March 13, 2009 - Friday the 13th - I Quit

Class at Guadalajara Language Center was pleasant as always. The two hours passed quickly. All was well.

Ceramics Workshop. I know that I need to plan ahead and create my own designs. Later today, I will find a bookstore and purchase a book with illustrations of ceramic designs. I will work hard drawing the designs and be ready by Monday to transfer my designs to ceramic pieces. I feel good about this. Finished painting a cup and saucer and gave myself credit that they look pretty good. Ah, success.

Then, I learn that there will be NO Ceramic Workshop on Monday, as that is a holiday - the birthday of Benito Juarez. This, I understand. Still, I was grumbling to myself.....that I paid for ten days and was getting shorted by one day less. I kept silent about this. And then, I am told that everything must be painted by Tuesday afternoon as they plan to fire the kiln that night. I can do no more painting after Tuesday. That gives me one day, Tuesday, to do everything. So what am I to do on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday??? Sylvie said to come in on Saturday and Sunday to paint...but, I would be alone in the factory. I have made other plans so that is not an option.

At that point, I lost it and said that I quit!! Went back to the school and told Walter that I would take two extra hours of Spanish each day, in place of the workshop.

Where does the fault lie??? Agenda of workshop should have been explained more clearly. It should not be scheduled from Monday through Friday if there will be nothing to do for three of the days during the final week. They should not charge for three days of nothing.....and also charge for a holiday when they are closed They should have examples of designs to copy. They should not allow students to sit around doing nothing. More work should be provided while waiting for ceramics to harden in molds. I did not have enough support. I am disappointed. The Ceramics Workshop was what attracted me to Tlaquepaque. I do not like to be a quitter. BUT que sera, sera ..... and as I always say, things happen for a reason. I guess that I will need to wait and see.

Jo and I walked home together stopping to sample one of the local specialties - Torta Ahogada. This is a torpedo shaped crusty roll filled with shredded pork and has a tomato salsa poured over it. You dip as you eat. Not bad. Just be sure to have a good supply of napkins available.

Sun starts setting at around 6:30 pm. I observed the sky painted with shades of scarlett as I walked west toward the center of Tlaquepaque. As the sun descends into the horizon, temperatures cool, lights come on, people come out. The plaza comes to life. It is like watering a thirsty garden and watching life return. Friday night means music in the streets and the park. I took a long walk stopping to listen to the performers....and to watch the listeners. Of course there are the nightly vendors of local specialties. I purposely skipped dinner so that I would have room to try a couple of selections. Dessert first - tequila ice cream. Not bad.....cool, refreshing, and a pleasant taste.

Roasted ears of corn are very popular. They lo0k tempting, but, I decided to opt for the corn that had been removed from the cob. The corn is steamed and scooped onto a long narrow styrofoam dish. Creama (light cream?) and shredded cheese are poured on the corn. Looks delicious. How does it taste? Well, the corn is not sweet. It is kind of starchy. The added sauce helps. Would I order it again? Nope....I will try something else.

The vendors also sell cups filled with what I learned are steamed garbanzo beans in their green shells. It appears that you eat the whole thing. The woman offered to let me try one. Check garbanzo beans off the list. The shell is kind of pithy. Still have not tried the fried grasshoppers. Maybe tomorrow.