This is the first time that I´ve been able to spend more than a few minutes in front of a computer. I hope I can get a few thoughts down to share with you but I seem to be battling against several fronts: the first is this crazy Spanish keyboard, also this computer is some what unreliable (I´ve had to resend multiple emails because the software is so goofy – and you may be getting several copies of this letter, if you get any at all), and additionally, my fingers keep typing Spanish words instead of English.
The classwork is quite intense (8am-5pm) but most is one-on-one and the instructors are very personable. I´m finding that I can handle the work with out difficulty. This morning as I was shaving I realized that I was thinking without the use of English, not necessarily in Spanish but mostly “Spanglish”. The campus is lovely. When first saw it on the internet (they provided a “tour” on their web page) I thought it looked very strange. Well it is strange, but in the exotic sense and is typical of this part of Mexico. I have a three-hour class of conversation each morning. It is one-on-one with a young man or woman and we spend it outside under an umbrella in a garden of palms and flowering trees. If you want to see the campus go to: http://www.uninter.edu.mx/tour/ingles/mapagral.html
Today I attended a “lecture” on Songs of Mexico, given by a Señora who used to sing in clubs etc but now performs/teaches in schools. She sings wonderfully and the songs were beautiful- literally brought tears to my eyes. She also explained some very interesting history about the songs such as the name LaBamba is actually an African word (means the crazy person). Most of the songs were ones that I am trying to learn myself (Ceilito Lindo, LaBamba, Cu Cu Rru Cu Cu, Paloma, etc). So after the class I met with her and we set up two lessons for next week so she can help me with my guitar arrangements. Two hours isn´t much time to learn much but it is a fantastic opportunity.
After class last Wednesday I went to Mexico City with a group of other students to the Ballet Folklorico at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It is a very famous ballet company that performs the traditional dance forms from various locations and eras in Mexico – from pre-columbian to present. I was most interested in the songs and dance of Veracruz since I had seen much of that genera when I was in Coatzacoalcos. But the most fun was the Mariachis señoritas & señores. I have never been to any performance that I enjoyed as much, nunca! I bought a DVD at the Palacio before I left – I hope I (we) will be able to watch it on my laptop when I get home. I’ watched part of last night with my “familia” and it is beautiful.
The “familia” that I am staying with is great! The Señor is an architect and the señora is a clinical psychologist. Their home is what one would expect for an architect – it could be (and maybe has been) illustrated in an architectural journal. Since the climate is so mild here year around the living room opens out into the garden with a “terraza” (a veranda). It is incredibly impressive the roof of the terraza is supported by 4 massive columns carved from native stone and is spanned by a giant wooden beam. There are object d’artes though out the public spaces and the garden features several exotic looking palms. The terraza is a wonderful place for me to do my daily guitar exercises (at 5:00 am). They don´t seem to mind my practicing and as a matter of fact have ask me to play for them a couple of times!
This weekend I´m signed up for a couple of tours. Sunday there is a school sponsored trip to the Teotihuacan pyramids and tomorrow a group of us are arranging a trip to Mexico City to attend the Frieda Kahlo museum and maybe a baseball game. (never a dull moment!)
Hopefully this will bring you up to date for now and I hope I will have lots More to write next Friday.
Salude,
Bruce