Monday, March 28, 2011

Finally - a little R&R...to a tropical oasis 1 hr outside of DF

Jeremy and I spent Saturday and Sunday is the breathtaking La Buena Vibra Spa and Retreat Center...and boy did I need it! After a stressful quarter of classes and being sick for a while...I needed to re-energize and relax.

The pictures speak for themselves - we were surrounded by mountains, trees, gardens, fountains, statues...the works. We laid out by the pool, rested in the grass, went in the steam room and the gym, and - best of all- participated in a Temezcal - a pre-hispanic spiritual ritual cleansing. It is like being in a medicinal, pitch black sauna but with a focus on blessings, wishes, forgiveness and the chakras (7 energy centers of the body). Afterward, you feel amazing and revitalized! Highly recommend it!

So...who wants to come visit?

Mountain view from our room

Spa Center




Temezcal

Monday, March 21, 2011

Pics of our beloved Gata Mexicana, Mafalda

Here are some pics of our beloved Mafalda! ( in order from when we first got her in November to now)









Celebrating Spring with good friends Arturo and Patrick

Sunday, March 20th, we enjoyed the first day of Spring with our dear friends, Arturo and Patrick (whom we met in DC many many years ago...we are all alumni of the UT Archer Fellowship Program) at the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico. The hotel boasts an amazing view of the Zoloco, the central plaza of the city, which includes the Cathedral and National Palace.


Relaxing afternoon in Polanco on National Holiday (Benito Juarez)

Today is a national holiday in honor of the famous former president of Mexico, Benito Juarez. (more on his life and work below the photos.)

Jeremy and I had a leisurely and delicious lunch at an Argentine restaurant, Spuntino. The service was terrific, the prices reasonable, the ambience wonderful and the food delicious.  The restaurant is hot inside, because of the grill, but most tables are lined around the outside of the open air restaurant. It is directly across from the tranquil Parque Lincoln, which boasts statues of President Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.

What we ate:

--yummy homemade tallerines (pasta) with pesto
--roasted potatoes with rosemary
--fresh steamed spinach
--empanadas (baked not fried -- a rarity in Mexico!)

Next time we will have to try the wine, steak and alfajores - all Argentine specialities!

After our wonderful long lunch, we strolled around the park, enjoying the 30-foot palm trees, children on swing sets, families walking their dogs, and kids sailing little boats in the pond.



AND....A BIT OF HISTORY...ABOUT PRESIDENT BENITO JUAREZ (1806-1872)

Benito Juarez is considered one of Mexico's greatest and most beloved leaders. During his political career he helped to institute a series of liberal reforms that were embodied into the new constitution of 1857. During the French occupation of Mexico, Juarez refused to accept the rule of the Monarchy or any other foreign nation, and helped to establish Mexico as a constitutional democracy. A child of Zapoteco Indians, he also promoted equal rights for the Indian population, better access to health care and education, lessening the political and financial power of the Roman Catholic church, and championed the raising of the living standards for the rural poor.

Source: www.mexonline.com

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Presentation among the volcanic rocks

On March 3rd, I visited the Rotary Club that meets on the campus of UNAM, the main public university here. It was a five minute taxi ride from my apt at 8:00am, which  NEVER happens. It was so great! The location is amazingly beautiful...the faculty club is open air and nestled in volcanic rock. There are gorgeous bright green grassy spaces and plants and flowers...so serene.

Here are some pictures from my presentation and meeting with the C.R. Ciudad Universitaria. Thank you for sweet Lupita for organizing everything!

School update

School is going well. It is so intense and I have been sick practically this entire quarter. I have seen 4 doctors and the most recent thinks I have some type of bacteria or bug...hopefully my current medicine will kill it.

My classes are very interesting though. I love what I am learning. It challenges my brain in ways that I don't think it has ever been challenged!  I have final exams in one week. Wish me luck!!