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CuentepecWe spent most of today in a small indigenous pueblo called Cuentepec. The town, including its schools, is completely bilingual in español y náhuatl. In Cuentepec we helped to paint a sealant over a new mural in the town square. The mural depicts maíz, and important staple in the Mexican diet; Emiliano Zapata, a hero to the campesinos; caña de azúcar, a main export in this part of Morelos; and a mother passing down her indigenous language, náhuatl, to her child. We then took a hike to go see prehistoric cave paintings before heading to lunch at Berenice's home. Her mother prepared mole verde con pollo, tortillas, calabazas, and agua de naranja. The meal was accompanied by bags of cacahuates. ¡Sabrosísimo! After lunch we walked a few blocks to the home of Victorina where we learned how to hand-build whistles and figures with barro. Traditionally, this is a skill that only women practice, but we all joined in today! Casa San Salvador: Nuestros pequeños hermanosOur great day got even greater with a trip to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, home to around 450 children who have been orphaned, abandoned, or have experienced extreme family difficulties. We spent our time with the girls aged 13-14 and practiced our español while they practiced their inglés. We broke the ice by jumping rope together, breaking confetti eggs over one another's heads, and hitting piñatas. This was followed by a rowdy game of fútbol (soccer)--those girls have SKILLS! Finally, after saying our goodbyes, we toured the portion of the facilities that were most affected by the recent earthquakes (kitchen, dining room, and classrooms). Our students loved their experience here and some even called it the very best activity of the whole trip! If you would like to read more about NPH, donate, and/ or sponsor a child, please go to their website: www.nph.org/ws/homes/home.php?mexico . GRACIASThe end of a wonderful day and the end of a wonderful trip has come. After arriving back to the school, we wrote cartas de agradecimiento (thank you cards) to our host families while we munched on our calaveritas from the other day. We have an early wake-up tomorrow! Hasta mañana!
Las estacasAfter a very late night last night, we began the day with some fun: the best natural water park in all of Morelos state! Las estacas centers around a river, which springs from the earth right on the park grounds. We spent the morning splashing, jumping, swinging, paddling, and swimming to our hearts' content! El panteónAfter getting our fill of sunshine and splashes at Las estacas, we made our way back to Ocotepec to see el panteón (el cementerio) decorated for el Día de Muertos. Although most families had already left after eating almuerzo with their muerto(s) in the cemetery, it was still a colorful and lively place. We wandered from tumba to tumba, admiring the love and care that was given to each one. TepoztlánWe ended a wonderful day meandering through the cobblestone streets of Tepoztán, el pueblo mágico. Among other things (los chinelos, la montaña, las pirámides, etc.) Tepoztlán is well known for its Tepoznieves--hundreds of flavors of delicious, naturally-made nieves y helados. ¡Qué sabroso!
El mercado grandeEn la mañana we drove to the biggest mercado in Cuernavaca to buy everything we needed to build our ofrenda....and a little extra! It was a bustling place! We began downstairs and walked through row after row of fresh-cut meat (think pig's head, cow tongue, sheep stomach); went through the fruit and vegetable area (where we saw nopales being prepared!); stopped in the candle and incense area to buy 32 candles for our evening in Ocotepec; and ended in the clothing section. La ofrenda y las calaveritaspetateWe returned to school to make our ofrenda with all of the things we bought at the market. As we added each element, we learned its purpose. For example: -All altars have a representation of the 4 elements: tierra (sal), aire (papel picado), fuego (velas), agua -The main colors used are to represent mourning in the two cultures that have mixed: orange (indigenous) & purple (Catholic/Spanish) -Many bright colors and decorations are needed, however, because this is a fiesta! -An altar can be 3, 5, 7, or 9 etapas high. -There is always a cross on the floor for the dead to find their way back and a petate, woven mat, to rest upon -Pungent (e.g., guayaba) and bright (e.g., tejocote y ciruela) fruits are also used to help los muertos find their ofrenda. -Pan de muerto has representations of bones, skulls, or tears baked onto the top. -The number of candles lit represent the number of family members and/or friends that have died, and one candle is lit for those who do not have families. -As an invitation, cempasúchil petals are sprinkled to form a path from the home's entrance to the foot of the ofrenda . After putting together the ofrenda, we made tasty calaveritas de chocolate y amaranto!
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