Fiestas and Class

El 6 de Enero (January 6) was the 466th anniversary of Merida as an established city. Granted, it had been a Mayan city called T'ho for centuries before it was designated a city by Montejo, a Spaniard. However, that is just another story.

January 6 was not only exciting for Merida's birthday, but also for el Dia de Los Reyes Magos - Three Kings Day or Epiphany. There was a Rosco de Reyes cake, which is an oval wreath adorned with dry fruit. Baked inside is a little doll, el munequito, to represent Jesus. Whoever gets this doll has to throw a party on February 2 for Candelaria. We had one at school, I got a doll. Guess I'll be having a party!

Other than that, there is a arts festival going on right now so there is live music, dancing, and crafts everyday night in the downtown. On Thursday we went down to the Santa Lucia church and saw an awesome band that played musica cubano. On Friday we went down to a cafe and then a club where we danced to a live band until the night became morning. So much fun!

Aside from going out, I take classes Monday to Friday and I am glad to say that they are perfecto for me. I am taking a spanish course and education course. While education sounds weird to take, it is a requirement and seems like an awesome class. We are exploring culture and identity through ethnographies and taking pictures! 

My other class is very unique in that is an anthropology/service class. It is in a predominantly Mayan neighborhood on the outskirts of town. To get there we meet at the oldest Cathedral in America and take a bus to the south side of the city. We are exploring many important issues such as the culture here, discrimination, and what service is. We are also working with community members on certain topics. I am working with woman and children on health. Thursday, we played soccer.