Dia Mundial del Turismo - World Tourism Day

One of the majors taught at the UPCH is Alternative Tourism. Since today is the World Tourism Day, the students decided to put together this amazing festival, which was a huge success. It was completely planned and executed by students with little adult supervision. They had different stands from regions such as the Yucatan Peninsula, Jalisco, Veracruz, and Tabasco. Food sample was served and typical beautiful dances were presented. I was very amazed at the whole organization of the program and at the many cultural presentations. The dances were fabulous and the food was superb!!!! Two special guests from nearby cocoa beans plantation ranches were invited to share their experiences in tourism.

Language Festival 2011 - UPCH

Yesterday we had the most amazing language festival organized by the Language Center of our university. We planned this activity for a month and had a wonderful time doing it. We started at 9:00 am with the opening ceremony, which was attended by faculty members and students. The opening remarks were shared by Liliana Pelayo and the university president. The festival consisted in a series of events that took place throughout the day. I was assigned to speak on American Breakfast - a hard topic to make it sound interesting, but I think it went great. Other teachers talked about the importance of linguistics, the indigenous languages of Mexico and the Chontal language in Tabasco. Our French teacher showed a video of Paris and then students played Bingo. The karaoke was a huge success and very well attended. Our last event was the talent show, which was another great success as the auditorium was completely packed with students, faculty members, and family. I was very amazed at how serious and responsible students were towards their talents. Their level of commitment was incredibly commended by everybody. I was also thrilled with the audience participation. Ashlie sang the Waka Waka and Emma sang Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. We had so much fun!!!

Our Family

"Let us open wide the windows of our hearts, that each family member may feel welcome and 'at home.' Let us open also the doors of our very souls, that the dear Christ may enter. Remember His promise: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation 3:20)." President Thomas S. Monson

I am so grateful for the family I have and the experiences we are having together in Mexico. I know that I personally could not be part of this adventure without them. I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunity we have to attend Church here in Cardenas. We have found an amazing Church family whom I already love with all my heart. We have seen miracles in this part of Zion. I'm grateful for the importance of family to these people. They do everything together and love each other so much. Their testimony is humble and yet so powerful. Their love for the Savior is unreal and there is a special spirit around them. I know that our lives will be blessed as we continue to place families first and as we include the Savior Jesus Christ as our partner.

View from our Balcony

Independence Day and Parade

Elementary school children playing the drums in the parade...












The military presence was there as well...














Viva Mexico!!!!














Ashlie was selected Miss Cardenas at the party we attended the night before Independence Day.

Independence Day (September 16)

The streets have been decorated with the colors of the Mexican flag for the past 15 days. It's been quite an experience for us to experience these festivities here. The day before Independence Day, we were invited to a very amazing party organized by one of the most prominent citizens of Cardenas. We arrived at the party at 9:30 pm thinking that we were going to be late not remembering that punctuality is not common in this country. The food served was exquisite in every aspect. We ate tamales, tostadas, stuffed fried bananas, and pozole. We were always entertained by a professional DJ and his staff. The dance was great! I can't believe how well Mexicans dance the salsa, the merengue, the cumbia, and other typical dances and they have so much fun when they do it. The girls and Lucas had so much fun especially because the house had an incredible swimming pool, so after they had something to eat they went in the pool and never left until we were getting ready to leave. One of the guests was a colonel in the Mexican Army. At midnight, the host asked the colonel to lead the guests in the traditional Independence shout. From the balcony of the house, he held the flag and led them in a series of shouts culminating it with "VIVA MEXICO - VIVA LOS MEXICANOS" (Long Live Mexico and the Mexicans) and they sang the National Anthem. As we left the party at 1:30 am, people were still arriving. Had our children not been exhausted, we would have stayed longer as it was getting better and better...
The next morning, Lucas was the only one that woke up at 9:00...so I took him to downtown to witness the Civic and Military Parade, which was very beautiful. In the afternoon, a family from Church invited to their house to have lunch with them. They cooked the most tasty carnes asadas. Interestingly enough, our children had lunch and went into their swimming pool. I don't know how it happened, but Lucas at the age of 4, learned how to swim. He came to get me because he had to show me something; so I went to the pool when I saw him diving in. I thought I was going to have a heart attack and shouted to the girls, "Get him!!!!" not knowing that that was the surprise they had for me. I couldn't believe it!!!!!!!!!

More Photos of the Temple

The Villahermosa Tabasco LDS Temple

Yesterday we had to travel to Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco; which is located 45 minutes from Cardenas. We visited the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (Immigration office) in order to renew our Visas as we have been in country for 30 days and we had to change the status. Our dear stake president took us there and back home. After we were done there, he took us on a little tour to the city. We saw different parks, the governor's mansion, Wal-Mart, the Army base, and other nice places. However, the finale of our tour was the best part for us: The LDS Temple. On Monday this beautiful building is closed; but the security guards knew our president and let us in. What a beautiful site it was to walk on sacred grounds and see the House of the Lord - Holiness to the Lord.

Su Casa, Mi Casa...

Though I heard this expression all of my life, I had never heard it the way Mexicans say it here in Tabasco. When they refer to their house or an event that took place at their house, they said, "When you go to my house, which is your house too." A teacher was sharing a story that happened in 2007 when Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco, flooded; and said, "When your house flooded..." I was so lost because my house had never been flooded and I didn't know what she was talking about until I heard, "The streets were flooded but my house, which is your house, was not. My neighbors would come to "your house" to find refuge." Then I knew she was cordially referring to her house as mine too. It's so sweet how they express it like that and how they make you feel welcomed. Another teacher was saying, "When my family gets together at your house, we have so much fun." Now you know the true meaning of "SU CASA ES MI CASA."

Rainy Season and School

The rainy season has begun. Yesterday it rained all day long and all night long. We woke up this morning and it was still raining. The girls went to school as usual, but Lucas did not because when it rains that hard, the streets flood and so does his school's playground and other classrooms. Lucas did not believe us, so we had to walk him to school in the middle of the rain. He loved carrying his umbrella to school. When we arrived there, we believe he was the only faithful student around the school. His teachers were there and happy to know that he now wants to go to school even if it is pouring. We walked back to the house and we are now trying to figure out what we are going to do with him so that we don't go crazy for a few hours. :)

I was reading an email Gina sent to her aunt Cathy, which I would love to quote: "School is fun but the only bad thing is that I have as much homework as I have in one year at my school in John day." Sadly, I have to admit that she is right. Every day our three girls bring homework from school and stay busy doing it until late in the afternoon. On the contrary, back home they would rarely bring homework, and most of it was related to crosswords or word search, which I personally dislike so much. All of them are taking a subject called Civics and Ethics, which teaches the youth about morals and values needed for any society to succeed in this life and to be happy by choosing the right. I was helping Ashlie do her homework for this class when she said, "I wish we had this subject at home." I asked her if she thought it would be helpful for the youth and she said, "Oh yes...and it is such a fun class." I agree with her 100%. Sadly, some of the student population does not learn values and morals at home; so they come to school with none at all thinking that that's the best way to live life. It would be so beneficial to take a class like this, which would help teenagers understand the importance of respect, charity, and so many wonderful values that change a person's life forever.

Comalcalco and Its Archaelogical Site

After Ashlie and Gina were done with their Young Women meeting at the LDS Church, we embarked in a wonderful trip to Comalcalco by bus. The bus ride took a little bit over an hour and cost a dollar for the children and two dollars for the adults. On the way there we observed many banana plantation fields and wonderful people selling tamales, pozol, etc.

We arrived there and took a taxi to the archaelogical site. As we entered the place, we felt something special as we walked towards the different sites. There was something mystic or sacred in the air, which later as we observed the many temple ruins, realized why we felt such an amazing feeling. We were walking in a very special land, where many years ago the ancient Mayans worshiped their God.

We walked around this fantastic place and imagined what it would have been to live there during their time. This place is notable for two characteristics. First, it is the westernmost known Maya settlement. Second, and due to a dearth of locally available limestone (the primary material used in architectural construction), the city's buildings were made from fired-clay bricks held together with mortar made from oyster shells. The use of bricks at Comalcalco was unique among Maya sites, and many of them are decorated with iconography and/or hieroglyphics. Important architectural features include the northern plaza and two pyramids, the Gran Acropolis and the Acropolis Este. The literal English translation of "Comalcalco" is "In the house of the comals". A comal is a pan used to prepare tortillas.

We concluded our visit at the beautiful main square having dinner at Subway, which was delicious!!! After concluding our dinner, we went to the local cathedral which is located in front of the square.

Centro de Idiomas (Language Center)

Last week I taught English to students from the Tourism Degree. Last Monday I started teaching English at the UPCH Language Center. This center offers language classes in English, French, and Chontal to university and non-university students. I teach English I and III and absolutely love it. If you are a teacher, you would understand why I love it and am so happy to teach these two classes. This week has been very intensive and every day I gave them homework. I have been amazed and in total shock that every student did his/her homework every day. I was wondering if I was indeed alive or if it was just one of those dreams from which I did not want to wake up. They are so amazing and are trying really hard to learn the language. I have students from all ages and all backgrounds. Some of them work full time. Others work and study at the UPCH full time. However, they take time to do their homework and present great quality work. Their level of commitment and responsibility is truly wonderful and I hope it will last until the end of my time here.