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Published: January 23rd 2011
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So it turned out that our visit to Huixquilucan was more about politics than anything else. The locals all clapped and shouted as the mayor carried a baby through the crowds to cut a big red ribbon, surrounded by Australian health students in lab coats in order to open the 'health fair'. We were then told to help out at the various stands providing health care to the people, such as vaccinations, dental checks and balloon animals (?). Jo and I were assigned to the nutrition stand...but as we speak very little Spanish, we ended up just eating (healthy) tacos. It was all a little too politically fanciful for me, but Jo enjoyed the day. Apparently we were on the local news that night...announced as 20 Australian doctors helping out at Huixquilucan for two weeks. Which of course is not true at all, but still... we were on the Mexican news!
Friday was uni as usual (although we did have a moment half way through the day to visit El Globo- a cafe that appears to specialise in cake, pastry and doughnuts). After uni we had planned a night of rest, but at about 6-ish Luis's friends arranged to take us
to Miguel's final cooking exam for Spanish cuisine. We were not quite sure what we had agreed to go to at first, but once we got there we loved it! We tasted various Spanish things, while standing around sipping wine and trying to look at least a little sophisticated. All the food was delicious (we have invited Miguel to cook for us whenever he feels like it), especially dessert- almond icecream, crepes and a flan. Earlier in the week I had said I would make a pavlova for our Mexican friends to try (maybe for Australia Day?), but Miguel has set the bar very very high. Maybe I'd better practice beforehand...
Saturday, although not a uni day, was still fully scheduled as part of our program. We visited Xochimilco (about an hour away from the uni) to visit the Dolores Olmeda Museum, where we saw Mexican hairless dogs, a lot of ivory and some of Frida Kahlo's works. The highlight of the day was the trajineras (very very colourful boats that hold about 20 people). Our group took up two boats, which were lashed together to make a large barge, but before long, another boat filled with a mariarchi band
came up beside us and entertained the group with many Mexican songs they seemed to think we might know. We didn't know them, but Arnoldo (our history guide/lecturer) did. He sung very enthusiastically along to every song. There were also boats coming alongside us carrying anything you could possibly want to buy, from ponchos and silver jewellery to beer and corn cobs. The amount of boats on the canal was just as crazy (and hap-hazard!) as the road traffic, but it just seemed to work somehow. Perhaps there is a little more method in the madness than meets the eye.
After our little (quite relaxing) trajinera ride, we were able to spend a little time at the markets where we all got another opportunity to buy ponchos, silver jewellery, beer and corn cobs (among other things).
Jo, Clare, Ayen and I had dinner at home before heading to The Pub (a Scottish themed pub) to celebrate our friend Abby's birthday. We were a large (and quite loud) group of us Australians, but I think the bar staff thought we were funny. They have invited us all to their grand opening next week. We moved on to a salsa club (accompanied
by Luis' friends who look after us very well), but didn't do any salsa dancing (We will try to make sure we fit some salsa-ing in before the end of our Mexican adventure...). On the way home we picked up some tacos and Jo and I had a (pretty darn good) taco picnic in our room before bed.
Today we were up at 7am (actually closer to 7:20 by the time Jo had hit the snooze button twice!) because although Sunday is our 'free day' we were keen not to waste it. Ali took us down town to borrow bikes and ride around the city (as they close many of the streets each Sunday morning allowing people to ride/run/walk/rollerblade). Daniel, Alejandro and Miguel joined us and we had a fantastic time riding through the streets together. There were heaps of people out in the streets, but my favourites were the rollerblading policemen (who I think were on duty). We stopped off at the Monumento a la RevoluciĆ³n and took the lift to the top where there is a really good view of much of the city. We all agreed that this was one of our best experiences so far- definately
worth the effort (even on our only free day in four weeks!) We then said goodbye to the boys and took the subway (by ourselves for the first time) to the markets. There was so much stuff that it was almost overwhelming, but we each managed to find a few treasures. We also took advantage of the opportunity to use our (still very limited) Spanish...I was actually a little disappointed when I came across store holders who spoke English.
We are now at home having an easy afternoon. As my family and housemates are probably aware, I do not believe in day time naps. Jo whole heartedly believes in day time naps. She is napping right now.
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Helen
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Looks like you are having a fantastic time girls! We are jealous! Thought you knew about Jo's little 'naps' before you left Lauren. If this is the first then she has survived well!