We have spent most of the last 2 weeks walking around our community and trying to observe the issues they face and process how we might respond. The soil erosion is deep and widespread. Some in the community are working on planting trees and practicing better farming methods.

Meanwhile there is this restoration of the 400 year old convent which is a work of art in progress all by itself! We like to go watch the stone masons carve the stone with a hammer and chisel! There is a small museum inside the restored part that shows the pictures to-date of the work. The restoration began in 1998 based on the information that we have viewed and there remains years of work before it is complete.

We attended our first "XV aniversario" last night. It is the 15th birthday of young girls in Mexico. Unfortunately we FORGOT our camera! Duh! So sorry, no pictures.
It was quite the event! It began in the church with a beautiful service and words from the priest to follow your heart and listen to your parents. That could be a conflict in one's life. I think it means what our parents told us, "give your children roots AND wings".
Following the service we went to a reception hall for toasts, music, conversation and finally "cena" (dinner) by that time it was 9:30 or 10pm. We left at 12:30 still waiting on the cake, oh well I did not need those calories! The music was loud but exuberant. It was much like an American wedding and probably costs the same.