Hello From Cuernavaca - The Most Intense Day Of My Trip Part I
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Hello From Cuernavaca: The Most Intense Day of My Trip (Part I)
During my travels, I often find myself packing too much into a single day, and yesterday was no exception.
The day began with a delightful breakfast before I took a taxi to the Cetlalic Language School. Known for its political activism, Cetlalic passionately supports the causes of indigenous people, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups.
My classmates from Germany, our teacher Mario, and I engaged in a fascinating discussion about Mexico's political system. Mario explained the three major parties: PAN, PRI, and PRD. He recounted the 1988 election scandal where a mysterious 20-minute computer failure shifted the leading party from PRD to PAN, sparking widespread comments about political corruption?"a sentiment echoed by many locals.
Mexico's political landscape intrigues me. Corruption seems entrenched in daily life, with "mordida," meaning bribe, being common. From traffic stops to large international projects, it appears everywhere. It's not unusual to hear stories of politicians leaving office as millionaires, contributing to low public confidence, especially with national elections approaching on July 2.
Our teacher also shared stories of local resistance, like a village preventing a gas station from operating through community tactics. This functional, yet unused station stands as a testament to their success.
After an engaging two-hour discussion, we shifted to more mundane topics like Spanish grammar, tackling the nuances of "ser" and "estar," and practicing conditional sentences with the Spanish subjunctive.
At noon, I broke away from Spanish practice for other adventures. I met Ruben Cortes, who runs a local adventure travel company and budget hotel. With a degree in international commerce, he combines his love for the outdoors with his business. His company offers tours, museum visits, and outdoor adventures like hiking and SCUBA diving?"the latter with certified PADI instructors.
The Mexican state of Morelos, with its volcanic mountains, is a paradise for nature lovers. Ruben's family owns the Hotel Royal in downtown Cuernavaca, offering affordable rooms with private bathrooms. After our interview, Ruben invited me for a short hike later that day.
At 2:30, I interviewed Pablo Buitron from the non-profit Fundacion Communidad. With an impressive academic background and fluent English, Pablo's organization focuses on community-oriented fundraising and micro-business support. He emphasizes community over market and has raised around 15 million pesos, benefiting over 40,000 people. Most beneficiaries are women, reflecting significant cultural shifts in Mexico, although rural areas still lag behind.
Pablo was kind enough to drop me off at an internet café downtown, where I prepared for my next appointment at Casa Vamos. Founded by a Vermont couple who fell in love with Mexico, this non-profit aims to alleviate poverty.
At Casa Vamos, a beautiful mansion on Francisco Leyva Street, I met Agustín. Although the executive director, Alejandro, couldn't make it due to a car accident, Agustín provided an overview. Casa Vamos funds its projects through a bed-and-breakfast model, with all proceeds going to charity.
Agustín, an agronomy engineer, shared how his social work in mountain villages reduced mortality rates from 80% to less than 30%. His contributions transformed the community, and his eyes light up whenever he talks about that period. Now with Casa Vamos, he continues to make a meaningful impact.
Around 6 PM, Ruben picked me up for our eco-hiking adventure in Santa Maria. During the drive, he shared insights about the city's history and nature, reflecting his dedication to learning and guiding.
Stay tuned for more adventures in Cuernavaca!
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