Volunteering at Esperanza de Cuernavaca!

In addition to our student teaching at Colegio Cuernavaca, we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to volunteer at a public school on Fridays. 

Esperanza de Cuernavaca is a primary school that is located in the outskirts of Cuernavaca. It is a very small school (two classrooms, maybe four/five rooms total) that isn't even located on a real road. One classroom has grades 1, 2, 3 and the other class has grades 4, 5, 6. The students at Esperanza are indigenous and speak Spanish and the indigenous language, Nahuat. We go in the mornings and help teach the students some English because these students help their families sell different artesian goods on the nights and weekends. 

The first time we went to Esperanza, our director, Brienne, sent us this email and tried to explain to us where the school was...it was quite comical. 

"Basically, the school is not on a road. You will get dropped off where the entrance to the caves used to be, the caves were covered over a few years ago, but you can still see the entrance. Look around and you will see a grafittied up garage door, and some stairs that go steeply down. Go down the stairs. There is a railing at the top part. When the railing ends, keep going down and looking to your right. You will see a "street" and right after the street is a green door. Knock and they will open it, you will have arrived!"

She was spot on about the whole journey! We arrived safely and were welcomed with open arms by the students and the teacher, Esmeralda. 

The stairs! Definitely a workout!

Looking out 4/5/6 classroom window

Looking out 4/5/6 classroom window

The first few Fridays, we have taught numbers in English so they can use it to sell their artesian goods to tourists. 

It is really refreshing to have this change of pace after a week at the colegio. This school is in a low income neighborhood with a large indigenous population. It is so fun working with the students and learning from them as well! I am hoping to learn some words in Nahuat- one of the indigenous languages that very few people speak nowadays. 

It is a very cool experience and the students there are so appreciative and welcoming! I need to take some more pictures of the school so those will be posted later!

Excursion to Las Estacas!

I have found another piece of paradise here in Mexico and it is called Las Estacas! 

On Saturday, we traveled to the natural aquatic park, Las Estacas. 

Las Estacas is located in the town of Tlaltizapán. It is only about 45 minutes from Cuernavaca, although it seemed like we were transported to a tropical paradise much further away! 

The origin of the name "Las Estacas" ("the stakes" in English) comes from the stakes that were placed at the edge of the river to control the rise of the water and to irrigate the land attached. 

Las Estacas has a ton of things to do and see. When we arrived at 10:00 am, the park was just opening and there were many groups of professional swimmers who looked like they were all preparing for triathlons and Iron Man races! It was still a little brisk in the morning so we decided to first rent a "lancha" or a boat and row down the river to explore a little bit. It was the best comedy of errors I have ever been apart of! We had to carry this pretty heavy boat to an entrance of the river. Once in, Halie sat in the middle while Lindsey and I tried to row. It was absolutely hilarious because the current was pretty strong. Here we are trying to paddle and go straight but we are veering left and right all the while trying not to hit a competitive swimmer in the face with a paddle because they're swimming next to us like fish. I don't think I have laughed so hard in my life. I think the people watching from shore had quite a good laugh as well... 

This picture and expression sums up the whole boating experience!  

The water was so clear! 

After exploring the river via boat, we worked up an appetite. We had our picnic lunch and then rested for a while under the Mexican sun. (For those of you wondering, I DIDN'T get sunburnt- can you believe it!?) 

We then walked around the park and explored all the different parts. Not only do they have the river and different river activities like rope swings and landings to dive off of, they also have natural and chlorinated pools around the grounds. They have ziplining, camping sites, a hotel and a spa as well! It is really it's own little paradise hidden in lush forests beyond the city limits. It was easily one of my favorite places we have visited! 

La buena vida en Cuernavaca!

When we aren't out exploring Mexico on excursions, we are spending the nights and weekends exploring all that Cuernavaca has to offer. There are so many sights, restaurants and activities for us to enjoy!

We got to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with our families! I talked about it a little in a previous post but here are some pictures. It was one of those moments where I needed to pinch myself- such a wonderful moment.

My amazing and adorable Mexican parents, Griselda & Gregorio :) 

Mi mama right after celebrating "El Grito" She reminds me of Mama Linda :)  

The delicious spread- taquitos, beans, salsa and chicharrones (pig skin)! 

One weekend, we took our first trip to one of the malls here. It is called Plaza Galerías and is MASSIVE. It is palatial in comparison to our little West Towne! The malls here are also always busy! This mall has restaurants, (some of which are American, like Chili's and PF Changs), a giant department store that is called Liverpool, and a bunch of clothing stores, shoe stores and basically anything you can imagine! 

Candy Store in Liverpool! 

We have gone to a few of the restaurants and we went to see Maze Runner, Correr o Morrir (run or die) en Español! The movie theaters here are awesome. The tickets are really cheap, about $5.00 US, and the snacks and drinks are cheap too! One night, we went to PF Changs and a movie. I only spent about $28 US the whole night! I don't know the last time I got drinks, dinner, a movie ticket, movie candy and two cab rides for under $30! 

We've visited Chili's here...very similar to the ones in the States!

Who knew I'd find delicious Italian food in Mexico?

Other days we meet up in El Centro downtown and find a restaurant for a little bite to eat and my favorite refreshing beverage, a michelada! 

One day, we visited Jardin Borda. These botancial gardens are what was once the summer mansion of Taxco wealthy miner José de la Borda. Later, it was occupied by Emperor Maximillian and his wife as their summer home. Also, because of this the road from Cuernavaca to Mexico City was improved.

The gardens were very lush and green but have definitely lost it's sparkle over the years. Still, it was a nice escape from the city for a bit! 

Over the past few weeks, we have gained some wonderful friends from all over the world, not just from Mexico! There are students at the university from the Bahamas, Japan, Canada, Germany, Nigeria, and Holland. We've also met other students from New York and Vermont. 

Quite the International group! 

There is also another group of Wisconsin teachers in Cuernavaca! There is a group of 12 UW-Green Bay preservice teachers. Funny enough, Lindsey is best friends with one of them! We now have a pretty large Green Bay Packer cheering squad here in Cuernavaca!

Lindsey's housemate, Keisha, has become an honorary Wisconsinite. We got to spend her final days in Cuernavaca together and on Friday, the night before she left to go home, we went out to dinner and danced the night away! I feel so lucky that new friendships are among the amazing things this experience has given me!

Lindsey & Keisha at Keisha's Fiesta de Despedida 

Las chicas!

Our new friend from Canada, Kelsey! 

I can't explain how much I love this city!  Between the sights, restaurants, people and weather- it is a perfect place. I am already in denial that we're leaving in four weeks.