Mexico City > Puebla

This morning Jen and I parted ways with Ruben and Tati: they're on their way back home to Cuernavaca, while Jen and I are now in Puebla. We checked into the Hotel Colonial mid-afternoon, and have settled here nicely. It's a lovely hotel, the architecture of which makes obvious that this was at one point either a monastery or convent.

Here's the restaurant inside the hotel. It's wonderful:

Our rooms are nice: two single beds, two balconies (the hotel's on a corner, so we have a balcony on each of the cross-streets), and a small bathroom. The room hsa a safe, and a tv with cable. Here's the view from each of our balconies. First, hers:

Then mine (photo taken late afternoon):

We'll be stationed here for the next 5 nights. Tomorrow I want to do a tour of the city. My focus will be mainly churches. Puebla is known for having many and beautiful churches! I'm in the right place...

On Wednesday Jen and I want to do a day trip to Tlaxcala.

Thursday is 5 de mayo, a big celebratory day here. I think it commemorates the defeat by the Mexicans of the Spanish army, or something along those lines. We will watch the army parade throughout the city, and then in the afternoon we want to head to Cholula.

Friday we will rent a car and go for a drive. We're not sure yet what our destination will be, but my preference would be to get as close to the Popocatépetl as we can and do some hiking.

And finally, on Saturday we will take a late morning bus to Cuernavaca, where the emphasis of our time here in Mexico will be not so much sightseeing (although that too) but meeting up with Juanjo and catching up with Ruben and Tati.

Mexico City: Museo de Antropología

A few notes on yesterday. In the morning, Jen and I visited San Angel and Coyoacán:

Late afternoon, Ruben and Tatiana arrived. We all rested a bit (Jen and I from a day of sightseeing, and Ruben and Tati from a day of travelling. Then, we went for dinner at an Italian restaurant recommended to us by Diego, the owner of Patio 77:

As for today, the highlight was visiting the Museo de Antropología. What an amzaing place. I will limit myself to only posting a few pictures, but suffice it to say that it's a museum well worth the visit. As my friend Paul told me, there are 3 "must see" museums in the world, representing 3 civilizations: 1- the Egyptian Museum, 2- the Athens National Archeological Museum in Greece, and 3- Museum of Anthropology in Mexico.

I always thought maybe his praises of this museum were slightly exaggerated, but, who knows, maybe I was wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. Anyways, it's a museum that I will surely visit again on my next trip to this beautiful country. Here are some pics:

Ralph Awake

Dad emailed me this picture today. Ralph seems awake here. I'm in Mexico, and upon seeing the picture my heart melted, and tears streamed down my face. My mind was flooded with feelings of guilt: while I'm on vacation, Ralph continues to struggle with life post-accident.

But alas, one must not be drawn into the depths of despair even at this time. Or at least, if one is drawn into these depths, one must not remain there for long: that's where feelings of resentment and doubt rise.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on Ralph, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us all,
for we are all sinners.

Vanouver > Mexico City

Today Jennifer and I left for Mexico. We'll be here for the next 14 days. Our itinerary is roughly as follows:

* 2 days in Mexico City
* 5 days in Puebla (a few day trips are in the plans)
* 6 days in Cuernavaca with Ruben and Tatiana; Juanjo will also meet up with us here
* 1 day in Mexico City

Here are a few pictures of the flight:

Upon our arrival in Mexico City, we checked in at the Patio 77 Bed and Breakfast. Here's where we'll stay for 2 days now at the beginning of our trip, and then another day at the end:

Abrupt End

Today things came to a bit of an abrupt end with Charlene. Well, we were always just friends anyways, but it became clear today upon conversing with her that things are probably better for us that way. It's for the best.

On one hand, I'm a bit relieved: I don't know, I didn't have peace about us. But on the other hand, I'm a little sad: another relationship that didn't pan out.

Resurrection Sunday: Rejoice Now!

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,
and let your trumpets shout Salvation
for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,
bright with a glorious splendor,
for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,
and let your holy courts, in radiant light,
resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame,
pray with me to God the Almighty
for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this eternal light;
through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord
who lives and reigns with him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen!

Hiking With Jennifer & Alfonso

This morning Jennifer, Alfonso and I hiked the Grouse Grind. It was a gorgeous day, sunny.

Good Friday: Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me;
they wag their heads;
"He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

-----

Psalm 22:1-11

Maundy Thursday: My God, And Is Thy Table Spread?

My God, and is thy table spread?
And does thy cup with love o'erflow?
Thither be all thy children led,
and let them all its sweetness know.

Hail sacred feast, which Jesus makes,
rich banquet of his flesh and blood!
Thrice happy he who here partakes
that sacred stream, that heavenly food!

O let thy table honoured be,
and furnished well with joyful guests;
and may each soul salvation see,
that here its sacred pledges tastes.

-----

Words by Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751.

Corn Chowder Soup

Mom visited me today. Together we cleaned my apartment. I also cooked a corn chowder soup I've been perfecting ever since I got the vegetarian cookbook a few weeks ago. This is my favourite soup, because it's so hardy. It's as thick as chilly!

Here are the ingredients (serves 8):
* 40 g butter
* 2 large onions, finely chopped
* 3-4 clove garlic, crushed
* 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
* 4 cups (1 litre) vegetable stock
* 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
* 1 can (400ml) canned creamed-style corn
* 2 can (341ml) fresh corn kernels
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 1 cup (125g) grated cheddar cheese
* salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 3 tablespoons cream (optional)
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, as garnish

Here's the recipe:
1- Heat the butter in large heavy-based pan. Add the onions and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Add garlic and cumin seeds, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add vegetable stock, bring to boil. Add potatoes and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
2- Add the creamed corn, corn kernels and parsley. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes. Stir through the cheese, salt and pepper, to taste, and cream. Heat gently until the cheese melts. Serve immediately, sprinkled with chopped chives.

Airport

This evening I picked up Charlene from the airport. She spent the weekend in LA visiting her brother. The amazing thing is that she lent me her car while away. I didn't use it much, but still, quite a nice gesture on her part.

Anyways, it's nice that she's back now. I'm going out for dinner with her later this week, probably Friday.

An Afternoon At Nitobe

Jennifer and I spent a lovely afternoon at the Nitobe Garden today. Given the rift that's crept into our friendship lately, it was good to spend a few hours with a proven friend. I'm looking forward to our trip to Mexico at the end of this month.

I've always loved Nitobe. It reminds me of my 2nd year at Regent, when I was taking Classical Greek in the spring, and Mark and I would go there to spend a few hours relaxing, reading, or just talking theology. It's such a tranquil place.

Ralph In Surrey

As I mentioned a few days ago, there was talk that Ralph would be transferred to Surrey. That transfer happened 5 days ago on April 10th.

Yesterday I went to visit him, and he was not having a good day. He was coughing like crazy. It's frightening: when he coughs, it looks like he's choking. His lung is really giving him lots of trouble.

One feels so helpless. All we can do is hope and pray that his time is not yet up, and that the doctors and nurses would give him the best possible care (and they do).

Dad took these pics of our visit. The first one is of mom and me at Ralph's bedside:

The next one is of me, while the physiotherapist is working on Ralph's legs:

The last one I took of dad. Mom and dad are so formal when they stand at bedside. Dad in particular, is very stoic most of the time. He visits Ralph for only short periods of time, and doesn't say much at all. But as I think I've said before, his heart is torn deep inside. He loves Ralph dearly.

Complications Continue

My poor nephew. Just when one thing improves, something else goes awry.

The arm and clavicle are healing from the surgery, but his lung is leaking air, which makes it difficult for him to breathe. Now there's talk that he'll be transferred to Surrey Memorial where they specialize in lungs.

It's been close to 80 days now since the accident. Winter has come and gone, or at least, it's going. Spring is definitely on the way, as days are getting longer, and the sun peaks out more.

Still, Ralph does not speak, he seems awake sometimes when his eyes are open, but we just don't know. Doctors say that it's hard to know what his condition will be going forward. I learned a few weeks ago that boys/men are really irritable when they wake up, whereas girls/women are much more calm. So far, this distinction has not evidenced itself.

I'm worried about Ralph's family, and in particular, his mother. Melanie is visibly tired, she still works a few days a week, something she should probably reconsider if she wants to remain energetic. Whatever the journey will be like going forward, it's going to be a long one, so it's wisest to prepare for such.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on Ralph, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us all, for we are all sinners.

Cheque

Today I went back to ICBC to pick up a cheque for my car. They gave me $4,500+. My goodness, I feel like a rich man now.

In the evening I met up for dinner. We're trying to move forward in our friendship. She's aware of Charlene now - she knew something was up - and after expressing her sadness and fear over it, we discussed it and settled a few things. The dynamics of our friendship will obviously need to change now.

Pancakes And Belongings

This morning I met up with Charlene for breakfast. We met at the Dutch Panekoek right by the Cambie Street bridge, and had some delicious pancakes.

Afterwards, I went to ICBC to pick up the belongings left in my car after the accident 10 days ago. There was too much for me to carry home on foot, so Charlene was kind enough as usual to drive me home.