King Endo

Endo got a handmade stand for his dog bowls yesterday. One of the best things about Mexico is that you can get anything you want custom made for cheap. Although I think I got the "gringo" price on Endo's dog bowls stand. Oh well, it was still cheap.

What a Day!

You know those days when you wake up and look outside and everything just seems perfect? Well today was one of those days and I took advantage of the it by mountain biking with my friend Lenny.
On these wonderfully beautiful days here in Mexico City you can see the volcanoes that border the Mexico City valley to the southeast. Here I am with Iztaccíhuatl (Ixta) on my right and Popocatépetl (Popo) on my left. Popo is active and if you click on the image and look closely at Popo you can see it smoking.

Wait, this isn't Mexico City

On Thursday I flew from Mexico City to Boston to give a seminar at Harvard.
In typical Boston fashion, it was really cold while I was waiting for the T to to Harvard Square.
After my presentation I met up with my best friend from my days at Colby College, Bradley. I am staying with her and her husband, James, for the weekend in Plymouth, MA. This morning there was lovely fresh snow on the ground . . . and it was raining out. Oh New England.
This is their dog Dudley. He looks a bit like Endo and they have very similar personalities. Endo and Dudley would be pretty darn funny together.

Marlu's Birthday in Cortazar, Guanajuato

Today was Marlu's birthday and for the past couple of years, her parents have been very gracious and allowed her to have a carne asada (BBQ) party at their house in the small town of Cortazar, Guanajuato. So, five of us plus Endo drove three hours to Cortazar to partake in the celebration.
Street scene of Cortazar.
Marlu's dad, Hector, and Daniel grilling some really yummy meat.
Marlu with her parents at her side hoping all her wishes come true.

Daily Walks

I tend not to bring my camera along with me on my daily walks with Endo. But the other morning I decided it was time to start bringing it along so that I could share more of the beautiful neighborhood I live in with you.
One of Endo's favorite places to go (because he can be off leash) is Plaza Santa Catarina. I don't mind hanging out there while Endo sniffs everything he can and jumps over bush fences into gardens because it is a rather beautiful place to sit and ponder. Some evenings our nightly walk happens to be when mass is going on in the church. I am not religious but its definitely an amazing experience to be able to listen to a mass from outside a church in its gardens. There is a note on the entrance to the church that says, "Its not permited to enter with animals." Endo one evening during mass took that to mean that he was allowed to enter the church by himself without his owner. Once I noticed he was missing, I quickly pulled him from the church before he caused any problems.
A statue in Plaza Santa Catarina.

Happy New Year!

This was my first ever New Year outside of the US. I'll just say that Mexicans celebrate New Year's Eve in a completely different way than we do in the US. New Year's Eve here is a family event. I was fortunate to be invited to join Hector and his family to bring in the New Year because otherwise I would have been home all by myself as all bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. were closed and all my friends were with their families. After waiting for a taxi for about 15 minutes (and not because all the taxis were full, but because there simply were no taxis, nor cars for that matter on the roads) I met Hector near his parents house. As we walked to his house, Hector informed me that all his aunts and cousins were at his house on his mom side. I sat down to dinner with Hector's 4 aunts, 5 cousins, mom, dad, sister, and brother at about 10pm and ate turkey, stuffing, and Mexican lasagna whiling drinking yummy ponche (similar to hot apple cider, except its made with TONS of different fruits). It was Hector's aunt's birthday so we ate some yummy cake too. By this time, it was 11:30 and most of us where fading and ready for bed. The solution was to fast forward time and ring in the new year just a little bit early with a small taste of wine or sparkling apple cider. Tradition says you have to give everyone in the room a hug and wish them a happy and prosperous New Year. The Mexican culture is so warm and welcoming that all of Hector's family hugged me and wished me a happy New Year as if I had known them for years. Hector took me home at about midnight and the streets again were empty. New Year's Eve is definitely a family event here and I am glad I got the chance to experience it. Thanks Hector for including me in your family and Happy New Year to all my blog readers.