Strikes and Demonstrations in Guadalajara and Mexico

Teachers are a huge part of every society and every community in the world.  Teachers can inspire children to do their best and in some cases be the one stable person in a child's life.  Here in Mexico, the teachers have been affected by new reform laws that the president is trying to pass. 

Road blocks put up my teachers on the main streets of Oaxaca.

The laws are quite simple, they don't change much except for two very important areas. 

1)  Like in most places, being a teacher in Mexico is not one of the highest paid jobs you can decide to take on.  The new reform wants to cut all summer vacation pay for all teachers in public schools in the country, no matter what level of education they are teaching.  This change would obviously drastically reduce wages for teachers, and make the profession even less desirable for younger generations as well as cut benefits. 

The strikes in Guadalajara

2)  The reforms also require that all teachers no matter how old or how long they have been teaching take a comprehensive education test.  This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, sometimes these tests are good to keep teachers current on what they are teaching and different teaching methods.  Here, however, the older teachers are afraid that these tests will be used against them in a way where those who don't score high enough will be fired and lose all retirement benefits only a few years before they are eligible for retirement.

 Its been a very interesting situation around here with traffic and marches and protests.  So far all of them have been peaceful.  On September 4th, the day these pictures were taken, we had one of the biggest marches in GDL.  Over 1,600 teachers, students, family and community members marched in protest of these reforms.  There were also over 60 city and traffic police on hand to help with the marches and keep everyone safe.  The protestors walked for 2 hours from one side of the city to the other, and then stopped in front of these bleachers to have public speeches.  It was very interesting to be a part of these manifestations.

Guachimontones

A few weeks ago I went with my girls from Casa Kamami to the archeological site Guachimontones which is right outside of Guadalajara.  

Walking the 100 meters up to the Pyramids, you would think this was the longest walk of their lives

Guachimontones (or Huachimontones) is the name of the ceremonial central and prehispanic meeting grounds located in the city of Teuchitlan approximately an hour to the west of the city of Guadalajara.  Its unknown who actually named this archeological site "Los Guachimontones."  The word Guachimontón or Huachimontón has mixed origins, relatively modern, that comes from the word in nahuatl cuautli-, which means tree; chinamitli, which means wall; and from Castellano (spanish from Spain) montón or montones means mountain. They believe that an entire civilization lived in this area between the years 300AC and 900BC.

This central ceremonial ground includes various buildings with a peculiar type of construction, different towers, platforms and pyramids.  The most interesting part is the center pyramids which are round instead of triangular shaped.  They are constructed with a pole that goes through the center and the different sized circular stones set one on top of the other gradually getting smaller and smaller.  The interesting part is as they have deconstructed these buildings they have found that it looks like newer bigger circular pyramids were built on top of the previous pyramid..  with the same or an extension of the middle pole being used as a guide.  Also in this archeological site you will find dos "ball game" courts.

The girls had a great time as did I.  I think the pictures speak for themselves.  This place is so cool and the pyramids are out of this world.  Sometimes its hard to believe and remember that there were people here way before us doing things a lot more advanced than we can imagine.  Maybe they didn't have cell phones, the internet, or blogs that they would share experiences with but in a lot of ways it seems like they were a lot more connected to people, the earth and the world than what we are now.  Besides, its not everyday one can say they saw a round pyramid!!!

Couple of the girls modeling in front of the main pyramid. 

 

This is the full Juego de pelota or "Ball Game" court.  No one really knows the rules of the ball game, and its been established that its uses and rules differed greatly throughout Mesoamerica.  The objective  of the game is to keep the ball in play.  In the most likely version played in Teuchtitlan (where los Guachimontones are located) the game was played using only the hips.  Players had to pass the ball back and forth sending it into the air and picking it up from the ground using only their hips.  In other versions, players could use forearms or the backs of their hands.  The ball was made with with a gummy substance was the extracted from the trees in the area usually put inside an animal stomach and weighed about 10lbs.  The size of the ball differed greatly depending on the area where the game was being played. 

The girls and me in the small "ball game" court.

The game was used for many reasons, anything from choosing battle grounds to human sacrifice.  But one thing that is known for sure is that this game became a very important part of indigenous rituals and religious events.  In most tribes, the winner of the game would be honored with the rite of being sacrificed to the gods.  The sport was also played for fun in an informal manner.  It was great entertainment for both kids and women within the tribes.  Most archeological sites that you see will have at least two ball game courts.  It is thought the one was strictly used for rituals and events, and the other, sometimes smaller, was used for informal games, fun and practice. 

Group Foto!!!  Well not all, but most of us!  :) 

Hasta Entonces!

El Dia del Niño

El Dia del Niño is celebrated in Mexico as the 30th of April each year.  I would like to dedicate this publication to the kids that are the closest to me in my life... Miles and Camille!!!

MILES

CAMILLE

Miles and Camille

Traditionally parents give their kids gifts on this day.  Even though its not an official holiday, schools often have fun activities or field trips for the kids to celebrate the day.  Sometimes they have parties in the schools or day cares.  This tradition started as an act of kindness of a notary republic in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas.  The day was officially named Dia del Niño on the 8th of May, 1916 in Tantoyuca, Veracruz. 

The World At Large

So, I've been very introspective and reflecting on things going on in my life, both good and bad.  As everyone knows we all have our ups and downs in every situation in life and there are things to be leaned from both.

Years ago a really good friend of mine introduced me to a group called Modest Mouse.  I liked it, but I wasn't completely convinced until recently.  I was in my room, otherwise known as my "mansion" and one of the songs came across my itunes.  My jaw dropped and I felt like I was able to completely identify with it.  It is almost as if the song was written specifically for me, specifically for my life and I haven't been able to stop listening to it ever since.  Its called The World at Large by Modest Mouse.  Below is the YouTube video with the lyrics written so everyone can understand.  :) 

This song reflects portions of my life that occurred in Wisconsin, my travels, Miami, and where I am now.  It addresses advice that I sometimes get from friends and family about settling down and staying in one place.  Its not always a choice.  Sometimes the universe decides your plan for you and you can't be happy unless you just go with it.  I particularly like that parts "Went to the porch to have a thought.  Got to the door and again, I couldn't stop."  Meaning that sometimes when you think you've found the place where you are going to sit down and relax you just can't. You have to keep moving.  

Also, the next line, I think is one of the most important in the songs.  It doesn't matter where you are, where you go, or when you come back, you will always have your friend and family.  And your true friends/family are the ones that you can go months without seeing and once you are in the same room its like a moment has never past.  "You don't know where and you don't know when. But you still got your words and you got your friends."

"I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want.  Did I want love? Did I need to know? Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?"  This part of the song talks about all those doubts about life and questions that we ask ourselves about the normality of the different situations in which we find ourselves.  I know I haven't accomplished everything that I want to with my life, and I know that's ok.  I don't exactly know what I'm missing, but I continue to search for it.  I'm almost 30 and everyone around me is in relationships, married, or heading in that direction.  That doesn't look bad, but I don't know if that is particularly for me.  But at the same time, what fun would it be if I had the answers to those questions.  :)  I am in an undertow... sometimes its scary, sometimes overwhelming and sometimes you just feel like your stuck swimming as much as you can without getting anywhere.  But it just feels natural for me to let life take me where it will. 

Last but not least, the last verse I would have to say is my favorite quote.  "I know that starting over is not what life's about.  But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.  My thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth. My thoughts were so loud."  

I would love to hear your thoughts about the song and your opinions about some of these reflections.  Thank you Angi for bringing this into my life.  :)  Also, if you have questions or need more of an explanation to certain parts please do not hesitate to comment and ask, I will reply.  

Les mando un gran abrazo a todos mis amigos y familiares!  Les amo!!  

Semana Santa -- Holy Week

Semana Santa is an annual christian holiday intended to commemoration the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.  It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday with everyday having its own meaning and celebration.  Some say that the festival really begins the Friday before Palm Sunday called Pain Friday.

It doesn't have a set date of celebration, usuallyl its the last week of Lent, landing typically in March or April.  Lent ends on Maude Thursday which is supposed to represent the day of the last supper and the following Friday, Good Friday, represents the crucification of Jesus.  The Resurrection is called Saint Saturday and then finally you have Resurrection Sunday also known as Easter.

In Mexico, Semana Santa is a very religious and serious holiday.  Maybe people will go on vacation that week, but many people also stay at home and attend various church services during the Saint Days.

Here is what each day is called in Spanish and what it represents.

 

Domingo de Ramos. 

The day Jesus arrived to Jerusalem.

Lunes Santo. The Day Jesus arrived at Lazarith's House and also the day he destroyed/kicked everyone out of the market in front of the Temple of Jerusalem.

Martes Santo. The day Jesus told his disciples they were going to betray him.

Miércoles Santo. The day Judas betrayed Jesus.

Jueves Santo. THe day Jesus washed his disciples feet and the day of the Last Supper.Also the day of Jesus' arrest.

Viernes Santo.  The day of the interrogations of Herod and Pilot.  The day of the Crucifixion.

Sábado Santo.  The day he was put into the tomb.

 

Domingo de Resurrección.  Easter.  the day of Resurrection

Happy Birthday Benito Juarez (March 21st)

Benito Juarez is considered one of Mexico's greatest and most beloved leaders. During his political career he helped to institute a series of liberal reforms that were embodied into the new constitution of 1857. During the French occupation of Mexico, Juarez refused to accept the rule of the Monarchy or any other foreign nation, and helped to establish Mexico as a constitutional democracy. He also promoted equal rights for the Indian population, better access to health care and education, lessening the political and financial power of the Roman Catholic church, and championed the raising of the living standards for the rural poor.

Benito Juarez was born March 21st 1806, the child of Zapoteco Indians. After they died, he went to live with his uncle, but at 12 he joined his sister in Oaxaca. He began studying for the priesthood, but changed to studying for a law degree, which he received in 1831. 

In 1853 the conservatives took power in Mexico and many liberals were exiled, including Juarez, who spent his time of exile in New Orleans. In 1855 the liberals won the election, and Benito Juarez returned from his exile as the Minister of Justice. In 1858 the conservatives rebelled, and again Juarez had to leave Mexico City, this time fleeing to Veracruz, where he created a government in exile.

In January 1861 the conservatives lost power, and Benito Juarez became the President of Mexico.  After Mexican congress rejected an agreement Juarez had made with the British Prime Minister to protect the interests of European countries Spanish, British and French troops landed in Vera Cruz. Spain and Britain were there to protect their financial interests, and left in April, after it became clear that France had conquest in mind. The French troops fought for two years, and although suffering a serious defeat on 5th May 1862, eventually captured Mexico City in June 1863

Benito Juarez and the government of Mexico were forced to retreat right back to Ciudad Juarez, After four years, finally the Napoleonic forces withdrew. Maximilian himself was captured and executed on 19th June 1867.  Juarez returned to Mexico City, and the presidency even after suffering a stroke in October 1870, and the loss of his wife in 1871. He won the presidential election in 1871, but died on 18th July 1872, of a heart attack.  

Interesting perspective on Police.

So this morning I was at the gym. I was the only 1 at the gym because apparently I'm the only 1 who thinks it seems to be appropriate to get up at 6am on a Sunday to workout hahahahaha. Anyways, as I was working out I was looking out the window and saw a few police cars driving by. It made me start thinking about the different way we see police in the United States and in Mexico. Actually more so the different ways that the police see us. Here are some of the main differences: 

United States
  1) the police drive around in small sports cars made to look like the cars that everybody drives
  2) they sneak around and try to catch you doing something you're not supposed to do when you don't think that they're watching
  3) if you even think about bribing them to get out of a ticket you will most likely go to jail!

Mexico
  1) the police drive around in big Ford trucks with the words municipal police clearly written in big letters on all sides of the vehicle.  Also there's usually 3 or 4 policemen standing in the back of the truck with big guns just in case you were wondering whether or not they were police. 
  2) during the day and at night the police drive around with their lights on.  Not their headlights, but the red and blue lights on the top of the vehicle.  It's as if instead of hiding they're saying we are here and we want you to know that, so behave. 
  3) about 50 percent of the time the police will pull you over for absolutely no reason other than to see if you will try to bribe them! 

I don't know which system is better, I kind of like the aspect of everybody knowing they're there. It puts the control back in the power of the person to decide if they really want to do something bad. Instead of saying you did something bad hahaha we caught you. 

Just something I was thinking about this morning. I would love to hear your thoughts or comments on the topic.