Gratitude, Bill, and Pyramids

Yes...seriously.

It is hard to believe that the first semester here in Puebla is coming to a close this week and I will be in California soon! My Spanish teacher has crammed my head full of verb tenses, which I still don't have memorized, I have been well cared for by Margarita, and enjoyed the company of my new friends here in Puebla. I am filled with gratitude for the countless acts of kindness and service on behalf of my family while I have been away. I can never know the wholeness of what occurred for our benefit. I have witnessed the Lord's work through the hands of my friends and family and am eternally indebted. Bill was came down to Puebla for a quick 5 day visit and surprised me by staying 20!
Bill and I traveled to Oaxaca, Oaxaca for a weekend. Here we are at the ruins of Monte Alban. This sight was a center for economics, religion, and politics for the Zapotecs. It thrived from about 500 B.C. to 850 B.C. The city of Oaxaco is in the valley below. While in Oaxaca we ate Tlayudas (large crispy tortilla topped with any variety of toppings) enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the zocalo, and visited some historical sights.This picture was taken at the ex-convent of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca. This ex-convent house a beautiful chapel, as well as an enormous collection of historical artifacts that mark the long and varied history of Mexico. We spent only a few hours there, it would take a few days to few it all in depth.
Kaitlin (from Las Vegas) and I waiting for LUNA NUEVA! (photo by Bill)
We were able to visit Mexico City. Bill served his mission in Mexico City 1988-1990. We shared some special moments walking the streets together where he once walked. We snapped many photos in some of the same spots where Bill had taken photos that now fill his scrapbook. We were saddened to realize when we arrived to Puebla the next day, we had left the camera on the bus. When we called the bus station, it had not been turned in. This picture was taken on our second trip to Mexico City (with a new camera). We visited the National Antropology Museum and visited the Teotihuacan Pyramids. We are standing a top of the enormous Sun Pyramid with the Moon Pyramid in the background.

This was Thanksgiving Day. On Tuesday, Bill got the gas and electricity turned on in our small apartment that we will be living in this winter and spring. We were able to invite my fellow USAC students and share a marvelous evening together. There are 19 of us pictured, but there was a total of 23 people in this little place! Despite the cramped quarters we miraculously prepared a turkey dinner (thank you Costco for the turkey and pumpkin pie-not easy items to find here in Mexico) with stuffing, potatoes, and even pumpkin pie! Everyone brought something to share. It was definately a day of abundance, and good will. Having such a lively and loving group to share this day with gave us all something to look forward too and I don't think anyone felt like they "missed out" on anything that day. Thank you to my USAC friends for making this a most memorable Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday, Bill! We ate at a delicious Italian restaurant to celebrate his special day!

Once again, this blog would not be complete without a tribute to Margarita and her dear family. Here she is with her two sons (Paco and Alejandro), their wives (Vivi sitting and Flora standing with Alejandro), her two grandchildren, (Paco -- Pepito and Anapoala or Munse) and her daughter. Lupita (wearing pink). Margarita has been a mother figure, teacher, friend, and an example of faith and family values. I owe so much her, it has been a privilege to be in her home the last 4 months. She has generously given her time and shared her talents on behalf of me and my family. Her children are living testaments of her strength. They have the same genuine kind-heartness of their mother. Despite the language differences, I always felt welcomed and like part of this precious family. Again, I witnessed the Lord's work, this time through the hands of Margarita and her family, and again, I am eternally grateful. We are sitting here in our new apartment, after a Thanksgiving meal. I think it was far too bland for their tastebuds, not a chile pepper or bowl of salsa in sight, but they graciously recieved and consumed the food. Paco, Margartia's oldest son was impressed with the giant bowl of mashed potatoes. He said that on the movies from the United States, during a dinner scene, someone always says "Please pass the potatoes".

Highlights from Puebla

On September 26 I traveled to Tepoztlan on a field trip with the USAC students. We hiked a trail to the top of a mountain that was incredibly steep and was entirely stair-stepped. I don't know the history behind it, but I assume that the "stairs" were placed by the indigenous people who had to climb the sheer cliff to build the pyramid that sits at the top. It was invigorating and the view from the top was beautiful. It overlooked the small town of Tepoztlan nestled below the majestic mountains. After the climb we spent the afternoon in the town. The town also had a lively market, delicious food, and of course a large church and an ex-convent. I have not been to many of the ruin sites yet, I am waiting to share that with my family when they arrive. Many of the students travel on the weekends, but I enjoy spending my weekends in Puebla with Margarita and other locals. The goal is to be surrounded by the language and prepare for my family to arrive.



This big guy was in my shower! Easily 2 inches long-- he had me squirming! I didn't tell Margarita, I just scooped him up with a long handled dust pan and put him outside. YIKES!
Other than a few pesky mosquitoes, this was my first BUG sighting. I hope he does not have a large family.

October 22. My sister Emma came to visit me in Puebla. It was surreal to be share this experience with her. It made the miles from home fade away for a few days. She brought me my new laptop, so I can do things like update my blog regularly and Skype with my family. Emma also brought along a care package from friends and family in Redding and other places. Thanks to all who included your special touches in the package. What a treat! I was crushed to see the invitation to the adult Halloween party Bill and I attend every year is themed "Michael Jackson" and I will not be there to attend. (Boo who!) I don't know who will dance Thriller and Beat It if I am not there! This photo is of Emma, Lupita (Margarita's daughter), Margarita (my amazing host mom), and me. Emma and I spent Friday exploring Cholula, and near by town, and going out with some locals. I had to speak spanish on our behalf the whole time and it was great practice for my language-- which is still a struggle. We hung out in the zocalo on Saturday, eating some delicious poblano cuisine and perusing the local markets. Sunday we attended church where the stake rearranged all the ward boundaries. I have to find my way to my new ward next Sunday. I will miss the Zaveleta ward, the members were so kind to me.

Emma enjoying Tacos Arabe and Quesidillas con Championes in the zocalo. If you don't come to Puebla to visit me, you must come for the food! Just ask Emma and my waistline.

Sunday afternoon Emma and I made homemade tortillas. It was a practice run. While they were not perfect, we learned from our mistakes, and the tortillas were quite tasty. Here I am holding a carmeled apples, thanks to the kit sent from my friend Marci Rainey. Margarita and Lupita were impressed that these could be made at home. Carmeled apples are available here, but are not as popular of a fall tradition as in the United States. They were simple and delicious!

This is one of the birthday celebrations I have spent with Margarita and her large family. i love being with her family because it is a very familiar feeling. This is the traditional birthday song in Mexico, but most importantly is shows many members of her family, including her 91 year old mother, her 3 children, 2 grandchildren, as well as neices, nephews, brothers, sisters, etc. This party was held at Carmen's home in Puebla, one of Margarita's 9 siblings. It was to celebrate the 34th birthday of Maria-Carmen, Carmen's daughter.




This is VictorHugo! He turned two in September and invited me to his party! VictorHugo (aka Junior) is Margarita's nephew. His party was colorful and lively. A real celebration!





I love attending these family events! Margarita was concerened I may be overwhelmed with all the talking people. She didn't know who she was dealing with! I told her I felt right at home and would love to be included in as many of her families activities as they will allow me to attend! What a beautiful family. I was able to observe the interactions between the family members. I was so impressed by the genuine kindness and regard they had for one another. Each one did their part to help with serving, cleaning up, tending to the needs of grandma, or whatever was necessary. They are a great example of a caring family. I am blessed to know them.

A New Life in Puebla

I am adjusting slowly to life in Puebla. I have to be careful not to ramble on because there is so much to talk about. Everyday I go to bed with a head full of new information. It is exciting. The language has not come to me yet, but I study everday. I also speak daily with Margarita, my host mom. I attended church for the first time last week. I felt very welcome and was thankful for my knowledge of the scriptures. It helped me to understand the lessons knowing the stories already.

Some classmates and I went took a 15 minute taxi ride to the nearby town of Cholula. We all 5 rode in a small taxi, like a Nissan Sentra plus the driver for 20 pesos each or about $1.50 US! The purpose of the visit was to see Tontanzincla, a church built by the idigenous people for the Spanish. Our professor said the artwork in this church clearly shows the shock between the two cultures. It was well worth the visit.


A few of us stayed in Cholua a bit longer to stroll in the market. It is much smaller than Puebla, with a more relaxed feel. Another tidbit from our professor is that this small town has the highest number of churches per capita in Mexico. Cholula is also home to at least one unexcavated ancient pyrimad as well as other ancient ruins. The road out of town passes this pyrimad and it is so overgrown it looks like a green hillside. It stands out because of the impressive chuch built on top of it (another culture clash?!?).


A trip to the market. This purse cost me just a little over $4 US after much bargaining. Here is the craftsman who created it.


Sorry for not rotating the image...here is my laundry hanging to dry on the terrace of the house. I liked the image with the flag of Mexico displayed on a neighboring rooftop.





I am spoiled with indoor laundry!! Actually my host mom does the laundry as part of my rent. However when I found out she suffers from pain in both of her wrists due to car accident several years ago, I asked her to show me how to use the laundry facililties. Now when she is away on Saturday afternoons I can do a bit of laundry on my own. I am deeply grateful for Margarita. She it truley a host MOM. She spends so much time teaching me and being patient with me as struggle with the language. I hope to someday have enough words to express my gratitude to her.

Just a few things to remind me of home.

My bedroom. Very simple, tile floor, white walls, a TV and a desk to study at. My house is just about 10 minutes walking distance from the university. It is a great location. Also close to shopping, bus routes, and can you believe it...Costco!

The is the zocalo or the center of downtown in Puebla. It is becoming quite colorful in preparations for the Independence Day celebration on September 16th.

I will publish pictures of Margarita´s fanatistic Poblano cooking soon!

Saying Good-bye For Now

The Sutherland family is embarking on an adventure of a lifetime! We will be living in Puebla, Mexico for December 2009- May 2010. Meredith is getting a head start on the journey leaving Monday August 24. She will begin Spanish classes at the Universidad Iberoamericana and live with a host family. She will be preparing for her family to join her, by finding an appropriate school for the kids and housing for the family. This is a long-time dream of ours and it is exciting to see it happening. Thanks to our friends and family and your support.
After a fabulous party from our family and friends we drove to the airport in Oakland, CA. That morning was more difficult than any of us expected. Plenty of tears and hugs, and NOT wanting to say good-bye.

Stealing as many kisses as possible!!

Meredith flew from Oakland to Houston, Texas for a couple of days before the flight to Puebla. Here she stayed with Ryan, Sarah, Douglas, and Ralph (the dog) McMullin in their new home. Two more of her sister's were also in Houston: Alexandra and Emma Hunter.