My last day... :'(

Even though my last day officially was two days ago, I wanted to make sure that I updated this blog because I really did so much! On my last day I had the opportunity to explore the Zócalo, which really is the town center of Oaxaca. In this area there is a great deal of small merchants, music, cafés and wonderful places to just take in all the culture. I was able to see the large Day of the Dead display! Speaking of Day of the Dead, did you know that, in Spanish, it is actually referred to as Día de Muertos. Yet, when it is translated to English, we say Day of the Dead, and then, those who speak English translate it back to Spanish, say Día de LOS Muertos. We actually put the article, los, in it! 

While in Oaxaca, I had the opportunity to stay in a home setting which has so many benefits! I was able to speak Spanish daily, interact with locals, observe the local architecture and really enjoy authentic Oaxacan cuisine. We stayed in the San Felipe area and so we would have to take a taxi or bus down to the Zócalo.

The taxi has set prices (although was a bit elevated for the holiday) and a one way trip cost about $150MXN (150 Mexican Pesos - $8.33 USD). Once I felt comfortable taking the bus, I would take that and a one way trip cost $8MXN (8 Mexico Pesos - $0.45 USD). Here are some of the pictures from the display.

After the day at the Zócalo, we ended the evening with some official Mariachi music. They were absolutely amazing!

I am so grateful to be able to have taken this trip. I am the sole Spanish instructor at my institution, and, as a result, I do not have the opportunity to speak Spanish daily to collaborate. Additionally, to truly be bilingual, it is nearly impossible to not learn the culture. However, to really appreciate the culture, one must do more than just read about it. One must engage in it and live it. For example, "The difference between two cultures is more than just difference in language, food and personal habits. Culture reflects deep in one’s perceptions, the way a person sees things, his or her beliefs and values which have a big influence on their lives. Those who experience other cultures in person can truly understand other people better," (7 Reasons to Study a Language Abroad | Gostudylink, n.d.). Additionally, "When you study a language abroad you will develop new skills and gain different experience. This is something a regular classroom setting at home will not provide you! The entirely different cultural setting and the new ‘scenery’ is scary at first but it can also be exciting and valuable," (7 Reasons to Study a Language Abroad | Gostudylink, n.d.). While taking a trip abroad may seem like a vacation, it truly gave me an opportunity to expand my knowledge, enhance my speaking skills, and broaden my cultural experiences all of which is what I do in my career. I also hope that my students gained valuable knowledge through this blog. For my students, do you agree with my analysis regarding how this experience enhances my teaching abilities considering the field that I am in? Why or why not? Incorporate research and earn 20 bonus points on your current week's MSL homework. 

Dia de Muertos, los desfiles, y la Catrina!

Yesterday was one of the official days of Day of the Dead - November 1st - All Saint's Day. This is the biggest day of the entire holiday with celebrations lasting well into the night. To start our day, we went to Mitla (a town about an hour away) to decorate El Pan de Muerto (Dead bread). This is NOT bread that we actually eat, but bread that is decorated and placed on the altars for our visiting souls. The bakery that we visited was literally in a tiny shack, with a large STONE oven. They bake thousands of Dead Bread that are then delivered all around the country for the holiday. During this particular holiday, they are working 18-20 hours daily just to get it all done. The frosting that they use to decorate is sweet and the people that decorate make very beautiful intricate designs. Check them out!

    After partaking in our own dead bread, we were to visit Tule, which has the largest tree in Mexico (and when I say large, holy heck, it is LARGE). Apparently, though it is dying :(
As we ended the day, we went into el Centro for the biggest festival of the year! The Day of the Dead parade is by far the MOST popular in Oaxaca, and quite possibly Mexico, even the world! I saw and heard more English yesterday than I have my entire time here. When I asked our guides about it, they said that this festival really is for tourism and income. Many locals will spend the day with their families and altars and the evenings will be in the cemeteries. We were able to do it all! And this was a big parade! So many people with their faces painted, floats, fireworks, food, drinks - you name it, it was there is some way! 

As you can see, many people have their faces decorated as a skeleton, or La Catrina, as she is called. For my Spanish students, reply to this blog telling me who she is, the history behind her and her importance and why you feel that she is an important part of this culture and holiday! You will earn 25 bonus points on your first chapter's MSL grade. 

Monte Alban and the Zocalo!

There is so much history and culture in this area that I am just blown away! I had the opportunity to visit the local ruins, Monte Alban, which is just outside of the Oaxacan city limits. Just some of the interesting facts that I learned:

1. Monte Alban was chosen by the indigenous due to its location, being one of the highest points in the valley surrounded by mountains. This is so that they can see any possible attacks coming from any direction!
2. When the Spanish conquered Mexico, Monte Alban was one of the few ruins untouched by the conquistadores. Why? Because it was much too difficult for them to make the trek up and down the mountain to take down and transport all of the rocks. 
3. Many of the indigenous ruins in Mexico have been altered because of human contact (by climbing up and down the ruins), and because of that, many do not allow people to climb to the tops of the ruins. However, in Monte Alban, we were allowed to climb to the top and see so many of the amazing views! 

"Monte Alban is the most important archaeological site of the Valley of Oaxaca. Inhabited over a period of 1,500 years by a succession of peoples – Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs – the terraces, dams, canals, pyramids and artificial mounds of Monte Albán were literally carved out of the mountain and are the symbols of a sacred topography," (Centre, n.d.). I strongly encourage you to read more about this amazing World Heritage Site by visiting the link I posted in the Work Cited below.

Check out this video of Monte Alban!

Here is another video about the ruins that I created while there!

In many textbooks, they discuss how when the Spanish conquistadores arrived, they viewed the indigenous as very primitive, low-level thinking individuals. However, that was far from the case! There is evidence of the indigenous did brain surgeries and there is also evidence with their construction! One of the ruins, from an aerial perspective, looks like an arrowhead. Can you imagine how much planning went into that? 

Below is a picture regarding architecture. As you can see, there are two different ways that there are laying the brick/rock. The lower level is laid flat like in modern masonry. As you go higher, it is laid  with the pointed rocks which allows for strength in swaying! Why do the buildings need to be able to sway? Because this area has earthquakes. 

After this amazing expedition, we were able to go to the Zocalo. "Traffic-free, shaded by tall trees and surrounded by elegant portales (arcades), the Zócalo is the perfect place to start soaking up the Oaxaca atmosphere. It bustles with life by day and night, as marimba ensembles, brass bands and roving buskers float their melodies among the crowds, hawkers try to offload pretty carpets and hideous balloons, and lovers parade in slow rounds under the trees, while anyone and everyone sits, drinks and watches from the sidewalk cafes," (Zócalo | Oaxaca City, Mexico | Attractions, n.d.)

Work Cited:

Centre, U. W. H. (n.d.). Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/415/

Zócalo | Oaxaca City, Mexico | Attractions. (n.d.). Lonely Planet. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/oaxaca-state/oaxaca/attractions/zocalo/a/poi-sig/1379800/361604

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Marigolds, weaving and alebrijes!

What an amazing day! So much to see and learn! Our first stop today was to visit a Marigold field. These fields are full of marigolds specifically for Day of the Dead. These fields are all throughout Oaxaca! "The relationship between marigolds, or cempasúchil, and Día de Muertos runs deep. The celebration traces back to pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals tied to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead. The story goes that Mictecacihuatl allowed spirits to travel back to earth to reconnect with their family members. The fragrance, which is a musky smell, from marigolds is said to lead souls from their burial place to their family homes. Throughout the years, this tradition adopted Roman Catholic aspects from Spaniards who conquered Mexico," (How Marigolds Became a Symbol for Día de Muertos | Desert Botanical Garden, n.d.) I took a small video of the fields! See below

We also were able to visit a small market where the people weave all sorts of items! With her permission I took a video - look at how detailed it is! 

To give an opportunity for my students who are following me on this blog - to earn 50 bonus points on your current week's My Spanish Lab, I want to know what are alebrijes? Where do they come from? Why are they an important part of Oaxacan culture and history? Please post your answer (150 words with at least 1 work cited). I am bringing one home - 10 extra bonus points if you can guess which one I picked! (post is due by November 2, 11:59 pm)

Work Cited:

How Marigolds became a Symbol for Día de Muertos | Desert Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Dbg.org. https://dbg.org/how-marigolds-became-a-symbol-for-dia-de-muertos/#:~:text=The%20story%20goes%20that%20Mictecacihuatl,place%20to%20their%20family%20homes 

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I made it! And wow!

After a long day of travel (and what seemed to be like the longest way to get to Oaxaca), I made it! And as soon as I landed in Mexico City, Day of the Dead was alive and active. Here are just some of the pictures from the airport (so just imagine what the city looked like):

I also learned that Day of the Dead actually starts on October 27 and extends to November 2 (originally started Oct 31 through Nov 2). Each day encourages different souls to return. For example, on Oct 27 they focus on the animals and pets that have passed on. This can be represented by placing dog food and water on the ofrendas. On October 28, they welcome Los Accidentados, or those that were lost abruptly (think accidents, heart attack, those that were not expecting to die). Additionally, November 1, they welcome Los Angelitos, or the children that have passed on (these are those lost in utero, by abortion, at birth up to age five or so). These are welcomed by toys, candy and possibly juice at the altar. I was able to get a very good description of these days by a native of Oaxaca. She even discussed how her abuelo got drunk, forgot to build the altar and was approached by the soul of his father, scolding him and hit him with his belt, for not building an altar. Not having an altar is viewed very badly as it causes souls to become lost and not know where to go (as altars guide the souls to their homes and families here in the living). It was amazing! Here is a video I made of the altar learned about at our residence in Oaxaca!

Check out the video of our altar!

Altar description

Learning a little more each day!

The last 24 hours have been a rush of excitement and intrigue! My children will be coming with me to Oaxaca and I wanted to surprise them. I am so fortunate to have Nana coming so that she can watch the children and I can focus on learning and expanding my knowledge! We often do themed movie nights and so I wanted to let them learn a bit about Day of the Dead before we go to Mexico. In preparation of the movie, I went to my local Mexican store in town and purchased tamales, rice, beans, Mexican Hot Chocolate as well as actual sugar skulls. We ate the amazing food while watching the Disney move Coco! We all had a great time
 

 And then this morning I had the opportunity to build an ofrenda with my SPAN 101 HYB course. We had an amazing time! And the students did an excellent job!

It is important to take some time to learn a bit about the meaning behind this amazing holiday! The altar is located in our PSC library and will be up until November 6th. I encourage everyone to go and check it out!

Coming soon!

This upcoming week is going to be very busy! Students from my 101 HYB course will be decorating skulls and creating an altar in the PSC library. We will also be learning more about the Day of the Dead as well as Oaxaca. It is important to know that the beliefs that we are studying are not being forced onto anyone. However, it is important that we learn and appreciate the beliefs of the culture and language that we are studying. 

To help all of my students learn about this celebration, students will be reading, watching videos, responding to this blog, and creating an altar of his/her/their own. Here are some of the resources that they are viewing:

Video

Reading