Rodada del Amor Crucecita Huatuclo mass bicycle ride

Yesterday afternoon I made it to my first mass bicycle ride in Huatulco.  It was the   Rodada del Amor con causa, organized by Iniciativa Huatulco and other community organizations and a great way to finish up the weekend.    

 
I've seen posters for fun events on a Sunday afternoon in our town of Crucecita several times in the past but I rarely make it.  I make plans but the drowsiness of the late afternoon usually ends with a promise to attend the next event.  This time I made it.  Nap time was calling but I put my sneakers and helmet on and got out the door right on time.  Right away, I noticed other cyclists heading in the same direction and knew it was going to be fun.

UMAR Huatulco was represented by myself, Yazmin and a few UMAR students.  Yazmin and I agreed.  Next time we have to give a bigger shout out to UMAR people with bikes.  They would have loved this.

  Here we are at the starting point, the Eco Park across from Pemex, where volunteers passed out T-shirts and accepted food donations.

Everybody received a T-shirt and a bright balloon for their bike,

 Away we go.

 It really is more fun cycling in a huge group with matching T-shirts.

 Progress was slow.  We all had to watch out for the little ones and make sure they kept with the group.  Some of them weren't quite ready for riding in a straight line either.  They tended to zigzag a bit.  So we all enjoyed the ride a little longer.

 Here we are at the turnaround at the end of the residential neighborhood, U2.   Juicy oranges for everyone.

 Back to the centre.  Good times.

Cultural Tourism UMAR Huatulco 2017 Behind the scenes

I was lucky to come across this lively presentation of Oaxacan culture and food last Friday.  I was having lunch in the cafeteria so I could finish grading my exams and found the outdoor space where I usually eat occupied by students busy arranging displays and dressing up in traditional costumes.

This was exam time for the  Cultural Tourism class.   No multiple choice questions or essays on theory here.  This was all a matter of showing what you can do for real.

Most of these pictures were taken before the presentations were open to the general UMAR public.  These are behind the scenes moments.  I'm glad I had the chance.  Once the displays were open for viewing, the crowds made pictures almost impossible. 



Students paid meticulous attention to detail.



 

Right about here, photo ops became next to impossible.   Samples of cultural cuisine were available to visitors and that little room was packed.

I may never have gotten near to the tasty treats if Cecilio (below) hadn't reached through the crowd to pass me some samples.  Thanks, Cecilio.

It was the best exam I've ever been to and I believe everybody passed with flying colors.