I’m sure you’ll agree that absolutely without fail this is exactly what we should be doing. It’s our responsibility to you.  Looking here and there, near and far, high and low—that’s how seriously we take building a top notch team.
This week we took our responsibility to a new depth. Yep, there’s our newest staff member, right there nonchalantly feeding the sharks. by Eric, Jan 26, 2012 ---return to blog page--- |
Long we’ve wondered when the lying, thieving, lazy, crooked, cunning, contemptible traffic police would get their comeuppance. And now we know. The traffic police, the “transitos,” are a totally separate jurisdiction from the real police. Corrupt top to bottom, the best first step toward a solution, clearly, is to clean up the top. Consider it done! Today our two side by side cities, Veracruz and Boca del Rio, have new commanders of their transitos. Each of these new commanders is an active duty Admiral on loan from the Mexican Navy. (A dazzlingly heavy duty response in my humble opinion) I just asked a grizzle-faced, uncouth, unpleasant taxi driver (who scared me a little) how he liked the change. A slight but gentle and hopeful smile took hold of his not-gentle, without-hope expression. “It is very good,” “Now finally it will be honest and fair.” The Federal Government has taken another very significant, very positive step toward meeting its commitment of a safe and clean Veracruz. by Eric, Jan 25, 2012 ---return to blog page--- |
Dave and Mary Jo were headed back to school from the mall. They chatted with the taxi driver. Once here Dave paid, and they slipped out of the cab and headed to the door. As they were slipping out of the cab, in the picture you’ll see what slipped out of Dave’s back pocket.  The taxi driver yelled, and Dave turned around. The driver was leaning across the passenger seat and had his arm out the window.
And just as you see it now in Dave’s hand, the taxi driver was holding up Dave’s wallet. Before Dave could put together the right words to say a very, very big thanks, the taxi was rolling on down the street. Credit cards, wallets, purses, it’s all happened before. And because this is honest, warm, and caring Veracruz, it will happen again and again in this happily just right way. by Eric, Jan 17, 2012 ---return to blog page--- |
La Bamba is the best know example of Son Jarocho, the traditional music of Veracruz. Along with it goes Veracruz’s beautiful ballet folklorico. As a part of world music, Son Jarocho must be becoming more and more popular. We’ve had several inquiries about it the past few months. So we’re working to offer it in the same manner that we offer Mexican marimba. (You can see what we’re doing with marimba by clicking on its tab on the nav bar.) With a little luck we’ll have a page mounted for Son Jarocho within the month. In addition to lessons, we want to be able to have students, should they wish, build their own jaranas. We have a world famous group here in Veracruz. Building a jarana with them is as good as it gets. 
It’s fun to add traditional music, marimba and now Son Jarocho, to what we do. But!!!! We’ll never lose sight of what we’re all about. We’ll never lose our focus on getting people speaking Spanish and speaking it better and better. Son Jarocho will be fun, the kind of fun that makes learning Spanish more meaningful and, we’re pretty sure, easier. And remember, as La Bamba tells you, “Yo no soy mariner. Soy capitán; soy capitán.” by Eric, Jan 4, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 Every time he told another lie, my heart hurt. Every bit that his nose grew longer, I wanted to cry for him. I told him to be good. I stood by him. I was his friend.
And he paid me back—big time. We had a plumbing emergency, on a Sunday of course. I went in to fix it. A defective part fell apart in my hand. Water was gushing up in the air. “Use ME,” yelled Pinocchio. Good friends, forever. by Eric, Dec 19, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
The school staff was dedicated to helping me reach my goals for my time in Veracruz both in and out of the classroom. I felt very safe in the city walking around town at night and this is the first time I have felt comfortable using public transportation on my own in another country. This was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone! by Terry, Dec 10, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
And I love it. Just like so many of our Spanish students I had been working hard, but I couldn’t pull it all together. Just like them, I needed immersion to make magic happen. Terry Baldridge came to Veracruz for five weeks. His is a professor of music; his PhD is in musicology. He was gathering the traditional marimba music of Mexico. I just happened to be here with a marimba, a struggling (but not starving) student. With incredible patience, Terry worked with me for hours every day. I received the miracle of immersion, and I’m moving forward very fast. 
I asked Linda to take a snapshot for me to put here. It was to be my well-deserved, big-publicity, get-famous-quick photo op.
I was too worn out to show up. Linda used an avatar. I’ll be forever thankful. Terry gave me a wonderful, life-long-lasting gift. by Eric, Dec 5, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 Stately, majestic, towering, and tarry, the array of power poles in America
(and worldwide) lights up our worlds.
Straight grained, straight as an arrow, and standing straight up, they are amazing structures. But even more amazing is where they come from. Power poles, you’ll now remember forever, come from power trees. by Eric, Nov 17, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
In Mexico titles and status are a very big deal. My status is retired. Titles and status down here are much more important than reality. Give a manager a bigger title or bigger status and you’ve got a happy employee. You don’t to waste any money giving a raise. Titles and status aren’t tied too tightly to what actually is. You can have the title of junior-king but really be nothing more than a peon in the organization. You can be regarded as a big man (or woman) in your field but actually know almost nothing about it. Perception gets great play, and reality doesn’t count for much at all. Regardless, I’m enjoying being retired. I do wish an official title came with my status. But I can’t really say anymore about this right now. My coffee break’s about over, and I have to get back to work. by Eric, Nov 9, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Terry (professor of music) is with us. He’s studying Spanish and getting around all the marimba music he can. Among the many projects he has in the mill, one is to teach marimba to a group of Guatemalan kids who live in his college town. He’ll actually be building several marimbas for them to play. Helping these kids preserve their culture and folk music is a kind of project that’s dear to our hearts. But back to the question, “how long does it take to get a gig?” Last night we saw that if you’re a professor of music who just happens to play both the accordion and the marimba, you’ll be working double duty on you first night out on the town. 
Like all the wonderful people of Mexico, the musicians in the zocalo love to share their music and happiness. How long did it take for Terry to get a gig? As we say in Spanish, it happened “en un dos por tres.” by Eric, Oct 31, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
(I, myself, love to hang around and listen.) How dynamic, how inspiring, how life-enhancing?  Well if you’re nine, as Juan Carlos’ son lets us see, it’s
not all that stirring.
So we snapped a photo and carried in a whiteboard and markers and erasers to lighten his load. He’ll be back, and so the whiteboard will too. But maybe he won’t need it. Even though he’s nine today, tomorrow he’ll be ten. And you never know--maybe with the added maturity of one year… by Eric, Oct 13, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
This time, with a base {gained last time}, I was able to better feel the progress and see results. I was even able to have a good back and forth conversation with the taxi driver yesterday morning. I wish I had had more time there. Thank you for all that you did for us and for helping Talia {Elan’s daughter} with fine-tuning in her studies this week. Barb {Elan’s wife} and I are already talking about when we will both be able to come back to school there. by Elan, Oct 6, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 This highly stylized, high tech piece of hi-jinks is an
electronic harp.
Playing it is Delfino Guiterrez, one of the very finest harpists in the state of Veracruz. It’s all about expectations. To me a harp is wooden with gentle curves and has beautiful grain and a luminously polished finish. It’s an instrument that speaks with sparkling beauty and radiates joyfulness. Delfino plays especially well and the evening was a delight. I hurried home and hugged our old, beat-up harp. I promised it I would get its holes patched and buy it all new strings, pretty, colorful strings.  It’s been retired for quite awhile now, but before retiring it worked for twenty or thirty years or maybe more, night after night, in the zocalo and around town.
It’s not snazzy like Delfino’s electronic. In fact, I have to admit to myself and to you that it’s just run-of-the-mill. But who cares? For a very long time to come it will live on in happy bits and snatches of memory in thousands and thousands and thousands who dined and danced and sang and partied to its songs. by Eric, Oct 4, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
I just wanted to thank you again for providing such a great service. He had the time of his life. I was very happy how well he is speaking and jealous too. LOL. He told many stories and went on and on about how nice everyone was and how funny Eric is. That the lady who did most of the cooking sorry can't remember what he said her name was felt like his mom the whole time he was there. That he made great friends that he really thinks he will keep throughout life. Again I am so happy I was able to provide this for him and that you guys made it the best it could be for him. I will do my best to help promote your school and Veracruz. Take care. by Bob {Kody's father}, Sept 28, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
It’s hard to take, hard to see the country I love looking like it’s losing its heart. Some days it would be easy to give up; some days it’s hard not to. And some days we’re reminded about goodness and decency and humanity and humility and caring and those thousands of words I love to hear and to type and to see in action. Sister Yolanda Borbon is at school this week. She's the
Congregational Teasurer of the Order of the Good Shepherd (http://www.buonpastoreint.org). The sisters work in over seventy countries. They turn a cliché back into words of meaning and heart and action. The sisters do good works. Today instead of reading the news, I’ll think about what they are doing, about what can be done. I’ll think about what I hope my country, my home, will again turn to. It’ll make me happy. by Eric, Sept 19, 2011---return to blog page--- |
We did see him Tuesday--backpack full, big smile, well dressed, hungry, and a college kid. His mind was already abuzz with new ideas. We must have talked for over an hour. He’s headed for international commerce and expects to work in import-export and international shipping. It’s a great future here in Veracruz.  Mexico is full of roadblocks that keep kids from being able to attend college. Public universities can handle only a small
fraction of high school graduates wanting higher education. Private universities, although reasonable by US standards, are too expensive for most families. Working your way through college is almost impossible--there are very few jobs available and most of those that do exist don’t have flexible work schedules.
Kevin is very lucky. He’s a fine young man, and there’s no doubt at all that he fully merits his good luck. He understandings how lucky he is, and this has made him all the more committed to doing school well. Kevin is Angelica’s son. She’s a proud mom. And we, Linda and I, are proud by-standers. by Eric, Sept 9, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Jose Luis, the man who delivers our gas cylinders did just that. He’ll get a bigger Christmas bonus. When a cylinder is empty, you can either have it refilled or you can just have an exchange.  We started with beautiful new blue cylinders.
Immediately they were exchanged for banged up old orange cylinders, and those for other old banged up orange cylinders. On and on it went. It’s no big deal. But the other day. Jose Luis hand picked just for us modern art. I couldn’t see the artist’s signature. I’ll check on the back side. by Eric, Aug 27, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
We went to the airport to pick up a new student, and we almost stumbled over the newest improvement to both security and beauty. Coming out from the carrousels, where we wait to meet students, we used to have a blue nylon belt carried on pipe stands (like you see all over the place). We now have designer bases with carbon dioxide absorbing fill. I’m worried. The fill will inevitably extend vertically and become even more densely packed. I might have to poke a telescope through it to spot our arriving students.  This picture is how
it looks to passengers arriving today.
If the plants are tall and thick when you get here, look for my telescope. by Eric, Aug 16, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Corrosive, humid, warm environment—what’s it take to keep it maintained? Heavy usage, lots of regular old fashioned wear and tear—what’s it take to keep it up? Maybe you already know. If you’re not sure, here’s a hint. HINT: One answer fits all. Surely now you’ve got it. But to be sure you’re right, click below to check your answer  Yes, what it takes to do all this and so very much more is a wonderful crew with a terrific attitude.
by Eric, Aug 9, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
The accommodations were clean and comfortable, the food delicious and the service impeccable. The individualized classes, out and abouts, field trips were educational, interesting, and fun. The maestros and charlantes were knowledgable and extremely helpful. Most of all, I appreciated the kindness and friendliness of the people. Everyone went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I never had to worry about feeling foolish about my language abilities. I will be sure to share these sentiments with my coworkers and friends at home. by Cindy, Aug 8, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Can a classic ever be made even better? I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask. But, well, maybe yes. Had Dr. Suess every visited Mega Commercial in Veracruz, we’d have been delighting in reading Eggs and Green Chorizo. 
by Eric, Aug 3, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 The young women of Veracruz (kids I call them because I’m old enough that that’s how they look to me) are sweet, and gentle and friendly. They’re well mannered; they’re well behaved, and their dress is modest.
But when they cut loose they’ll set you back on your heels. It’s that very special beauty of youth—it’s sweet, gentle, absolutely-not-timid outlandishness. by Eric, July 28, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
I like to tell you about things down here—things that I find especially sweet and touching, or things I find particularly amusing, or things I think are of general interest to lovers of culture. I rarely talk about language acquisition and about the more serious side of the school. And, I take no credit for the success we’ve achieved. But I am proud. This small and friendly school of ours is exceptional at getting people speaking Spanish and speaking it better and better. It feels good to be part of teaching that is so highly successful. But still no credit for me. Unless, of course, I evoke the principle of community property. The credit all goes to Linda. She has developed an incredible approach to Spanish. More than just being proud, I love her so very, very, very, very, very much. I sit back (working diligently, of course, not being the lazy type) and think about how Linda makes all of this work so well. Some years ago I wrote a few online articles about it. That was back as it was evolving, back before we had over a thousand successful students. I’ve decided to start writing about it again now that it has passed, with flying colors, the test of time. So we’re opening a blog in WordPress. It will be up in a few weeks. Linda and I will co-host the blog. In it we’ll talk about the serious side of immersion study and about important (albeit touristy) history and happenings in Veracruz. The URL is http://spanishimmersionschool.wordpress.com (this is a cut and paste link). But you know me. You know I’ll never stop writing about the things so dear to me—the fun and human happiness of school and Veracruz. I’ll always be here—the part of me that so enjoys our wonderful life. by Eric, July 21, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
They’re established; they’re popular; they’re an institution, and they’re under attack. The renowned and truly famous Gran Café de la Parroquia, the spot where coffee is served right, has gone viral.  Here’s one that’s so new that the sign wasn’t mounted more than ten minutes before we snapped this documentation.
I’m not really a Parroquia fan. So why do I even mention this? It’s all about image and status, about being cool and being hip. Imagine if you came to town and asked (innocently, of course, lacking up-to-date info) where you’d find the nearest Italian Coffee. by Eric, July 17, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Lots of tourists borrow our breeze. They gather, sitting on the edge of our porch, waiting for their bus (parked along the street) to be ready to go. They buy ice cream and drinks and trinkets and whatnot from the tricycle mounted street vendors.  Sometimes neighbors from the callejon (that runs through our block) come borrow our breeze. Our street is angled just right to get the best airflow. The callejon is angled exactly wrong.
You can spot which neighbors are pros at breeze-borrowing. They know all the ins and outs of maximum cool-breeze-pleasure. Pros bring chairs. by Eric, July 14, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Repair is easy. You simply catch a rewickerer as he’s biking down the street. (I should have known.) And he hangs your chair in a tree. (I could never have known.)  Using his handlebars as a spindle for his roll of new (and today plastic) wicker, he weaves as smoothly and quickly as a spider spins.
We have a tree. If you have a chair needing repair and you can’t find a rewicker technician, check with your airline… by Eric, July 11, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Veracruz doesn’t have Fig Newtons or Bit-Size Shredded Wheat; I’ve been totally forthcoming in admitting this. And this third of three little flaws I am simply a little late in mentioning. We also don’t have cornbread mix.  Sheila came to the rescue.
Good husband that I am, I share kitchen responsibility with Linda. With high spirits and gusto, I butter the baking dish. by Eric, July 07, 2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 He and his followers found cover high on the mountainside, and finally they settled a little to the southeast of today’s Orizaba.
After many failed attempts by the Spanish Army to defeat the escapees, Yanga negotiated a peace that created the first free colony in the Americas for those brought from Africa as slaves. Three of us on the staff and two students went to Yanga. We gathered information so students can make Yanga a weekend trip. It felt good to be in Yanga; it felt, even all these years later, like a celebration of victory. by Eric, June/15/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Students who had never mastered the subjunctive found this new way of looking at it to make good sense. We’re proud to be able to say that our students are not just studying the subjunctive but that they are in fact conquering it. Nowadays lots of our students want subjunctive. We needed more crew to teach it. Linda set aside time in the schedule, and pulled together everyone who hadn’t been working with it. We explained to them the explanation that works.  They’re ready!
(In the picture with the crew is Carlene from California. And I, shy I, am behind the camera.) by Eric, June/13/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
The moment of transcendence fell upon us at dinner a few days ago. The waiter poured a bit of wine in a large flask. He sloshed it around and decanted it into a standard size wine glass. It looked taste-test ready.  He held an open-mouthed device above the flask and poured the wine. We heard
air sucking in and saw the wine dance. He left the flask on the table but cleared away the device and the standard wine glass.
We have time in Mexico to let wine breath naturally. We’re relaxed; we’ve got plenty to talk about. But I’ve got to admit that the little aerator is absolutely as uptown as it gets and cute as can be. I want to know who gets the wine he made off with. by Eric, June/07/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 For more than a couple of years now, I haven’t qualified as a kid, but my most special of toys, a gift from Linda two years ago, I love
to share.
With a little help from Juan Carlos, Mari’s daughter, Jenny, is playing her first notes. We're all kids, and sharing feels... (your words go here.) by Eric, May/31/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
“The Army and the Marines are honest,” a cab driver told us yesterday. “And most of the Federal Police are honest.” We hear this all the time. The people want them here. When the military is looking super officious, the folks walk on by.  This photo shows them looking officious. When the military looks relaxed, the people stop to chat. The military hears everything.
There are a whole lot of reasons why Veracruz always has been safe (except when the pirates used to attack) and why Veracruz is so safe today. Having the military on patrol, on top of all the other reasons, is icing on the cake. by Eric, May/25/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
I had thought the program was perfect. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the school has gotten even better, that the back then already high quality of the instruction is now even higher. It was great before, and now it is “buenísima!” by Rob, May/14/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
But, in the throes of despair, I had to leak word.  I just love
Fig Newtons with a hot cup of tea for breakfast. They’re not available down here. I went six years without even seeing one.
I’ve never heard anyone own up to loving Fig Newtons. But I couldn’t hold out any longer. I owned up, and Rob, three weeks ago, came to the rescue. Jack, coming this weekend, is replenishing my stock. by Eric, May/12/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
I walked into the living room, and Linda and Kevin (who covers school three nights a week) were looking at some papers in a folder. I don’t know if it was Kevin who said it or if it was Linda, but I got it. My eyes jumped to the papers—official as could be. Kevin had just finished enrolling in college. He’s majoring in business focusing on international trade.  Check out the photo. You see his papers, his promise of a good life, sitting on the table in front of him. And you see the look and demeanor that says he’s now confident he truly has a future.
Opportunity in Mexico is hard to come by. Kevin was thinking he’d only be able to do a certificate program--better than nothing but far from great. Some of the school’s students have been very encouraging to Kevin and very helpful. Wonderful things happen in wonderful Veracruz. by Eric, May/09/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
And then I’ll sit. I’ll sit on the X I’m going to spray paint on the concrete to reserve my spot. Right now it’s only a narrow path of big rocks, but soon it will be a concrete covered seawall.  Ocean crossing ships coming and going, waves large and small, sea spray and sunrises and moonrises, and families of happy tourists walking around and vendors selling good things to eat—what a wonderful place it will be.
One needn’t worry about being retired when one retires where X marks the spot. And friends needn’t worry either. I’ll paint us a big wide X with room for lots of chairs. by Eric, May/05/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
But all those gargoyles and things, what was the inspiration for them? How did anyone come up with the idea of putting heads and demons and angelic forms and trumpets and animals and on and on all over buildings. Veracruz is a wonderfully warm, caring, and accepting place. Many of life’s challenging questions are answered here. But who would ever have thought of coming to Veracruz to discover the secret of the unknown inspiration which long ago led architects and master builders to begin using all those gargoyles and things. 
Lots know that form follows function. And a few of us (you too, you’re in on this) know that ornamentation follows big black birds. by Eric, Apr/27/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
But this week, Semana Santa, Juan Carlos had a very early morning performance at the Gran Café de la Parroquia. From there he came directly here to give me my lesson. With him came his marimba. This is the first time he ever brought it along.  This is how marimbistas carry their instruments around, but usually it’s on top of taxis. Like a kid in a candy store I always wanted to flip a marimba up on top and flip it off.
“It would be bad for your marimba to leave it out here in the sun,” I said. “Let’s put it in the garage.” “Out here's okay,” he said. I insisted. by Eric, Apr/23/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Headed out to the high seas through the mouth of the harbor (at the end of the outer seawall) we caught sight of these new vessels. They were in formation. They’re actually a new take on an old design. And, as I must point out to you if you shop only at Sam’s Club, this new design is now available at a new low price at Costco.  Every time we go there shopping for the school, with my thinking focused on student happiness, I point them out to Linda.
by Eric, Apr/17/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
And probably you’ve had yours forever. We always used to have one. But for seven years we’ve been waiting. “When you see the furniture store,” we would say, or “When you see the bus stop open to the sea.” This work-around has served over 800 students plenty well.  But now, finally, we got
our own.
The colors are very nice. by Eric, Apr/16/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
But once a week for some months now there’ve been strange sounds coming from the class area next to my marimba. Linda’s taking Italian, and she’s a super excellent student (and wonderful and beautiful and the love of my life). Here’s a picture of Maria, Linda’s teacher.  She’s fully fluent in Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
In about six months it’ll be time for immersion classes in Italy. I’m so happy Linda’s having fun learning another language. I love pizza. by Eric, Apr/14/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
“Huh? Oh Hi! Wow…” We’re in Flagstaff visiting our son. (And getting a little R and R for ourselves.) Talia is a chief at a resort hotel at the Grand Canyon. Linda and I stopped in a small shopping mall to buy a larger suitcase to bring back a bunch of books for school. So, two of us; one of the somewhere between 800 and 900 who’ve studied with us and who are spread all around the US and Canada; in a city where neither of us lives; ending up three feet from each other, and not being so involved in our own shopping that we see each other. Purely a coincidence; purely by chance; against amazingly incredibly huge odds, there’s a message here. Starting tomorrow (we’ll be back in paradise) I’m a lottery aficionado. Send Pesos and I’ll cut you in on our tickets. by Eric, Apr/11/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 Lightning struck twice. In my prior blog I showed a real doozie of a ladder. In its way it was an extension ladder. And actually, sort of anyhow, it was safe.
A couple of blocks down the street I found a three part extension. I was awestruck. I don’t want to bias your opinion. You’ve already got some experience with these hybrid climbing devices, and so this time you’re the judge. by Eric, Mar/14/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Up from behind our neighbor’s wall popped a head, then shoulders, and more and more moving upward.  It’s an engineering thing—were the tie connectors sufficiently stout, were they tied in a super strong twist, were… were… were…? I held my breath.
Relaxed as could be, he started to paint. He knew his engineering—the strengths of his materials. In a country where the boss doesn’t have enough money to by OSHA compliant tools, the work must still be done. Experienced workers do know the strength of their cobbled together solutions, and they work out fine. “So,” I hear you asking me, “Would you climb the ladder?” Since you’re not here I don’t have to answer. by Eric, Feb/28/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
My first quick look reminded me of a concrete footing ready for the bricklayer to lay up a block wall.  It looked like it would blow tires
and bend rims.
I got closer. It wasn’t the totally vertical side wall I thought I saw. But it rose at more than 45 degrees—more up than forward. Hit it at 15 mph and you’ll be launched. We don’t have a car down here. But we do rent from time to time. The next time we have a rental—yes, some adventures are irrestible. by Eric, Feb/27/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
The library, a librarian would say, just grew by 35 titles. But we know better—we know that the library just grew by 35 happy, happy memory makers. Our thanks to Nora yet again. The library has been lucky enough to have many children’s books on the shelves that Nora donated on two prior trips down. And now we have even many more.  In order to assure that the books in Spanish are actually in good Spanish, I told Linda
I’d take on the responsibility of reading through them.
I’m already deep into Jorge el Curioso. He’s an old friend. I missed having him around. I’m looking for a kid I can borrow. I’m going to take up babysitting. by Eric, Feb/19/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 It’s simple as can be.
Our buses just aren’t pretty enough. Be honest—could you resist riding on this bus? by Eric, Jan/31/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Learning Danzon, a beautiful but very complicate dance, requires a good teacher and practice in a studio. In not too much time you’ll have the basics. But the studio, the best beginning point, isn’t where Danzon belongs. It’s as much a part of the cultural of Veracruz as is Son Jaracho and Ballet Folklorico. The zocalo is where Danzon belongs—outdoors, in the cool evening sea breeze, under the stars, surrounded by admiring viewers. And Danzon should not be danced to a stereo. It needs live music with its full and fresh sound, its variety, and its quirks. Small bands and skilled couples bring the flow of music and movement to the zocalo—to the dance floor. Maybe you’re not yet ready to go public? Maybe you feel you need more practice? Don’t stay away!  There’s always space for you, and music for you, and the breeze and the stars. You’re welcome and you’re wanted. Bring you teacher and dance the night away on the fringes of the crowd.
by Eric, Jan/30/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
It’s an address in the US where we can receive donated books. The problem has been that it’s just way too expensive to mail books from the U.S. to Veracruz. But now it’s going to be just like mailing then to a friend—third class, book rate, low cost postage. Our books-in-English-lending-library is a free public service to the people of Veracruz. The idea is that a great way for local folk to improve their English is by reading—and to get them reading we need page-turners, modern novels so interesting and exciting that you (and so they) just can’t put them down.  If you got an, or several, or a bunch of old paperbacks (but hardback are also great) and you don’t mind a low cost trip to the neighborhood PO, we’ll put your fun reads to use down here.
The address is to the left. It’s the original, no chance for a transcription error. You can browse the library catalog at www.veracruzenglishlibrary.com. If we’ve already got a book you’re thinking of sending, send it anyway. Top-notch libraries need multiple copies of popular material. by Eric, Jan/23/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
What makes this hat super cool is that it says 100% JAR-8. Say it out loud and it’s One hundred percent JAR Ocho. Pull it together and it’s one hundred percent Jarocho, the people of Veracruz.  “Too slick for words,” you affirm. “Cooler than cool,” you effuse. You’re right! And I have the
proof.
Right there hanging out with him—wall to wall chicks. 
by Eric, Jan/18/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Jeff set his father-in-law’s camera on the counter. Purchase in hand (but not the camera) they walked out. On vacation a missing camera is soon noticed. A couple of hours later they were back in the OXXO. “No,” was the first answer. But Jeff knows Mexico, and so he asked another employee.  I wasn’t there to record the exact words, but the answer was, “Yes.” An employee had tucked it safely away awaiting the return of the tourists.
Jeff offered thanks in word and deed. The deed was a 100 Peso bill that he placed on the counter. He got another “No” answer. He slid the money to their side of the counter. “No” persisted. “No” prevailed. Veracruz is full of wonderful people. To those working in OXXO the reward was the simple pleasure of giving back a lost camera to a foreigner. Sure they needed the 100 Pesos; OXXO doesn’t pay well. But taking the money would have sullied their true reward. If you simply must lose your camera, get to Veracruz as quickly as you can. And then you too can thank the wonderful people we’re so lucky to live among. by Eric, Jan/17/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
Although I was only there for a week, I felt my Spanish really improved in that week. I hope to return some time in the near future, and hope I can stay for longer when I do. by Karen, Jan/16/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
---return to blog page--- |
We moved our books-in-English-lending-library to the dining hall. It has more space. It’s closer to the coffee pot. It has more tables. It’s more accessible. We also have two university students publicizing the library. They are going all over town visiting English classes in schools and colleges, and they are distributing literature.  Ron Wilson runs the library on Saturdays. Here he is with his daughter Amanda. By having native English speakers in the library, we double
our effectiveness.
The basic idea is that if locals read page-turners in English their language skills will increase dramatically. Then, couple that with a chance to practice conversation with native English speakers, and you can see a homerun in the making. We’re so very appreciative of the generosity of our donors. We’re at 418 titles and growing. You can see in the picture that we have more shelf space available … You can see the library’s online “card” catalogue by going to this cut and paste link. www.veracruzenglishlibrary.com It’s 100% public service. It a small way we get to thank Veracruz. by Eric, Jan/08/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
A year and a few months ago years ago we went to Chiapas for three weeks. It was absolutely wonderful. And then, we were so happy to be back in Veracruz. A year ago we went to Taiwan for three weeks. It was absolutely wonderful. And then, we were so happy to be back in Veracruz. In December we went to San Francisco for two weeks. It was absolutely wonderful. And then, we were so happy to be back in Veracruz.  Our son summed it up. “Of course,” he said, “It’s easy to end a spectacular vacation when you’re going home to paradise.”
He’s a smart kid. (I made the map.) by Eric, Jan/02/2011 ---return to blog page--- |
 The young fellow saw a beautiful, rust colored, fancy
finned fishbowl-fish at the Mall and adopted him. Fish though he is, his name is Leo.
The paper coffee cup Leo was living in wasn’t the best of digs, and so the young fellow and Mari headed out to the pet shop in the old city market. From the transparent-walled house they bought for him, Leo is watching everything that’s going on at school. Since he was unable to go to Canada, he’s the newest member of the staff. by Eric, Dec/31/2010 ---return to blog page--- |
 My newly acquired perspective (gained, as you might guess, down at the zocalo) makes all of these old-fashioned solutions look terribly unimaginative.
Here’s the ultimate, along with the proud inventor. It is appropriate technology at its best. by Eric, Dec/28/2010 ---return to blog page--- |
It’s not against the law, of course, but it is totally contrary to school policy.  We were between a rock and a hard spot.
Linda saved the day by doing what every good mom knows to do. We had an UN Birthday piñata party. by Eric, Dec/21/2010 ---return to blog page--- |
And we don’t have “ice and snow” but we do have a delicious ice cream called nieve.  We don’t have Crosby singing “White Christmas,” but right here today
we had Juan Carlos playing “Jingle Bells.” And we have high white walls that look like an Arctic landscape.
Click on the picture and you’ll go to the music. by Eric, Dec/17/2010 ---return to blog page--- |
I found the experience of staying in the school and interacting with your instructors great practice and meeting the other students interesting. It also gave us the freedom to spend time alone and your internet connectivity allowed me to even do some work and stay in touch with the USA. We also enjoyed our day out to the pyramids and Angelica was a great guide, our trip to the Aquarium with Jonathan was also a great experience; the Aquarium is much bigger than I expected and Jonathan was extremely knowledgeable. Finally I have to thank you for making my birthday so special and Mexican, I have never had a piñata before, it’s great to have new experiences at my age, it makes me feel like red wine, improving with age. by Isolde, Dec/14/2010 ---return to blog page--- |
Veracruz--sitting right on the ocean's sandy beaches and just 80 miles, as the crow flies, from North America's third highest mountain peak..
Veracruz is one of the world's safest cities.
Contact us:
info@veracruzspanish.com
Spam guard is a problem. If our reply isn't in your inbox promptly, please look in your spam or email us again.
Phone:
Our U.S. number is (415) 939-4388
This is a San Francisco number that rings right through to us in Veracruz.
The School's Mexico Address
The Language Immersion School
Calle Alacio Pérez #61
Col. R. Flores Magón
Veracruz, Ver. Mexico
C.P. 91900
(229) 931-4716,
Within Mexico Cellular (229) 207-1929