The Icelandic Canadian - 01.08.2002, Page 28

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 57 #1
cance of all these holidays but Tve noticed
that they often revolve around various vir-
gins. My knowledge of Catholocism is lim-
ited, but is there not only ONE virgin?
The most interesting fiesta I have experi-
enced is “Dia de los Muertes,” or Day of
the Dead. On November 2nd of every year
Mexicans make altars for their loved-ones
who have passed away. These three tiered
altars are adorned with intricate paper cut-
outs, pictures of the dead, candles,
marigolds and carefully prepared dishes of
the dead’s favorite foods. The altar in my
host mother’s house came complete with
the dentures of her dead mother, proudly
displayed as the center piece.
In general I have found Mexicans to be
friendly, warm and helpful. My host moth-
er was an exception to the rule. She rarely
got out of bed until 4 in the afternoon at
which time she would begin her daily rou-
tine of chain-smoking, drinking Coca-cola
and checking her e-mail with her little
fluffy white dog in her lap. Around seven
every night, she would shower with the
door wide open, dress up in her fanciest
duds and head out to the BINGO hall,
returning home at about three in the morn-
ing. She was a well meaning lady and
despite her unusual lifestyle I don’t regret
the time I spent in her house. She provided
me with many interesting stories.
As a result of Magdalena’s deficiency in
providing a home away from home envi-
ronment, the travellers and students living
in her house became very close. My
“Mexican family” was an interesting mix of
American, Canadian, German, British and
Japanese people. We formed friendships
that will withstand the tests of time and
distance. One of the benefits of travelling is
the bond of frienship formed between peo-
ple thrown together in intense situations.
Another great place to meet people is at
the school. I teach English and study
Spanish at the Vancouver Language
Center. The School is constantly filled with
wanderers, passing through for a few
weeks of Spanish instructions or a month
of employment teaching English. English
teachers in Mexico have a culture and
lifestyle of their very own. We are people
of all ages and backgrounds with a desire to
experience different cultures and support
ourselves financially while doing it.
Teaching English can be hard work, it
doesn’t pay well in Mexico but it is reward-
ing work in and of itself.
My volunteer experience has been eye-
opening, heart-breaking and life-enriching.
Every week I hop on a bus that drops me
off in a very poor area of the city. The
dusty streets are lined with makeshift
shacks held together with old bricks, tarps
and rusted pieces of scrap metal. The vol-
unteers make their way around the neigh-
bourhood, stopping at various dirt-floor
shacks where we are greeted with shy
smiles and generous offers to share in some
food or drink. We collect the children, ages
4 to 13 and walk with them to the church
where we provide them with a meal.
Following the meal we give lessons in basic
hygiene, help with homework, sing songs,
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