Tuesday, February 5, 2013 — A Home Away From Home

Back at Mitla with our guide and Yadin

Lolli in gorgeous purple and blue

Our guide giving lengthy explanation to Yadin

On to Monte Alban

Construction maintenance repairs in full swing

Monte Alban view down to Oaxaca City in the valley

Beautiful clouds over Monte Alban

This tree gets me every time I see it

Look at those clouds!

Mary toasting last night's dinner at Abagail's fabulous restaurant

A Teotitlan farewell with many promises to return

Staying here at "Las Mariposas" on Pino Suarez is such a comfort. Many friends from other years and delightful new people coming through every few days. It is so well located just down the street from my favorite park in Oaxaca — Llano Park. Always something going on there, I walk right through the length  of the park on my way to the Institute each morning. Today a brass band was just starting up as I walked by and some school children were obviously preparing to sing or dance or — something. Add Sunday morning's Zumba routine and the all day market on Fridays and you have something for everyone at all times.

My Spanish class is turning out to be a sliver too easy but I'm not complaining. It's good review and there is a plan to reshuffle everyone by next week. Certainly less stressful and a hearty homework assignment for tonight. — Which I haven't done yet.

Backing up just a bit, I'm planning on posting some pics from our trip to Monte Alban last week and then tomorrow I'll tell you about the trip to the huge market in Etla which was followed by the fantastic afternoon of cooking class with Susanna Trilling at "Seasons of My Heart." Three other north coasters also took part in that fun. None of it will soon be forgotten. Pam, another participant and a film maker from Montana is staying here at Las Mariposas and adding greatly to the rich mix of people.

The trip to Monte Alban was a different experience for me. Last year I went with one of the City Tours and was carefully led around the grounds site by site. It was highly enlightening because our leader knew so much about the flora still existing and its various uses by the early inhabitants. Such things as Kapoc trees played a huge role in sustaining those people so long ago. Other trees and plants were used to dye fibers as well as contribute to the food supply. Our guide knew every last little detail.

This year's visit was done sin tour leader and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Especially the freedom to progress to favorite locations at my own pace was very relaxing. I enjoyed sharing the experience with Martha, who had been my studio mate working that week with the Jacobo Mendozos. It's always fun to see a familiar site through the eyes of someone else. It adds just a nice little slice of unexpected reactions and insights.

Thanks so much to friends from home who've been checking in with me and telling me what's going on in the northland. I really appreciate even the shortest of your contacts. Some of you have also come to my rescue attending to little (or big) uncompleted chores. So happy to hear that we made the first cut with our grant proposal to the Community Foundation. The site visit took place Monday and I'm crossing my fingers for a positive outcome. It was great having Lolli down here for a few days. I'm glad to hear that she thinks she is beginning to be on the mend from a bug she came down with while in Oaxaca. I'm sending "Get well Lolli" vibes each day, girl. Muchos abrazos to all,   Jackie