Angelina's Life in Motion

Wow! What a day I've had! There are many cultural things I'm going to share today. The first is about trip to the fair in Cholula, an Indian town right outside Puebla. The town had a fair going on for Mexican Independence Day which is this Tuesday. (Yes, we get Tuesday off school. Woo-hoo!!) Anyways, we went to Cholula. The first thing we did was visit a pyramid there. The pyramid doesn't look like a pyramid, because it is covered with grass. On top of the pyramid is a catholic church. The pyramid is one of the larger ones in Mexico. It's 54 meters tall. We started off by taking a tour underneath the pyramid. It's pretty cool to be walking under a pyramid. (I have actually been through it before because we did it in 1996 when I came, but this time was more educational.) I learned that there were not tunnels in the pyramid when the Indians built it. The pyramid was made from 90% clay and 10% limestone, which covered the top layer of the pyramid. This pyramid had three layers. The archaeologists dug the passageways. The pyramid had been there for nearly 2000 years and wasn't discovered until the early 1900's! The passageways are very narrow and not very tall. There are parts of the tunnel where you can see difference layers of the pyramid. The tour guide explained that one group of people would build a pyramid, then later another group build a pyramid on top and then again a third time, which is how the pyramid got so big. During our tour, we were able to see where the original steps of the first pyramid were. It's pretty neat. And to think that it was made of almost all clay! Well, outside the pyramid we saw the place where the Indians used to have human sacrifices. There are even human remains still there. It's sad because a lot of people around this area still believe in the mythical legends of the Indians. Then we climbed up the pyramid, to the church on the top. From there you can see many mountain ranges, including at least one of the 4 volcanoes around us! Also, you can see Puebla, which seems to go on and on and on! It was a fun trip. The fair at Cholula was also neat because it's like a big market. I bought a traditional Mexican shirt for our Independence day parties at school and church. We also saw some Mexican dancers with brightly colored dresses. It was a good cultural experience! We had a good time! Well, I'm going to finish today by telling you about my first real culture shock here. On Thursday after school I went with my friend Janelle to her church's daycare. Her church is in a very poor area just outside Puebla. There were dirt roads, one room houses with no electricity. There was trash all over the ground. There were wild dogs running around all over. It's just so extreme compared to what I've seen in the city. It's very eye-opening to realize the things I complain about, like running out of water for a half hour. When we finally got to the church, the children there were praying for other children who didn't have food. To see the place that some people call home really makes you think twice about what material things you can live without! So, it was very uncomfortable walking past a house that barely had 4 walls and a roof knowing how much I have. Maybe that can challenge you too. Have a great week. Next time I write, I'll let you know all about 16 de Septiembre (Independence Day)