Seamail No. 4 - Part 2

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Last night we went for a walk and ended up in town where they were having a big celebration for Mexico=s independence day (which is actually today, the 16th). The municipal building was all decorated in green, white and red and some teenagers were putting on a play. From what I could understand it was for little kids and about accepting people=s differences. It was pretty strange - they were dressed up like boy scouts and kept screaming and running around. After the play the fire department was prepping for the big fireworks show. You know how, in the US, when they set off big fireworks they always have them go off pretty far from the crowd? Well, not in Mexico! We were about100 feet from where they were launching them, but we were near the back of the crowd. The shells were exploding right over our heads and huge sparks were falling all over the place. Very bizarre, and a very different experience. After the big finale everyone moved over to the basketball court for a concert put on by some Mexican pop band. We heard that there was going to be a parade today, so we went back to the parque this morning and found all of the school age kids lined up in uniforms...there was some dancing, and more introducing of people, and then everyone processed around the town. Nothing like the kinds of parades we are used to, but interesting to watch.

Well, this is getting long...guess I should get going. Sorry, no good food stories for you this time...we had a lot of people comment on how much we talk about food in these seamails. We decided it is because food is such a big part of the cultural experience (both cooking it and finding it), and that there is no such thing as fast food here. Cooking takes a lot longer when you only have one sharp knife and a two burner stove (on which only one burner works well, and sometimes they are both pretty weak). We will be sure to keep you updated on all of our food escapades as they come along.

As always, be sure to check out our trip journal at

We also have a very simple (we=re talking VERY simple) website where we are just going to post a long string of pictures. One at a time is just not enough. A few are up already at

http://lizamueller.tripod.com/index.html It might look a little funny until we get the hang of arranging everything.

Love and sea breezes to all

Liza and Jerad

This has been Liza speaking...but I think Jerad wants to put his two cents in with the music pick for this week, so here you go:

music pick of the week is a dedication this time: it goes out to Wesley Beal, former compatriot RA and master ping ponger in Conway, AR!! Everyone cheer for Wesley for getting me into these two cds!

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones B Outbound B with perhaps the coolest version of Aaron Copland=s hoedown ever. You know... the beef theme song. Beef. It=s what=s for dinner

Trey Anastasio B self-titled thanks wesley!