Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

     A week ago today, we went on an adventure through the city Cathedral. Our guide led us up to the "high choir" and the bell tower. We saw the names of the steadfast bell-ringers scrawled along the walls of the small chamber where they lived. We learned that during the Mexican revolution it was shot with cannons and ransacked, leaving the walls barren of the adornment that they once contained. We were even able to observe the arced ceiling from below and from above when we were lead out onto the roof for a stellar view of the city! A view of the interior from the high choir that houses the German organ with over 2 thousand pipes! Jay conquers the roof! The bell tower View of the city We started the tour at 4pm, so by the time we reached the roof, the sun was dipping low in the sky  View across the central park to the municipal building

     Our students were able to experience a different kind of New Years' Eve where midnight doesn't mean the height of the party, but rather signifies the beginning of it! Many Yucatecan families eat dinner between 10pm and 12am, and at the stroke of midnight there are a number of traditions that are performed simultaneously. I spent the night with the families and extended family of two students. Right at 12:00 everyone was given a glass with twelve grapes and champagne or sparkling cider. The twelve grapes represent each month in the new year.      It is also a custom to give out dried lentils in small silk bags. If you keep them with you all year you will always have money.      At midnight in Merida, don't be surprised to see many people wheeling their suitcases around the manzana (block). The farther you walk with your luggage the more traveling you will do this year.      There were also quite a few explosi...

     Just yesterday, we spent the morning working with an archaeologist at one of her dig sites, helping to clear the debris from the ancient foundations of Mayan houses. Here is a brief look at what the work consisted of!

     On behalf of all of us here at PICY,  ¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero año Nuevo! The students have the 24th (Noche Buena) and 25th (Navidad) off from classes, but we'll be together again on Friday for a normal school day. Here are a few photos from Monday night's Christmas Festival, including some photos of the students with their Yucatecan families (two students escaped with their families before I could take their photo!).  Emmanuel Guillermo Emma Rosita Galo y Lilyana Nina Seth Jay Kendall Karla giving the welcoming address Dance of las chicas Merengue! Mexican Christmas carols The meal ( tamales y espaghetti) And of course, the pi ñata!      Happy Holidays from all of us here in Yucatan!

     Yesterday we went on a field trip to an archaeological site that has many un-restored pyramids in the area surrounding the site that is open to visitors. We were able to go and visit one of these sites that, from the road looks like a small mountain. That is the first indicator that there is something special because there are very few natural hills in Yucatan, let alone mountains! To arrive to the base of the location, we drove down a rough dirt road and then got out  to follow three   señores and our guides who were opening a path for us through the forest with machetes. After about a forty-minute trek and a detour to observe the ruins of a mayan house, we finally arrived at the base of the "castle." Another trek to the top and we were rewarded with an incredible view! At the bottom once again, we shared the traditional mid-day snack of pozole , which is slightly cooked cornmeal that you dissolve in water and drink with salt and chile. It's still made dai...

    We are smack in the middle of our first week of classes. The students arrive each morning from 8 to 12 for their respective classes of Grammar, Language and Application, Mayans of Yesterday and Today (an anthropological look at the historical and contemporary culture of Yucatan) and  Poder y Palabra  (Power and the Word, a look at the political environment of Mexico to explore the context in which Yucatan is situated). All of the classes are, of course, taught in Spanish, and the students have pretty hefty packets of material for the duration of the course.  #534, Calle 534 sitting area outside Mini-classroom in el jardin View of the patio with our Jicara tree! Spanish classroom Our library The kitchen Our bulletin board with featuring past student projects Some of our facilities  Workspaces Poder y Palabra classroom tortugas! "Mayans of Yesterday and Today" classroom ...