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Mexico 2006 My Cultural Immersion Experiment
had been to Mexico twice
before, once many years ago My friend and co-worker Vanessa
in Manzanillo, and more is originally from Mexico City
recently in 2003 in Puerto and she was planning to spend a
Vallarta. Essentially both of week with her family anyway, so
these vacations were typical the two of us arranged that I
tourist experiences and ever would join her and her family for
since I got the taste for real three days to explore the Mexican
discovery, starting with my Cuba capital. From my first
trip last year, I have wanted to impressions, to explorations of
discover new places by immersing downtown including the Torre
myself, getting to know the Latinoamericana and the Monumento
locals, even studying the a la Revolución, and the Zócalo
language to really get a good and Mexico City's astounding
feel for the country and its massive Cathedral to the city's
people. wonderful urban park, the Bosque
de Chapultepec, Vanessa worked
Early this year I read an article out a 2-day whirlwind sightseeing
in the Toronto Star's Travel program that was phenomenal. It
Section about Cuernavaca - "The gave me a really great overview
City of Eternal Spring", a city of the city. Together with her
just 90 km south of Mexico City, family we also had a great dinner
on the main highway to Acapulco. experience in the beautiful areas
Cuernavaca is also one of the of Coyoacán and San Angel. I
world's largest centres for couldn't have had a better guide,
Spanish language learning - an local expert and bodyguard than
attractive proposition. Something my friend Vanessa.
struck a chord and I decided to
make Cuernavaca the main Upon my arrival in Cuernavaca I
destination of my 18-day stay. got to know my first bed and
breakfast hostess, Marta Elena, took my on another country
who runs a wonderful B&B in town excursion, this time to Lake
and who shared with me her really Tequesquitengo, the largest lake
interesting, even inspiring in the State of Morelos. That
"riches to rags" story. Then I outing was followed up by a
embarked on my first day of doctor's visit since I had
studying Spanish at the Ideal injured my ankle. So I even got a
Language School and explored two taste of the Mexican health care
local must-see places: the Robert system...
Brady Museum and the Jardín
Borda. Mexico as a close yet exotic
destination (with great weather,
I expanded my local friendships I might add) has long held a
during a dinner with Marta Elena fascination for me and for many
and Roxana, who was my second bed other thousands of people.
and breakfast hostess. I became Cuernavaca has a large expatriate
very close to both women, both of community and is becoming a
whom extended wonderful favourite retirement destination.
hospitality to me. The next day To explore this topic further I
Marta Elena and I went on an talked with Andie Grater who is
interesting adventure excursion the President of the local
out of town to a river resort Cuernavaca Newcomers Club, a
called Las Estacas, upon which we social club that also dedicates
visited a complex of greenhouses itself to philanthropic
growing beautiful orchids and in endeavours.
the evening I made another new
friend in a little cafe right Andie is also a local B&B owner
opposite Cuernavaca's cathedral. and shared with me her
experiences of culture shock and
The next day Vanessa's cousin psychological adjustment related
to living in a new place. The (Easter week) traditions.
next day she took me to a
Newcomers Club meeting that The second full week had begun
included an extremely interesting and I started my Spanish studies
presentation about human impact at the Cetlalic Alternative
on our planet. Language School. I also visited
"Casa Vamos", a bed & breakfast
Cuernavaca is also a centre with whose revenues are dedicated to a
vibrant cultural activities and I local non-profit organization and
was present during the I experienced an evening with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony for a very sad ending.
photo exhibition featuring two
South African photographers who My most intense day in Cuernavaca
both documented the era of included language studies in the
apartheid. Then it was time for morning, three interviews (two of
me to explore the Palacio de whom were with local non-profit
Cortes, which also doubles as the organizations who help
Museo de Cuahnahuac, featuring impoverished people in the local
the history of Cuernavaca and an community) and a fascinating
impressive mural by Diego Rivera. guided hike during a local nature
area during the afternoon and a
The weekend had come and it was dinner in a legendary local
time for another excursion out of restaurant.
town to beautiful Taxco - the
city that silver built. I had an The next destination on my
opportunity to see the famous itinerary was the enchanted
Palm Sunday procession, Taxco is village of Tepoztlán, just 17 km
world renowned not just for its outside of Cuernavaca. A local
handcrafted silver jewellery, but resident, an artist by the name
also for its unique Semana Santa of Annabella, took me under her
wings and showed me this the morning in Taxco where I had
beautiful magical town. Along the the incredible opportunity to
way I even got to meet a former interview one of the participants
Miss Hollywood, now a local of these processions and find out
legend. I also completed a why anyone would want to
strenuous climb to the top of the participate in rituals involving
local Tepozteco mountain to see self-flagellation, pain and
the ancient pyramid located at suffering. It was fascinating
the top, long thought to be a learning more about this truly
centre of cosmic and spiritual unique tradition that is shrouded
energy. in secrecy. Then back in
Cuernavaca my good friend Marta
Well, my last day of school had Elena and I celebrated our last
arrived and I capped the day off evening together with a great
with a visit to the popular meal in a beautiful local
Cuernavaca Spring Fair. The next restaurant.
day I went on another excursion,
again to Taxco, to experience its So, compared to my earlier trips
world-famous and unique Good to Mexico, this experience was
Friday processions which include full of interactions with the
penitentes, people who are locals and I really had a chance
repenting for their sins, dressed to get some insight into life in
in black robes, disguised by Mexico. Most people know Mexico
black hoods, and walking in for its resorts along the
shackles, carrying heavy bundles Caribbean and Pacific coasts, but
of thorn stalks or flagellating the interior of Mexico with its
themselves. For me this was a pre-Hispanic and colonial
very eerie experience..... treasures and its diverse
landscapes is a phenomenal place
My final day had come. I spent for exploration.
in the centre of Mexico, and with
Along the way I discovered many the people that I met. Their
beautiful places, cities, friendliness, warmth, openness
villages, nature areas, and I and hospitality were truly
fell in love - with the diversity astounding and I hope to be back
and the beauty of these regions soon.
About the Author:
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Find unconventional travel information, cross-cultural experiences, interviews with travellers and other inspiring people. Submit your own travel stories & win an exciting Amazon River cruise! "Life is a Journey - Explore New Horizons”
Read more articles by: Susanne Pacher
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