tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63248592580509986742024-02-19T23:34:51.837-06:00THE SAN MIGUEL NEWSTwo Michigan gringos eat, meet, explore, learn and discover why they love MexicoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-56973047752361164252018-10-25T20:01:00.001-05:002018-10-25T20:04:11.739-05:00Wow! English Classes in San Francisco!<div style="text-align: center;">
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This past winter some of our "graduates" in Rancho San Francisco asked whether we might be able to provide English classes for them. We looked far and wide for a competent, experienced, motivated teacher and were fortunate to find Jordan Saturen, a young man from Ashland, Oregon who is married to Maythé, a woman from San Miguel. They are now living in San Miguel with their two boys, Mariano and Marcelo. Jordan taught Spanish in middle school in Oregon, and now teaches English in San Miguel. </div>
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He has been giving classes to 10-20 middle and high school students weekly in the pavilion that we built last year. The students love his enthusiastic teaching style.</div>
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They even get homework!</div>
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Not all the kids are old enough to attend the English classes!</div>
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We hope to have the resources to continue our English classes during 2018-2019. With your help we will do so.</div>
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Another project we started this year was an after school enrichment program. In Mexico, school ends at about 12:30, and the teachers leave quickly, often to second jobs. We decided to offer a free after school program for both advanced and remedial students. The teachers enthusiastically took ownership of the program, and started using the advanced students to work with the students who needed extra help. Both groups of students benefited, and the teachers had an opportunity to make some extra money. Pay for teachers in Mexico is woefully low (about $5000 annually).</div>
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Finally, we decided to create a free lending library in San Francisco. We have ordered bookcases, and have begun to collect books on a variety of subjects for all age groups. The books will be available for the use by the entire community!</div>
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Please consider subsidizing our program by making a small donation via Paypal, Pledgeling or check.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-13808701203457987342017-12-31T00:16:00.004-06:002018-01-02T11:14:26.689-06:00Daniela's Quinceañera in San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkjHK4itMw2SZXhXK5zw5mL808TYtnkB1BQA5UJk4ZBSjh8VmMutdbXMHMt8I3-jeW4N1dO4SXeDMtFf-7YxklISw5sZBJZlcMF1wkNaIQSuaG5VwRGudzthB6RUTfeJpzqIpXV2sH_g/s1600/CAS01329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkjHK4itMw2SZXhXK5zw5mL808TYtnkB1BQA5UJk4ZBSjh8VmMutdbXMHMt8I3-jeW4N1dO4SXeDMtFf-7YxklISw5sZBJZlcMF1wkNaIQSuaG5VwRGudzthB6RUTfeJpzqIpXV2sH_g/s400/CAS01329.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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It's been a while since I posted, so here goes. This week I attended a quinceana for Daniela, a girl from the village of San Francisco, who now lives in Texas (legally, by the way).<br />
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A quinceana is a "coming of age" event for a 15 year old girl. It is typically a big event, as fancy as the family can afford. In this case, the entire village was invited (and attended) to both the mass, lunch and dancing well into the night. </div>
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The young men in their matching outfits are called "chambelanes". Sometimes they perform <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdGEyEDpdD8" target="_blank">choreographed dance routines</a> at the event. In larger cities, a chambelanes group can even be rented for the quinceañera!<br />
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Linda was not feeling well, and was unable to attend, so I went alone and attended the mass and the lunch (comida). I didn't stay for the dancing, which I'm sure would have been great.<br />
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I made an album for Daniela, and also downloaded all the photos to a USB drive for her as a keepsake.<br />
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Following is a selection of the photos. Although most are in normal color, some are in black & white, others use the "toy camera" mode of my camera, and still others are in black & white, except for anything red, which shows in full color.<br />
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Daniela takes the wafer during communion</div>
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This is a similar photo taken straight and in "toy camera" mode. Which do you prefer and why?</div>
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Daniela embraces her friends and family after the mass</div>
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A procession from the chapel to the lunch (comida) with her chambelanes</div>
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Daniela at the head table</div>
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A professional photographer in attendance used a frame to take pictures of guests.<br />
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I love these photos of the "guys"! They appear to be trying to look casually cool for the ladies. Boys will be boys!</div>
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Daniela's mom, Marisela, did the cooking with her friends and family.<br />
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The chapel prior to the mass</div>
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Since there wasn't enough room in the chapel for everyone (the entire village of about 200 people), some people had to listen outside the small church<br />
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One of my young students in the sacristy</div>
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The sacristy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9YAKfCRdxoG4q1_vBqg5krdqV4j99c-Gzu_zcnBJRSjuN46pqz0XQZmCojbbUFKmwV6kbsjD1B5nIMn0iwY98_J2vi22AQqZZdjT4Z-03xKJBhjrzG5nB8qlCyP7WMcAQ0_4wTtfth4/s1600/CAS01222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9YAKfCRdxoG4q1_vBqg5krdqV4j99c-Gzu_zcnBJRSjuN46pqz0XQZmCojbbUFKmwV6kbsjD1B5nIMn0iwY98_J2vi22AQqZZdjT4Z-03xKJBhjrzG5nB8qlCyP7WMcAQ0_4wTtfth4/s320/CAS01222.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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This boy wasn't too happy to be there for the long mass service</div>
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She was very well behaved, in contrast to her brother above<br />
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The professional photographer arrived late - a faux pas<br />
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Other villages sat outside listening to the service<br />
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And each of these well dressed young girls carried her cell phone!<br />
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After the service, Daniela posed for photos by her family and friends (note the multitude of cell phones)<br />
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I even was asked to pose with Daniela - the only gringo in attendance!</div>
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Exiting the chapel</div>
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The fiesta begins!</div>
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The cooks!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-5995102869645044712017-04-06T23:35:00.000-05:002017-04-06T23:35:23.154-05:00Teaching English to 6th Grade Mexican Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEEplwMoClV8MA5IZX3nU3acMfgLwPR-GlHDt043AOFFxC7S2jPlnKiJBLfMiBCW0UbOtYGCOJ2J5EYBAk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
It ain't easy to teach English, even if it is my native language. And sixth graders aren't the most attentive students. But my friend Judy Jagdfeld, gave me some tips, as demonstrated in this video. The kids are really enthusiastic, as you can tell. They are having a blast!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-50248132553793704112017-04-03T16:49:00.002-05:002017-04-03T16:49:19.182-05:00Our local market....We are fortunate to have a large local food market only five minutes from our house in San Miguel. If we need an onion or a tomato at the last minute, we can run out to this market, which is call <a href="http://loccal.org/articles/2017/april/juan.php" target="_blank">Mercado San Juan de Dios.</a> Check out the link for pictures of this interesting market.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-89145645286557870852017-03-26T20:40:00.000-06:002017-03-26T20:44:16.342-06:00Linda has been very busy....Those of you who aren't Facebook friends with me or Linda may not be aware of what has been going on with her art.<br />
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Last month she had an opening at Bellas Artes (the premier museum in San Miguel). It is still up until April 23. The subject is women and architecture.<br />
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It was very well reviewed in the Atencion, our local English language newspaper. </div>
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Linda was interviewed and a short video is showing in the entry to the gallery. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDUObOwcDTU&t=24s" target="_blank">The video can be viewed on Youtube</a>.<br />
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Then, Linda was also interviewed by Sheila Sabine, who interviews artists who live in interesting homes. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhkKAvKWH5c" target="_blank">See the interview by clicking on this link</a>.<br />
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Finally, this week Linda is one of the prime movers of a show called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212869163627964&set=a.4258696069729.2178195.1355703485&type=3" target="_blank">Nasty Women</a>, where works by many San Miguel artists are being sold for $100 each, with proceeds going to several local charities - <a href="http://casa.org.mx/en/" target="_blank">CASA</a> and <a href="http://www.mujeresencambiosma.com/" target="_blank">Mujeres en Cambio</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">YOU GO GIRL!</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-88263986105311007142017-03-16T16:35:00.001-06:002017-03-16T16:35:07.207-06:00Long Time No BlogDear Readers (i.e., Dear Mom),<br />
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You may not have noticed that it has been a long time since I have published a new blog entry. As in about 2 years. A lot has happened during that time, and it's not likely that I'll ever fill in all the blanks. Instead, I'll let you know what's happening now.<br />
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Some of you read the blog because you had donated to the computing center in Rancho San Francisco outside of San Miguel. The update to that subject is that things are going very well indeed. The Computing Center is open six days a week and is generating sufficient income to pay the salaries of the young women who supervise the facility. The building is clean, neat and well maintained, and most of the computers are working well. The internet connection has proven to be reliable, and we have been given an increase in connection speed at no cost.<br />
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This week we finally finished construction of a pavilion under which about 50 of the students will be able to eat their lunches, and whether the school can conduct classes, meetings, etc. Moreover, the pavilion will also be available for the use of the entire community.<br />
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This is the way the pavilion now looks. The picnic tables have not yet been put together, but should be installed in the next week or so.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji38zbtcyV-Ve3TOfvVnSFmHWqLAzLSepcAOfJ_3Vxmwg_yaVb2CGvKFHi1TtCmE3DFkvMVD51OXd2kr07qRjAtjw06ltmZmXQE-1zaKSTIeJoFPu5WLcrKAB4OBUCGqCkF2BAjvp5M1k/s1600/IMG_9683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkruGu4cqs-2SgPs6EmZ8xhBTKqATzqfK-SQj49p1A8cHFggk4lnsGIvEvTPMneDyfUdvUt5yYnz9sPNgxigJnwE57oj-F443q3XzKzGYArphI_SnbJfwejlxsijd_97S2Lw-fpgiDYo/s1600/IMG_9686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkruGu4cqs-2SgPs6EmZ8xhBTKqATzqfK-SQj49p1A8cHFggk4lnsGIvEvTPMneDyfUdvUt5yYnz9sPNgxigJnwE57oj-F443q3XzKzGYArphI_SnbJfwejlxsijd_97S2Lw-fpgiDYo/s320/IMG_9686.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji38zbtcyV-Ve3TOfvVnSFmHWqLAzLSepcAOfJ_3Vxmwg_yaVb2CGvKFHi1TtCmE3DFkvMVD51OXd2kr07qRjAtjw06ltmZmXQE-1zaKSTIeJoFPu5WLcrKAB4OBUCGqCkF2BAjvp5M1k/s320/IMG_9683.JPG" width="240" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji38zbtcyV-Ve3TOfvVnSFmHWqLAzLSepcAOfJ_3Vxmwg_yaVb2CGvKFHi1TtCmE3DFkvMVD51OXd2kr07qRjAtjw06ltmZmXQE-1zaKSTIeJoFPu5WLcrKAB4OBUCGqCkF2BAjvp5M1k/s1600/IMG_9683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji38zbtcyV-Ve3TOfvVnSFmHWqLAzLSepcAOfJ_3Vxmwg_yaVb2CGvKFHi1TtCmE3DFkvMVD51OXd2kr07qRjAtjw06ltmZmXQE-1zaKSTIeJoFPu5WLcrKAB4OBUCGqCkF2BAjvp5M1k/s1600/IMG_9683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFZoyjaUbO_Xr_KEM_Y-p72R8z6vJF_PMEti5yKwOUqA9HviNefyVa-8Wrinw0fHzgR-BOfKRdSabX_yB2sw8gRYa1arJRTHColbF4S1_-UjTesIOR7WdTQiKwNqLK_ZC7mQe-LhcOrE/s1600/IMG_9688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFZoyjaUbO_Xr_KEM_Y-p72R8z6vJF_PMEti5yKwOUqA9HviNefyVa-8Wrinw0fHzgR-BOfKRdSabX_yB2sw8gRYa1arJRTHColbF4S1_-UjTesIOR7WdTQiKwNqLK_ZC7mQe-LhcOrE/s400/IMG_9688.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Francisco Pavilion with Computing Center to left</td></tr>
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My eternal thanks to those of my friends and family who have donated to make this project possible.<br />
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The pavilion will be decorated with artwork - possibly mosaics - by the schoolchildren. Linda will be spearheading this project.<br />
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In the course of completing the pavilion, I learned about another organization in San Miguel dedicated to providing clean water to the San Miguel area - <a href="http://caminosdeagua.org/" target="_blank">Caminos de Agua</a>. I found out that most of the drinking water in San Miguel is contaminated with, among other things, arsenic and fluoride. While a little fluoride is a good thing - it protects teeth from decay - excessive fluoride can severely stain teeth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5tGeUuNYuIBo-k5cQC6SO0FLDrpLe8TeL8jMX3fKUbHyfWNsNPc4zarDIMnFT7x8aMf_HlcE4gwS9JvW5pIKP6oDmGAqbQBPMiTbprdNd022KO9ie28F3P9UDLJfakzMeSTAsdqNUwE/s1600/severe_dental_fluorosis.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5tGeUuNYuIBo-k5cQC6SO0FLDrpLe8TeL8jMX3fKUbHyfWNsNPc4zarDIMnFT7x8aMf_HlcE4gwS9JvW5pIKP6oDmGAqbQBPMiTbprdNd022KO9ie28F3P9UDLJfakzMeSTAsdqNUwE/s320/severe_dental_fluorosis.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Caminos de Agua has designed inexpensive systems to collect and filter rainwater into cisterns and provide clean, safe drinking water. All that is needed is a roof and a cistern. And guess what? The new pavilion and Computing Center both have roofs of sufficient size to provide drinking water for the entire school!<br />
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We are in the process of working with Caminos de Agua and a committee of parents to determine whether the community would like to put a drinking water system in the schoolyard. As with the construction of the Computing Center and the pavilion, we (my friends and family) will provide the funds for the cistern itself, and the community will pay for or provide the labor for installation. I will keep you posted.<br />
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Dear Readers.<br />
I will endeavor to update this blog with some regularity, and let you know about what is going on in our lives and especially in San Miguel.<br />
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Signed,<br />
Your blogster,<br />
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Carlos (Chuck) Soberman<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-40798473116057293432015-05-06T13:38:00.000-05:002015-05-06T13:38:10.037-05:00MORE NEWS ABOUT THE CCC!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you that read Spanish, here is an article from the Latino Press in Michigan, from the May 7, 2015 edition. Gracias a mi amiga Cecilia Hijar de San Miguel y de Michigan.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"> </span><b>LATINO PRESS® DETROIT; MAYO 7, 2015</b></div>
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<span class="s2"><b>C</b></span><b>omunidad de </b>M<b>éxico</b></div>
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6301 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48210 Ph. 313-361-3000 www.latinodetroit.com</div>
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IMPACTO EN LA VIDA DE UNA COMUNIDAD</div>
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<b><i>Por Cecilia Híjar para Latino Press</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Latino Press se complace en compartir esta historia que ha sido posible gracias al interés, esfuerzo y aportación económica de benefactores estadounidenses encabezados por el abogado retirado Charles Soberman y su esposa, la pintora Linda Soberman, ambos residentes de Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. La pareja Soberman radica gran parte del año en San Miguel Allende en el estado de Guanajuato, México, donde están activos en diferentes proyectos para ayudar a las necesidades locales. </i></b><br />
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<b><i>En nombre de Latino Press y de la comunidad hispana de Detroit queremos reconocer el gran esfuerzo de Charles y Linda Soberman, así como a la organización “Computadoras Pro-Jóvenes”, a las personas que hicieron posible este gran proyecto. ¡Muchas gracias!</i></b><br />
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<b><i>La historia la publicamos tal como fue escrita por el reportero Jesús Aguado para el periódico Atención San Miguel el pasado mes de marzo.</i></b><br />
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<b>Una nueva era comienza en San Francisco</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblWs4ory9f-f7a8P7ExouymvOz3yj0b53vmjLDz-lMAmr_5aqe0FxnmGa7Y_9or1Zxz0Rj9WLbqfBH0NI1xDG3pABf5N4i4wfzbbwgOTNAVIzpGxCfFxGustLQFlExN8oIrjVMbXcB_0/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblWs4ory9f-f7a8P7ExouymvOz3yj0b53vmjLDz-lMAmr_5aqe0FxnmGa7Y_9or1Zxz0Rj9WLbqfBH0NI1xDG3pABf5N4i4wfzbbwgOTNAVIzpGxCfFxGustLQFlExN8oIrjVMbXcB_0/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>De izquierda a derecha: Joyce Wolk, Michael Wolk, Judy Jagdfeld, James Jagdfeld, Charles Soberman y Linda Soberman.</i></b><br />
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<b>Por Jesús Aguado</b><br />
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<span class="s3">E</span>l acceso a internet es un derecho humano de acuerdo con la ONU, sin embargo como en muchas comunidades de San Miguel, ese derecho está insatisfecho, debido a que no se cuenta con la infraestructura para acceder y conectarse con el mundo. </div>
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Gracias al trabajo de particulares y organizaciones civiles, el derecho de acceso a la red está casi garantizado en la comunidad de San Francisco. </div>
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Para la ONU, el internet no sólo permite a los individuos ejercer su derecho de opinión y expresión, sino que también forma parte de sus derechos humanos. De acuerdo con la organización, el acceso a la red debe mantenerse sobre todo en momentos políticos clave como: elecciones, tiempos de intranquilidad social o aniversarios históricos y políticos. Algunas de las violaciones, a quienes tienen el acceso serían el bloqueo web, la desconexión para evitar el acceso o los ataques cibernéticos. </div>
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En la comunidad de San Francisco, la gente no sabe que tiene ese derecho, ni siquiera la infraestructura para recibir la señal; hasta la recepción para un celular es “mala”. Y aunque legalmente en México la nueva Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones les “respeta ese derecho”, como en la mayoría de las 541 comunidades, no existe la infraestructura para la conexión. Para lograr una comunicación mundial, Charles Soberman, con los recursos e infraestructura ha apoyado a los habitantes de San Francisco, quienes entran en una nueva era. </div>
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Y es que la conexión a la red ha venido creciendo, según cifras del INEGI, publicadas en 2014, el 40.8 por ciento de la población de Guanajuato (dos millones de personas de seis años hasta 35) se declaró usuaria de internet. El porcentaje de usuarios hace un contraste con el número de hogares que tienen conexión a internet que es únicamente del 24.7 por ciento. Comparado con los datos de 2006 a 2013, hubo un aumento de 11.6 por ciento. No existen datos locales.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEo6s7ZMTR0590XejzZhJ7Q-zCkgbtGR3wMOTNZ3su-EOj6M0ItVnztPYckJAvFeqO1CvwY7nvn1XowrDh9Eba4OTCgUlM86gVqNSeihix7LzqlW2Th1sG33BuZ9uo8dDMTToRln7xFY/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEo6s7ZMTR0590XejzZhJ7Q-zCkgbtGR3wMOTNZ3su-EOj6M0ItVnztPYckJAvFeqO1CvwY7nvn1XowrDh9Eba4OTCgUlM86gVqNSeihix7LzqlW2Th1sG33BuZ9uo8dDMTToRln7xFY/s1600/IMG_0106.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>San Francisco</b></div>
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La comunidad de San Francisco está ubicada a unos 30 minutos del centro histórico—en taxi o auto particular. Tiene 90 familias con un total de 350 habitantes que se dedican a la albañilería o en la industria en Querétaro. Tienen agua y luz; el drenaje no es problema, tienen fosas sépticas. Hay un recinto preescolar y una escuela primaria a la que acuden diariamente 87 niños de 6 a 12 años. Los niños nunca habían tenido acceso a una computadora y menos a internet; pero su vida comenzó a cambiar hace cinco años.</div>
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Charles Soberman, un estadounidense de Michigan que nos cuenta que hace cinco años, él tenía una amiga que enfermó de cáncer, Wendy Salinsky, quien cada semana llevaba comida para abastecer la cocina que Feed The Hungry tiene en ese lugar. Cuando Salinsky enfermó le pidió a Soberman que él llevara las provisiones, y cuando ésta falleció, Soberman continuó con el apoyo.</div>
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Hace dos años, Charles trató de introducir computadoras en la escuela primaria Esther Rodríguez Flores, de San Francisco, así como en la de Clavellinas. Las computadoras fueron donadas por la organización Computadoras Pro-Jóvenes (de la que Soberman es también voluntario). Al inicio, hace unos dos años, se instalaron sólo seis computadoras en el salón de sexto grado de primaria y al tiempo que el profesor encargado de grupo impartía sus lecciones, Charles, con su español y habilidades suficientes en computación,enseñaba a los niños sobre cómo utilizar esas máquinas.</div>
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En esta comunidad, nadie tiene computadoras en su casa, sólo las hijas de la delegada, quienes ya son universitarias y su padre, Juan, trabaja como jardinero cada seis meses en los Estados Unidos, lo que les ha permitido tener acceso a laptops.</div>
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Con el apoyo de amigos y conocidos, Charles Soberman, consideró necesaria la construcción de un salón exclusivo para las clases de computación y por eso propuso a los habitantes y a la directora de la escuela, que si ellos ponían la mano de obra, él donaría el material y fue así como surgió la construcción, que después se ideó no sólo para ser un centro de cómputo, sino un Centro Comunitario y de Computación (CCC; que ahora es una edificación de siete por cinco metros en la que se instalaron diez computadoras para el uso de los habitantes del lugar, y lo más importante es que tienen el acceso a internet (las reglas de uso fueron definidas por un comité de la misma comunidad).</div>
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El CCC forma parte de la escuela primaria y en ese espacio, voluntarios de Computadoras Pro-jóvenes y el mismo Soberman enseñarán no únicamente a los niños, sino a los jóvenes y adultos sobre cómo utilizar una computadora por primera vez y cómo hacer un uso correcto del internet y redes sociales con las que finalmente podrán comunicarse de una forma más económica con sus familiares que se encuentran fuera de la comunidad de la ciudad o del país. También aquellos que cuenten con un celular podrán conectarse a través de Wi-fi.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXNOLV2WFxXeKCa6bEw4pUK1ZyXc0WmZJh9tvrhVpl_VCZkDrRXw6opck5d-E0vOQD2KQPwR9hItnDBvV2QzZTPCwRncJuu4aMGHrn4Lb3Aa-lF8Os6B3rLzlhOwXoKTg_cPi3KqsheY/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXNOLV2WFxXeKCa6bEw4pUK1ZyXc0WmZJh9tvrhVpl_VCZkDrRXw6opck5d-E0vOQD2KQPwR9hItnDBvV2QzZTPCwRncJuu4aMGHrn4Lb3Aa-lF8Os6B3rLzlhOwXoKTg_cPi3KqsheY/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>El fin de una era</b></div>
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En una visita a la comunidad, encontré a tres jóvenes (Miguel, Vicente y Reinaldo) quienes jugueteaban con sus celulares bajo la sombra de un árbol. Dijeron que estaban esperando ansiosamente el poder tener acceso a internet “no importa que nos cobren” dijeron. Y es que comentan que “para conectarse al feis, todos los chavillos y nosotros tenemos que ir hasta Corral de Piedras” una comunidad que está a media hora de distancia caminando. En Corral de Piedras hay dos centros donde se pueden conectar a internet y les cobran 12 pesos por hora. Dijeron estar conscientes de que existen más opciones de internet que pueden utilizar para conectarse con el mundo y sobre todo con familiares que viven en Estados Unidos que hace mucho tiempo no ven.</div>
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Por su parte, la directora dijo que será un área que ayudará al desarrollo y aprendizaje de los alumnos y agradeció el apoyo. La delegada comenta que con responsabilidad se podrán conectar las personas interesadas, lo que ayudará a seguir conservando la comunidad como un lugar seguro.<br />
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La era de la desconexión del mundo, concluyó el 12 de marzo en la comunidad, cuando se hizo la inauguración del Centro Comunitario y Computación; pobladores dieron sus discursos de agradecimiento y esperan poder contar con cursos de capacitación en oficios en el futuro. La escuela organizó bailables y “botanas” para aquellos que apoyaron con su tiempo y dinero para la construcción de este edificio, entre ellos: Judy Jagdfeld y Michael Wolk.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-23886209656553099472015-03-22T23:06:00.006-06:002015-03-22T23:07:16.694-06:00More News from Casa Bella North<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">More News from Casa Bella North</span></div>
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Many of you are aware that we put our Michigan house on the market and bought a smaller condo.<br />
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Our home was recently featured on a TV show in Detroit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/live-in-the-d/live-in-the-d-franklin-farmhouse-tour/31359572" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">See the video by clicking this link.</span></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-57045138634086713172015-03-22T23:01:00.004-06:002015-03-22T23:07:46.440-06:00HOT OFF THE PRESS! We made the front page!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">HOT OFF THE PRESS!</span></span></div>
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This week's Atencion (weekly news magazine for San Miguel de Allende) has a front page article on our work at Rancho San Francisco, building the CCC - Community and Computing Center.<br />
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<a href="http://www.atencionsanmiguel.org/2015/03/20/an-era-of-isolation-has-come-to-an-end/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">READ THE ARTICLE!</span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-12392525921028166182015-03-17T17:44:00.002-06:002015-03-17T18:04:37.150-06:00Wow What a Day! The opening of the Triple C - Centro Comunitario y Computacion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76WkW1TRH_gs8E2ENFxNhGOvWkvWmhNwsYt1P1xHq9kOvcW0UzqzysqhNzJOgMEEA8OGbTdkSPm4pDpzXM6lQqbXwIEkYgUf8x_FS0GBb2YwCLYckZqc1SBycdG8uIOkmCukojULj_Fo/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76WkW1TRH_gs8E2ENFxNhGOvWkvWmhNwsYt1P1xHq9kOvcW0UzqzysqhNzJOgMEEA8OGbTdkSPm4pDpzXM6lQqbXwIEkYgUf8x_FS0GBb2YwCLYckZqc1SBycdG8uIOkmCukojULj_Fo/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple C - Centro Comunitario y Computacion</td></tr>
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On Thursday, March 12, we inaugurated the Triple C - Community and Computing Center - in Rancho San Francisco, a small community about 15 miles outside of San Miguel.<br />
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This is the school where I have been teaching for five years, and previous posts of this blog have talked about my work there with the kids.<br />
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Before continuing, take a look at the following Youtube video. It really says it all.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AycY1Fm5_E&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AycY1Fm5_E&feature=youtu.be</a></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance with CCC Logo</td></tr>
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If you still have dry eyes, can you imagine how we felt at this totally unexpected event, where we were fed and feted for our work?<br />
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Next week the real work begins. I will, for the first time, start teaching in this building, which has the first internet ever available in this small village. The building will operate as a classroom, community center and internet cafe all year round.<br />
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And although we have enough equipment to start - thanks to <a href="http://www.cpjmex.org/" target="_blank">Computadoras Pro Jovenes</a> - we will need further contributions to pay for internet access, supplies and better computers. Contact me if you wish to make a donation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-62843432272479910352014-11-18T18:08:00.003-06:002015-03-22T23:04:35.884-06:00Casa Bella North<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VFkqKM4W6AFTTYUT243Nr3VezD22r-EOk3Cj_gje8jmbv4KHZg8PXs5AmcL5hc6TKRn0uU4RaIj5HcCdxczIUZz8zsXdBeir5ohRMTaFaNdyeKXSPhaMBDgR-HfB6rtxLLTwAYB92f4/s1600/DSCF9038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VFkqKM4W6AFTTYUT243Nr3VezD22r-EOk3Cj_gje8jmbv4KHZg8PXs5AmcL5hc6TKRn0uU4RaIj5HcCdxczIUZz8zsXdBeir5ohRMTaFaNdyeKXSPhaMBDgR-HfB6rtxLLTwAYB92f4/s1600/DSCF9038.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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It has been an eventful summer at Casa Bella North (Michigan summer residence), but now, as you can see below, winter is here - earlier than desirable!<br />
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One of the summer events was taking the momentous decision to put our Michigan house up for sale. This happened when we learned that a lovely condo was available before it was formally put on the market. After some quick thinking, we decided to go for it, largely because it has a terrific, large studio for Linda and will be somewhat less costly and burdensome to maintain while we are in Mexico. It also has a large sunroom with a 270 degree view of some woodlands.<br />
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It's not as dramatic as our current home, but it's very comfortable, and has plenty of room for our children, grandchildren and guests (hint, hint). Obviously, we're not quite ready to cut all our ties with the USA.<br />
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We spent a month preparing to sell the house - some repairs, repainting, etc. - and mostly trying to declutter it. Fortunately, the owner of the condo gave us permission to store our possessions, so we were able to avoid putting things into a storage facility.<br />
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It's been on the market for three months, and no offers yet, but our fingers our crossed. In the meantime, we are the proud owners of three homes!<br />
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This past Sunday we had a fundraiser for my project to build a computing center in a small village outside of San Miguel (see previous post, as well as others). Bagels and Margaritas were served (the Margaritas were designed to lubricate the checkbooks!). Several dozen friends and family members attended, and we raised several thousand dollars, which will go a long way towards completing the project. More to follow after our arrival in San Miguel.<br />
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Last weekend was also a "big" birthday for Linda, and we celebrated with family and friends. Tracey and her daughter Kaiya flew in from California. Her husband couldn't join us because of new job responsibilities.<br />
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Lisa, Tracey, Lilah, Hannah and Kaiya made Linda breakfast in bed for her birthday!<br />
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The three first cousins had a great time together, dancing and making art projects with Nannie.<br />
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The prior weekend we visited David, Jen and Jonah in New York. David just started a new job as a Marketing Manager at <a href="http://www.dwr.com/" target="_blank">Design Within Reach</a>, a high end furniture store with branches around the US. Jonah, now nearing 2 1/2, was very happy to see his Nannie and Poppa. And we were pretty happy too!<br />
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We are busy packing up for both the move and our winter migration to San Miguel.<br />
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Stay tuned!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-73986163787292273642014-04-02T22:54:00.000-06:002014-04-02T23:03:11.957-06:00Teaching Computing in the Campo - Season 4 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You may remember that I have been teaching computing in the campo (rural countryside villages) for a number of years, as a member of <a href="http://www.cpjmex.org/" target="_blank">CPJ (Computadoras Pro Jovenes)</a>. It has been gratifying to have an impact on young people.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NH3M6URHAt3M2eVNDRPDclJvyAnBoR8VH7k76WHskOxc36zdWugQnDzo6oskIML6AfOkBD6hjx_FfXN5rxyWmZdJGCRyOxpqAotFfH4UISev3hX2yU-VqlE67XPgzwQc-X8_Lxwh0Rw/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NH3M6URHAt3M2eVNDRPDclJvyAnBoR8VH7k76WHskOxc36zdWugQnDzo6oskIML6AfOkBD6hjx_FfXN5rxyWmZdJGCRyOxpqAotFfH4UISev3hX2yU-VqlE67XPgzwQc-X8_Lxwh0Rw/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" /></a>However, it has been frustrating for two reasons. First, I have only been able to teach four students at a time, and each session lasts six weeks. Second, in some of the schools where I teach, the computers (and I) share the room with the rest of the class. You can imagine how difficult it is to teach with 30 students in the room!</div>
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To solve the first problem, I changed my curriculum this year. I went from a six week course to a four week course. This increased my productivity by 50%! I decided to teach only the oldest kids (5th and 6th graders), as they were the easiest for me to work with and had the best attention spans. This change has worked quite well for me. I have been able to include virtually all the material from the six week course into four weeks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8FJ7Y4dbbyj5Bya7DDJYIQT7tZXSgJJ6c5knfImKD-Ohau1JoQC-k2ahGrGMX_q1hsC-WVavuCHVqzYGDmb6MfcBqkqeHy8vjL5cdkLkv3kshTWMkmWn9FcmU6s8LfDuCsh68edPJsE/s1600/DSC_9677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8FJ7Y4dbbyj5Bya7DDJYIQT7tZXSgJJ6c5knfImKD-Ohau1JoQC-k2ahGrGMX_q1hsC-WVavuCHVqzYGDmb6MfcBqkqeHy8vjL5cdkLkv3kshTWMkmWn9FcmU6s8LfDuCsh68edPJsE/s1600/DSC_9677.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2OAdK0GDLfTJIfUGCLraHZqhzDghKbRjK7ysj2vHnDF7pXb4ZJp_JeiD3vVCWYE9H6b19UqheRFtYIFcQzn99liN3xSTxa5E1TeLrud68Yl2MWb7wccp_DEKN9iILZrS9V9Rziu1vZE/s1600/DSC_9664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2OAdK0GDLfTJIfUGCLraHZqhzDghKbRjK7ysj2vHnDF7pXb4ZJp_JeiD3vVCWYE9H6b19UqheRFtYIFcQzn99liN3xSTxa5E1TeLrud68Yl2MWb7wccp_DEKN9iILZrS9V9Rziu1vZE/s1600/DSC_9664.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a>I then decided that I could leverage my time better by teaching others to teach. For this, I chose two kindergartens where I was working. I met with a number of the mothers and asked them if they wanted to learn computing in order to teach their kids. Dozens of mothers volunteered! I started teaching two or three at a time, and they quickly learned how to use the computers and how to work with the kindergarteners. The mothers are mostly young women who do nothing all day but clean and cook, as the village is remote from any place where there might be jobs for them.</div>
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Solving the problem of lack of space was more difficult. Fortunately, a friend from Michigan - Judy Jagdfeld - who spends part of the winter in San Miguel, has for years been raising money from her Michigan friends to support good causes in San Miguel. This year Judy (and her husband Jim, who took many of these photographs) adopted me (or more accurately, my village) as her "good cause." </div>
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I also invited Michael Wolk, an architect friend from Detroit, who has visited us several times in San Miguel, to help design a building in which to teach computing. Michael enthusiastically signed on immediately!<br />
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With Judy and Michael, I met with a group of mothers - about 40 - from the San Francisco Primaria. I learned that the school serviced two villages, San Francisco and Las Cruces. I also learned that the moms were very interested in their kids' education (like mothers everywhere)</div>
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We made an offer to the mothers. We would supply the money for the materials if they would pay for the labor to build a small computing center. We had a rough estimate of $2500 for materials to build a 15' x 21' building! They told us they would do it!</div>
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Michael drew up plans for a simple building to blend in with the other school buildings. A week later I met with a committee of the mothers. They brought with them Fernando Gomez, an experienced builder who lives next door to the school, has a child enrolled there, and to boot, speaks excellent English. He helped us draw up a more accurate list of materials and promised to have the building built within a month! Incredible!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTPf84ZBUJdHHZlR4-N0Z-aPshYQ9BgMf1m6IYN-PkMNinku-fdag9vd5dzuQbxrx3XkakiwxkcBkD3_WSP1r3xe2SyxICZOtdm9XgIg1JgTamXM7FxxPoTQe942x34nMO-1BnYDfPJA/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTPf84ZBUJdHHZlR4-N0Z-aPshYQ9BgMf1m6IYN-PkMNinku-fdag9vd5dzuQbxrx3XkakiwxkcBkD3_WSP1r3xe2SyxICZOtdm9XgIg1JgTamXM7FxxPoTQe942x34nMO-1BnYDfPJA/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" height="313" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Fernando and Mike (Judy missing!)</td></tr>
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But true! A few days later, when I returned to the school, the foundation had already been dug and the walls started going up quickly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q82wiND11Pm7me9huYQ-3vp-rEAjRwfV0CTI4rHCaf3EHT9lPkon-RfaEwWEJ1kqeyixbBeQzuHD2NJXuoIZwqqzA2vlrXqW6cv0WBu_HhAb909O5FK1V5527_fDR3_9wu-Uwi3ujj0/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q82wiND11Pm7me9huYQ-3vp-rEAjRwfV0CTI4rHCaf3EHT9lPkon-RfaEwWEJ1kqeyixbBeQzuHD2NJXuoIZwqqzA2vlrXqW6cv0WBu_HhAb909O5FK1V5527_fDR3_9wu-Uwi3ujj0/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" /></a></div>
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They even had a ceremony where I mortared a brick (I assume they checked and redid my work!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bA5tmrQoSBo8QavHVldSBXUg6RN_yWiDkDCcIv8il6kp9Wp8l7BVPnX_KjrIub7iXna10EyUTy4PEIYo0jrJ62ucmzAbV7dHeg2_JoKSFxou1DYSHUoZ9hmanALsXzadtoESd780KHY/s1600/DSC05663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bA5tmrQoSBo8QavHVldSBXUg6RN_yWiDkDCcIv8il6kp9Wp8l7BVPnX_KjrIub7iXna10EyUTy4PEIYo0jrJ62ucmzAbV7dHeg2_JoKSFxou1DYSHUoZ9hmanALsXzadtoESd780KHY/s320/DSC05663.JPG" /></a></div>
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The walls went higher and higher....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxtD2wYsVqTStVXtE4lYLm1PoT2L9h7wn1waEaP_L5PPNb2uGy5sF7_z5m4XjmcQY5-KxhIR95YXPr1AP4nYrdlN24HIn_WZLp2jsYwuxmp5N5TwwBPskz7t94_kdoaqev6AA7j9GMuc/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxtD2wYsVqTStVXtE4lYLm1PoT2L9h7wn1waEaP_L5PPNb2uGy5sF7_z5m4XjmcQY5-KxhIR95YXPr1AP4nYrdlN24HIn_WZLp2jsYwuxmp5N5TwwBPskz7t94_kdoaqev6AA7j9GMuc/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" /></a></div>
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Until they were completed. Roof joists were put in place, and a form was built to pour a concrete roof.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJlTpej7ozvzfzFf2kTrWTHhGmm9gDvbWd56-oFDOjGetitwIqU_F32-aeOjQl6sS8SZiABm7Bf1THFhoOje7OZPKSIvGN86hFg66_mkk5saEuNhqZvYiT6ZM4AA5LWvt6DMoZslGMwQ/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJlTpej7ozvzfzFf2kTrWTHhGmm9gDvbWd56-oFDOjGetitwIqU_F32-aeOjQl6sS8SZiABm7Bf1THFhoOje7OZPKSIvGN86hFg66_mkk5saEuNhqZvYiT6ZM4AA5LWvt6DMoZslGMwQ/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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That is the status of the building as of today, April 2, 2014. We expect to complete the building, except for windows, doors, lights, and electricity before I leave San Miguel in May. When I return in the fall, the balance of the work will be completed.<br />
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So why am I writing this blog entry? In short, friends, for your support. Although we have roughly $2000 for the materials, and the parents are providing the labor, we are short about $2000 for the balance of the materials, tables and chairs (Costco's finest) and equipment for internet access (only available in this remote location by satellite). If we get enough money we might even put in a basketball hoop! I know that my readers (friends and family) will come through for us! Let me (or Judy or Michael) know if you would like to contribute.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9mmqM8nMvTv88Ko5J32xw-G1I5GxGuYuyAeyvL-C1gT7Vgs7XZy0xviuq_s9a2EB_8NpHeeK19ZgMLYFmRT2U_WsfoBZWvMRFIVczj80KB2M3F4Q4vIHzR1KJhaI_JaQr70BmXW6Cw/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9mmqM8nMvTv88Ko5J32xw-G1I5GxGuYuyAeyvL-C1gT7Vgs7XZy0xviuq_s9a2EB_8NpHeeK19ZgMLYFmRT2U_WsfoBZWvMRFIVczj80KB2M3F4Q4vIHzR1KJhaI_JaQr70BmXW6Cw/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" height="300" title="Main Street - San Francisco, Guanajuato, Mexico" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Street - San Francisco, Mexico </td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-87332536330391046852012-11-25T08:24:00.001-06:002012-11-25T08:24:43.313-06:00<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20121125/BUSINESS06/311250293/Is-Detroit-s-turnaround-turning-a-corner-Development-spreads-to-new-neighborhoods?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE" target="_blank">Detroit Turnaround...again?</a><br />
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The Detroit Free Press's headline today asked the question..."Is Detroit's Turnaround Turning a Corner?"<br />
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Not yet, in my opinion. A few coffee houses, restaurants and shops, and a shortage of habitable (subsidized) apartments does not make a turnaround. But perhaps it's the end of the beginning, rather than the beginning of the end, for Detroit. We can all hope that this turnaround spreads to other parts of the center city, so we can show Detroit to our grandchildren and great grandchildren with pride, rather than with tears.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA07SQeGbY-shlmoO7NOIxn-2fHCyEITXh1YkJ-QZ2KngULbJA4Dblos2bW2Nmcy6TvAaVxYI9VigXqPrZdjQMDJ74hj9Ujvjz454y2xloUlNA1oH8boDD5LwTOjpUbSM71pK4QVXQqo/s1600/bilde.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA07SQeGbY-shlmoO7NOIxn-2fHCyEITXh1YkJ-QZ2KngULbJA4Dblos2bW2Nmcy6TvAaVxYI9VigXqPrZdjQMDJ74hj9Ujvjz454y2xloUlNA1oH8boDD5LwTOjpUbSM71pK4QVXQqo/s640/bilde.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBm-2OJSF9EWn-i40kMCLnS4K-sDKBqLQDTHjAypgVRkpNcCCH2Gf8q7nBq9fZ0Tb2M4Ex-KuoIrpweJcfnwLWbszblgfK8L8FnR8lVSBj8v0OkNRjM1bnSJOnI4YIsvaCzeATmnIxdA/s1600/bilde+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBm-2OJSF9EWn-i40kMCLnS4K-sDKBqLQDTHjAypgVRkpNcCCH2Gf8q7nBq9fZ0Tb2M4Ex-KuoIrpweJcfnwLWbszblgfK8L8FnR8lVSBj8v0OkNRjM1bnSJOnI4YIsvaCzeATmnIxdA/s320/bilde+(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Detroit coffee house </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gya_Ncx1kRspMFq999QxRHoJy9mijXrYqIWmRsM6e0BtEddpe1SgS_U6HtXOg5hLJZBpXsLxudUBwBRYnfmZtPZwmnsnobqt3Oxt5yhonNVX98iwBk_evdlArjhwCmBbMZaYUjBq6M0/s1600/bilde+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gya_Ncx1kRspMFq999QxRHoJy9mijXrYqIWmRsM6e0BtEddpe1SgS_U6HtXOg5hLJZBpXsLxudUBwBRYnfmZtPZwmnsnobqt3Oxt5yhonNVX98iwBk_evdlArjhwCmBbMZaYUjBq6M0/s320/bilde+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3NTDlbPx-6Zd-VL6RUdpZzFO1yG7dOrK-W6bgZGAWRkxdfBJdntcg3DI42TVa2Kd-jj1YlJRGiN_2iGN63o5gIF0P_8Y9S0ttT6lP-e8auiiDjq_N3b9di-olnWw0UDntF4udRP_wLA/s1600/bilde+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3NTDlbPx-6Zd-VL6RUdpZzFO1yG7dOrK-W6bgZGAWRkxdfBJdntcg3DI42TVa2Kd-jj1YlJRGiN_2iGN63o5gIF0P_8Y9S0ttT6lP-e8auiiDjq_N3b9di-olnWw0UDntF4udRP_wLA/s320/bilde+3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out on Detroit's future? or not?</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-46330639226375242322012-11-25T08:16:00.003-06:002012-11-25T08:16:30.750-06:00<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oBf0wRYdhPg06r6c1JjevxzwWMYhgAxfNI_WiKMI5JqOPCKHNI_Dz6ktt2JRbw7mhaMNfzP0q8kwnQTrw6i_kwwQecne6mte1hw9rSiRU3JuyR0NO9j3XS9AWgOP1v8gjM-hP7BF6to/s1600/IMG_3747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oBf0wRYdhPg06r6c1JjevxzwWMYhgAxfNI_WiKMI5JqOPCKHNI_Dz6ktt2JRbw7mhaMNfzP0q8kwnQTrw6i_kwwQecne6mte1hw9rSiRU3JuyR0NO9j3XS9AWgOP1v8gjM-hP7BF6to/s400/IMG_3747.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First snow of the season - November 24, 2012</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvABdFs4ZutL3-xXu8H5b-Eaew-ceFWRvyqZBlF7RKbd4qNvUVmP29Q88j8ucUat6Fn2VN5-HLMohFN4uu07uzAhruQ8B1Pcghi5Zv8jqjP5Y6oZ6hc1wBXhmFdbNnvGBIHs1DKK6zmhI/s1600/IMG_3746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvABdFs4ZutL3-xXu8H5b-Eaew-ceFWRvyqZBlF7RKbd4qNvUVmP29Q88j8ucUat6Fn2VN5-HLMohFN4uu07uzAhruQ8B1Pcghi5Zv8jqjP5Y6oZ6hc1wBXhmFdbNnvGBIHs1DKK6zmhI/s320/IMG_3746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-I4rACwX2kXtgAd-QFrClreE2in4Uq9kbVFgVF3KlEhRMEHz7XCDr8WuL1ccOdF36tXv0y8WSXfeFVCsesjC4m1O8sSgZCogmW89_udgAr6-gAWAMlEN06q7MmxI5CvZ4Pp3GDil9mM/s1600/IMG_3749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-I4rACwX2kXtgAd-QFrClreE2in4Uq9kbVFgVF3KlEhRMEHz7XCDr8WuL1ccOdF36tXv0y8WSXfeFVCsesjC4m1O8sSgZCogmW89_udgAr6-gAWAMlEN06q7MmxI5CvZ4Pp3GDil9mM/s400/IMG_3749.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx8A_ouGVJFJA5MycPXEKfGeUhoBzFU1Lde7n6-Cs-9O8dqIrPF2RVECrqbMTlUTG96C6OBgQl3buVlfMBcxWCvcnclBiwbuL3w031dlL92g7r4S-iA9mVUxfSTL4Ig9FfX3yiBR58H0/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx8A_ouGVJFJA5MycPXEKfGeUhoBzFU1Lde7n6-Cs-9O8dqIrPF2RVECrqbMTlUTG96C6OBgQl3buVlfMBcxWCvcnclBiwbuL3w031dlL92g7r4S-iA9mVUxfSTL4Ig9FfX3yiBR58H0/s320/IMG_3748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Woke up early this morning (5 am) to drive Tracey, Scott (new husband of two weeks) and Kaiya (3 1/2 years old) to airport for their return to Southern California after a terrific 10 day visit.<br />
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Bittersweet to see them go, but they have jobs and school to return to.<br />
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When I looked out the window, there was the first snow of the season! It's always a pleasure to see this fairyland, and I took some snow and put it in Kaiya's outstretched hand. She giggled and let it drop to the floor, where it swiftly melted.<br />
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Fortunately, 4 wheel drive Toyota took the snow in stride and there were no mishaps on the way to the airport. <br />
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Adios, Tracey, Scott and Kaiya!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-38649876313999339642012-04-28T16:55:00.001-05:002012-04-28T16:55:02.347-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKFcXiEIFmlBccLDXh1JswonxRSEStkugJYRzJDGksAc6NlacjFtvDF-kYG4mkT5HFP6isPtTFVBknQWGBWk4yTTiJBwpPSMpzRkk-mjqEd2NzcPeTS8NI2HfMtwfPGgfSB_aMxMEJX8/s1600/Margarita+image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKFcXiEIFmlBccLDXh1JswonxRSEStkugJYRzJDGksAc6NlacjFtvDF-kYG4mkT5HFP6isPtTFVBknQWGBWk4yTTiJBwpPSMpzRkk-mjqEd2NzcPeTS8NI2HfMtwfPGgfSB_aMxMEJX8/s400/Margarita+image.jpeg" width="369" /></a></div>
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Update on the Perfect Margarita!<br />
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One of my earlier (and more popular, if I may use that word) blogs (2008) was about the <a href="http://www.thesanmiguelnews.com/2008/02/perfect-margarita.html" target="_blank">margarita</a><br />
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I'm happy to report that the Wall Street Journal has finally realized the importance of the margarita and has devoted substantial space to it in an <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303592404577362134104442856.html?mod=WeekendHeader_Rotator" target="_blank">article</a> this week!<br />
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Read both and draw your own conclusions.<br />
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My conclusions are that:<br />
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<ul>
<li>If you are drinking margaritas, there's no reason to using any tequila other than blanco (white). You won't taste the more expensive stuff in a mixed drink, and after one margarita, you'll be too blitzed to know the difference. Save the expensive stuff for drinking straight up, or on the rocks.</li>
<li>I agree that <u>fresh</u> lime juice is only the way to go. Sweeten to your taste with simple syrup or try the agave nector syrup recommended.</li>
<li>The wide glass often used is not my favorite, but it's popular here. I usually use a simple lowball cocktail glass</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4JHGRTXuM_oStkXRCcYvAqbdxXVZaVBO-2KWYohLpK96q62xR6IQihc8rBfI9APxNIhT3_Vs-Yuldg4xDWDBpFIsqDH2wAs-VoFD81YDC4emeHWUtGXhD9HRqX2WuQYAyOS4Co0lLCk/s1600/margarita+in+fancy+glass.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4JHGRTXuM_oStkXRCcYvAqbdxXVZaVBO-2KWYohLpK96q62xR6IQihc8rBfI9APxNIhT3_Vs-Yuldg4xDWDBpFIsqDH2wAs-VoFD81YDC4emeHWUtGXhD9HRqX2WuQYAyOS4Co0lLCk/s200/margarita+in+fancy+glass.jpeg" width="176" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>In Mexico, we often use a Cointreau substitute called "<i>Controy</i>" - how original! But it's less than half the price of Cointreau and tastes similar in a mixed drink. Not sure how it would fare in a blind taste test. Any takers?</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-JCKTGUBXAgHcbYZUjtyQhx2rY0V2N3dCouoFzjbz7Y1HP8WpYr8_36frPELWrDUA0AQk9zOr4Oq0iKJOPZffMrZCDNg2d7Pb3q0l3gxxcMTTB1RTOdylFDKtrp5_ouQeY6mPaQOsLY/s1600/controy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-JCKTGUBXAgHcbYZUjtyQhx2rY0V2N3dCouoFzjbz7Y1HP8WpYr8_36frPELWrDUA0AQk9zOr4Oq0iKJOPZffMrZCDNg2d7Pb3q0l3gxxcMTTB1RTOdylFDKtrp5_ouQeY6mPaQOsLY/s1600/controy.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Controy vs. Cointreau - are you man enough to tell the difference?</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfzEgVcSAwgSxcO0fVma_KqFicZbb6oxGJIw4Adg4kkylujtodBCqASmOrtZzcW8vGKgxYj5qS_k7YqXjFpxRQvBnu1DO1D3Rk3q6aIDLDN__ks-PKZgXto6zEmyzY1mS2mOdJcTcirg/s1600/cointrea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfzEgVcSAwgSxcO0fVma_KqFicZbb6oxGJIw4Adg4kkylujtodBCqASmOrtZzcW8vGKgxYj5qS_k7YqXjFpxRQvBnu1DO1D3Rk3q6aIDLDN__ks-PKZgXto6zEmyzY1mS2mOdJcTcirg/s1600/cointrea.jpeg" /></a></div>
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When you enter a restaurant in Mexico, the waiters normally ask "Algo tomar?", which translates as "Would you like something to drink?" </div>
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My preferred answer this days is either "agua de nubes" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hrF2ZWUI5aNqszLjuvLtQfVBfW5FRxuhlyalIO7FOCzi6wRNmxyApczLaehgJAJsXji1z7aa6H_FCBddlO1QBZem0l8_NZnxARrDktLsdDoGVcgt4mLBdXm6q_xtSsxBHnuDf-bPEIQ/s1600/agua+de+nubes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hrF2ZWUI5aNqszLjuvLtQfVBfW5FRxuhlyalIO7FOCzi6wRNmxyApczLaehgJAJsXji1z7aa6H_FCBddlO1QBZem0l8_NZnxARrDktLsdDoGVcgt4mLBdXm6q_xtSsxBHnuDf-bPEIQ/s1600/agua+de+nubes.jpeg" /></a></div>
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or "Coctel Monterrey".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p_rtEG8BcWXot3aou9WHUkbefdDx7z0nUOq_RvLNPNfF6xBos-IhgCq9uC9WG5dBFIvfHNngJkM_CgeJzUgcgFv0QJ2y9tNpt0zE9mFzUIMaUnQ24SWm-JItdvGOSgmSkMRXqKuAwcE/s1600/coctel+monterrey.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p_rtEG8BcWXot3aou9WHUkbefdDx7z0nUOq_RvLNPNfF6xBos-IhgCq9uC9WG5dBFIvfHNngJkM_CgeJzUgcgFv0QJ2y9tNpt0zE9mFzUIMaUnQ24SWm-JItdvGOSgmSkMRXqKuAwcE/s1600/coctel+monterrey.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Both are colloquial names for plain water. "Agua de Nubes" translates literally as "Cloudwater". "Coctel Monterrey" refers to the reputation of Mexican from Monterrey (Mexico's second largest city) for being cheapskates. Cheap, by the way, is colloquially translated as "Codo" or "Codo duro". These mean, respectively "elbow" and "hard elbow" and refer to the Monterreyan's reticence to bend their elbow to put their hands in their pockets and remove their wallets. While I haven't found this reputation to be deserved, it's interesting nonetheless.</div>
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Adios, mis amigos y lectores!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-85096626809979578912012-03-31T23:00:00.001-06:002012-03-31T23:00:50.159-06:00Detroit News Article About Our Home in Michigan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5zQxonH3_XVCbOs7c-Kr2VQxYZtqeFnzhk-GKZ1QoSC66cdClAD7iMrmv5Qk1Jadw7DPfPuvpCG5GMhvLKPodHRQtMgzybF2rnN09XAf0j9pJQ8plRoAKSAbHOWN9vP4AEnJYKaOt1A/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5zQxonH3_XVCbOs7c-Kr2VQxYZtqeFnzhk-GKZ1QoSC66cdClAD7iMrmv5Qk1Jadw7DPfPuvpCG5GMhvLKPodHRQtMgzybF2rnN09XAf0j9pJQ8plRoAKSAbHOWN9vP4AEnJYKaOt1A/s400/IMG_0462.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Lower Long Lake 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
While we love our home in San Miguel, we're also proud of our home in Michigan, which is a 19th century farmhouse (homes this old are rare in Michigan) on a small lake.<br />
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The photo above is taken at sunset from our house.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://multimedia.detnews.com/pix/photogalleries/newsgallery/hsfarmhouse0805/" target="_blank">Click here to see the recent article from the Detroit News about our home.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-53031127430330064422012-03-22T13:31:00.001-06:002012-03-22T13:33:33.312-06:00Teaching Computing to Children in Mexico<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbjV1YhIaSIVIutk2qDX9spY0G8j72IiHU8dQST6_qrzq5dgOl26RtdYuICcyE854VDAlClNXMLKzP6ajqj4gaPAZ9_4EieG_bCW_fJfGq9y3L169KwaVKFgKyvS1284lmWaNiqc5Itg/s1600/San+Francisco+students+1-2012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbjV1YhIaSIVIutk2qDX9spY0G8j72IiHU8dQST6_qrzq5dgOl26RtdYuICcyE854VDAlClNXMLKzP6ajqj4gaPAZ9_4EieG_bCW_fJfGq9y3L169KwaVKFgKyvS1284lmWaNiqc5Itg/s400/San+Francisco+students+1-2012.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My four students from San Francisco - the first graduates!</td></tr>
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In April of 2010 I posted a <a href="http://www.thesanmiguelnews.com/2010/04/computadoras-pro-jovenes-in-san-miguel.html">blog</a> about a group called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtyPawf-YV0">Computadoras Pro Jovenes</a> . This group repairs donated used computers and provides them to schools in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I have been working with the group for almost three years now and would like to bring [both of] my readers up to date.<br />
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In January of this year, I began working with a group of four 11 year old girls (see photo above) from a small town called San Francisco, about 12 miles from our home in San Miguel. These girls, shown above, were eager to learn how to use a computer.<br />
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Two girls were assigned to each computer. I developed a six week lesson plan, beginning at the beginning...what is a keyboard, monitor, mouse...how to turn the computer on and off. They were quick learners, and within a few weeks were writing short stories using Microsoft Word.<br />
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And of course they were playing games. I taught them solitaire<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EkuiWgt70BSP4iOQOpAZU0ju9sR9hhDslPivrD957VGoI3rcp4HAoGMSszkhaddaVEUH7SsqCMwBkVYjtegNd7upiptObxLnTrcFQlA0ekDBev0EfmWbaSuz77mZXf_cTNfYDSpmz-g/s1600/download-card-games-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EkuiWgt70BSP4iOQOpAZU0ju9sR9hhDslPivrD957VGoI3rcp4HAoGMSszkhaddaVEUH7SsqCMwBkVYjtegNd7upiptObxLnTrcFQlA0ekDBev0EfmWbaSuz77mZXf_cTNfYDSpmz-g/s320/download-card-games-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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and Minesweeper<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tCfbd8f0SpdtAM80X_u_arK6kw_ewmprCNdK7BSNQ8_6lheJJQJLMwEidLR5DdP5Mb8fXuzRSd_cZar2JGwrh9JEPyAMcO4iuGIesfPPu578yASdE-QW3gZYJ6U70GoSg4TVvBANMKw/s1600/minesweeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tCfbd8f0SpdtAM80X_u_arK6kw_ewmprCNdK7BSNQ8_6lheJJQJLMwEidLR5DdP5Mb8fXuzRSd_cZar2JGwrh9JEPyAMcO4iuGIesfPPu578yASdE-QW3gZYJ6U70GoSg4TVvBANMKw/s320/minesweeper.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
included on all computers. Quick learners, within a few minutes they had the games figured out. These kids had never seen a deck of cards!<br />
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The following week, I purchased decks of cards, and gave each of them a deck to take home to practice. Teaching them how to shuffle was, as you can imagine, very amusing. I showed them how to play solitaire with a real deck of cards, and then taught them how to play War. Finally, I asked them if they wanted to learn another game that my children had enjoyed. They all nodded their heads and I shouted "52 Card Pickup", throwing the cards on the floor!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PADm89TM14Jl02wN6tGsTYv6hFN8RQC-x_5O43O8GqPntMzsXrVzDcWA1yecYJOstl28j18NX8-JImmurlP2oNbFevSGY3tUIHfRZm0YQLQrb7UjGxa7NlS_k39yxlupLgVF68oQA4s/s1600/52-card-pick-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PADm89TM14Jl02wN6tGsTYv6hFN8RQC-x_5O43O8GqPntMzsXrVzDcWA1yecYJOstl28j18NX8-JImmurlP2oNbFevSGY3tUIHfRZm0YQLQrb7UjGxa7NlS_k39yxlupLgVF68oQA4s/s320/52-card-pick-up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The computers we are working with are the ones you threw out about 3-5 years ago. They have small hard drives, 512 Mb of RAM, and usually the Spanish version of Windows XP (donated by Microsoft). They are clunky and slow, but they do the job.<br />
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I also gave each child a USB flash drive, so they could save their own essays and photos.<br />
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We have age appropriate Spanish language educational software, and a computer manual written and translated by students at the <a href="http://web.williams.edu/admin/news/releases/1996/" target="_blank">Williams College Roteract Club</a> (connected with Rotary Clubs).<br />
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The final week of the six week curriculum is a daytrip to San Miguel de Allende, 12 miles but a world away! These kids have never been to San Miguel, the biggest town in the area. With two mothers and a teacher as chaperones, we spent half a day together.<br />
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We started with a visit to an internet cafe, where I taught them how to send and receive email and how to do a Google search. After an hour and a half, I had to drag them to our next stop, a chicken restaurant called <a href="http://www.pollofelizmexico.com/home.htm" target="_blank">Pollo Feliz</a> (the Happy Chicken). Remember that neither these kids nor their parents have ever been to a restaurant!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwAirgES7uJEWbwxUfbMuG5Qa0lw4HBP5Qp3FOj1ry0fgq3-xj5CRPdm4dZ0Q9h4htxEaNqaWT64DcuB4zTo_j6uu6zUdkSwBx493KguOFQBBQhBcTOjJ9wwnkL_tBV4efmqqXa7US3s/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwAirgES7uJEWbwxUfbMuG5Qa0lw4HBP5Qp3FOj1ry0fgq3-xj5CRPdm4dZ0Q9h4htxEaNqaWT64DcuB4zTo_j6uu6zUdkSwBx493KguOFQBBQhBcTOjJ9wwnkL_tBV4efmqqXa7US3s/s320/IMG_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-xMTvO4OBiplc3vpyZ5zs-EnQIpjPnVKeXFyH34CaPYdpYuHy_Xqf4maK10cfDmnmF9y3W51rpq3i-_CwaYZSg1V1fkc1vraN91q0KGZSnhjVQi37CZD9HY84w_o1dfiZDMxBwx1BZM/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-xMTvO4OBiplc3vpyZ5zs-EnQIpjPnVKeXFyH34CaPYdpYuHy_Xqf4maK10cfDmnmF9y3W51rpq3i-_CwaYZSg1V1fkc1vraN91q0KGZSnhjVQi37CZD9HY84w_o1dfiZDMxBwx1BZM/s200/IMG_0455.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-ytGhiPfq8V_nmOWXUh0hjXgDObt8lkZjYsB2uchyWHJLX6KlJdCBP4NEgSlJ9Q70rH_2PvkH5-6OTiMxCfc7MqmvvkugQOBa8rXmjen_rgcwLbDIQ63u9C4PRdrPNFnqctE8I2IfCg/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-ytGhiPfq8V_nmOWXUh0hjXgDObt8lkZjYsB2uchyWHJLX6KlJdCBP4NEgSlJ9Q70rH_2PvkH5-6OTiMxCfc7MqmvvkugQOBa8rXmjen_rgcwLbDIQ63u9C4PRdrPNFnqctE8I2IfCg/s320/IMG_0457.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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From there, we toured the town center, a 16th century <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1274" target="_blank">United Nations World Heritage Site</a>,<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNpON8xaUGcSVCXZ5JyObpOQgPnPgIgz-PCmvMH7fUNwzCO25i2CL0JE7Jfx-41sYfprno-bCYxvp5OHRfC3IY_EZdT2yeBRc50iCLrzdQS6FYKLm3Jwwawlc1CB9PESyPFSPkBOv23w/s1600/ParrochiaSanMiguel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNpON8xaUGcSVCXZ5JyObpOQgPnPgIgz-PCmvMH7fUNwzCO25i2CL0JE7Jfx-41sYfprno-bCYxvp5OHRfC3IY_EZdT2yeBRc50iCLrzdQS6FYKLm3Jwwawlc1CB9PESyPFSPkBOv23w/s320/ParrochiaSanMiguel.jpeg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parrocchia in the Jardin (town square) in San Miguel, Mexico</td></tr>
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and finished with a visit to an ice cream parlor, where they enjoyed their first ever ice cream cones!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usPgNdepZpjkBeZ2W50H1325sDN2ezuuBvmUps5iirYiV4NAPTkfA6zQlL_Ob1aHAlGNMNcum7t4ywXj1GYjD6sVfMMeS6JQR9ta3FQCZ25MVSr_oSDNHYt3ycgcfct7zzOAf-nGeqw/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usPgNdepZpjkBeZ2W50H1325sDN2ezuuBvmUps5iirYiV4NAPTkfA6zQlL_Ob1aHAlGNMNcum7t4ywXj1GYjD6sVfMMeS6JQR9ta3FQCZ25MVSr_oSDNHYt3ycgcfct7zzOAf-nGeqw/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8PcIgcRECbo_yojbfoun2P1jqrKRW7prIXE2SiplvxmV8KPVjnwSXmKPVbYmfedsgqpxL7LWmsmou95vmsal1VyPt0FL5_0pNJTvxTdxUoYJoJdmIgWMpJmXX5Z_ILjLzejg7jKJ54U/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8PcIgcRECbo_yojbfoun2P1jqrKRW7prIXE2SiplvxmV8KPVjnwSXmKPVbYmfedsgqpxL7LWmsmou95vmsal1VyPt0FL5_0pNJTvxTdxUoYJoJdmIgWMpJmXX5Z_ILjLzejg7jKJ54U/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Finally, I gave each of them a diploma, citing them as Super Students!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtCO6hvam_i_YsMnBlF1tfKYBocK9GsRPXtN2q6_AgyguHQi930haAhuwFU-foarc9GPnHX3vZw75O6VwpbPbtmJHUbVbkm4fve56SWIiOtxl991-RLmH5oBf7z7NY1-0H4KqZ0Vz1Uw/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtCO6hvam_i_YsMnBlF1tfKYBocK9GsRPXtN2q6_AgyguHQi930haAhuwFU-foarc9GPnHX3vZw75O6VwpbPbtmJHUbVbkm4fve56SWIiOtxl991-RLmH5oBf7z7NY1-0H4KqZ0Vz1Uw/s640/IMG_0454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I dropped the tired but happy group at their village in the late afternoon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9wUlhtdIi0hcJWO8rZVPGA1IKKBQMlVF9x71MjfZi6IqV3OX9xPLvKR8vRWul_1-AbIUfnEBjazV-Za-yzBePNNrsfJfTbjx__4b4I8y1TZ0WLKUHXjF8SR6LncVKEGJV5q47jzXGYw/s1600/IMG_0450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9wUlhtdIi0hcJWO8rZVPGA1IKKBQMlVF9x71MjfZi6IqV3OX9xPLvKR8vRWul_1-AbIUfnEBjazV-Za-yzBePNNrsfJfTbjx__4b4I8y1TZ0WLKUHXjF8SR6LncVKEGJV5q47jzXGYw/s320/IMG_0450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkouSzBbIoJXBO2nNORAJz1yJkZDElLn9GY4OXKv6AV9REqBL4z36c6K0Va0dxFxEZJda0BnjHscMeKOUl3zRnt_HDrZcV8flzaJ0tEW2RgznzaY3YV3ZhhTk6_bo_iW86TGpNqZlneg/s1600/IMG_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkouSzBbIoJXBO2nNORAJz1yJkZDElLn9GY4OXKv6AV9REqBL4z36c6K0Va0dxFxEZJda0BnjHscMeKOUl3zRnt_HDrZcV8flzaJ0tEW2RgznzaY3YV3ZhhTk6_bo_iW86TGpNqZlneg/s200/IMG_0452.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Why am I telling you all this? Sure it's interesting. But I also trying to get donations of decks of cards, USB flash drives and other resources for these worthy kids. It's difficult to get used computers to Mexico, so at the moment I'm not soliciting such donations (but perhaps in the future I'll do so). I'm partnering with a church group who has offered to pay for internet service to open an "Internet Cafe" at one of the schools. More to come on this in the near future, but it's certain that we'll need more computers and money.<br />
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I'm now working with two new groups of kids - four 9 year olds and six 14 year olds. The "graduates" of my first class help as "tutors" to the new students, which gives them an opportunity to continue to use the computers.<br />
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I'll keep you posted!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-19627003027755728232012-03-21T23:50:00.000-06:002012-03-21T23:50:29.744-06:00Kids are Just Kids No Matter Where You Are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEdP76RzaFztfIqLh8SzdNmS-Id2aHcm7rFgD_Zm0JAMgeEqoiaRy2XjLzabzxAzSOtRbJu_3sMqJ9B73JuYXlRRXQ-3kgJ-8jAwpjYvb1pwr2zwSKuMM1lwJfV-CHHAkUQDqdsrUSbA/s1600/_MG_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEdP76RzaFztfIqLh8SzdNmS-Id2aHcm7rFgD_Zm0JAMgeEqoiaRy2XjLzabzxAzSOtRbJu_3sMqJ9B73JuYXlRRXQ-3kgJ-8jAwpjYvb1pwr2zwSKuMM1lwJfV-CHHAkUQDqdsrUSbA/s640/_MG_0083.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzOqsVk1dpuV050iBUSkBP9kdW7aTcliXQnuM5LB866TCrMhMehdn6RlCxVhfzqOoGrjcQZKWtY7yup4tcLgBjCOQkM6Hr-PepTptU9hodclx-lO_-vfFjxipsR4IL4W2UMfxEL5u3Gc/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzOqsVk1dpuV050iBUSkBP9kdW7aTcliXQnuM5LB866TCrMhMehdn6RlCxVhfzqOoGrjcQZKWtY7yup4tcLgBjCOQkM6Hr-PepTptU9hodclx-lO_-vfFjxipsR4IL4W2UMfxEL5u3Gc/s320/IMG_0446.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1gUQCk5SVw5HqzEoxQB6FfgHQbm2-3QZAKHIgQ-Upo_6RJrRXYuMJorHzX_Ngvz2-Px5CYO9snlIQRC1c-9iaQeYJv5tu9z8HXDOCpEqSbf-fB7UolQpFRaTkGECWkOeUpZzsbjYeKo/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1gUQCk5SVw5HqzEoxQB6FfgHQbm2-3QZAKHIgQ-Upo_6RJrRXYuMJorHzX_Ngvz2-Px5CYO9snlIQRC1c-9iaQeYJv5tu9z8HXDOCpEqSbf-fB7UolQpFRaTkGECWkOeUpZzsbjYeKo/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>One of my weekly activities is delivering food to rural schools (<a href="http://www.feedthehungrysma.org/">Feed the Hungry</a>) so that the students have at least one healthy daily meal. At these same schools, I have installed donated computers (working with a group called <a href="http://www.cpjmex.org/" target="_blank">Computers for Kids</a>) and teach computing to youngsters who have never seen a computer, other than on TV.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhts4KN82L9-mwz6XMA7L2BUHaRtP_jcsFTVtQ4u20NCoiIj8C_XTkCc-1xbc8BeOMzAU01s7Uh5EynOPdkLz8Ypa_Thi0aY0pC0DMuMA5i9bC1n0Vfe0FdBnRdHPm0w2GrnmyNA_1Zek/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhts4KN82L9-mwz6XMA7L2BUHaRtP_jcsFTVtQ4u20NCoiIj8C_XTkCc-1xbc8BeOMzAU01s7Uh5EynOPdkLz8Ypa_Thi0aY0pC0DMuMA5i9bC1n0Vfe0FdBnRdHPm0w2GrnmyNA_1Zek/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">It's both gratifying and fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHqxmPq_z6YqimNFxkytczQBGOjA6I43nN4HBZGIjOp6rOcI1ExRgZb9BEpMXvSrRvgDUKTcYAyBJgrS00Dk9PuVBblxMNrniUz3z1kv_ZYrdg7kfHILZZLjbblZ3qryCmEj3YP0_ly4/s1600/_MG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHqxmPq_z6YqimNFxkytczQBGOjA6I43nN4HBZGIjOp6rOcI1ExRgZb9BEpMXvSrRvgDUKTcYAyBJgrS00Dk9PuVBblxMNrniUz3z1kv_ZYrdg7kfHILZZLjbblZ3qryCmEj3YP0_ly4/s400/_MG_0024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
During the course of these activities, I keep my eyes open for things of interest. Last year, around the middle of March, I passed a kindergarden and saw dozens of children wearing colorful costumes - most dressed as butterflies, flowers and rabbits.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSB7e-z5Mne-Gjca_psVMpr9ZTUSmN43Th3riSSp4R8j7UiB0dVzqn8oDPwN5segyYGqW9_e4F0tqVmhWKVcIdzitxXGwi-XyEEG1frOZDvyt74gblA-f0FKD-5dNnsQPuuK0NyoE0gus/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSB7e-z5Mne-Gjca_psVMpr9ZTUSmN43Th3riSSp4R8j7UiB0dVzqn8oDPwN5segyYGqW9_e4F0tqVmhWKVcIdzitxXGwi-XyEEG1frOZDvyt74gblA-f0FKD-5dNnsQPuuK0NyoE0gus/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div> I spoke to the principal, who told me that they were celebrating the first day of spring with a parade and the crowning of the king and queen and their court. It was charming!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ6PnxN_61IfVEiGIdNvi_pU06jFK8zH5Z_Kg5g10hkUd7AIBBQw_OLVvvapeWYKYLKEUpHqz73b16L9bFmBWREzyDeRJwQIM4Qiyfqmfg92v0MDn3TyKrhb6JURV6M7JhA0c42TnMuE/s1600/_MG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ6PnxN_61IfVEiGIdNvi_pU06jFK8zH5Z_Kg5g10hkUd7AIBBQw_OLVvvapeWYKYLKEUpHqz73b16L9bFmBWREzyDeRJwQIM4Qiyfqmfg92v0MDn3TyKrhb6JURV6M7JhA0c42TnMuE/s400/_MG_0121.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>This colorful pageant lacked only one thing - parents with cameras! Not a single one of the parents had a camera. In a flash I realized that they were too poor to afford cameras, computers and processing. Armed with my everpresent trusty camera, I took photographs of the children, and later made prints which I gave to the school to provide to the childrens' families.<br />
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This year, knowing in advance when the parade would be held, I arrived at the school with two cameras and plenty of batteries and memory cards. Two hundred plus photographs later, I returned home to again make prints for the families of these young children.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgUzPwnmUri4FWYl3e-By-giRlvEC77hPCd8TY1LohsgGPXkEk7Ek1XciSk06ahsM3E5XqkQGpx0tWTFeuc_GvGGPYWybnWhlUTn9WvCcgikTQz8OjgPiUF-n2MJKe-bRmH6Xj79rYvI/s400/IMG_0467.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I'm sure, after viewing these photos, you will agree that these youngsters are as cute, sweet and adorable as kids anywhere. Although they often lack running water in their homes and cook over wood fires, they are as creative and funny as children anywhere in the world.<br />
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This year's King!<br />
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With his Queen!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBrWXVI3M5AVz6tQuMGfx2u4mDP1FpmK3OM0kYj8lIRcFadwSVwxZFhLopO_ULQFaBxLp_Gh00zr51-YJ2JDwhAJZUTjgx5WEJVOSLAoPelz4bGhanvxyUYTDKPhayUqDV3xb6i-GlBc/s1600/_MG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBrWXVI3M5AVz6tQuMGfx2u4mDP1FpmK3OM0kYj8lIRcFadwSVwxZFhLopO_ULQFaBxLp_Gh00zr51-YJ2JDwhAJZUTjgx5WEJVOSLAoPelz4bGhanvxyUYTDKPhayUqDV3xb6i-GlBc/s640/_MG_0138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-20591142993346547372012-02-08T18:26:00.000-06:002012-02-08T18:26:30.013-06:00A Vacation at the Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Her husband Roberto to whom she refers is the good looking gentleman in the photo above.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ_GFjSTuKw">Click this link to a video of her reading her story</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-40334793995398914562012-01-31T17:10:00.000-06:002012-01-31T17:10:14.937-06:00Whale at the BeachLast week we went to the beach at Troncones, Mexico (not far from Ixtapa) with a group of congenial friends.<br />
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We took over a small resort, <a href="http://www.majahuapalms.com/">Mahajua Palms</a>, a modest place with a million dollar location.<br />
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We relaxed, birdwatched, kayaked, swam, ate, drank and walked the beach looking for interesting shells and rocks.<br />
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By the way, whale in Spanish is "ballena"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-2939552191165149082012-01-06T21:51:00.000-06:002012-01-06T21:51:39.766-06:00New York vs. San Miguel --- You DecideThis is a Youtube video I saw today. Interesting.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at78bEH1kjg">New York vs. San Miguel</a><br />
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A couple of things to note. I don't know where all the swimming pools in San Miguel are. They are fairly rare, as they are expensive to heat and maintain. We do have hot springs nearby (which I don't think NYC is blessed with).<br />
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Also, I don't know where the minigolf course shown in the video is located. No idea!<br />
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Below you see me eating a Cubana sandwich which compares favorably, I believe, to sandwiches in NY. However, in San Miguel it cost less than $2.50! Eat your heart out!<br />
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This is me at a new restaurant just outside of town. The owner is a New Yorker who opened a nice thin crust pizza restaurant a few months ago. Thursdays you get a free dessert pizza with a large. We had Granny Smith apples with walnuts and cajeta (caramel topping) and another with cream cheese, blackberries and a kind of streusel topping. Yummy!<br />
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And a photo of me in front of a barbershop in Oaxaca during our recent trip. There is an interesting concept in Mexico which has no equivalent in English. That is the concept of "tocayo". A "tocayo" is a person who share your first name. So Carlos the barber and I are "tocayos". I didn't test the relationship by asking him for a loan.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY4_KtvD0XtXEFt30ZiQHYSh0uXm0goD9dJgQf8t3y0jdsPRjBRWJaEo4Rk5klVExgdkhDIBTzxYb16nRmKFJ9G6dLAGyNQwXfbnt1NSJKXGHoC2uQG2Gg7AVMwuzZ5XUNGh71BMom68/s1600/IMAG0373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY4_KtvD0XtXEFt30ZiQHYSh0uXm0goD9dJgQf8t3y0jdsPRjBRWJaEo4Rk5klVExgdkhDIBTzxYb16nRmKFJ9G6dLAGyNQwXfbnt1NSJKXGHoC2uQG2Gg7AVMwuzZ5XUNGh71BMom68/s640/IMAG0373.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaffoxlPrtbGJPrOZoj8BuDp9Ddo8xMBUEIiEOtN2fT4sI2rUoRnZXqJmP9eKiLcAHhEL3dMZ24ZqGZrY1diUpyUNUQMVMKbURDvT6WlZ0JMXw_5SlGpcgBzhIWlKN8njnmBl_plNjLw/s1600/IMAG0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaffoxlPrtbGJPrOZoj8BuDp9Ddo8xMBUEIiEOtN2fT4sI2rUoRnZXqJmP9eKiLcAHhEL3dMZ24ZqGZrY1diUpyUNUQMVMKbURDvT6WlZ0JMXw_5SlGpcgBzhIWlKN8njnmBl_plNjLw/s400/IMAG0391.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I think she likes the results, don't you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeAFl_vVaRF_vYl3nkoXUf5uEXBV2KoVoKPpHjxh6eM0xEj88EXKB172qjxOM0GOOTWOM2RHGp_lxH6coJro7Yse_6ld1E-DERFiNNYiw590TEd1HY1hP89qcgqmbrfSCwt_wXW3WmG8/s1600/IMAG0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeAFl_vVaRF_vYl3nkoXUf5uEXBV2KoVoKPpHjxh6eM0xEj88EXKB172qjxOM0GOOTWOM2RHGp_lxH6coJro7Yse_6ld1E-DERFiNNYiw590TEd1HY1hP89qcgqmbrfSCwt_wXW3WmG8/s400/IMAG0347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqtuEthtk-gLE9DTjEy2xff3ThjugovkaG4PFtNMzuFN5FEwF2GnJAmWwbHz6ZFV582xFn9NEtcRf6cV_HGGntVBz44FX-ynzdMJRQxGRlAnAM2Jh0KYU9a9Euonp8WheUObsRazGU_w/s1600/IMAG0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqtuEthtk-gLE9DTjEy2xff3ThjugovkaG4PFtNMzuFN5FEwF2GnJAmWwbHz6ZFV582xFn9NEtcRf6cV_HGGntVBz44FX-ynzdMJRQxGRlAnAM2Jh0KYU9a9Euonp8WheUObsRazGU_w/s640/IMAG0349.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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In fact, she seems rather proud!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-69760289981480122152011-11-08T13:44:00.000-06:002011-11-08T13:44:05.725-06:00Traveling History Museum in San Miguel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPqDbQoHAFWgn2LyiZCMwf4Ri_OtiM5CTeGbjLppQmv3woJWKnN-4qv61NqkzA2kPxoaAWx0N3TeMR1u-T6Lq65Gj3zrzVu9LZC9r3sEZrOBOsPClEwZXc6Hlte-H1sJuBO4aGE-TAKQ/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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</div>While riding home from the gym one day, I saw a semi trailer parked in front of a small strip mall.<br />
Loads of school kids were milling around.<br />
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Curious, I had to check it out. Turns out it is a free traveling Mexican history museum, part of the Mexican Bicentennial celebration.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPqDbQoHAFWgn2LyiZCMwf4Ri_OtiM5CTeGbjLppQmv3woJWKnN-4qv61NqkzA2kPxoaAWx0N3TeMR1u-T6Lq65Gj3zrzVu9LZC9r3sEZrOBOsPClEwZXc6Hlte-H1sJuBO4aGE-TAKQ/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPqDbQoHAFWgn2LyiZCMwf4Ri_OtiM5CTeGbjLppQmv3woJWKnN-4qv61NqkzA2kPxoaAWx0N3TeMR1u-T6Lq65Gj3zrzVu9LZC9r3sEZrOBOsPClEwZXc6Hlte-H1sJuBO4aGE-TAKQ/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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No one objected when I climbed the stairs, entered and listened to the tour guide.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ-PS-X_gBvLrrV7uMfyGjTkPjcCyWMUzJUTM1i0C_a-OJxLagHdGwYWfBdYQbgKSp8Nj5s6mJHmqwTyFtG68Ugm_B6xthwPFGh4aaKwIpP0yBx7Z19h5GdqkwTNvbH0p4463L8K84vs/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ-PS-X_gBvLrrV7uMfyGjTkPjcCyWMUzJUTM1i0C_a-OJxLagHdGwYWfBdYQbgKSp8Nj5s6mJHmqwTyFtG68Ugm_B6xthwPFGh4aaKwIpP0yBx7Z19h5GdqkwTNvbH0p4463L8K84vs/s400/IMG_0016.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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I thought it was a pretty nice thing for a small Mexican town.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6324859258050998674.post-88843833369138881402011-11-08T12:53:00.000-06:002011-11-08T12:53:36.640-06:00Blogiquette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FH4D6DfSHIccs6UiSz_VIoE1N_SRnUDKS3Z5u_08zSjEeYEUAOjE1rQ320CfrYBiZwW8_vZ1N6Z0s9kXUxFuRvDMT4zg3NbuDQ4R6my9jtzMm56PjFYR-JTVUQP-P0y4H7lt9h1eZSo/s1600/Lilah+in+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FH4D6DfSHIccs6UiSz_VIoE1N_SRnUDKS3Z5u_08zSjEeYEUAOjE1rQ320CfrYBiZwW8_vZ1N6Z0s9kXUxFuRvDMT4zg3NbuDQ4R6my9jtzMm56PjFYR-JTVUQP-P0y4H7lt9h1eZSo/s400/Lilah+in+2009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I finally figured it out. Rather than write long blogs with lots of photos, I need to frequently write short blogs with just a photo or two.<br />
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I'm going to try it out.<br />
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Cross your fingers!<br />
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Also, I will include more photos of our grandchildren! Above is Lilah demonstrating her early artistic talent. This photo was taken 2 years ago, when she was just 3+. This is what she is doing now! Not bad for a 5 year old!<br />
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Our town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is located in the state of Guanajuato. About 50 miles away is the capital of Guanajuato, also called Guanajuato. It is a charming college town, colorful and fun to visit.<br />
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Its most famous attraction is the <a href="http://www.mummytombs.com/mummylocator/group/guanajuato.closeup.htm">Mummy Museum, or Museo de las Momias</a>. It is famous throughout Mexico, mostly due to a low budget <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208306/">cult horror film</a> as well as a TV series.<br />
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In the last few years, the museum has been renovated and updated. It is no longer as macabre as in years past, although vendors outside still sell the same skeleton adorned candies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/12/land-of-the-dead/8731/">A recent article in the Atlantic described the writer's visit to the museum. </a><br />
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Definitely worth a visit on your next trip to San Miguel!<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208306/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208306/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0