Mexico (Part 22) A special visit to a school on the outskirts of San Cristobal de las Casas

The last day in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

Since we are from Oklahoma, we asked Helga at Instituto Jovel to try to set up a tour of an agricultural project for our last afternoon in San Cristobal de las Casas. She obliged.

A taxi took us out to the outskirts of town, dropped us off and we ended up a school that was similar to a vo-tech training school with lots of activities going on such as carpenter shop, bakery, welding shop, vegetable gardens, etc.

We went into the office, explained who we were, and why we were there. The director assigned a young lady to give us a walking tour—totally in Spanish. She spoke no English.

Have to say, it was really interesting to see the students all focusing on learning a trade. We stopped in several of the buildings and spoke with students. They seemed as interested in us as we did in them.

                   One of the school buildings-

                 More of the school buildings–

               Typical students walking to class–

In the bakery, they wanted us to sample some of their cooking. I could have stayed in there all day!!

                 Carol going into the bakery-

After about an hour, our tour guide said goodbye and allowed us to walk through the property by ourselves. We promised to obey any signs dictating where not to walk, etc.

                  The Carpenter Shop

As we strolled through the vegetable gardens (all organic)the health and size of the plants was really amazing. 

 

       Translation of the above sign–You are prohibited from cutting the medicinal plants

                 Carol pulling a weed–who is kidding who?

                  The corn looked to be at least 10 feet high.  High as an elephant’s eye!

At one point, one of the workers came out of the field to speak with us. He answered all of our questions and asked us questions in return about what types of vegetables we grew in our garden at home.

At the end of the afternoon, we certainly felt like we may have been two of only a handful of outsiders that had been privileged to have observed this training school.

 Next-Final comments about San Cristobal de las Casas

If you want some great Mexican food  recipes I notice that Dave Cathey, The Oklahoman’s food editor has some great recipes on his web site. You can find it here: http://blog.newsok.com/fooddude/category/mexican-food/

BTW-If you want to check out some really neat stuff about what is happening on the redesigned Newsok.com then you need to check out Alan Herzberger’s update here

View my other travel blogs on NewsOk.com:                                 Colombia:                                                                  http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/colombia/ Mexico:                                                                       http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/mexico/                                                            Caribbean island of Barbuda:                            http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/barbuda/  

San Juan with a 5 hour layover:                                    http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/san-juan-puerto-rico/  

Fly around the U.S. for the day:                                    http://blog.newsok.com/thewanderer/category/day-trip/

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