Along with archaeological sites, markets, and the many natural wonders of Mexico, we also never tire of exploring haciendas. When we visited this hacienda last semester, the big "de-fibering" machine was broken, but yesterday, all production phases were in full swing. Pictured here are the piles of henequen leaves, the horse and cart transporting the fiber to dry, the drying racks and one of the rope making machines. Students were fascinated. We agreed seeing the entire production process brought together much of the Yucatecan history we have been studying all semester from colonization to the exploitation of the Maya as slave labor to the rise and fall of the Yucatecan economy based solely on henequen to today's efforts to rebuild the economy through producing natural fibers once again in response to market demand. We also agreed that while there is much to learn from the well-known tourist sites, we are lucky to have access to local haciendas such as this one in Aké.
It is hard to believe the semester ends May 8. Students still need to complete research papers and final projects for most of their courses. A few classes will end with a final exam. We have a farewell party scheduled for April 30. And then there is the ultimate goal: the quest for the perfect tan. The house is deserted today as most students have taken off for the beach. Not to worry....there are still plenty of more photo opps before the end of the semester.Keep your fingers crossed that swine flu stays far away from Mérida!
3 comments:
Do you have a summer session too? or is it vacation for Val?
Well, I am supposed to have a summer session just as this semester was not supposed to end until May 8, but swine flu is changing things. We have closed this semester's program as of today. Most students are leaving Wednesday with the remainder leaving on Thursday. No decision has been made about the 4 week summer session that is supposed to begin June 1. The plan is to see what happens over the next 10 days or so. Stay tuned?
where will these students be returning to?? and how would one phrase that question to avoid to preposition at the end?? if whence is from where what is to where?? and who's on first....
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