we moved to ixtlan

the kids are having such a good time right now. we just moved again, came from the cabin we were at, down to a hotel in ixtlan. the drive back and forth, from the cabin to ixtlan, was getting to be too much; although the surroundings were beautiful...

now we're in ixtlan, near the market and everything else that's of interest to us. the hotel we're at is cute, small and clean, and it has a courtyard that's great for the kids.

sena and aiyana really like being in mexico so far, but at times, it's really hard for them and hence for all of us. they become really clingy and demanding. i think the change of culture and the loss of our routine and everything they're familiar with is a lot for them. i try to remmember that and be supportive when things get difficult...

i was talkng to the american woman, the anthropologist, whose name is laura, and she was saying that her kids had a hard time too the first time they came here. this is their third time, and she said that now they're fine, but the first time they were clingy and demanding; the second time they felt more at ease and made some friends, and now they love it here.

i was talking to her this morning, and she told me that she's doing research is on zapotec women, the ways they organizing themselves, and land rights. i'd love to learn more about her stuff, it sounds really interesting. i'd love to learn more about zapotec women in general. i see them carrying their babies in the marketplace, and one of these days i'll have to stop one and ask her to show me how they make their slings. the babies seem very content, wrapped in a sling on their mom's back or hip. another thing i noticed is that people here find it unusual to hear a child cry. so when sena or aiyana start fussing, everyone asks us what's wrong and why they're crying, which actually makes me feel very self-conscious, despite knowing that their intentions are good. i asked laura how come their kids don't cry so much, and she said it's because there are always so many people around, family and friends, that kids just end up being passed from one person to another, and are quickly comforted when upset. i guess ed and i can't do too much about that, our kids do cry when they're upset, and we try to console them as best as we can, but sometimes it just doesn't work; and they won't go to anyone else but us...so i guess i'll just have to learn to be less self-conscious when people ask what's wrong...

so we now live 2 blocks away from the market, about 2 minutes walking distance. i love walking down the narrow cobble-stone street, with its beautiful view of the mountains, to get fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. i get just enough food for the day, and go back for more the next day. i'm making a lentil stew right now, with carrots, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes and lots of garlic. now that we can cook in our room, the eating situation is a lot better. we still eat out at least one meal a day, plus snacks, juice, stuff like that, but it's nice to be able to make our own meals too.