Cathedrals, markets, museums and fútbol....

Okay, time for a bit more thourough update on my life the past few weeks (and as always, a few pictures!) We´ve all been pretty caught up in our school work -- morning classes, afternoon siestas or fieldtrips or excursions to the market, homework, dinner, and some sort of evening fiesta. Last week, we ventured to the Cathedral downtown. Cuernavaca is literally one-of-a-kind when it comes to their downtown Zocalo (central plaza). While every other Zocalo in Mexico is surrounded by the four buildings needed to construct society -- a legislative building, a social policy/courthouse, the governor´s ¨palace¨, and the church -- Cuernavaca´s church is found a bit farther away. When Cortéz overthrew the natives here, he constructed his palace on top of their religious pyramid, and built the Cathedral away from the Zocalo (though only about four blocks away this was still saying something). We spent the afternoon wandering the beautiful grounds and snapping photos (see left and below).







This past weekend, the four of us traveled back up to Mexico City to visit Derek and Ana (our country representatives). The idea was that we would open our bank accounts, though computer issuses at the bank post-ponded that activity until another weekend. Instead, we ventured out to a fútbol game (soccer) -- a real cultural event! There were many people, all decked out in blue -- the team of choice being, Cruz-Azul (and ¨azul¨ meaning ¨blue¨ in Spanish...). We whallowed in the enthusiasm of the fans, and were quite thankful it didn´t rain until after the game. The half-time show amused us greatly: a ¨game¨ in which people ran through a line-up of vaceros (cowboys....with lassos) and tried not to get lassoed! If they made it through the men trying to lasso them, they attempted to score a goal. Needless to say it was all quite amusing. Below is a picture of us at the game.



















On Sunday we visited the museum of Frieda Kahlo, an artist, very independant-thinker, and wife of Diego Rivera. Both her and Diego are a bit contriversial to some, having sympathised with the Russian communist movement, but nonetheless a very interesting (and a bit eccentric) piece of Mexican history. After the museum we wandered through a large market, ate more food than one would think possible...and then smoothies....and decided to call it a day. A very good day, at that. :)

This is our last week of language study -- a fact that´s surpised us all and made us a bit sad. Next week we´ll be traveling to Olenolá, on the west coast in the state of Guerrero, and then to Chiapas -- the state fartherst south boardering Guatemala. We´ll be traveling with Derek, Ana and thier son Lucas, meeting several other MCC workers here, and seeing a bit more of the country. When we return I´ll begin my placement -- and surely have more to share...!

Love and Peace,
Hannah