On a clear day you can see the Volcano from here
Cultural trekking to the heart of Mexico

By: Shandra Keesecker-Rivero

As we traveled along the windy road from the Carnaval festivities in the small community of Tlayacapan to the sprawling grounds of Hacienda de Cocoyoc in Morelos, I once again looked back at the group while pointing, “on a clear day you can see the top of the Popocatepetl volcano,” which would become a familiar refrain during our two week Spanish immersion trip to Cuernavaca.

Cuernavaca, Morelos, located just about an hour and a half south of Mexico City, is known as the City of Eternal Spring and home to a variety of Spanish language schools, yet a far cry from the sandy beaches of Puerto Peñasco. Nestled between cliffs, startling mountain landscapes of the Tepozteco and lush valleys, Cuernavaca welcomed our group of Spanish learners as we made our way into the warmth and kindness of Cuauhnáhuac Spanish Language Institute, which would be our home for two weeks.
This was the third adventure for my program, Recursos travel & education, S.C., out of Puerto Peñasco, in taking students to enjoy the thrill of Spanish immersion in central Mexico. In the past we had organized trips around the celebration of Mexican Independence Day in September, but on this occasion we trekked south in hopes of getting in on traditional Carnaval celebrations and the rhythmic dance of the Chinelos. Yet, the group, and the experience, was so much more than just Carnaval!
With five full-time students in tow, and a friendly traveler along for the first week of excursions, we tackled the pyramids of Teotihuacan, the silver markets of Taxco, and reveled in the beauty of the murals of Diego Rivera, the paintings of Frida Kahlo, colonial cathedrals, indigenous temples, the ballet folklorico in Mexico City, and the strumming of mariachi in Garibaldi plaza.

During the two weeks, students participated in intensive Spanish immersion courses on the beautiful grounds of the school, and were pushed to limits of joy and frustration in learning and practicing a new language. Following six hours of class each day, we all welcomed prying open a cold Victoria or uncorking a nice bottle of wine (with the infamous sacacorchos from La Divina!).
We enjoyed dancing at Los Arcos to balancing down the temple of Quetzalcoatl and experiencing the devotion around the Basílica of Guadalupe, not to mention watching the unending soccer matches and sharing meals with host families. Together I and the students, who included Nancy VanPelt and Tom Hutchinson of Phoenix, AZ, as well as Tucson entourage Ron and Bonnie Delvaux, and Roberta Declusin and Judy Chernecki hailing from Tucson and Puerta Privada, made unforgettable memories and eagerly look forward to new Spanish adventures.

Intrigued?  Plans are already in the works for our next Spanish immersion trip for this September!!  The trip is open to students and architecture enthusiasts as local architect Plinio will be joining us to take people through the history and wonder of Mexican form. More information coming soon!

Information concerning Spanish studies in Puerto Peñasco and immersion trips at: www.recursosmexico.com  or call us at 1-866-407-4865, or in Peñasco at 383-8217.