This is a short clip from our final night on the farm in Costa Rica. Warren and Elizabeth were gracious to have a small party at their house with all 6 WWOOFers and Rocio's family. It was great. This is a clip of Adrian playing with dominoes.
(yes, we are back in the country happily eating our way through the holidays. Much more later, but I just wanted to test out posting some video clips from the trip.)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
You thought Virginia was for lovers?
Well, my friends, you must not have visited Mexico City!
At first, it seemed refreshingly romantic. Couples walking hand in hand, not afraid to give a little kiss every now and then. Have no fear -- public displays of affection are alive and well in this sprawling town (which actually used to be a lake, did you know that?).
But before long, it became less and less refreshing and more....awkward. The kind of awkward where you know you shouldn't be watching something so personal, and if you were watching it you could be assured there would soon be an FCC lawsuit.
Couples of all ages, some more discreet than others, stopping mid walk to plant a long, sustained, ACTIVE kiss on each other. (Really, I could do without seeing the biting and licking.) Leaning up against walls in welcoming poses typically reserved for the beginning of a Dawson's Creek scene of which you only see the passionate beginning.
And it's impossible to ignore. I mean, we've actually interrupted such encounters as we bump into them on crowded streets. Awkward!
To be honest, it has been a struggle. For so much of this trip we have been a part of the common struggle when in a country that is not your own -- to assimilate or not to assimilate? Should I give into the urge to conform, stealing Lizzy away against a nearby wall for a little acceptable nookie? Or do I heed the overwhelming feelings of discomfort and do my best to put the blinders on, trying to avoid future run-ins?
We still have 5 days and the verdict is still out.
At first, it seemed refreshingly romantic. Couples walking hand in hand, not afraid to give a little kiss every now and then. Have no fear -- public displays of affection are alive and well in this sprawling town (which actually used to be a lake, did you know that?).
But before long, it became less and less refreshing and more....awkward. The kind of awkward where you know you shouldn't be watching something so personal, and if you were watching it you could be assured there would soon be an FCC lawsuit.
Couples of all ages, some more discreet than others, stopping mid walk to plant a long, sustained, ACTIVE kiss on each other. (Really, I could do without seeing the biting and licking.) Leaning up against walls in welcoming poses typically reserved for the beginning of a Dawson's Creek scene of which you only see the passionate beginning.
And it's impossible to ignore. I mean, we've actually interrupted such encounters as we bump into them on crowded streets. Awkward!
To be honest, it has been a struggle. For so much of this trip we have been a part of the common struggle when in a country that is not your own -- to assimilate or not to assimilate? Should I give into the urge to conform, stealing Lizzy away against a nearby wall for a little acceptable nookie? Or do I heed the overwhelming feelings of discomfort and do my best to put the blinders on, trying to avoid future run-ins?
We still have 5 days and the verdict is still out.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
¿quien es?
We would like to give a prize for our most loyal readers.
Claire, you're a shoo in. No surprise there.
Fran-man, you're up there.
But you have close competition in a mysterious employee (of someone within wireless range) of the Oregon Dental Service. We do envy your dedication.
In order to claim your prizes, you must first identify yourselves!!
For better of worse, you seem to be the only three checking this thing anyway. Except, that is, for the incessant checking we've been doing these days as we kill time wasting away in front of the free computers at the hostel.
(My wife thinks i have a problem with wordiness when attempting to write a relatively short sentence. i don't think i can disagree per say, but I would like to think that it is not always as wordy as she makes it out to be.)
Claire, you're a shoo in. No surprise there.
Fran-man, you're up there.
But you have close competition in a mysterious employee (of someone within wireless range) of the Oregon Dental Service. We do envy your dedication.
In order to claim your prizes, you must first identify yourselves!!
For better of worse, you seem to be the only three checking this thing anyway. Except, that is, for the incessant checking we've been doing these days as we kill time wasting away in front of the free computers at the hostel.
(My wife thinks i have a problem with wordiness when attempting to write a relatively short sentence. i don't think i can disagree per say, but I would like to think that it is not always as wordy as she makes it out to be.)
Yesterday We Visited the Virgin of the Metro
Now contrary to what you may be imagining, it wasn't a thirteen year old, pimple-faced boy we visited at the entrance to the Hidalgo metro stop. The Virgin of the Metro is one of the many mystical images of the Virgin Mary that have been reported here in Mexico. According to the lonely planet guide book [or the green bible], there was a water pipe that leaked onto the tiles of the Hidalgo metro stop in the exact image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Local believers were in such awe of the occurrence that they cut out the tiles from the floor and had them framed in a glass case that now sits at the entrance to the metro stop.
When we arrived at the much talked about glass encasement, we were sorely disappointed. The image was difficult to see and we both agreed it looked more like the inkblots that psychologists use to analyze the ins and outs of the psyche. Nevertheless, it was a lovely walk to the stop through a beautiful historical park and we learned much more about why the Virgin Mary is the most celebrated religious figure in Mexico.
My mother will be happy to know that the tuition money for St. Patrick Elementary School was well spent, since I vividly recalled the story of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" from my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Behuniak [well ok, i had to look up some of the details]. As the story goes, during a walk from his village to the city on December 12, 1531, Juan Diego saw a vision of Mary on a hill. She told him to build a church on the site, but the bishop did not believe Diego's story. Mary then instructed Diego to gather the roses from the hill, even though it was winter time, and bring them to the bishop. When Diego presented the roses that he was carrying in his apron to the bishop, an image of Mary remained on the cloth. Although many church historians question the authenticity of the account, the Virgin of Guadalupe has become a symbol of Mexican culture and a turning point in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the indigenous population.
Every year on December 12, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe to commemorate the visions seen by Juan Diego. We have been told that some of them even finish the last mile or so of their journey walking on their knees. The days leading to the 12th are celebrated by locals with festivals and dancing. We plan on visiting the Basilica and possibly participating in some of the activities before we board the plane for Atlanta on the 14th. It will certainly be an interesting and exciting end to our very long journey.
When we arrived at the much talked about glass encasement, we were sorely disappointed. The image was difficult to see and we both agreed it looked more like the inkblots that psychologists use to analyze the ins and outs of the psyche. Nevertheless, it was a lovely walk to the stop through a beautiful historical park and we learned much more about why the Virgin Mary is the most celebrated religious figure in Mexico.
My mother will be happy to know that the tuition money for St. Patrick Elementary School was well spent, since I vividly recalled the story of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" from my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Behuniak [well ok, i had to look up some of the details]. As the story goes, during a walk from his village to the city on December 12, 1531, Juan Diego saw a vision of Mary on a hill. She told him to build a church on the site, but the bishop did not believe Diego's story. Mary then instructed Diego to gather the roses from the hill, even though it was winter time, and bring them to the bishop. When Diego presented the roses that he was carrying in his apron to the bishop, an image of Mary remained on the cloth. Although many church historians question the authenticity of the account, the Virgin of Guadalupe has become a symbol of Mexican culture and a turning point in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the indigenous population.
Every year on December 12, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe to commemorate the visions seen by Juan Diego. We have been told that some of them even finish the last mile or so of their journey walking on their knees. The days leading to the 12th are celebrated by locals with festivals and dancing. We plan on visiting the Basilica and possibly participating in some of the activities before we board the plane for Atlanta on the 14th. It will certainly be an interesting and exciting end to our very long journey.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Inauguration in Mexico, Part I
The day has finally arrived, and we are not sure what to make of it all.
Less than two blocks away is the Zocolo, the large central plaza in the middle of Mexico City. Over 10,000 people have gathered, many in tent cities for days, to support the opposition candidate who is claiming to be the *real* president of Mexico - going so far to have his own inauguration weeks back and start a "parallel government" from the streets.
And about 15 minutes in another direction, the actual inauguration is trying to get underway in the Congressional chambers amid days of physical violence among elected officials trying to block the proceedings. We've been watching the news and things are clearly still incredibly tense, with scuffles continuing even as foreign dignitaries arrive.
We're going to eat quickly and get out to see some of this for ourselves...
check out the headlines:
This should be muy interesante!
Less than two blocks away is the Zocolo, the large central plaza in the middle of Mexico City. Over 10,000 people have gathered, many in tent cities for days, to support the opposition candidate who is claiming to be the *real* president of Mexico - going so far to have his own inauguration weeks back and start a "parallel government" from the streets.
And about 15 minutes in another direction, the actual inauguration is trying to get underway in the Congressional chambers amid days of physical violence among elected officials trying to block the proceedings. We've been watching the news and things are clearly still incredibly tense, with scuffles continuing even as foreign dignitaries arrive.
We're going to eat quickly and get out to see some of this for ourselves...
check out the headlines:
This should be muy interesante!
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