Last fall I wrote about the building that was given to the group. Mujeres en Cambio www.mujeresencambio.org give the group $1000 and Judy Christopherson raised an additional $600. When we left Mexico at the beginning of Feb I thought that I would return at the end of March and see things pretty much as they were. Wrong. They are working hard. Here are the before and after shoots. They are so proud of the progress. Here is the group along with Judy, Becky and myself in front of the building.
Isabel Cazares is also shown with her husband Hipolito, he is Boni's brother. Isabel is the book keeper for the remodeling project and she is showing me how carefully she has kept track of all the money.
I thought is would be fun to show where the village and the store are located. You can find this on Google maps or earth. Agustin Gonzales is on the map!
The plan for this store is varied. They of course will be selling their rugs. They will also be serving authentic country food which they grow themselves; fresh tortillas cooked over fire, beans also fire cooked, nopalito salad, fresh goat cheese, salsa mild and hot. These are just a few of the authentic dishes which be served.
There is a local pyramid about 4 miles from the village that was restored in 2011.
To get to the pyramid you must pass through Agustin Gonzales. There are no stores or restaurants in the area. The pyramid was build around 1100 by the Otomi. Many of the villagers of Agustin Gonzales are Otomi. Here is Dona Maria, Boni's mother, who speaks Otomi, preparing tortillas from fresh ground corn.
The dream is for adventure groups going to the pyramid or just generally exploring the area to visit the store/restaurant view and purchase crafts, have some food and maybe take a burro ride or just walk in the area. There will be many ecological additions: rain water collection, alternative lighting from sun sources and dry toilets.
Please join us in helping make the progress continue. Any amount is welcome.
Make checks out to The Rug Hook Project and send to: Charlotte Bell, 1403 Kenwood Ave. Austin, TX 78704.
