Una Semana en Cuernavaca (One Week in Cuernavaca)

The much anticipated move has come and gone. I arrived in Mexico on 1/16/16 and have loved being immersed into the new culture. My week has been very busy filled with language school (M-F from 9:00-1:30), orientation after school, a lot of exploring, and even a day trip to the city Taxco. 

One of the other things I have loved about Cuernavaca so far is how many markets they have. The first day here a few volunteers that have been here for half a year took myself and another new volunteer to two markets- one by NPH and one by the Zocalo (the city center). This is where I discovered the very delicious and very cheap Michelada. It is beer (usually Corona), tabasco sauce, worcestershire sauce, lime and a sweet chili sauce around the rim. It is only about $2.00. At a book market in the city I found where I can get the rest of the Harry Potter books in Spanish. I will be revisiting this market after I finish the first one my sister, Bri, got me for Christmas (Thanks Bri :)). There is also another market by the property that has a liter of fresh juice for only about $1.50, an abundance of fruits and veggies and very delicious quesadillas.  

Last Sunday at dinner we were introduced to the kids. There are about 150 of them ranging from ages 15-22. I haven't interacted with them too much since we have been busy with school and other various activities, but I can't wait to get to know them as the year continues! For prayer before dinner they say my favorite prayer of all time- St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer along with the Lord's Prayer. I have been practicing them in Spanish so that I can pray the prayers with them soon. 

Learning the language (I came down with very, very little Spanish) has been a bit more challenging than I imagined, but I can already tell a difference. I can't speak much of it yet, but I can understand a lot of conversations, which has been wonderful! "Poco a poco" has been a phrase muttered everyday between my roommates and I- "little by little." 

The new NPH volunteers and
 I outside of the NPH church

During orientation one day we were able to explore the zocalo. It was there that we saw the church where NPH was first thought of a little over 60 years ago. A homeless boy stole from the collection basket during mass and the police called Fr. Wasson (the founder) to testify. Instead he decided to take the boy into his home and was provided food, clothes, school, and home for the boy. After that the police called Fr. Wasson whenever they caught a child stealing from the collection basked or who needed help. The first year they had 30 children and have grown exponentially since then (20,500+ children have grown up in an NPH home)! The church was beautiful and quaint. 

Finally, on Saturday we went to Taxco. A fellow volunteer's former host family was wonderful and brought us there. It was about an hour and a half drive up the mountains (we got to about 6500 ft above sea level). Taxco is known as the silver city and it was beautiful. I saw the most breathtaking church I have ever seen and was in heaven when in the jewelry stores. One of the jewelry store owners who was showing us different parts of the city from the balcony stated that Taxco is known for panoramic views and boy was he right. Since Taxco was built by the Spaniards all the architecture looks like Spain and there are cobblestone streets everywhere. I can't wait to go back and explore the city. 

Overall I have been in bliss in Cuernavaca (the City of Eternal Spring). The tacos, the warmth, the chirping birds and being immersed into the language have been just as wonderful as I could have imagined. All the volunteers, staff and children have also been so welcoming to all the new volunteers. I already feel at home :) 

This next week we will be continuing and finishing language school, then one more free weekend and after that I will begin my work with the kids and as the Project Assistant for the two homes. Please continue to pray for the children, the staff of NPH, and the new volunteers as we acclimate to our new lives. Stay tuned! 

God Bless,
Katie 

The view from my apartment's rooftop. I don't think I will ever get sick of this view.

The first of many sunsets.

Michelada

There is artwork like this all over.

Taxco Cathedral

Taxco Cathedral

Taxco

Inside the NPH church