The Backdrop of our Lives in Tepoztlán, Mexico

We are feeling relatively settled with our lives in Tepoztlán, Mexico. Not a day goes by that we aren't reminded of how fortunate we are to have this opportunity as a family. We have visited this place for the last four winters so we know it relatively well by now. Tepoztlán is referred to as "pueblo mágico" (or magical village) and we've grown to see why that is. It is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains. The daily life feels relaxed with a strong sense of community and simplicity. We have relationships that we've worked hard to build and we feel at ease in this place that is so different than the life we know so well at home.

We have been here for a month already and aren't returning to Madison until June. Our house is starting to really feel like home. As a family, we have a lot more time together which we've really been appreciating. Lea is going to the public school in our barrio (neighborhood) and she is in a class of 39 children--yes, with one teacher. Lea is often translating Spanish for Kimberly because she understands just about everything and can communicate what she wants/ needs to. It has really helped that only Spanish is spoken in her school (other than an occasional English class) and that she spends lots of time with her friends and their parents (who are also close friends of ours). They only speak Spanish. This is true of most, if not all, of the people who live in our barrio. Lea is also busy playing fútbol, which holds a significant place in the culture here. 

Brian is improving his Spanish all the time (which is already really good) by simply talking with our neighbors, the storeowners, etc. He is also studying Spanish with our long-time teacher Silvia. In addition, he is doing a lot of writing and managing our property business from afar. He's also teaching English at Lea's school, and is keeping up his yoga practice.

Kimberly has been busy studying Spanish, and is teaching art and English two days a week at a private, international school. She feels blessed to have the opportunity. She is keeping up her running, enjoying her friends in Tepoz (both new and old), and along with Brian and Lea, truly enjoying and appreciating the kind people, the food, the relaxed life, the glorious weather, and the beautiful views.

There are already many personal stories to share of life here over the last month but we'll post those later. We thought we'd start our blog of our time in Mexico with a backdrop of where we are. You can then fit the personal stories into the "landscape" that we will give to you. 

Tepoztlán is about an hour south of Mexico City by car. Many people from the city come to Tepoztlán for a weekend getaway. Even though it's close to Mexico City (which is one of the largest cities in the world) it feels like it's worlds away. --- The population of Tepoztlán is approximately 14,000 people. The town is famous for the remains of a temple built on top of the nearby Tepozteco mountain (which Kimberly climbs up periodocally). Tepoz is also famous for the exotic ice cream flavors prepared by the townspeople. There is also a large, open market which we visit just about daily to buy food and other household items. In addition, the warm sun seems to shine just about every day, with cooler temps in both the mornings and evenings. We feel some guilt about missing Wisconsin winter this year! 

We are truly on a grand adventure! It definitely pushes our comfort zone to be here, but we are well aware of how much we are all growing. This "pueblo mágico" has taught us a lot about what it means to be human since friends and family are valued as highly as they are. 

Below are photos of the "pueblo mágico." In future blog posts you will see our personal stories unfold as you see us and our friends become a part of the landscape. 

We miss you and hope things are going well in your world.

Love, Kimberly, Brian and Lea

A view of the downtown, central area.

A street closeby to where we live. These Mexican flags are a common sight, especially around the time of festivals.

Another nearby street.

And another. Notice the old VW bug. There are LOTS of them here!

Another view of one of the main streets in the downtown center.

Another street in our barrio. There are views of the mountains in all directions.

This is a hill that we climb up just about daily from the center of the village.

And here is our house while we're here. It looks bigger and fancier than it actually is. It is very simple on the inside with little furniture, but suits our needs just perfectly.

And here is our yard. It is so wonderful to have this beautiful, private oasis. Most days it is warm, clear, and sunny so we enjoy spending time there.

And here is the view outside our front door. Quite remarkable! We are reminded of how fortunate we are every time we step outside of our home.

Here is another home closeby. There is a wide range of how people live, but there seems to be little judgement toward one another. There is a sense of live and let live here. Often, you don't even see the more exclusive homes because they are behind high walls.

This is the home and school of our Spanish teacher, Silvia, who has become an important part of our lives here. Beautiful place to learn the language, huh?

Here is our Spanish classroom.

Lea's classroom, the one with 39 children to 1 teacher.

Here is the playground of the school that Kimberly's teaching at. Make note of the view of the mountains.

A view of the primary classroom there.

A view of Kimberly's art classroom. Notice the open air. It is a heavenly place to teach!

The street en route to the fútbol field that Kimberly runs around.

Nopale (cactus) field also en route to the fútbol field that Kimberly runs around.

And here is Kimberly's heavenly fútbol field with a view of Tesoro Mountain.

Chile Rellenos, a traditional Mexican dish that Kimberly helped prepare.

Enchillades Verde, another traditional Mexican dish that we have helped prepare. YUM!

Chicken in the central market. The meat is not refrigerated because it is so fresh. Most likely this chicken was killed the same morning it was out on the table to be sold. It's an interesting experience walking through the market with all the meat, considering the fact that the three of us are vegetarian.

Avacadoes! They are so plentiful, ripe, and inexpensive. They are an important staple of our diet here.

Papaya! Also plentiful, ripe, and inexpensive. We enjoy them everyday for breakfast.

Tepoz Nieves is the ice cream shop mentioned above. It has a long list of exotic, wonderful flavors that are oh, so yummy!

The tienda (store) that is closest to our home. We visit just about daily to pick up a few items and have become friendly with the store owners there.

Another tienda which is a little further away but one which we have also frequented. We also have made friends with the owners of this store.

A view of the large, open market in the center of the village.

Another view... This photo was taken right before Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Stay posted for further details of the holiday in a future blog site.

A view of the market extended out to the street on the weekends.

Catholicism is an important part of daily life here for most people. You see signs of the religion wherever you go. It is an interesting experience for us to be in such a Catholic country as a Jewish family.

Here is the church in our barrio. Every neighborhood has their own and they are considered very central to the life in each barrio.

A view from the street of a store.

And another. Note the VW bug.

And another view from the street...

More VW Bugs, one in better shape than the other! We have noticed how resourceful people are here. You often see people fixing things in Mexico that would generally be regarded as garbage and thrown away in the United States. There's a lot more reusing and recycling in Mexico simply because most people have less in terms of material things.

A recycling truck. I'll mention here that the garbage trucks blast music when they goes by. It's definitely not a quiet place!

A view of the mountains...

And another view of the mountains and the village from up above.

And the sunrise. Always new beginnings in this place that we have grown to love, "pueblo mágico".