dieciocho de septiembre

Dieciocho de septiembre
Where we were staying is in the middle of Mexico City in a very nice neighborhood, but a long way from our work project, so we moved this morning to a different closer hotel. It's in a sort of industrial area, but nice enough. Casa Gonzalez is old fashioned and quaint, the Hotel Ibis is industrial and efficient. Susan says the rooms are like dorm rooms.
Our friend Gaudencio Cruz met us today and we went for a trip to a little traditional town nearby, Tepozotlan, where they have a busy Sunday market and fair. Susan and I have been there a couple of times, but it was the first for Gaudi and his wife Ruthie. We toured a very old Church and convent there dating from the early 1500's. I'm always amazed at how soon after Columbus and Cortez the Spaniards were colonizing the country. Many of the big churches and haciendas built during that period were done with indian slaves. Gaudencio and Ruthie are not Catholics, so I don't think they were very impressed, but we enjoy seeing all the old church art.
We had lunch in one of the very nice outdoor restaurants. It was warm but we were in the shade and watched all the activities. There were lots of street venders and street musicians, including hurdy gurdys. A pair of strolling guitar players played some nice old Trio Los Panchos songs, which brought back sentimental memories for me of the first time Susan and I visited Mexico in 1969.
I didn't realize that Gaudencio is having some arthritis problems, so we headed back after lunch. I wouldn't have proposed all the walking if I had known.
He and Ruthie came up to our room and we talked about what we are going to do tomorrow. I want to start water testing right away so that we have some results by the latter part of the week. We can then have classes for community members and show them what they are drinking. Then you have their attention to talk about water purification methods. There are lots of things we can do this week, but it depends on what Gaudi and Ruthie want. Tomorrow Susan is just going to go around with Ruthie to visit some of the families and see how they are doing. After Gaudi and I set up water samples I want to also go to the ferreteria to get supplies to make some rocket stoves to show how they work.
It's great to really get going!