Oaxaca - Toluca, Mexico. Earthrounder Meeting Mexico City 23 - 28 Nov 2005

Great Earthrounder meeting

The highlight for me was meandering through the Xochimilco canals on a trajinera imbibing neat tequila that Jorge had purchased with the help of a local policeman who drove him to the shop before we boarded the boats. It was a lively scene with thousands of trajineras occupying almost the whole canal space, so traffic jams were frequent. This is the way Mexican families celebrate special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, serenaded by mariachis. One cute mariachi singer in a huge sombrero joined our boat and danced with each of us ladies in turn. I´m not sure whether he realized I understood Spanish because the cheeky little man changed the words of the love song to something highly suggestive!
On the last evening, Jorge and Malu invited us all to their new house, elegantly designed by architect Jorge. Flemming and I had seen the house when it was under construction when we stayed with them in 2002, so it was a treat to see it now in all its glory. He made ample use of glass in the construction, not only for the huge windows providing sweeping views and plenty of light, but even on the steps up to his study. A sumptuous buffet dinner was served in the garden, accompanied by live – but mellow – music. Malu made a moving speech about how she and Jorge felt that we were not just fellow Earthrounders but good friends, a sentiment that I think was shared by all of us.