Hey we finally posted a bunch of photos, Rather Zarha (our really good kid, who reminds us daily how good she is and under appreciated!) posted all these photos and took most of them! It takes a lot of time and patience to post all these photos and we have been so busy we had lots to catch up on.
We went to some of the most incredible ruins in Mexico today; Monte Alban. We took lots of photos. I am still trying to figure out all the history of the Zapotec culture and Olmtec culture and how the fighting, ceremonies, sacrifices all went down. It was a very powerful place! The energy and the structures are incredible! I met a couple vendors selling some clay work of imitation ruin pieces who loved gremlin. They wanted to hold him and they laughed at his Mexican spirit! An Italian traveler gave gremmy a lot of attention and had seen the movie and reminded me not to get him wet or he will turn bad. Funny.
We had a great day until my tearful dinner. There is such a sad sad scene here with the street children of Oaxaca who have to sell candies and things for either their parents or maybe the mafia. I was told it was a mafia business and the kids are exploited by these other forces. This adorable girl came up to us tonight with her candy box probably around 8 years old and didn’t try to sell anything but shyly asked Andy for a French fry off his plate. Of course he gave it to her and she came back with a sweet smile for more with her 2 year old brother. They were so excited about the French fries as we piled them all on a plate for them to eat she asked if she could take it go (she had to get back to work!)
I could barely choke down my dinner through the tears, it really sucks that kids have this kind of reality. I saw another boy holding his candy box forced to stand with it for long hours just crying. I just learned all the money you give them for candy or whatever goes to the mob or the ones running the business. I think I will start buying things for the kids as other tourists were telling me they have been doing. It makes the kids really happy to receive anything they can keep for themselves.
Andy is taking a day on his own for a long hike tomorrow and Zarha and I are going to explore other outlying towns and a tree that is 3000 years old! Mexico claims it’s the largest biomass in the world, whatever that means!
Love to all
Good night!
dawn
2 comments:
hey guys thanks for the great postcards the girls are loving them!! Just wanted to let you know to save the weekend of 11/02 for the NYC 26.2 they just emailed me you confirmation # so it is a go!! 250 days to whip my ass in shape! Everything and everyone are doing well on our end. We just had Kevin's one year bday party on Saturday. Hard to believe!! Will I had better be heading of the gym! Can't wait for our reunion get together, enjoy every minute in the sun. We are getting 6 to 12 inches of snow tomorrow Yuck!! Love to you all,
KAZ
hi dawn and family. great reading about your travels. funny how gremmy is the hit of the tour. better be careful, he may be taken hostage! sounds like things are going well (and very heartbreaking about the kids that are being used). we don't realize how good we have it. things here are basically the same. haven't been to sorenson much, keeping busy here at hobart. i'm looking out my office window right now overlooking beautiful seneca lake (the sun is shining and the lake is an awesome array of varying blues, teals, aquas. very serene. anyway, best wishes and much love as you continue your travels. give gremmy a kiss for me! i checked on the rest of the gang and they are getting a bit pissed cuz they were left behind. i've been trying to keep people from feeding them after midnight...hopefully i can keep everyone safe!!! hurry home! XOXO Pam
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