Part Tres (3) Mexico 1973

3 Feb

In order to introduce a group of US students to Mexican culture, a three weeks intensive was set aside by the University of the Americas in Cholula, Puebla. I was one of those students.

Week 1) Prehispanic Mexico included trips to ancient pyramids, modern museums and studies of conquest by foreign invaders.

Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
(replica of the pyramids of Ek Balam 100 BC)
Catholic Church built on top of one of the largest pyramids in the world. Cholula, Puebla
View from the top of the Cholula pyramid 1973 and 2017. The city population has exploded.

Week 2) Colonial Mexico which included visits to cathedrals, studies of French, Spanish and US revolutions and land grabs, and the decimation of native populations.

Mexico City 1973. The main cathedral built on the Zocalo (main square).

Week 3) Modern Mexico included government function, political factions and the election process.

The Center of Three Cultures. In 1964 while preparing for the Summer Olympics, student protesters were herded into a dead end street and shot at from the high rise apartments seen in the photo. One of my teachers was a survivor of this stain on Mexican history.

I was enchanted by the good, the bad and the ugly of Mexican history. I had lived in a neighboring country and knew none of what I was studying. By comparison the United States had no culture. At least in my mind. There was so much to absorb. Today I have come to appreciate Mexican pride, food, artists, music, devotion to family, dance, literature, language and spirituality. It is a lovely country to visit and live in.

DOS TORTAS

Tradicional Dance.

6 Responses to “Part Tres (3) Mexico 1973”

  1. LJones February 5, 2023 at 11:33 am #

    Hi Alex – You have inspired me to learn about this amazing country that we visit…and you live in. Thank you – and see you next month! With love, Lorrie

    Lorrie Jones Simple Serenity simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/ 253.312.3117

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 February 5, 2023 at 1:32 pm #

      When I was leaving Mexico in 1974 there was a couple next to me on their honeymoon going to Spain. They had never been to Mexico. I think they got tired of me gushing one minute and crying the next.

      Like

  2. Jack Scott February 6, 2023 at 4:56 am #

    That’s a lot to absorb in three short weeks!

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 February 6, 2023 at 6:34 am #

      It was! I think because we weren’t just reading but actually visiting these places, it was completely fascinating.

      Like

  3. Emilie February 7, 2023 at 1:58 pm #

    I’ve always felt similarly about culture: the US has little to none, Mexico is full. I love every time I’m down there. Just came back from 3 1/2 weeks on the Sea of Cortez. Your friends welcome to be home and I told them they should really be offering me condolences.

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 February 8, 2023 at 10:53 am #

      I know. I always feel grateful when I get through immigration back to Mexico. I’m honored to live there.

      Liked by 1 person

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