Malinalli Speaks – Indigenous Research Fellowship Trip to Mexico.
In the summer of 2017, two other social studies teachers and I followed Malinalli’s (La Malinche’s) footsteps across Mexico to develop a culturally responsible social studies case study for classrooms in the U.S.
Day 10 -The Best Damn Barbacoa
We woke up and left D.F. at 4:40am to get to San Miguel de Allende in the morning.
On our way, Roberto recommended a barbacoa spot called Barbacoa de Santiago on the side of the highway We got there around 6am and were surprised to find that it was in full… [more]
Day 9 - Research Using Beans
We woke up and decided we needed more tostadas. So we set out to the Coyocan market once more to eat, buy supplies for today's research, and check out some of the other shops.
We saw some exquisitely crafted alebrijes, a Mexican style of art that goes back to prehispanic. Making… [more]
Day 8 - Markets, Museums, and Murals
Once again, Cafe Jarocho to start the day, and then we drove to the historical center of Mexico City. Finding parking was easy enough, then we went to a very recommended taco spot for some suadero tacos.
Suadero is a very tender cut of meat taken from between the inner rear… [more]
Day 7 - Big Trouble in Little Xochimilco
We said goodbye to Greg that morning, and wished him a good trip. He was San Fransisco bound, and then there were three.
Glen and I started the morning with some coffee at a popular coffee joint and a walk around the neighborhood.
On our walk, we stumbled upon the oldest church… [more]
Day 6 - Gran Cholula y La Gran Tenochtitlan
We all woke up feeling like crap, Roberto and I felt a little bit more like crap since it was dawning on us that we most likely had contracted a nasty stomach flu.
We would not be stopped, however, since the biggest pyramid in the world was only five short blocks… [more]
Day 5 - We Climb a Very Tall Volcano
We woke up early, and made a beeline to the Malinche volcano.
I felt myself getting sick, my throat was hurting and I had some fever the night before. Still I didn't want to bungle the hike, so in order to get my super energy, I bought a tamal form a… [more]
Day 4 - The Wonders of Maguey
We packed up, but before we left, we interviewed Lucia, the owner of the home's mother about La Malinche and her role in the conquest. She took the view that La Malinche had no choices. She was a slave betrayed three times, once by the Aztec rulers that most likely… [more]
Day 3 - Nuestro Mejor Amigo Chucho
First stop: drive through at a Gran Cafe La Parroquia, a popular local coffee chain in Veracruz that goes back to 1808 when the first cafe of its kind opened. Cafe Glen is better, but we were in a hurry so Glen and his AeroPress got a break that morning.
Our… [more]
What's in a Name?
What do we call her?
At birth, it is said that she was Malinalli. Historians think she was named after a day of the Mexicatl month that means "twisted grass." It was the name used for the kind of grass they used to make rope.
When she was baptized by the Spanish… [more]
Day 2 - Parrots, Mantises, and Iguanas: Oh My!
Our day began with another great cup of coffee form Glen's aeropress (thanks Glen!) and some Principe cookies. We ran out the door with our bags and said goodbye to Villahermosa. We won't miss the mosquitos, but we will miss the churros.
We arrived at Comalcalco to visit a Mayan archeological… [more]
A Brief Summary of the History of La Malinche
Day 1 - Lizard Fish and Giant Heads
We arrived in beautiful and balmy Villahermosa on Monday night. We were too tired to check out the food cart outside the neighborhood so we passed out and woke to a chorus of tropical birds. The main event of the day was to check out the Parque Museo de la Venta… [more]