Dear friends:
As you may wonder, we are fine health-wise. Amelia is out of school until May 6 or further notice, and we continue to work out of the house, as usual. The only major change really is that we regularly check the news for updates on the flu outbreak.
We are taking certain precautions, such as washing hands even more frequently, forgoing the normally requisite handshakes and kisses as greetings and goodbyes, and avoiding congregations of people (within reason).
We have had last-minute cancellations of traveler-volunteers who were to visit Casa HOY in May. As you probably already guessed, 2009 is turning into a rough year (global economic crisis, headlines outside Mexico about narco violence, and now the new flu) for us in terms of the number of international visitors coming to Mexico to carry out participatory travel, as well as tourism in general. On the other hand, trying times tend to breed creative thinking. HOY will refocus and rethink on ways to keep serving communities in need locally and abroad.
We’ll keep you posted with more news.
Gerardo and Katy
It’s getting to be that time of the year again—time to dust off your sombreros and invest in piñatas to celebrate Mexico’s win over France in 1862 (any excuse to drink Jose Cuervo and indulge on Tex-Mex enchiladas). Here are HOY’s tips for having an awesome Mexican fiesta!
Drinks/Bebidas: Pitchers of margaritas: http://www.expertvillage.com/video/27283_bar-tending-margaritas.htm; Mexican beer
Appetizers/Antojitos: tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctnU44S50Po, http://www.allrecipes.com/Recipe/LuvAnns-Guacamole/Detail.aspx; other delicias
Main dishes/Platos principales: enchiladas: http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000055enchiladas.php; tacos, burritos, taco salad: http://www.allrecipes.com/Recipe/Taco-Salad-III/Detail.aspx
Desserts/Postres: Kahlua brownies: http://www.cooktobang.com/recipes/sweet-temptations/bang-til-youre-blue-a-kahlua-brownies/; pastel de tres leches, flan, arroz con leche
Movies/Películas: Frida, A Day Without a Mexican, La Ley de Herodes, Y Tu Mamá También, Motorcycle Diaries, Volver, Amores perros, Como Agua Para Chocolate, La Mala Educación, Rudo y Cursi
Music/Música: Café Tacuba, Juanes, Jarabe de Palo, Manu Chao, Putumayo – Latin & Caribbean Collections, Buena Vista Social Club, Ozomatli, Control Machete, Molotov, La Maldita Vecindad
Invitations/Invitaciones: Create your own invite: http://www.evite.com/app/invitations/gallery/templates.do?theme=cinco_de_mayo&pg=1&eventID=&inviteID=&src=
