Starting with Thanksgiving the holidays were crazy busy for me, I was teaching and traveling a lot. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Its my favorite because it isn´t over commercialized, the only expectation people have is to eat too much and its a time for appreciating what you have. I have a huge, crazy family and I have always enjoyed getting together for Thanksgiving. When I was younger and living in Missouri or Kansas we would get together with my uncle´s family and have a HUGE dinner. It was always fun because there were so many kids to play with. We would play all day, eat then play all night. As adults the families are a little more scattered but we still manage to have a full house and its just as fun. More catching up, arguing, watching TV and goofying off tho… In general good times…
This year, I couldn´t afford to go home for Thanksgiving so I brought Thanksgiving to Mexico. We don´t get US holidays so I didn´t have time off but we had Thanksgiving dinner here at the office and the days before I taught all my students (adults and children) about the history of Thanksgiving, my families traditions, and why its important to me and Americans. They were really interested in the food, what we did all day and of course Black Friday. Mexicans knew about Black Friday but of course most don´t get to partake it in, I say most because many do especially those in border states. Apparently Mexico was concerned about the money it was losing to American on Black Friday that they started a new tradition here. The weekend before Thanksgiving is now called the Grand Fin, all the stores in Mexico had huge sales and tax incentives. For example at Suburbia (my favorite clothing store) most of the clothes were on sale and they were giving you back the tax in cash. (In Mexico the price of something includes the tax, it isn´t added later). I got some good stuff…
Thanksgiving day the other volunteer here hosted a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I brought my famous cucumber and tomato salad of course and it was a hit! I spoke about the importance of Thanksgiving, about being greatful for the things you have and then I thanked them for welcoming us into their family. It was awesome! They really have been extremely welcoming. A good time was had by all!!
That weekend I had visitors!! Tiara and her then fiance flew into Mexico for the holiday weekend. That Saturday, they took the bus from Mexico City to Queretaro and we spent the day exploring Queretaro. I really wanted them to see “real” Mexico, not the resorts and touristy stuff. We visited our pyramid, el centro and my apartment. There were so many other things I wanted to show them but unfortunately there just wasn´t much time. We had to head back to Mexico City for the night. The next day we went to Teotihuacan to see the magnificant Aztec Pyramids and learn more about the famous agave cactus. Who knew it was used for more than making tequila? Apparently the Aztecs used it for paper, thread, soap, sugar, and medicine. Amazing!!
The pryamids were amazing! The two main ones are called the Sun and the Moon but the site is called “City of the Gods”. The pictures above are only a taste of thier magnificance… What´s nice about this site is you actually get to climb the pyramids, Pete and I were able to climb the Moon but Pete climbed the Sun solo…
After the pyramids we headed to the La Villa de Guadalupe where the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is kept. The Basilica is also amazing, especially for me because I am Catholic have always been fasinated with the story of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady. Juan Diego was even canionized during my lifetime (2002). Thousands of Catholics make the pilgramage to this Basilica every year and the church itself can hold up to 40,000 people. Seeing the shrine was breathtaking and emotional, I really felt the presence of God.
After the Basilica though it was time to head back.
We had dinner at their hotel and then literally ran to the bus since I lost track of time. I went home to Queretaro because Tiara and Pete were leaving early the next morning. It was great to share Mexico with them. This was Pete´s first international trip and Tiara´s first trip to Mexico. Tiara got to practice her Spanish and Pete handled Mexico like a pro! Their presence helped me celebrate Thanksgiving in Mexico!! Gracias amigos




























































