Final Feasts

Dulce and Roberto planned a farewell comida for the conversation group at Chon y Chanos, a retaurante tipico near the school. Melissa, the Fulbright teacher from Minnesota, had a group at noon every day and I followed with a group at 1:00. Often the conversations were so interesting that the groups overlapped, and we spent many enjoyable hours covering a wide variety of topics.


Arturo and Ricardo, from my fall group, also came.
Roberto invited his mother, who gave us framed cross-stitch roses, and Dulce brought her brother Mike, who by now had become a good friend to Bill and me.



Janine came with her British friend Jack, and Ana and Adriana stopped by later.
I will never forget these very dear students who have now become good friends.

Teachers' Day is a rare treat too. Since we had no classes, a group of teachers went to the Fonda del Recuerdo for dinner, where we had delicious food, listened to several different musical groups, and took many photos.


We American teachers are not the only ones leaving ESCA in June: Edith, the English coordinator, has taken on a new job at the Zacatenco campus to plan new English programs in other divisions of the IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional). In her honor we had a taquiza at Janik's house, the same place we had the tamaliza in February. You may recall that tamales are served at a tamaliza, so you can guess that tacos are the food at a taquiza. And what great party food! Big cazuelas of tinga, cochinita pibil, papa y pollo, carne de res, alambre, refried beans, stacks of tortillas. Make-your-own, no-fuss entertaining!


Edith received a beautiful floral arrangement, and then some very talented colleagues offered their gifts to her.


Jose Luis, who is also a mariachi, played the requeton, a banjo-sized guitar plucked with a sliver of bull's horn, while Leo danced several traditional dances. And Isabel sang, without accompaniment, some very beautiful songs in Edith's honor. Later, everyone joined in some songs that apparently all Mexicans know. Since this was our last night in Mexico, the depth of friendship at this gathering was especially poignant.

While Americans are more individualistic, Mexicans are a collective people. Of course we all enjoy and value camraderie, fellowship, time spent with friends, but it's different in Mexico. Social aspects of work are quite important. For example, our students had their last test on May 29, but our final day of work was June 6, allowing ample time to spend in social interaction with our colleagues, strengthening deep bonds of friendship and support.