I Love Puebla! Why?

1. Despite being the third largest city in Mexico, it feels like a bunch of smaller towns set really close together. The dominance of native speakers is refreshing. I find both of those aspects beautiful. Yes, they have colorful buildings and their churches are amazing. Puebla’s beauty is not as attention-seeking as San Miguel de Allende’s; and not as utilitarian, or large, as Mexico City’s. Beyond the city is a natural beauty, including volcanoes and other mountains, verdant fields, fresh air, and farm life.

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2. Puebla has a rich indigenous history prior to the arrival of Hernán Cortez in 1519, when the Spanish began their 300 year occupation of Puebla (and Mexico). Puebla of the Angels was strategically founded by the Spanish soon after they arrived because of it’s location on the trade route between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz. The Mexican War of Independence from Spain began in 1810 and ended in 1821, with Puebla credited with where it began and where it ended. Then the French came in the early 1860’s, with wars and occupation until the late 1860’s. A battle in Puebla on May 5, 1862, where Mexican patriots defeated a superior French army, has become a celebration both in Puebla and the United States. Porfirio Díaz, who played a prominent role in driving the French out of Mexico, had a 30 year political career, from 1870 to 1911. His was seen as a dictator and another revolution removed him from power. Many people I talk to say they are not so sure he was as bad as folks said he was, as he lead Mexico during a period of stability and economic growth.

Pueblo is known for, and very delighted to have, their Talavera ceramics; their dishes of Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada (and more); a whole block of sweet shops; the China Poblana dress; and much more. Mexico, in general, has so many legends about so many aspects of life here. In Puebla, more people have delightfully shared legends with me and explain the perspectives they provide.

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3. Lastly, and likely the most important for me, is the language program. In SMA I felt frustrated during my three weeks of classes I had with four other people. We waded through our lessons on Preterite and Imperfect verb tenses. I would get most answers correct, but I wouldn’t know why. I lost confidence that my Spanish could improve. Now, I am in the Spanish Institute of Puebla, a larger program which includes more services. I paid one price (about $1,500) for three weeks, including: housing with a family, 3 meals a day, 3 hours of instruction per weekday, 2.5 hours of one-on-one conversation practice (while seeing the sights of the city) per weekday, and 5 excursions. They even have a laundry service and deliver coffee to my classroom! They usually have up to 50 students; however, we are at the start of the slow season with only 13. So most classes are one-on-one, like mine. My instructor figured out that I learn best orally and conducts most of our lessons orally. She has determined that I have some bad habits and we work with those. Finally she has capitalized on my strengths and we go into deep, complicated, and interesting conversations. What a difference! We have covered Preterite and Imperfect and I am now on to the dreaded Subjunctive! The best part is that it is so much fun! I can hear the difference, so I can make the necessary changes and speak (and write) more accurately! I now have hope that my Spanish will improve!

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