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Published: June 21st 2006
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Spanish Dancers
the couples that we watched Saturday afternoon (yes, there is a sculpture of a nude bum on the floor...) This last weekend is our student group´s last weekend that doesn´t have a trip planned in it. We took a lot of time soaking in things of Queretaro that we don´t usually have time to do during the week.
Friday night, about seven of ¨the girls¨went out to dinner in the Centro (this is the same place where my fountain picture was taken). There are many restaurants that have seating outdoors and the scenery is amazing! Many people are out just to be out. There are musicians and people selling things in the streets. We all had some pretty traditional Mexican food, then walked down the street for some icecream!
Later that night, our group split up for a bit. My roomate Meghan and I went out in search of a ¨posada¨, a weekend homework assignment that I wanted to complete. A ¨posada¨is kinda of like a thrifty hotel, with bare minimum accomadations. The one we visited sort of resembled a bed and breakfast, although there is no food served. Some are rather shady and some are quite nice.
Anyhow, trying to catch back up with the group we got quite lost. At least we were together, but
La Hacienda
view from the outside of the wedding reception after an hour of walking about the dark streets with no ¨home base¨we got pretty scared and worried. Luckily, we found the house we were looking for and from there all was good. No worries Mom, Meghan is a lot like you (walk with a purpose...).
Saturday a group of about 15 of us assumed the role of American soccer fans and watched the game in a bar downtown. It was a blast, the bar even opened early for us gringos to tune into the game. Our waitress even cursed at the referees for us. After the game, we ventured into a small courtyard where there were many antique things for sale and a number of older couples dancing. It was very elegant and entertaining to watch the dance. Every so often, the women paused to take out their fans and wave them. Quite an ordeal!
After a long afternoon, Meghan and I were taking a late siesta in our room. We were abruptly awaken by our ¨host brother¨, actually a good friend of the family, wanting us to attend a wedding reception. He had actually esorted our host sister Karina to the wedding, but she pooped out
Flower Thieves
Meghan and I with our wedding souveniers and didn´t want to go to the reception. After regaining consciousness from my deep slumber and switching into Spanish mode, I finally surfaced the vocabulary to agree and convince Meghan that she wanted to go as well. We rushed about getting ready in a good 17 minutes while Raimundo (our host brother) was cursing like a sailor in the living room, telling us to hurry up.
As much of a rush as he was in, we still had to go through all of the formalities of him opening/closing car doors for all three of us. This is something I still struggle getting used to, waiting for him to walk around the car to let me out. Ah well. So the reception was in an old hacienda. The haciendas had a room designated for worship, so it was a perfect spot. It was late when we arrived and most of my pictures are rather dark. The party was winding down, but we did get a chance to tour the hacienda and meet some extended family of our host family. One particularly interested young cousin of Raimundo´s followed us around and offered little tidbits of information here and there.
Back at the party, there was dancing and tequila. On our way out, Meghan commented on the beautiful white lilies and daisies that were decorating a small carriage. Our mother asked if we wanted some and walked right over and picked us a couple clumps. Raimundo also took a whole center piece back for Karina! Meghan and I were a little numbed by tequila, so we just strolled right on out with our bouquets. I´m not sure how kosher it was, but the flowers were in a vase on our dinner table to next day.
After the reception, we went to Raimundo´s house. He showed us a bedroom that he keeps in memory of his parents. There are two single beds, a dresser, and an ironing board. He also has urns with the ashes of his parents in the room.
Death in the Hispanic culture is not the taboo subject that it is in the US. Death is a very celebrated and talked about part of life. In our host family´s house, there is a small space in the corner of our dining room. This space is in memory of loved ones who have died and is filled with the favorite toys, foods, photos, and other things that symbolize the person´s life on earth. Our host mother often changes the food or items. During our first few days here, her father passed away and during the time that followed I noticed a candle was lit at night. At first it was a bit awkward, but I have grown accustomed and even interested in thinking about death in this way.
Sunday (yes my dears, the weekend is still developing) Meghan, Marta and I visited a huge market that is also downtown. Meghan and I bought some attire to wear for the next Mexico soccer game: I a jersey and she some very cute tennis shoes with the Mexican flag. We´re busting those out on Wednesday! We browsed through everything from pirated CD´s to fruit to jewelry. On our way out, Marta asked if we would like a water. Water here can be a variety of things, usually always flavored. If I just want plain water, I remember to ask for ¨agua natural¨. Otherwise, water is often flavored with fruit like lime or another popular flavor is called jamaica. Horchata also classifies as ¨ agua¨ as well. Another different thing is the liquid is in huge drums, like culligan bottles, and is ladled into plastic sacks, which are tied around a straw. At first I felt like I was walking around with a little goldfish that I had won at a carnival and drinking it´s water.
And thus wraps up our last ¨free¨weekend in Queretaro. Next weekend = Mexico City.
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Gma
non-member comment
You be careful, girl, and come back safe and sound!!