Mexican Diary
In and around Mexico
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In December of 2005,after working for ten years in the public relations field in Austin, Texas, I decided to do something I had often thought about, but never acted on - live and work (teaching ESL) in Mexico. After spending some time seeing the sites in and around Guadalajara, I began my first job in a small town in Michoacan called Los Reyes. That position was only for three weeks - filling in for a teacher who had gone home for Christmas but didn't return.
After that, I moved to Leon, Guanajuato where I taught for one semester at a school called Culturlingua. Unfortunately my first semester there was the school's last. It closed its doors for good In June of 2006.
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I spent the summer of '06 in East Texas with my then four-year-old daughter Rebecca. In August I moved to Poza Rica, Veracruz where, as of the start of this journal (November 11, 2006), I am currently teaching at the American, British and Canadian (ABC) School.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler johnhannahthree
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1
Leon, GTO
I'm now in Leon, Guanajuato. The local economy seems to be based on leather - primarily cowboy boots, but also purses, wallets and tight ... Continue reading »
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2
Arrival in Los Reyes
I am now in Los Reyes, Michoacan. It´s a really pretty little town up in the mountains. I´m in my new house, which is fantastic. I´ll be sharing it wi... Continue reading » -
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First Classroom Gig
I'm teaching six classes each day - two in the morning and four in the evening. My students, for the most part, are great. Many are the children of we... Continue reading » -
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Day trip to Morelia
I just got back from Morelia. We had today off (Labor Day everywhere but the US).
It is both the capital and Michoacan's large... Continue reading »
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5
First Full Semester, Leon and Guanajuato State
Leon was the first place in Mexico I could say that I’ve actually lived, having taught a six month semester at the Culturlingua School in Colonia (... Continue reading »
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6
Ruins of El Tajin
Less than twenty minutes from my condo in Poza Rica, the El Tajin ruins comprised what was once the capital of the Totanacs - the indige... Continue reading »
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7
Los Volodores de Papantla
Denise and I went here Sunday afternoon just for some R and R and to get out of Poza Rica for a little bit. As one guide book describes it, P... Continue reading »
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8
Olmec Heads and Scottish Weather
The capital of Veracruz, Xalapa (also spelled Jalapa), is Mexico’s oldest city as well as the namesake of the famous Jalapeno pepper. Denise and I... Continue reading »
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9
Granma's Anniversary
Fifty years and one week ago, Fidel Castro,Che Guevara and 80 others set out from here in a rickety old boat called the Granma. Fifty years a... Continue reading »
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10
Rebecca Hannah's First Hunt
Home for Christmas at my Mom's house in Lufkin. Here are a few photos from Rebecca's first hunting trip (Zavalla, TX) Continue reading » -
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My Current Home Town
My average day begins about 6:30 am when I catch what is called a collectivo to my first class at the PEMEX offices downtown. A collectivo is a taxi t... Continue reading » -
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"Like a Movie"
I've been wanting to go to Cuetzalan for months. ADO - the first class bus line said they didn't go there from Poza Rica. Acc... Continue reading »
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Closest Beach to Poza Rica
I've been in Poza Rica seven months, but until now, haven't been to the closest beach to my house. I've been to Tuxpam and other points sou... Continue reading » -
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Cumbre del Tajin
For hundreds of years El Tajin was the political, religious and cultural capital of the indigenous Totonacs who still inhabit t... Continue reading »
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Overnight in Austin
Bull McCabe's Irish Pub has added a patio in front to accommodate smokers. They used to be accommodated in the bar itself, but the city dec... Continue reading » -
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Teachers Protest "Reforms"
The 2000 collapse of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has brought with it the proliferation of real, independent labor unions in Mexico.... Continue reading »
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18
Birthplace of Mexican Soccer and Labor Unrest
Though a small community of only around 11 thousand inhabitants, Real del Monte, Hidalgo is the site of the New World's first labor strike, and acc... Continue reading »
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19
Another little mining town.
Mineral Del Chico is only about 12 miles up the road from my apartment in downtown Pachuca. And I do mean up the road, as in straight up . The Sp... Continue reading » -
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Pachuca Skate Punks
I intend to write a proper entry for Pachuca with general interest information and photos later. But for now, here are some pictures fro... Continue reading »
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The River House
Of all the things we enjoyed in Humboldt County the moast were ou lodgings.
The Lost Coast House is just right up the road from Petrolia.&nbs... Continue reading »
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The River House
Of all the things we enjoyed in Humboldt County the moast were ou lodgings.
The Lost Coast House is just right up the road from Petrolia.&nbs... Continue reading »
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24
Back Home
Well Rebecca and I left early this morning for Houston. After taking some care of some business, picking up some extra movies and reading materi... Continue reading » -
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Always Make Reservations
I made the mistake of assuming one can get a hotel anywhere in the world on a Tuesday night. Turns out there was no room available anywhere n... Continue reading »
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Salem's Lot
Ferndale is 30 miles north of Petrolia and the River House but it is a good hour drive. The winding road drops down to the coast then goes si... Continue reading »
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27
Natural Beauty
Due to geographical obstacles this part of the California Coast never saw a major highway built through it or much development. The Mattole R... Continue reading »
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28
California's First Oil Well
Petrolia is a little community of about 300 people on the Mattole River roughly five miles from The Lost Coast. As it's name suggests it... Continue reading »
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