History Comes Alive

There isn't much shade in the Centro Historico area of Mexico City. In fact, unless you are walking next to a building on the correct side to catch a shadow, or along one of the beautiful side streets, it would be more accurate to say there is no shade. If you are not careful, the sun will get you before you know it because the overwhelming nature of the centuries colliding and the beauty and majesty of the history and culture will not remind you to check your time in the sun. You can visit the archeological dig that is unearthing centuries of Aztec presence, (they still exist and worship in the square today) just steps from a gorgeous Spanish Colonial church where a present day service is in full swing, and then walk across to Palacio Nacional where they celebrate the works of both classic and modern artists alongside rooms named after the likes of Benito Juárez, and where modern day military guard the space in combat camouflage ready to fight the Narco War. Along the side streets, we chose to recover from and relive the day having a meal in a 500 year old Spanish building. Yes, the wood beams have multiple repairs from the damage inflicted by centuries of earthquakes, but it has lasted this long....and besides, it is so beautiful. A little opera from the balcony outside while you wait to enter sets to mood perfectly.

A Bookstore Discovery

It was just your ordinary Saturday. I was on my way home from getting some better pictures of the Alebrijas before they were take away to the Museo de Arte Popular (insert fabulous photos here)

when I felt a strong need for a cup of tea. I strolled into a shop that had both a steaming cup and a book displayed in the window. Eureka! This is a charming bookstore and café called El Péndulo which means 'the pendulum'. It reminds me a bit of The Tattered Cover of Denver fame for all my Colorado friends, and while I only intended on a cup of tea I was enticed by their menu to have a delicious ensalada as well. I enjoyed a terrific hour with my Kindle in the outdoor cafe. They have a very nice section of books en Inglés, but I only bought a couple of Spanish language books for my library- this time. Now that I know the way home, perhaps next time I'll try a nice glass of wine in the loft bar. ¡Salud!

By the way, can you guess which Alebrija is my favorite? She is titled, "Librotecaria", which is some sort of play, I think, on the word for librarian which is "Bibliotecaria". At any rate, she rocks, doesn't she?

Creatures and Dead People and Marvelous Mexico City

 So, I was at my new and wonderful hairdresser's shop last week-end, and he tells me that they will be closing off Paseo de Reforma (the gorgeous main thoroughfare down which I walk to get there), in order for there to be an Alebrije Parade "What's that?", I ask, as any curious minded Gringa might. "Well", he said. "It's hard to explain. I don't think any other country has anything like it." (My hair dresser left Armenia at 14, moved to Greece, then London where he got his license, and has been in Mexico for 7 years-and yes, he speaks all of the accompanying languages.) He was right. On my walk home I was treated to something wonderful and unique. Alebrijas are usually small, carved, fantastical creatures made by a local artisan community. Once a year, and this was only started a few years ago, they have a parade to celebrate this uniquely Mexican thing. They invite the artists to create larger than life Alebrijas, which are place on wheeled carts, and paraded down Reforma where they are judged and a winner announced. I did not have my camera that day, but my bus passes these wonders every day on my way home from school. I took some inferior pictures through the bus window yesterday, and I plan to walk back to Reforma with my camera before they are removed from their temporary home lining the Paseo. Even inferior photos are better than not seeing them at all. The first pictures are from the Internet of the small Alebrijas to give you an idea. The rest are from the bus window.

   And, all this just happens to coincide with preparations for Dia de Muerta in Mexico, or Day of the Dead for all you fellow Anglos. Because my school is an American school, we celebrate both American and Mexican holidays, and my Mexican colleagues sort of mourn the blending of these two very distinct holidays in our school. And yet, the Ofrendas, or Alters that have been put up outside each classroom are so wonderful. Some are more traditional ofrendas- meant to honor dead ancestors, and some are a mixture of Halloween and Day of the Dead. House mothers put these together, because they would never dream of imposing on a teacher's time to plan parties and make decorations. Teachers are busy enough with all their teaching duties! ( I know, right?). I took a few minutes on Friday to walk the halls of the Lower School and take pictures. Aren't they wonderful?

Can you imagine an elementary school in the States decorating with skulls and caskets? Yeah, me either. There is so much joy and appreciation of beauty here- in all its forms. Muy bueno.

For the Love of Art and a City

The air smelled slightly musty like it does when it has rained heavily recently, and will again in a few hours,  and with a hint of sage and pine, and  just a bit of a fall crispness feel (even though the sun shone through and beyond the shady tree-lined street). Aaah, perfect! Sporting my brand new batik print scarf, and with my Kindle tucked safely next to my walking directions and with a slight smile I cannot make go away, I headed out toward the Museo de Arte Moderno at the other end of Calle Reforma. En route I pass street musicians, bikers and joggers, the formal gardens that are everywhere in small patches here, and the art that is the architecture, statuary, and local storefronts of Mexico City.

Yeah, yeah, I know. But I just read "The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda", and I couldn't help myself. The language of love was in me.

"U" Really Got A Hold On Me

I love the fact the the European spelling of the word "cataloguing" with the "u" ever present is in full use in Mexico. You never see the more Americanized spelling of 'cataloging'. This brief library geek factoid message was brought to you in support of those who fight for quality cataloguing, skilled cataloguers, and bibliographic control everywhere. You know who you are.

My Neighborhood Café

All Schools Should Be This Beautiful

     Some of these photos were taken in the dark on my way inside, and so I apologize for the quality. This school is gorgeous, well-funded, well-staffed, and has a rigorous and effective curriculum. Teachers have ample planning time and support, they are encouraged to take part in quality professional development that is fully funded by the school, and for which there is release time from duties. The facility strives to have state of the art centers for art, libraries, athletics, and no one doubts that all of the pieces are necessary to create a globally competitive school that sends students to Yale and Harvard, and that helps create quality human beings that will be the world's future leaders. Imagine a world where every country placed that kind of importance on education, and actually put their money where their mouths were. So to all the teachers who were on their knees scrubbing and painting with supplies they furnished themselves on the days before their contracts actually began so that their classrooms and libraries would be ready for students, I thought of you all fondly as I watched paid painters, carpenters and gardeners beautify my new space. I will never really leave you, and I will always sing your praises. Someday... yes, someday.