Above the Clouds
San Cristobal De Las Casas is a magical city in Chiapas, located in the southeast corner of Mexico, bordering Guatemala. At 7200 feet above sea level, San Cris is set above white clouds in a valley surrounded by green mountains. It's a mix of culture and languages, inhabited by the indigenous Tzotzil and Tzetzal, with a constant flow of tourists from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This colonial town, with its cobblestone streets and bright pastel-colored buildings, brings together in open plazas and markets the Mayans and young hippie Euro backpackers in a wonderful blend of world culture.
There are traditional tours, including a visit to the 7th century Mayan city known as the Ruins of Palenque, the waterfalls of Agua Azul & Misol-Ha in a tropical jungle, and the cliffs of the Sumidero Canyon. For a closer look at small villages, local guides provide tours of San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacantan. Located in autonomous zones of Chiapas, the natives of Chamula and Zinacantan will invite travelers into their homes to observe the process of their beautiful embroidery, and into their humble kitchens where tortillas are prepared by hand, served with fresh cheese, beans, and salsa made from their vegetable garden. With a shot of mezcal or delicious café de olla, visitors are treated to an amazing insight into an ancient culture and an authentic culinary treat.
San Cristobal's cool climate makes it a pleasant destination throughout the year. Its greatest treasure is the hospitality of the native people; their genuine kindness always make visitors feel at home on another planet.
Cafeterias in the New Normal
Cafeterias have become the hub of business in today’s workplace. The corporate world now recognizes the need to incorporate cafeterias into work tools as part of the restructuring of the workplace to meet the demands of social distancing. Cafeterias are now ideal for meetings and events. This new idea embraces utilizing the cafeteria to maintain productivity and social interaction among employees. The ability to work individually, or in a team setting, while eating and having coffee is a natural progression of the times and a popular business trend.
Individuals at work tend to gravitate to areas of socialization. The cafeteria has traditionally been a place of rest, where employees can seek a moment of relaxation and can recharge their batteries. For some workers, it’s also an opportunity to hold strategic meetings that are difficult to set up in the normal course of the business day. Meeting over a quick meal is also ideal for small groups to chat about business projects and ideas. A cafeteria at work can be designed to provide much needed breaks throughout the day as well as an opportunity to unwind from the stress of computer screens and telephones. The future of business may be the move towards a creative, fun place for workers to eat and talk.
Modern employers can create cafeterias with a variety of work tools that can also facilitate social interaction among employees. A contemporary cafeteria may include espresso machines, big screen televisions, WiFi, and tablets. The cafeteria can be transformed into a space to work and socialize. Returning to a sense of normality is vital to the economy and corporate profitability.
The new cafeteria has a focus on collaboration among employees via individual or team meetings. Meals can be shared in larger spaces or dining rooms can be organized into smaller, safer spaces. The common value of a good meal or a strong cup of coffee should not be lost due to social distancing guidelines as they have always been conducive to building solid business relationships. Cafeterias can help maintain consistency of regular meetings for the growth of these important relations.
Cafeterias have a stress-free vibe as it's a place to meet friends since the days of elementary school. In order to create a work environment, cafeterias can be designed with tables and chairs to simulate workstations or home offices. Breakfast bars can also be featured, including an open kitchen with seating areas to resemble a large conference room with a catering section.
The cafeteria is valuable for its versatility. Seating can be flexible in a cafeteria setting, according to the needs of the company. Seats can be arranged for a particular project or set in private booths to encourage more one-on-one interaction. This flexibility is especially essential in the era of social distancing. Utilizing the cafeteria as a work tool can promote employee health and safety, which may result in greater creativity and empowerment.
Transforming the cafeteria, much like the changes in so many aspects of our daily lives, is consistent with adapting to the new normal. Corporations are aware that food is a cultural theme and essential to employee satisfaction. The traditional cafeteria will soon appear one dimensional. A modern cafeteria may be in use the entire work day, perhaps with staggered hours, less on-site food preparation, and more contactless vending machines. As the collective perceptions and behaviors evolve, employers should meet the new expectations of employees with regard to food and safety. Employers value productivity and must also recognize that employees will accept the flexibility so long as it does not affect the quality of their meals at work.
Mexican Love and Marriage
A Mexican wedding is a festive event attended by family and friends, commencing with a solemn ceremony in church and evolving into a huge party in a home or hall. The wedding ceremony is usually part of a Catholic mass, and mariachis may accompany the mass proceedings. The marriage rituals within the mass feature an exchange of vows and a nuptial blessing from the presiding priest. Throughout the mass, mariachi music fills the church with beautiful religious songs and hymns. The family of the bride and groom prepare the interior of the church with colorful flowers and authentic Mexican decorations.
Wedding guests dress in formal attire to the church. At the reception, some change into more casual clothing as there eventually will be lively dancing to regional Mexican music. Invitations may state a particular dress code, the bride wishing her closest friends to wear dresses in a special color.
Mexicans utilize godparents (“padrinos” and “madrinas”) as part of the wedding plan. Their role is to sponsor significant elements of the big day, like buying the liquor for the reception, taking care of the catering for the reception, or handling the entertainment for the party. Depending on the region of the families of the bride and groom, there may be “banda” or “norteno” musical groups, including a DJ playing a wide variety of Latino music. The godparents may also present “arras” to the bride and groom during the mass, which are thirteen gold coins within a fancy gold box. After the coins are blessed by the priest, the groom hands them to the bride, representing his vow to support and treasure her.
Another Mexican tradition during the marriage ceremony is the use of “el lazo”, a lasso placed around the bride and groom signifying unity. The godparents use a large rosary, a silk cord, or anything resembling a lasso. After the nuptial blessing, the couple may present their bridal bouquet to “La Virgen Maria”.
As the couple exits the church, a “callejoneada” is set up as a line of participants led by mariachi music from the church to the reception. A Mexican wedding reception is a huge party with delicious traditional dishes, live music, and an open bar flowing with tequila. This reunion may tend to get bigger and louder as the evening turns into late night. Tamales, enchiladas, mole, tacos, and a variety of salsas and desserts will fuel the attendees throughout the reception and afterparty. Tequila shots are handed out and toasts will be celebrated in honor of the new couple.
During the height of the festivities, a group dance called “la vibora de la mar” is organized among mostly young people. This “sea snake dance” places the bride and groom standing on chairs, where they form an arch. Guests hold hands in a long line and run under the couple. The pace of the music and snake line increase as guests try to maintain the formation. Another tradition is the money dance, where guests pin dollar bills on the bride and groom in exchange for a dance. This warm moment with the bride or groom is set to a slow ballad and lasts about 30 seconds. Bills are turned into a variety of creative things such as ties, necklaces, and crowns for the bride and groom. This ritual allows for some quality time with the newlyweds.
The “baile del mandion” is another popular dance. A domesticated husband in Mexican tradition is usually a target of friendly jokes. The role of husband and wife are reversed in this dance. The bride is given a belt and cowboy hat and the groom wears an apron (a “mandil”) and a broom. The couple dance as the bride gently whips her new husband while he sweeps the floor. Sometimes guests will participate by providing beer bottles and cigars to the bride. Diapers and kitchen utensils may be given to the groom.
Finally, the “tornaboda” is the afterparty. A smaller, more intimate gathering takes place after the reception. New couples can celebrate with their closest friends and family after an exhausting day. Mexican couples typically open their presents in front of all guests in the reception, but sometimes may wait for this last reunion. These wedding celebrations have been known to last twenty-four hours, as guests arrive at the church in the early morning and party until the early hours of the next day. Mexican tradition involves their Catholic faith coupled with their love of family which lends to a very loving and caring event. The tendency is to not leave the couple alone for quite a while after the marriage ceremony. Family members from both sides will hug each other and promise to take good care of their new family members.
Language Learning
Learning a new language is exciting and a huge challenge. A very significant collateral benefit is maintaining mental focus, understanding, and memory. The challenge itself, conquering a foreign language for an older person, can make one feel young again. New challenges are always stimulating, whether it’s physical and adrenaline-producing, or a mental task that stimulates the brain. In learning a language, the brain creates new neurological synapses. Any substantial change in routine can cause a healthy jolt to the operation of the mind. For older people, perhaps in retirement, learning a new language can even reverse brain aging and increase cognitive and creative abilities.
In general, being bilingual is beneficial on many levels. First of all, learning a new language can potentially double the size of a person’s vocabulary. Secondly, becoming bilingual necessarily allows someone to soak in a new culture and perhaps become bicultural. Most importantly, bilingualism can help improve cognition. In sum, exercising the brain by learning a new language can decrease the onset of dementia in older adults. Bilingualism does not only help in keeping your brain active, it can also increase your social interactions.
Beach Time
The first time at the beach is a powerful experience. It’s nature at its best. There are also many opportunities for trouble and distress, especially with children. The best tip is to realize you’re at a place that’s essentially a wildlife habitat and not under your control. It’s important to explain to children that the ocean is alive. Not only are the waves constantly pulling and pushing, but not far from the dry sand is an underwater world of sea animals.
Danger Zone:
*Rip Currents are strong and narrow, flowing away from the beach through the surf, pulling swimmers into the ocean. A rip tide can be identified by a break in the pattern of waves, sometimes leaving lines of seaweed or foam towards the sea. They are also visible as choppy waves with perhaps a change in the color of water. Children should only play in the waves when lifeguards are present. Most importantly, kids should be taught not to panic or resist the pull of the rip current. They should either float or swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. Rip currents appear mostly near piers, or low spots on the beach.
*Wildlife is an unlikely source of problems, but still should be discussed with children. A shark attack is highly improbable, but it is their home. More likely would be a painful encounter with jellyfish or sea urchins.
*Swimming in the ocean can be a hazard, yet that may be difficult to impress upon a young, strong swimmer. Children must know to stay away from structures like piers and jetties, as rip currents tend to occur there or waves can push swimmers onto these hard surfaces. Parents should also be aware of high winds that can affect the size and force of waves. Big waves can knock children to the ocean floor, which can be covered with rocks, causing serious injuries. It’s always best to be near a lifeguard when children are in the water.