UVM Oaxaca 2013

Hola! Bienvenidos a Oaxaca!

The adventure began last Sunday for six of us at the Houston, Texas terminal where we were ready to embark on our journey to Oaxaca.  A nerve was hit as we waited for our flight when they removed Oaxaca off the flight board for a few minutes-but all ended well.  Late Sunday night we arrived in Oaxaca and made way to Casa Arnel with the amount of 200 pesos between six of us.  Despite this minor detail, we managed to get a room and enjoy the night.  

In the pool at El Encuentro (click on pic to enlarge)

The next day we woke up in awe at the beautiful, quaint spot, Casa Arnel, where birds chirped and hammocks overlooked the courtyard.  That day the group slowly trickled in and by that night everyone had arrived anxiously waiting what was to come for the next few days.  Early Tuesday morning we all enjoyed a meal together which introduced us to the classic Mexican breakfast.  We all packed our bags and went off to El Encuentro (a retreat just outside of Oaxaca city).  These next five days were amazing and luxurious as we got to know the group, our awesome TA's, Amber and Carey, our new mother Mary Lucia, and our Oaxacan culture professor (who is actually German), Oliver. 

Our first day spent was getting to know each other by discussing our goals and expectations for the trip.  We all came to the consensus that in order to fully enjoy our semester would be to put our UVM lives behind, stay present, and constantly observe our surroundings.  After our meeting, we were literally herded to Comida (we say this in a non demeaning way) where we were welcomed to a large feast that put smiles on all of our faces.  We were spoiled the next few days with delicious food, great hospitality, and beautiful surroundings.  

Monte Alban

On Thursday, we went on a grand tour of Monte Alban which is an archaeological site originally built by the Zapotecs. The ruins are pyramid structures some that were dedicated to religion and sports arenas.  Friday, Oliver took us on a bus tour of Oaxaca city and we were able to see the city from a viewpoint. This allowed an inside scoop of where we were staying and living for the next few months. 

On our last day, we spent time refining our question for our independent study and had an interesting Zapotec speaker, Kiado Cruz. We learned a great deal from him, specifically, the importance of community and the power of silence,and we must take this into as we share knowledge with our Oaxacan homestays. 

Time to return to city life! Yesterday we went homestay bound to enter our new and mysterious home for the remaining time.  We returned to Casa Arnel and waited anxiously as our new parents came to pick us up.  (Sorry mom and dad - you've been replaced).  We all piled into our new family's car,  a little nervous, but ready to begin our Oaxacan lives.   Our house spent a day on the town, exploring the market and eating a classic comida corrida.  Tonight, we will be celebrating Elena's birthday with our first group get together en la cuidad.  We can't wait for what is to come! 
Abrazos y besos,
Adrianna and Jessica