The Beautiful Faces of Ejido de Tirado-SMA-Aug-2008

In my last blog, I wrote about Casita Linda and the work they were doing in SMA. I can only load 5 pictures at a time so am sending more as part of a separate blog. The children in the village are very friendly, especially since they love Roz so much. They come running to greet her.

As the children get older, they pitch right in and work on "their" house or one being built for their neighbors. They work hard alongside the other volunteers, painting, or doing whatever they are able.

In one of these houses, lives a family of eight. With both the mother and father working all week, they earn about $120.00. Because of this, the father is planning on going north again, to the US, so that he can better provide for his family. SMA is in the Mexican State of Guanajuato where a large percentage of the men are absent, struggling to make a living elsewhere. As I grumble and complain about rising prices of everything in the US, I will try to remember just how lucky I am and smile.....I will remember the smiles on these beautiful faces despite their overwhelming poverty.

Casa Linda-SMA-Mexico Aug. 3, 2008

My days have been pretty much occupied with house and furnishing decisions though I have fit in some great parties and plays. There is never enough time here in San Miguel as there are endless things to do. I did also take the morning off from house work on Thursday to go with Roz to "el campo" and see the work that is being done there. This area is part of SMA but outside of the city proper. About 70,000 people live in the city and another 70,000 outside of the city limits but still part of SMA. I have always heard that the Mexicans in the city are doing pretty well thanks to the gringos that live here. There is a lot of work for them and their standard of living has greatly increased. I had seen very little of the area outside, however, so this was a real eye opener.

Roz is a member of the board of directors for Casita Linda and goes to el campo several days a week as a volunteer. This is ejido land; land given back to the people from the government. One problem though, is that because these people pay no taxes, there are no services; no running water, plumbing, electricity, or schools. It was the largest area of poverty I have witnessed in Mexico. This is not because it is the largest by any means, but because I don't often get off the beaten path.

Casita Linda is an organization that builds home for the homeless or poverty stricken. The first slide is off a home that will soon be replaced by a new house, compliments of this organization. Two of the new homes are pictured here, as well.
In addition to helping to build the houses, Roz also is the "nurse," providing bandages and TLC to the children in this village. She also brings food to feed the near starving dogs. It is amazing to see all that she does for these people!

One of the special things about SMA is the people, both the Mexicans and the gringos. The Mexicans are warm, accepting, and gracious, despite the fact that the gringos have so much. The gringos do have a lot, but there is also this wonderful sense of sharing, and giving. The people that choose to live here, for the most part, are adventuresome and have various talents there are waiting to share. There is a wonderful spirit of volunteerism throughout the community. It is truely a marvelous city (recently chosen to be a world UNESCO site) to be building a house in.

A Day in the Life of San Miguel.....July 28, 2008

Some days, it is simply impossible to get things done here! I have a great many errands to do picking out things for the house, paying utility bills, and having meetings. Everything takes so much longer because I usually walk to get where I'm going and everything has to get done in person, like paying bills. The bills arrive under the door and we had several waiting to be paid. I think I am finally caught up!

Shopping consists of figuring out what you want, taking a picture of it, and then, finding someone who will make it for you at a good price and with quality. I often go back several times before making a final decision, after exploring all the options. Everything is hand made; furniture, curtain rods, lanterns, etc.

Finally, there is another major problem.......there is always something going on that takes your attention away from the task at hand. Saturday, was especially busy. The Mexican CEO for Citibank was here from Mexico City for his daughters wedding. The city was crawling with fancy cars, body guards, and secruity as CEO's from all the major North and South American countries were invted. Traffic became bumper to bumper. The finest hotels were over flowing with guests and even the bull ring was adorned for the reception which lasted until about 2 am. My friend, Roz, and I joined the flocks of people who went to the church to catch a glimpse......so lovely.

I raced off to a yard sale where I was able to find some marvelous things for the house. Yes, there are even yard sales here! Back again to el centro, the historic district to watch a young lady having her quinceanera celebration. She was all dressed up in a lovely gown, riding in the carriage with a dozen mariachi singers serenading her. This celebration marks the girl's 15th birthday and is very lavish in this culture for families with money.

In between, I managed to watch a string of burros going down a main street and later in el jardin (the garden), un payaso (clown) was entertaining the crowd. Everywhere, people were having fun and enjoying tha day. Waht else could I do but join them? After all, there is always tomorrow......

Let's continue with Jacqueline Drive.......July 27, 2008

I think most of you know I love old houses so you'll not be surprised to find my new home was buit in the 1880's. The great thing about this one is that it has been totally redone and is ready to move in. The house has been divided into two condos and I will be living on the bottom floor which includes the carriage house. Now,I will have room for all my fabric again. (Jan and Donna....Steve and Bart will be relieved to here the fabric will not need to live in Maine indefinitely!)

Must run....lots to do in San Miguel!

Hola from San Miguel, Mexico- July 24, 2008

What a whirlwind two weeks I have had! I haven't had time to even write a blog to keep you all posted about all the happenings in my life. I had a great trip home with Melanie and spent an overnight with Becky before returning to Amesbury to Pam and Ben's house. It has been great to see everybody that I was able to see in the short week that I was home. I also put an offer in on a new (old)home in the few days that I was there and all seems to be going forward for a closing. Then, I headed back to San Miguel to work on this house which is still not done but getting closer! I took the one of the hot air balloon this morning from the rooftop terrace, which is also pictured. More pictures soon!

Hope you are all enjoying summer!

Love,
Patti

I couldn't find Dorothy........July 13, 2008

Sat. morning, Mel and I headed out early and drove for another hour os so before reaching the border of Kansas. "Leaving Colorful Colorado" was the sign that said good-bye as we crossed over and it was hard to drive on by. I have so enjoyed that state! Anyways, I have always wanted to go to Kansas, because thanks to the Wizard of Oz, it has been a state many of us grew up being aware of. It was so different than I expected, though. The picture of the barn in the field is most what I expected but much of it was rolling hills and grazing land. We did see lots of grain storage units and wind power, as well. The state did seem as though it was endless and we were happy to move on to Missouri.

At dinnertime, we got off the highway and found a small restaurant in Sweet Water, MO and that was a step back in time. It was interesting to see how different the people were that lived there. You could imagine that most of them had never traveled away from their state and never would.

Today, we traveled through St. Louis and stopped for a short visit on the banks of the swollen Mississippi.....long enough to visit the arch (Boy, is it huge!)and see a few steamboats. We continued on through Illinois, Indiana, and into Ohio where we are spending the night in Akron. The farmland along the way has been amazing and Mel is giving me a good education.

Off to bed......

Homeward Bound July 11, 2008

Can you believe that my year of adventure is coming to a close? I will certainly have to think up some things to keep life interesting! I am on my way home from CO and wanted to share some quick fotos. Melanie flew out last week and is riding home with me so my trip will be easier and more fun. We had a great time during my last week there and will share more blogs about that when I get home. Hopefully, I can send a few a long the way.

We had a delightful journey over several beautiful mesas and through amazing canyons as we made our way toward the Kansas border. After leaving Telluride, we traveled over Hastings Mesa (1st pic) and continued down to Montrose where we picked up highway 50. The mountains were high but we traveled over Blue Mesa (2nd pic) where we passed many beautiful lakes, camping areas, hiking trails, and rafting. The rafting pic is taking place in the Arkansas River. We stopped in Colorado City and visited the Garden of the Gods (more on that in another blog.) Tonight, we are staying in Limon, CO at the intersection of 24 and 70. We are ready to turn out the light as we hope for an early start tomorrow.

More Fourth of July in Telluride........

A few more photos from the parade, the busy park, and one of three ladies; my Mom on the right, Jan's Mom (Roxanne) in the middle and me on the left (in case you forgot what I look like), with the mountains and Bridal Veil Falls behind us.

Happy July 6.....Enjoy the glorious day!

Telluride Fourth Of July-2008

Blue sky, hot sun, mountains, clean air and the most festive parade I have ever seen! Fourth of July in Telluride, CO. This small mountain community certainly grew in population for the holiday, as is also explodes during the winter ski season and during the numerous festivals held throughout the year. The people here like to have fun and know how to do it. Anyone who wished to be in the parade can do so and we certainly saw a wide assortment of individuals and groups strutting and celebrating.

The parade marches down Main Street so my Mom (who is visiting) and I had a perfect view from the porch of the main house. The costumes were fantastic and people of all ages participated. During the parade, 4 B52 bombers buzzed low over the crowd several times. Each year, they fly from one small town to another "buzzing" the crowd, returning several times to each.

After the parade, the crowd moved down to the park where the firemen put on a huge barbecue. People brought blankets and games and spent the afternoon celebrating. In the evening, the fireworks were spectacular and again, we were able to view them right from the house. Telluride is located in a box canyon with an amazing echo; a unique experience for me.

I can't fit all the photos on this page so I'll send a few more following. Hope you all had as much fun celebrating the Fourth as we did!

Angangueo, Mexico ...more on the Monarchs

Hi! Happy Fourth.....pictures for the Fourth in Telluride will follow tomorrow. First, I need to send off a few photos from my trip to a Monarch Butterfly reserve in Michoacan, Mexico. These were taken in 2007 and though some of you have seen them, many of you have not. However, they follow my other butterfly tales, well, so I wanted to include them.

The monarchs arrive in Mexico right around the 1st of November, just in time for El dia de los muertos or "The Day of the Dead." Many believe that the butterflies are the spirit of the dead ancestors, returning in time for the celebration. The butterflies travel to the mountains and spend the winter there. At night, they cling to the branches of a certain type of fir tree called oyamels, and keep each other warm. Thousands cling to one tree and it is estimated that a couple million monarch winter over in these forests. The clumps of brown in the trees that you might think are dead leaves are actually butterflies. It is an amazing spectacle to behold. As the sun warms the air, the butterflies leave the trees in search of food and water. As they fill the air, you feel as though you are in a magical forest, with sunlight streaming down from the heavens and these delicate creatures flying all around you.

As spring approaches, the butterflies mate and the males die shortly thereafter. The females begin the long trip home. It takes many generations before some of them reach the northerly states, and by then, the milkweed is growing and it has warmed enough for them to live.

You have to either hike for hours into the forests or ride horseback. The forests are now protected because illegal logging was (and still is) removing vast amounts of the acreage that these butterflies need in order to continue their existence. The communities around this area are so poor that they are making a living any way that they can and for many, it is through the lumber. Tourism is helping the natives to understand that perhaps they can both earn a living and protect the monarch.

One of my most memeorable experiences ever.........!

More Monarchs.......June, 2008

Hello everyone....just a few more marvelous monarchs. The little "guy" lying on the floor didn't make it, I'm sorry to say. The picture is great, though, because you can see the skin splitting, revealing the chrysalis inside.

Also shown, in the other three pictures is Little Joe, our first monarch. We released her into the apple orchard and she happily flew away. The life expectancy of a monarch is only a few weeks long during the summer months. However, the last generation in the fall "knows" to fly to Mexico to winter over. They meet up with other monarchs during the trip and "migrate" thousands of miles to winter over in Michoacan, Mexico. Sorry that I can't seem to end this butterfly tale because the pictures are so fascinating. I'll send more soon so I can get on to the Fourth Of July!