Just before 11, we made it to the small town of Angangeuo, and with the help of one of the local kids we made our way up into the mountains to Chincoa, of the 4 entrances to the Mariposa Reserve.   From there we started our 45 minute hike through the beautiful pine forest to get to the main gathering spot of the Monarch Butterflies.  As we got close to the actual site we slowly started to see the butterflies flying overhead, then to our sides, then they were all around.  The forest echoed with a strange buzzing sound, and as we approached what looked like red trees we notices that they were the source of this strange noise.  The red trees were actually pines, covered so thickly in monarch butterflies that the tree was entirely covered.

We spent about 45 minutes in complete silence, watching in wonder as thousands upon thousands of butterflies fluttered around our small group.  After recovering from the awe we felt, we made our way back through the pine forest.  Dinner that night was eaten in the small town of Angangeo (which only had 2 restaurants), and the topic of conversation was the amazing sites we had seen that day.  We arrived back at Queretaro late that night, but the exhausted group all agreed that the long day was worth it.

Learn Spanish in Mexico

Lena with the Estudiantinas

Mexico City. The heart of the country, the megalopolis that unites millions, a place full of history and
wonder… and we had 12 hours to see as much of it as we could. Like many day trips we awoke at the crack of dawn to make our way to the Central de Autobuses of Querétaro. There we meet up with all of our students and grabbed a bus to Mexico Norte (one of the 4 bus terminals). After a short, and sleep filled, bus ride we arrived in D.F. Using public transport we made our way to the Centro Historico, and found ourselves at the doors of the historic Cafe Tacuba for breakfast. There we enjoyed delicious Mexican breakfasts as well as live entertainment from the estudiantinas.

Rick, Tycho, Kate & Ron with Voladores

After a hearty breakfast we made our way over to the main Zocalo to catch the Turibus to the Bosce de Chapultepec.  At Chapultepec we were treated to a show by the Voladores de Papantlan as well as had a chance to take photos with some local Otomí in traditional garb.  After these great photo ops we made our way to the Museo de Archologeo,  and spent the next few hours walking through the rich history of Mexico.  As our time winded down, both Kate and Tycho didn’t ever want to leave, but unfortunately Mexico City had many more wonders to share with us.

Tycho with the locals

We made our way back to the Turibus route, and took it all the way to the suburb of Coyoacan, made famous byits beautiful houses and zocalo, as well as being the home of the famous Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.  There we visited Casa Azul, the home of this artistic couple.  There we made our way through the rooms and as a result the history of the the couple.  At this point we were all starving, so we headed for the local market and introduced our students to gorditas (thich tortillas stuffed with different ingredients).  Full and tired we got on the Turibus for the last time and made our way home… to Mexico Norte and then back to Querétaro.    A full but fun day…

Learn Spanish in Mexico

Querétaro Language School - Maestra Claudia's Birthday

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Maestra Claudia!   On this day one of our Spanish teachers Claudia Melendez had her birthday, so all of us(staff, teachers and students) at the Querétaro Language School got together to throw here a surprise birthday party.  We celebrated by singing her the traditional Mexican birthday song of Las Mañanaitas”.  For those of you who will be in Mexico for a birthday here are the word to the first verse:

Las Mañanitas Lyrics:

Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David,
Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.

Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte,
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio,
Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.

Translation:

This is the morning song that King David sang
Because today is your saint’s day we’re singing it for you
Wake up, my dear, wake up, look it is already dawn
The birds are already singing and the moon has set

How lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you
We all came with joy and pleasure to congratulate you
The morning is coming now, the sun is giving us its light
Get up in the morning, look it is already dawn.

After the singing we enjoyed a delicious birthday cake of Tres Leches.

Querétaro Language School - Day of the Dead - 2008

Día de los Muertos.  Day of the Dead.  On this day Mexico comes alive, and Querétaro is no exception.   the irony that the Día de los Muertos is actually one of the most lively times in Mexico, and that most of the festivities happen at night is not lost on most Mexicans.

On this night, a merry band met at the Querétaro Language School to go and explore the Plazas of Querétaro and take part in the Mexican.  The band had gathered from around the world to learn and experience this unique Mexican tradition of paying respect to the dead by creating large alters and intricate altars.  The adventure started just after sunset, as the group set out the sky was the burning red.  Our first stop was at the spectacular casona across the street, where the neighbors had offered the to show us their own personal alter to relatives long gone.

Toothtaker family choosing new toys

Later we made our way through the packed streets and plazas of Querétaro to see the massive altars set up by the government and the smaller personal alters placed in the coartyards of small personal homes.  The night was alive with music, fireworks and food.  The Day of the Dead is not a day of morning for those who are no longer with us, it is a day of celebreation for those who are still here.

Aqueducto Querétaro

The clouds gathered. The lighting stuck the metal pole outside. Electricity danced down the pole eventually being eaten up by the earth below. It was the perfect day to bring life to our brainchild. I waited for the right moment, watching the clouds like a hawk watches it’s unknowing prey. It was almost time. Then it was there, unseen by all except those who knew what to look for, the tell tale spark. I pulled the switch, the lightning struck our antenna and careened its way down to the table in front of us. At first, nothing. Then a almost undetectable movement. Then another. I smiled. “It’s Alive! Its Alive!” I yelled loudly enough to be heard above the raging storm…

…the Querétaro Language School was alive.

Where is the Querétaro Language School?

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