Metropolitan Cathedral
The institute began in Mexico City, where participants began learning about Mexico's national identity and long history at the heart of the city, the storied Zócalo. Stops here included the Metropolitan Cathedral, the famous murals of Diego Rivera on display in the Palacio Nacional, and the ruins of the once great Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlán. The group also ventured a few blocks away to the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Parque Alameda, experiencing aspects of cultural life in the fast-paced urban setting of the Distrito Federal.
Stone sculpture on display in the museum at Teotihuacán
Also while in Mexico City, the teachers examined the astounding array of artifacts on display at the Museo Nacional de Antropología, viewing items taken from several of the various archaeological sites they would visit later in the institute, one of which was Teotihuacán. A visit to these important ruins provided the group with their first extensive introduction to life in pre-Columbian Mexico. Before departing Mexico City, the teachers also visited the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most important religious buildings in Mexico, and toured the historic neighborhood of Coyoacán and the campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico.
Scott Putney at Yucundaa
On Tuesday the teachers departed the city for the state of Oaxaca, enjoying along the way not only views of distant volcanoes and cactus-covered mountains but also a brief stop at Yucundaa, an archaeological site currently undergoing excavation. Dr. Ronald Spores, a former Vanderbilt anthropologist, showed the teachers around the pre-Columbian site and allowed the group to observe his team as they conducted their excavations. Before ultimately arriving in Oaxaca City, the teachers also visited the small town of Teposcolula, touring a rare open-air Domincan convent.
Monte Albán
Wednesday was another full day of sightseeing, beginning with a visit to Monte Albán. Exploring the ruins of this mountaintop Zapotec city was one of the highlights of the week for many of the teachers. Here, as indeed at every other site visited throughout the institute, teachers benefited from the knowledge of Pedro Torres, driver and guide, and Prof. Wright-Rios, as they shared extensive insight into aspects of the history and culture of this ancient civilization. The next stop on the itinerary brought the group to a colonial historic site, the Santo Domingo monastery and museum in Oaxaca City. This elaborate complex of buildings, full of artifacts from various historic locations throughout Mexico, provided the group with inspiration for classroom curriculum materials.
Sr. Isaac Vasquez, Teotitlán del Valle
Thursday included a series of short road trips throughout the Valley of Oaxaca. The first stop was the Tule tree, a huge cypress estimated to be over 2000 years old. From there the group traveled to Mitla, a town famous for its Zapotec and Mixtec ruins distinguished by its elaborate painted wall and intricate geometric stone mosaics. Following a brief stop in Tlacolula to see the Church of the Holy Blood of Christ, the teachers traveled to the town of Teotitlán del Valle where they were hosted by Isaac Vasquez in his store, 'Bug in a Rug.' Sr. Vasquez demonstrated step by step the process of weaving his famous brilliantly-colored carpets and rugs, taking his audience through every step from carding the wool to creating the natural dyes to weaving the elaborate designs. This was another highlight for many of the participants, who went on to design lesson plans and classroom activities based on the demonstration.
Molly Sehring weaving in Jaliesa
The final full day of the institute took the group to the village of Ocotlán on its busy market day. After viewing the church and museum there, which contained modern folk art exhibits including works by Oaxacan artist Rodolfo Morales, the group struck out into the market, which proved to be a colorful and lively experience. On the way out of town Pedro Torres introduced the group to some of his friends in Jaliesa, a family of artists who produce beautifully colored weavings in their home. After displaying to the group the weaving process they employ in their work, this hospitable family treated the group to a home cooked lunch of tamales de chepil, one of the culinary highlights of the week.
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