I'll be home by the time you read this, but I had to write at least one column from the road in Mexico. This Schreiner summer school class, Global Issues, has given me many opportunities to learn and see with new eyes. Sure, I've been introducing the 9 students to all my favorite places here, but their responses continue to teach me. I'm writing this on a Sunday, a free day for all of us. Their daily assignment, after writing a review of one of our textbooks, is to create a symbol for this trip and for their learning. X always surprises me. He not only turned in his card first, but he drew figures of our group, six in pink (the women), 3 in blue (the men), and one tall green figure. Yep, that was their fearless leader, me! This group stood on the top of a mountain, colorful and united. He said we had all learned from each other. Now that is something a teacher loves to hear.

We have tracked down music, including our own private concert with Javier, our own gypsy flamenco guitar player. Javier is ready to come play a concert in Kerrville. He just needs a sponsor. He told us the history of the music as he played. One student, Erin Tate, read our favorite Lorca poem on the death of a bullfighter. We started the class "At five in the afternoon," the repeating line in the poem. She was surprised and pleased when Javier joined in with her, playing passionate notes behind the words.

I visited a new restaurant on Hidalgo Street (I know many of you will recognize these names.), and a large group of Flamenco dancers with two guitarists entertained as I ate a great rare steak. I haven't seen a man dance here in a while. Nothing like a tall, Mayan-like, intense man moving to the rhythm of Flamenco guitar. The women were all distinct in their interpretation of the passion. I once heard that Flamenco is the blues of Spain. I know Lorca loved the gypsies and the music. So do I. In fact, some year I'll be in Southern France at the annual gathering of gypsies. Mark my words.

I'm getting more and more convinced that I need to bring a bus of Kerrville music fans to the International Jazz Festival held here over Thanksgiving in November. Call the THMF office for reservations. The seats go quickly once I announce the trip.

This column cannot even contain a list of all our experiences from May 13 - May 28. We loved the Cervantes museum in Guanajuato, filled with various interpretation of Don Quixote. Our day in Atotonilco moved us as we read the poetry on the walls of the national treasure, written by Padre Alfaro, the mystic priest. After that, Las Grutas and an afternoon at the hot springs. Always writing and looking at Global Issues, by the way.

I visited Pozos at the suggestion of Mary Hayes. We did find the Australian sculptor with a garden of limestone figures, over thirty women "coming out of stone," he explained. John Osborne, the sculptor, also contributed a huge statue of Quixote to the museum. Ah, synchronicity again.

Even though May is the hottest month with the least amount of tourism, the square was crowded on May 23, as the Annual Conference for Hermandad and Convivialidad commenced with dancing and music. We saw several pre-Hispanic dances, the more important because we had a lecture from Tim Hazell. Tim is an artist, musician and writer who works with Collar del Viento, a group of children presenting Pre-Hispanic music on original copies of instruments from the same time period. I have the video and the CD. Brilliant music and presentation. Tim shared his vision of art with the students. He needs to be a guest speaker in Kerrville (at Schreiner?) as well!

This group of nine students now see the world with new eyes. We have all experienced another view of our country as seen through the eyes of those who live outside the borders. We have all experienced the power of beauty, art, music and even theatre. Teatro Galli is now in San Miguel, and we attended a play called "Eve and Lillith," giving two opposite views of woman. Yes, San Miguel de Allende is also a place of healing and transformation. Even as it grows and changes, somethings stay the same. Well-said by the King of El Jardin, Bill Taylor. Free Leonard and down the road. (Reach me at kat@maverickbbs.com with your stories, questions and comments)

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