Monday, February 5

Well, I've been here two weeks now and the term has finally started, and with a bang! Max Cameron got his huge class terrifically enthusiastic about the political science course. He had them go to the plaza (some went to the Zocalo and some to the cathedral plaza), and observe something and write about it. With his introduction and encouragement, the results were outstanding. Max noted that before going to the plaza, when discussing possible topics of interest no-one mentioned children, but after coming back, children were a hot topic. I remember particularly the comment on the contrast on children who wear uniforms and go to school and children who spend the day hawking souvenirs with their mothers. The military was also a hot topic, as they showed up in mass, in camoflage, coming in two big trucks for a constitution day celebration with bugle and drum.

In the afternoon, after working on fieldtrip organization, Rita and I went to Na Bolom, the house of Franz Blom and Getrude (Trudy) Duby Blom. The name means "House of the Jaguar." Trudy Blom was instrumental in publicizing and romanticizing the Lacandon Maya who had had minimal contact with outsiders before the 20th century, and who continued to worship in the ancient buildings of Yaxchilan and Bonampak. Rita will organize a class trip to Na Bolom shortly.

In the evening, Max made supper for Rita and me: a vegan chili that was superb and a real treat after my cooking. I also bought some tortillas to offer for supper but was so happy to get good fresh ones I managed to eat most of them before supper. Fortunately, Max had also bought tortillas.

After supper we went to Kinoki to see the film Babel. We had prepared an after-movie feast for the usual discussion but it ended very late. Only Josh and James joined Rita, Max, and me and neither had seen the movie. We still had a fine discussion along with hot chocolate. Max liked the movie a great deal more than Rita or I did, but there were many things on which we agreed.

That was it. Rita starts her class tomorrow afternoon and I have to look for a dentist.