Jan
30
The Final Stretch…
Filed under Mexico 2004
Hola a todos,
Well, there’s much to say that is very interesting, so let me begin from the beginning…
Mexico City to Cuernavaca, Sun. Jan 25:
The bus ride took only 1.5 hrs, and we arrived in the city around lunchtime. We were given a couple of hours to find food and to explore around. Cortes’ castle still stands, but I didn’t go in because of an entrance fee.
After our freetime, we met back at Jardin de Borda (Borda’s Garden) to set up, rehearse, take a short siesta, and perform. This was probably the most interesting venue yet and gave the truck crew a bit of a challenge. The stage is really small, so no risers were set up. In addition to that, a moat runs between the stage and the audience (this is an outdoor venue), which is home to ducks and geese. We had to truck our equipment down and around the moat, and a special podium was built over the water for Dr. Mahr. 
) During rehearsal and our performance, we had a few of the fowl voice their opinions, BUT by our astounding run of luck, they were quiet for Amazing Grace. We had yet another big crowd, and they enjoyed the concert.
When the performance and trucking were finished, we had time to eat dinner. Many section dinners were had, including the clarinets in which we planned our skit for “no-talent night.” We had a riotous time, and I think I wore myself out from laughing so much.
Around 10:45pm, we finally left for our hotel. The place we stayed at is the Hacienda Vista Hermosa, which was Cortes’ hacienda back in the 16th century. It was also used in many films, including Butch Cassidy. What an *amazing* place. I spent most of the next day exploring around. First of all, my room opened up into a big bedroom with one big bed. Then through another pair of doors was a bigger room holding three smaller beds in a row. This is perhaps the size of Fireside (a lobby at St. Olaf Student Union), and maybe a bit longer. Next, both corridors of the first and second main floors are like huge, underground tunnels, except the first floor opens to the outdoors on one side. The main walkway between the main section of the hacienda and the restaurant/pool is lined by tall palm trees. The pool is huge with the old aqueduct running thru the middle of it.
Because the hacienda is spread out, there are many nooks and crannies to find. In addition, the place has a stable with horses to rent for rides, a big pond, a gigantic main lawn in front where we held class, peacocks (even 3 albinos!), and so much more. It was a place providing much-needed rest, and we took advantage of it.
As for class, we had our second (and last) group meeting since the beginning in Guanajuato. The time went much better than our profs had expected. So many people stood up and shared their experiences, and it was very worthwhile to hear different stories. Many commented on how their views of Mexico and its people have gone from negative to positive. Some shared really touching stories; for example, one of the bandies from California felt so good to finally understand the people who have been looked down upon in her HS and city. I think we are all lucky to have experienced this tour with an academic twist, otherwise we would have been ignorant tourists. I feel like I know more about Mexican history than U.S. history.
Anyway, after a day of relaxation, we were on our way to… ACAPULCO! The bus ride was thankfully split into two sections. We first traveled for 2 hrs to the town of Taxco. Taxco is a town similar to Guanajuato in that it was built on Spain’s acquisition of Mexico’s silver deposits. Many silver shops are found in this town, and the prices are very cheap compared to in the U.S. All actual silver items are stamped is ’92.5′ meaning that it is 92.5% silver; if one wants to be sure about getting the real deal, then one goes to a silver store, because the stores are certified. I only had time to buy two items, because the rest of my visit was spent at the traditional senior lunch in which the seniors take Rich and Dr. Mahr out. Monica, one of our tour guides showed me a place, and later I led the group to this restaurant in which we sat on the 3rd floor, out on a balcony with a great view of the town. The weather was perfect, we had table umbrellas, and the food was good. In the end, I was surprisingly given a free meal because I was the one who led the group there. Excellent!
After leaving Taxco, we still had 5 hrs before arriving to… ACAPULCO!
to be continued very soon…
Katherine
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