Off topic...Great Website

I happened upon, of all people, Leonardo DiCaprio's website, which is divided into two subtopics: his career AND his support of environmental action and organizations. His ORG site has two short films that are well done and informative. I am more and more pleased to hear about actors and other famous folks using their name, influence, and money for good causes! Imagine that?!? Check out the site, if you get a chance:
http://www.leonardodicaprio.org

La Familia Cano

One of Charlie's Compadres passed away a few years ago, named Augustine Cano. His wife, Juanita and son, Augustine Chico still run la tienda (the store) that the family owns across from the city square en San Juan. We got to see parts of the family at La Corrida del Toros and at La Feria del Caballo, but on Monday we went to their home for a long visit and another wondful meal.
At right is Augustine Chico with his two month old son, Esbrad Sebastian (named for Brad Pitt b/c Augustine loved Troy so much). Such a sweet baby boy; tranquil and attentive, very curious and seldom made a peep.


This is a picture of me and Augustine Chicitito, who is 5 years-old TODAY! He is so much fun to play with while the other adults talk about old times. As mi Suegra (My Momma-in-law, Rhoda...who teaches Spanish) has suggested, I have been much more comfortable practicing my Spanish with Augus, because kids don't judge your language and he will even correct me casually. Also Augus is learning English in school, so he practices on me too!

We will be lucky enough to be here for his birthday fiesta on Sunday, so I will get to experience a big Mexican celebration, and if the pictures that we saw of his last several parties are any indication, this will be pretty spectacular!

The Market in San Juan

The biggest market day in San Juan Teotihuacan is Monday. Many streets are blocked off and are thick with merchant stands and the crowds are abundant. They sell mesh bags for folks to combine and carry their purchases, which are all at amazingly reasonable prices. Pictured at right, is Danny sampling a mango at a fruit stand. The fruit is fresh and piling off the stand tables. We've had the best pineapple, melons, bananas, etc.

The colors and crowds at the market. Besides the large number of people out shopping, it is just nice to roam around the market and see what is for sale, including fruit, vegetables, tacos, tamales, tools, music, clothes, diapers, nuts, spices, meat, poultry, scarves, wallets, toys, candles, hats, and much more.

This is a view of the street across from the city square in San Juan. The closest building is the Panaderia (Bakery) that we go to with the yummiest bread and pandulces (sweet bread). This is no place for Atkins!

Mas Amigos

Alicia, on the far left with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Alicia and her sister Celia used to take care of "Little Dani."




Pilar and her esposo, Alfonso (who practiced his very good english on us), Pilar was very good friends with Kitty and used to come to the house and sit and visit with her for hours.



A portion of La Familia Cervera. I didn't get everyone's names, but Charlie's Comadre, Luchita is on the far left, I think that is Susi's God Mother. Her husband Hernan, passed away a few years ago.



More of The Cervera Family: Uriel and his children came by the house for a short visit.

La Feria del Caballo en Texcoco

On Saturday we went to La Feria del Caballo in Texcoco, a town not far away from San Juan. David Chico's esposa, Terre, had told us that this festival was much more grand than La Feria Obsidiana, and she was right. When we arrived and parked it was already clear. They have a Plaza del Toros that is permanent and about three times the size of the temporary one put up in San Juan. The scale of events and food and curios put San Juan's tiny festival to shame, although we still enjoyed it very much. In the picture are Dan with David Chico and Augustine Chico's families, clockwise from left to right: David Chicitito (as Dan calls him), Augustine's wife Alicia, David Chico, Dan, Augustine holding his son, Augustine Chicitito, Terre, and daughter Brenda.

One of the things we got to see at La Feria del Caballos was the ceremony of Los Voladores (The Flyers) de Papantla, which is in the state of Vera Cruz. These men in traditional outfits of the Totonac Tribe of Papantla, climb this pole and strap into these harneses and then slowly unwind from their feet until they flipover just before hitting the ground and land in a jog on their feet.
Charlie says this is a religious ceremony of the Totonac Tribe. Many years ago, the Spanish tried to get rid of all native religious worship, including the ceremony of Los Voladores. Fortunately, many tribes were resistant and practiced these rituals clandestinely, which is why they can still be seen today. It is pretty amazing to watch. The Flyers look absolutely relaxed as they slowly plummet and then land effortlessly.

Charlie also says that "The Hippies" were amazed by this and decided to try it themselves, but after several broken necks, they moved on to try bungees instead. I believe him about the first part, but I am reluctant to take his word on the Hippies.

La Ingelsia de Purificacion en el dia

Here are more fotos of the church up the street from #8 Purificacion during the day. The grounds are beautiful and are still all decorated from La Feria de Obsidiana. The weather here has been much more warm than it usually is this time of year. But every afternoon the clouds roll in and we have had some pretty good evening storms...The April Rains, I am told.

This is a beautiful cross that is behind a gate in an alcove on the church grounds. The back drop seems like it needs some restoration, although I like the effect it creates the way it is.






Another view of the steeple.

Atetelco

A few days ago, Dan and I went for a walk back towards the spot where we landed en el Globo. Atetelco is a dig site that seems pretty well preserved.


The murals are gorgeous, in varying stages of restoration. Dan tells me that most of the murals are depicting warriors in battle, although he is sleepy because we just had a large meal at old friend, Alicia's house up the street. He may just be trying to humor me so I'll leave him alone to doze.

Yup, he just went off to nap. Anyhow, I'll ask Charlie..."it was a dwelling compound of a high status group of people. We don't know what their social organization was, but it was probably an extended family of a high socio-economic status. They had this compound to themselves and they had their own mini-pyramid/temple type of structures on their property. This indicates that maybe they were important in a religious manner. Some of the rooms may have been used to store grains, so they also may have been wealthy merchants." Charlie's answer sounds better to me.