didn't sleep so well the night before...sometimes i just get that way. especially if i'm feeling stressed a bit, which i was b/c of the internet situation. luckily, there is wireless up at our classroom. of course, this is an almost completely vertical hike up these trecherous stone steps...but it is good exercise first thing in the morning. it might prove for some good weight loss.
class was very interesting today. we learned about diego rivera, orozco, and siqueros. i already knew a good bit about diego and frida...okay, so i first learned a lot of it from the frida movie, but i did read more later. i knew little of siqueros, though, so that was exciting. candice told us about how pillo, her mother in law, knew all of them as she studied architecture at unam under clar percet (sp?). she met che, fidel, the muralists...basically, she was part of the communist intellectual group that emerged after the mexican revolution. candice was discussing why communism was so appealing in mexico at that time...widespread poverty, inequality, and a belief that communism would bring prosperity to all. it made me think about how during this time period, this idea was prevelant throughout the world, particularly intellectuals. even in the united states we had everything from the progressive party, to eugene debs (and the period of largest participation in the communist party in united states history), to the wpa. the new deal wasn't communism (and though some would argue it was socialism, it was still not quite to the level of many other countries), but it certainly was a measure enacted to help the common person. it was also a time of increased international travel and emigration, and ideas were being spread around the world. the intellectual exodus from germany and eastern europe during the second world war not only brought the us the greatest scientific minds in the world, but also brilliant artists and musicians. basically, what i'm trying to say, is that this exchange of ideas and idealism was an international phenomenon, and what is interesting is that mexico was involved in it in a very meaningful way...not only copying or imitating masters from other countries, but taking the philosophy and melding it with their own cultural and historical heritage into something uniquely mexican.
well, as you can see, this was an exciting day for me. we got to see a siqueros mural in town. and in the spirit of celebrating the worker, we went to a glass factory where they hand-make glasses, vases, and most anything you can imagine, for places like crate and barrel and williams sonoma. as fortune would have it, they have a big sale this time of year, and i took advantage of some of the savings.
leah and i ended up having lunch with candice, and i tried huitochole (sp?), which is a corn crepe with black sauce. it was delicious...lemony and a little like tomatillo sauce. of course, the black stuff is a corn fungus. sounds gross, but you know, a mushroom is a fungus and people eat moldy cheese, so i guess it's not too gross.
we saw a great chamber music group in the evening. during an intense thunder storm. it has stormed every day i've been here. sometimes twice. i guess it is the rainy season.
anyway, guanajuato on wednesday.
