Viva la Revolucion!

Today is another major holiday - the celebration of the Mexican Revolution! The banks are closed and my students have been practicing all week for the big desfile (des FEEL ay), or parade, that is making its way through town as I write this blog. On the one hand, it's been nice to have a sort of relaxed week: no school Monday for the official holiday and no classes today (though I'll be at work anyway); and Tuesday through Thursday, it seemed that my students had to leave to practice their pyramid formations and marching orders just as class was supposed to begin. On the other hand, we are getting so close to the end of the cuatrimestre (2 weeks from today!) and I still have material get through. It is definitely a cultural learning experience, though. Holidays are really taken seriously here. I think another factor is that, since tourism is such a big part of UNO and because Yucatecan culture is a major tourist attraction, students are really encouraged to be involved in cultural events. But, suffice it to say, we did not have much class time this week. Next week will be very busy!
Today was the last day of my Hotel English course. I am happy with how it turned out and I really enjoyed working with my two groups at Meson del Marques. I don't know if we will repeat the course with another group next cuatrimestre or if we will expand it and take it to other hotels or what, but it's a possibility anyway. It was a great experience to develop the course and to have the opportunity to present it twice and tailor it as I went along. It was also a great thing to work with actual hotel employees, many of whom represent what my present UNO students will be doing in the future. It gave me a new perspective on what information is most relevant for my university students.
Well, more soon...BTW, Josh is back in the states and we had a great time here in Yucatan! So glad he could be my first visitor!