March 9,2009 Classes Begin

Tlaquepaque Language Center is less than fifteen minutes by foot from my apartment. The school is not a big one......but, totally adequate. I have a good instructor, Miguel, and a pleasant classroom. There is one other student, Ellie from New Jersey. Our first day (two hour class) was conversational with contructive corrections from Miguel. We are learning the subjunctive tense......"I have been to China" vs "I went to China".

The "Ceramicas" instructions are to run from 11:30 - 2:30 each day, Monday through Friday. I had no idea of what to expect...but, knew that it would be another adventure. I followed directions and went down Calle Horno (horno translated is oven). Walked down one block and then for the next several blocks there was a Monday Street Market. In addition to some tired looking vegetables, there were mostly used goods. It was like a huge garage sale. I am sure, but they may have had new items,,, I did not see any. Did not really take time to enjoy this as I could not find the Fabrica de Ceramicas. After asking for directions found that it was behind some of the vendors' tents. Entered the fabrica (kind of like factory) and met Sylvia an owner of this family business.

Sylvia welcomed me with her limited Spanish......and then turned me over to "Cobie" (Jacob) her charming, good looking, nineteen year old son. Cobie's English is excellent right down to his American accent. Together Sylvia and Cobie taught me the first steps to making ceramics.

The interior of this fabrica is made up of a small office and all around the open courtyard or plaza centrales there were storage areas holding sink basins, tiles, clothes hooks, dishes, etc. Do they have a shop or gallery? No.....they make decorative ceramics for hotels in the US, Canada, and Salamanca, Spain. I see a huge amount of undecorated ceramic ware......many basins, but, only one painter. I ask why there is only one for so much work???? Business is DOWN. If/when, there is a demand for the finished goods, they call in local painters to get the work done.

Tiles (azulejos) would be my first endeavor. A mold must be made first. Four pieces of an existing mold maker are cleaned with a dry sponge to get rid of loose particles. Soapy water is brushed over all surfaces so that the finished mold will slip away easily. Next, three quarts of yeso was mixed with one and a half quarts of water. Yeso has the consistency of flour. The mix is kneaded getting rid of all the lumps. Mold maker is pieced together with a large rubber band (from a tire) holding the four pieces firmly in place. The yeso mix is poured into the two molds. There is one mold for each side of the tile. After about a half hour a chemical reaction takes place due to mixing yeso with water. The poured mixture hardens and turns hot. When firmness is correct, rubber band is removed and the two pieces of the new tile mold are place out in the sun to dry and harden.

Meanwhile, I line up ten two piece tile molds, back to back in a row about a yard long. All ten are tied together to avoid slipage. A mixture of "ceramic pasta" and water is made. I have no idea of what this would be in English. When I try to Google an answer......there are many to choose from....but, all in spanish. I go back and forth along this row pouring this mixture into the small, narrow two inch openings at the top of each mold. As it settles, I need to pour more and more pasta into each. I do this for a half hour. And then I must wait for this to harden. When ready, molds are opened and tiles removed. More about this tomorrow when I reach that step.

It is quite comfortable working along the edge of the open area. There is a roof overhead for protection from the strong rays of the sun, yet it is pleasantly airy.

By the time 2:30 comes around, I am tired, dirty, and hungry. Large super market is two blocks away and I am thinking of the guacamole that I will make for my lunch. Need to pick up tomatoes, onion, mayo, and garlic. Already have the avacados and limon. Purchases made and I am on my way back to 5 de Mayo and my delicious lunch.

Jo and I sat out in the shade of the garden walls. Very comfortable. By 6:30, we were ready for dinner. Between 5 de Mayo and el Parian, there is a restaurant named "El Nahual" (located Juarez 17). Jill recommended the restaurant highly and after eating there, I agree with her 100%. The ambiance is excellent. Waitstaff is attentive. My meal of pork medallions with plum sauce, mashed bananas, and fresh vegetables was served with attractive presentation. Best of all, the flavor.....outstanding. Will write to Trip Advisor and give El Nahual a top rating.

In the cool of the evening (long sleeves needed) it was a perfect time to walk around the town parks and pedestrian areas. The lights of the churches were in great contrast to the dark sky. Vendors were selling roasted corn on the cob, fruits, pork rinds, ice cream, jicama, and beverages. Families were enjoying the parks.....children playing while parents chatted on park benches.....just like it was the middle of the day. Since this is the most comfortable time of day (8pm) it was time to socialize before going home to eat cena. The main meal is shared by the family from 2pm - 4pm and the cena is a light meal of perhaps cereal or tacos eaten at 9pm or later......kind of like a before bed snack.

OK.....enough procrastinating, I must do my tarea (homework)........ten sentences correctly using he, has, ha, hemos, han.......forms of haber. So Buenos Noches Luna......hasta manana.