Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday at el Tianguis
Today was great, I slept in had a little breakfast and got dressed for the day. I met my best friend Susy and her brother (one of five- who I am actually subconsciously in love with!) who picked me up under the arches of Zapopan in his little Chevy. It was nice to get a ride since they live super far, about an hour on the bus from where I live but still in GDL. So As I was in the back of the car, we caught up and were laughing with the windows down and my hair blowing everywhere- I love it because the its about 80 here during the day and like eternal summer. We headed to the market/tianguis where they sell EVERYTHING from socks to mascara to garlic and pears. We did fruit and veggie shopping for the family after eating a little (gorditas de queso y churros), we ran into some friends of Carlos', tried little pancakes filled with cajeta which are typical in the markets, got bumped into and grabbed more than a several times (it happens in close quarters and especially wearing a dress), looked at some illegally burned and made DVDs, then Carlos bought me some cough medicine at the pharmacy (as I have had this throat thing for about a week now), and ended up with a small car full of every fruit and veggies imaginable that will last for a week for five people in the Almaraz family. Carlos paid for everything, even my cough medicine- you can see why I am in love with him huh?! Then he opens the door for me and his sister- tan caballeroso (gentlemanlike- what can I say, it's a little different here in Mexico). Oh, then they send me home with a bag of two of each fruit and veggie- it's nice to be taken care of here by my Mexican family! A good start to the week...
Thursday, November 3, 2011
5to. Foro Nacional Poblaciones Callejeras Noviembre 4, 2011
This will be my friday:
:: 5to. Foro Nacional Poblaciones Callejeras. 4 Noviembre 2011 ::
Por el Derecho a la Ciudad de las Poblaciones Callejeras
El 5to. Foro Nacional de las Poblaciones Callejeras, organizado por la Alianza Mexicana de Poblaciones Callejeras, se erige como punto de encuentro para funcionarios, académicos, representantes de la sociedad civil y organismos públicos y privados que han seguido y/o buscan acercarse a este complejo fenómeno social. Para este año, el foro se ha propuesto analizar y exponer la temática de la criminalización de las personas que sobreviven en el espacio público expresada en operativos de limpieza social en distintas entidades de la República mexicana, desde la perspectiva de los Derechos humanos y el enfoque de Género, proponemos analizar las acciones que seis entidades de nuestro país han venido implementando para retirar de la vía pública a las poblaciones callejeras.
Durante el Foro Nacional se llevará a cabo una Conferencia Magistral guía que permita dar el encuadre temático al evento, paneles de análisis temático y una mesa de diálogo sobre el derecho a la ciudad y prácticas de limpieza social.
El 5to. Foro tendrá como sede la ciudad de Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Les invitamos a inscribirse enviando un email a info@codeni.org.mx o info@mama.org.mx
¡APARTA TU LUGAR, 4 de Noviembre del 2011!
:: 5to. Foro Nacional Poblaciones Callejeras. 4 Noviembre 2011 ::
Por el Derecho a la Ciudad de las Poblaciones Callejeras
El 5to. Foro Nacional de las Poblaciones Callejeras, organizado por la Alianza Mexicana de Poblaciones Callejeras, se erige como punto de encuentro para funcionarios, académicos, representantes de la sociedad civil y organismos públicos y privados que han seguido y/o buscan acercarse a este complejo fenómeno social. Para este año, el foro se ha propuesto analizar y exponer la temática de la criminalización de las personas que sobreviven en el espacio público expresada en operativos de limpieza social en distintas entidades de la República mexicana, desde la perspectiva de los Derechos humanos y el enfoque de Género, proponemos analizar las acciones que seis entidades de nuestro país han venido implementando para retirar de la vía pública a las poblaciones callejeras.
Durante el Foro Nacional se llevará a cabo una Conferencia Magistral guía que permita dar el encuadre temático al evento, paneles de análisis temático y una mesa de diálogo sobre el derecho a la ciudad y prácticas de limpieza social.
El 5to. Foro tendrá como sede la ciudad de Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Les invitamos a inscribirse enviando un email a info@codeni.org.mx o info@mama.org.mx
¡APARTA TU LUGAR, 4 de Noviembre del 2011!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Bdays, Seafood, Friends and Concerts
From Friday to Sunday, this weekend was amazing! First of all my good friend Elizabeth Stephens, who is in my Master's program at Brandeis is working at Centro de Derechos de Migrantes in Mexico City and came to visit for Susy's Bday! Last time I saw here was for my and her Bday the weekend of the 20th of September. She came all the way overnight on bus- 7 hours!
So Friday we slept in since she got in at 5am and then went to the local market for breakfast- eggs Mexican style, beans and chilaquiles. After doing some fruit shopping for the potluck at work, we headed over to CODENI and made a bunch of food- carne asada tacos and veggies with our new director.
After showing Elizabeth around the organization and eating a bunch, we headed over to the Fiestas de Octubre auditorium of Benito Juarez just north of Periferico Norte to see Julieta Venegas! We got there super early for good seats and had a blast. We met up with Susy, and her two friends Carolina and Yadi. We loveed singing a long and drinking our tecates! After the concert we took the tren ligero to eat at my fav corner place by my house near the center of town- we had yummy flautas and tacos. Then headed to a reggae bar that actually had sand for the floor!
Saturday we slept in a little bit and had breakfast at the same place...same yummy cheap food- about 90 pesos for two huge plates of food (6.5 dollars) which is better than stacks or Ihop! Then we got ready and headed to Susy's house in the north of the city, two buses and 45 minutes later we got there and Theresa, Susy's mom had prepared carne de soya- as E and I are vegetarians (even though it was Susy's bday). So we ate, opened presents, had cake and got ready to go out to Susy's party in Zapopan at a bar. There were about 15-20 friends, brothers and significant others and we had a great time talking and dancing! After that E and I headed to my roommates' halloween party next door- apparently the hospital civil they all work at have a party every year.
The best traditions of halloween are taken into practice here. There were some great costumes here, including my house mate Polo as the mad hatter. Then when the music finally turned off at 5am- we got to sleep!
Sunday, Susy and I took Elizabeth to the bus station for a seven hour ride back to DF. Then Ramon and Theresa, Susy's parents picked us up for a final Bday outing to Lake Chapala. It was really beautiful and we had the MOST amazing seafood tacos and ice cream in Jocotepec. I also got to see Ajicic where a lot of American expats live on the drive home.
Loving Mexico this weekend now back to work...
PS I am three months in- just about halfway done with my field work!
So Friday we slept in since she got in at 5am and then went to the local market for breakfast- eggs Mexican style, beans and chilaquiles. After doing some fruit shopping for the potluck at work, we headed over to CODENI and made a bunch of food- carne asada tacos and veggies with our new director.
After showing Elizabeth around the organization and eating a bunch, we headed over to the Fiestas de Octubre auditorium of Benito Juarez just north of Periferico Norte to see Julieta Venegas! We got there super early for good seats and had a blast. We met up with Susy, and her two friends Carolina and Yadi. We loveed singing a long and drinking our tecates! After the concert we took the tren ligero to eat at my fav corner place by my house near the center of town- we had yummy flautas and tacos. Then headed to a reggae bar that actually had sand for the floor!
Saturday we slept in a little bit and had breakfast at the same place...same yummy cheap food- about 90 pesos for two huge plates of food (6.5 dollars) which is better than stacks or Ihop! Then we got ready and headed to Susy's house in the north of the city, two buses and 45 minutes later we got there and Theresa, Susy's mom had prepared carne de soya- as E and I are vegetarians (even though it was Susy's bday). So we ate, opened presents, had cake and got ready to go out to Susy's party in Zapopan at a bar. There were about 15-20 friends, brothers and significant others and we had a great time talking and dancing! After that E and I headed to my roommates' halloween party next door- apparently the hospital civil they all work at have a party every year.
The best traditions of halloween are taken into practice here. There were some great costumes here, including my house mate Polo as the mad hatter. Then when the music finally turned off at 5am- we got to sleep!
Sunday, Susy and I took Elizabeth to the bus station for a seven hour ride back to DF. Then Ramon and Theresa, Susy's parents picked us up for a final Bday outing to Lake Chapala. It was really beautiful and we had the MOST amazing seafood tacos and ice cream in Jocotepec. I also got to see Ajicic where a lot of American expats live on the drive home.
Loving Mexico this weekend now back to work...
PS I am three months in- just about halfway done with my field work!
CODENI (Children's Rights Collective) Blogs
Check out my organization blogs- they are sponsored by an US Foundation named AHALA in Virginia.
English: http://www.ahala2.blogspot.com/
Spanish: http://codeni2.blogspot.com/
English: http://www.ahala2.blogspot.com/
Spanish: http://codeni2.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A Mexican Christmas!!!
I am so excited, my parents and my little brother decided to come to Guadalajara for Christmas. My brother is a little sad to miss the traditions in our house in CA but my stepmom is totally pumped to go the beach and my dad to practice his 10 word vocabulary in spanish (I told him the other day he needs to practice and he goes I went to chavez market and ordered three burritos- I said "tres burrito con carne asada y no con queso")! Oh man, we have a long way to go.
So imagine my family all in Mexico on a beach near Puerto Vallarta....if you put this picture mixed with the second one = A Mexican Christmas!
So imagine my family all in Mexico on a beach near Puerto Vallarta....if you put this picture mixed with the second one = A Mexican Christmas!
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 1-8 My AMAZING Trip Home
Wow- where to start. I went home for a week (flew on Continental for a nominal fee direct from GDL to SFO in four hours at 6 in the AM). My dad picked me up at the airport and we headed straight to Callan's AYSO soccer game then I got my older brother and his new fiance, Masha, at the airport that night.
Sunday we had a party for John with all his friends and our family friends/ neighbors. It was great to have him home and to celebrate his engagement since he hasn't been home in three years!
Monday I spent time with Lenore (like a second mother to me) and then for dinner we went to my aunt's for taco dinner...mmmm more Mexican food, haha.
Tuesday John, Masha, and I went into the city and had a full day and night of exploring. We went to See's candies, an art gallery, Tiffany's, Aquarium, Pier 29, Union square and haight for dinner. Masha touched a shark and was super excited. I got to see my good good friend Priscilla for lunch at the slanted door in the ferry building and loved it!
Wednesday I had lunch with my good friend Ryan and we had a lazy day around the house and I watch a movie with my little brother, little Callan is so not little anymore. He is 11 and getting to be a big kid. Masha made a russian soup with beets that was amazing.
Thursday was great as well I got to see a good family friend Kathryn Hohl and we got to catch up and later I worked on my thesis. Then Friday I had dinner with Lenore's second oldest son who is like a brother to me. I got to be with his six month old Avery who is flippin adorable. Then Saturday Masha was cooking dumplings, chicken and cake all day for a goodbye dinner and we all went to the Stanford Football game in the afternoon. Of course they won against Colorado, then we had our big family dinner (and I had meat- chicken, for the first time intentionally in five year). What can I say it smelled really good and I only had a little bit.
Then I took a quick 3.5 hour flight at 12am to 5am back to GDL and rested up Sunday for work on Monday. It was just what I needed to relax, recuperate and reevaluate my work here in Mexico. I feel much more composed and level headed, since work was starting to really get to me. The people I work with are great but we definitely have professionalism and respect issues.
Here is to five more months of field work!!
Sunday we had a party for John with all his friends and our family friends/ neighbors. It was great to have him home and to celebrate his engagement since he hasn't been home in three years!
Monday I spent time with Lenore (like a second mother to me) and then for dinner we went to my aunt's for taco dinner...mmmm more Mexican food, haha.
Tuesday John, Masha, and I went into the city and had a full day and night of exploring. We went to See's candies, an art gallery, Tiffany's, Aquarium, Pier 29, Union square and haight for dinner. Masha touched a shark and was super excited. I got to see my good good friend Priscilla for lunch at the slanted door in the ferry building and loved it!
Wednesday I had lunch with my good friend Ryan and we had a lazy day around the house and I watch a movie with my little brother, little Callan is so not little anymore. He is 11 and getting to be a big kid. Masha made a russian soup with beets that was amazing.
Thursday was great as well I got to see a good family friend Kathryn Hohl and we got to catch up and later I worked on my thesis. Then Friday I had dinner with Lenore's second oldest son who is like a brother to me. I got to be with his six month old Avery who is flippin adorable. Then Saturday Masha was cooking dumplings, chicken and cake all day for a goodbye dinner and we all went to the Stanford Football game in the afternoon. Of course they won against Colorado, then we had our big family dinner (and I had meat- chicken, for the first time intentionally in five year). What can I say it smelled really good and I only had a little bit.
Then I took a quick 3.5 hour flight at 12am to 5am back to GDL and rested up Sunday for work on Monday. It was just what I needed to relax, recuperate and reevaluate my work here in Mexico. I feel much more composed and level headed, since work was starting to really get to me. The people I work with are great but we definitely have professionalism and respect issues.
Here is to five more months of field work!!
MA high school student starts Anti-trafficking club
Proud to say kids from my high school are involved in global issues and care about the anti-trafficking movement.
http://bit.ly/o4Db3Y
Next post pics from home, I promise!
http://bit.ly/o4Db3Y
Next post pics from home, I promise!
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