Pilgrimages in Merida

Last weekend, the celebration of the Virgen of Guadalupe took place throughout Mexico. The Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated as the patron saint of Mexico. Her story is one of the "mestizaje" the mixing of Spanish and native cultures. The Virgin of Guadalupe was first seen in a miraculous apparition by a native, Juan Diego, just outside Mexico City in the year 1531. She appeared in front of him, spoke to him in his native language, and asked for a shrine to be built in her honor at the site of her apparition.

Some of our students with a group of "Guadalupanos" who had just arrived at the shrine of Guadalupe.

The miracle of her apparition took place amidst the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The Virgin, although a Catholic figure, did not speak Spanish, but instead the language of the natives. She represents the combining of both cultures. Today she is celebrated as one of the most important figures in Mexican Catholicism, there are shrines dedicated to her all over the country, including in Merida.

Petra learning from the locals.

The Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe takes place around the anniversary of her appearance, December 12th. For nine days leading up to this date there are "novenas", parties in her honor, each night in which families gather together to sing hymns, pray, and of course eat! There are also many pilgrimages that take place in which groups of "guadalupanos", pilgrims, will travel by foot or bike from their homes to the nearest shrine of the virgin. The pilgrimages can take hours or weeks, but the practice of doing so is an expression of faith and gratitude to the virgin.

Maxim interviewing pilgrims.

During the week our students participated in "novenas" with their families, witnessed, and participated in pilgrimages. We got to chat among some of the pilgrims to learn about their experiences.

Ella and Thomas chat with the locals.

Catholicism in Mexico defines a large part of the religious culture: interacting with it and learning about it is an important part of immersing ourselves in the culture. Next week we'll be seeing even more celebrations of catholicism for Navidad!

Small Town Days: Our time in Yaxunah

Before we began our time in the rural community of Yaxunah, we passed through the small city of Acanceh, where we were able to tour through the market and visit the prehispanic structures that make up the ancient Mayan settlement that today is fused with the architecture and modernity of the town. These ancient structures tell their story through the exposed stones and glimpses of preserved stucco. The pyramid of the masks holds eight stuccoed masks, two on each side of the structure, each one with characteristics associated with the sun god Kinich Ahau. A few blocks away, past the large catholic church and down a side street, surrounded by family homes, the Palace of Stuccos has a frisee that adorns the north face of the building with zoomorphic beings. Just like in the city, the best part of the program is when the students get to meet their new host families. The family is the main pillar of support for the student’s immersion into any context, but it is especially important in smal

The Grand Adventure: Orientation Trip

Our orientation trip began in the southern part of the state of Yucatan, in the community of San Mateo, where we were able to explore the natural resources of the area and learn about a few of the most important trees in the Mayan culture. We also admired historic buildings in the middle of the jungle that are evidence of military bases that were established along the ancient roads of Yucatan after the Caste War. One of the most fascinating experiences we had was entering into what the ancient Mayans knew as the inframundo , or the underworld. We rappelled down into the cenote of San Mateo, breaking the silence within and sending hundreds of bats circling around the high vaulted ceiling of this massive natural well. It is a unique experience that very few people are lucky enough to see. The next part of our trip took place in the state of Quintana Roo, where we were awed by the beauty and culture of the region. We enjoyed our stay at the lakeside cabañas Síijil Noh Há. The food was g

Merida: Our Days in the City

The first part of the student’s time in Merida, meeting and integrating into their host families, is probably the most important step in beginning an immersion program. In our case, here in Merida, host families are fundamental for the students to adapt to their new urban context. Another important aspect of their time in Merida are their Spanish classes, since the language will allow them to interact and immerse themselves more completely in the culture. During these language classes, the students not only learn grammar and structure, but they are also able to develop their own linguistic abilities by sharing, discussing and practicing the everyday vocabulary and expressions that they hear outside of the classroom. Mayan culture classes are another key part of the program, they help the students understand diverse aspects of the culture, how a Yucatecan family lives, the differences between interacting in an urban or a rural setting, and provide the hidden historical context for wha

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

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