel warning.

The other news is that the peso has lost 30% of its value since the beginning of the year; the exchange rate right now is 15 pesos to the dollar compared to 10/1 at the end of December. Prices haven't changed all that much to compensate for the loss which, I hate to admit, is a good thing for those of us with dollars. Our budget is covering some things we had only dreamed about such as some new office furniture and professional paint jobs in some sections of the house. Students have finally realized traveling is much cheaper and have taken off to the beach for the weekend. On my way back from lunch, I bought a Clinique lipstick for $13 that cost $21 in Younkers last week. I went to a movie last night in the VIP section (big leather recliners, lots of space, waiters, etc. ) for all of $3.32 US. My fear is a devaluation may be coming as the economy cannot withstand a free falling peso. I will close by saying I love teaching the Contemporary Issues class more than ever because there is so much happening.