Yes, most of the mushroom farms we did consulting work for, were located in mountainous areas...
Here, Pieter is smiling happily in our new surroundings on Saturday, February 19, 1994 at our very first consulting trip to Mexico. On our way to one of the Champiñones Monteblanco farms outside of Mexico City, called Rancho El Corralito.
Approaching the mushroom farm...
A very nice layout for a mushroom farm and complete with garden!
Having a closer look
Very well maintained!
Taken during a different trip, from the car...
Together with Juan Carlos I did go to four of their locations on that Saturday, the ones around Mexico City.
Just to get an idea of how we will start the training for next week.
Juan Carlos told me that it meant a lot to those Mexicans; part Indian and part Spanish, that a blonde blue-eyed Dutch was coming to work with them, at their level. Showing them how it is being done by using my hands and verbally explaining to them 'why' and 'how'.
For both of us, no reservations but it seems that still in many countries people look up to Europeans as being superior. What a pity but at least the two of us have worked on that in many countries for evening it out.
~
In the afternoon, Agustín and his wife Carmen took us both to the Highlights of the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico City or Museo Nacional de Antropología which was very interesting!
It made us want to eat, and love, our Aztec soup, once back at our hotel and we went to bed early.
A lovely day!
Sunday, was a lazy day for us with swimming in the heated pool at the Camino Réal Hotel.
We also walked to a nearby Church for attending Mass.
On Monday, we both started our work and I had the back up of Juan Carlos, IF I got stuck with my Spanish, and it went well, with a few times his help.
After work we had a quick change at the hotel and Agustín took us to Carmen's Parents; Don Victor and Doña Conchita. We enjoyed a lovely dinner and talked a lot about his almost 45 year old mushroom business with now 3 of his children running it.
Their etiquette was impeccable, as their servants served the ladies first and the lady guest(s) before their own ladies and then the gents.
That was a real honor and it's all so obvious in our work, as compensation or as an extra appreciation.
It sure builds a fine and lasting friendship with such people.
We went home feeling grateful.
On Tuesday, after work, we had the BEST experience that we've ever seen so far... Agustín and Carmen came to pick us up at the hotel for a beautiful Mexican Folklore Ballet
That was a superb dance group!
The Ballet was in Mexico's Palace of Fine Arts a wonderful, beautiful architectural marvel in itself.
And there you are, as two humble market gardeners' children, enjoying such a famous group in all its exotic colors... More beautiful than anything you could ever see on T.V.
Palace of Fine Arts in the Historic Center of Mexico City has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another spectacular evening, above all expectations of Mexico City.
A city that already amazed us...
On Wednesday, after work, Juan Carlos took me to his home for introducing his wife and baby-daughter to me. A very pleasant meeting and good for both parties to know who is working with whom.
On our route from the mushroom farm we saw a pilgrims tour. Every village makes yearly a pilgrimage on foot to Maria of Guadalupe. They walk about 100 km on foot with a few small trucks in-between for food, water and blankets. When evening sets in, they sleep alongside the road, against houses on the pavement and rolled inside blankets... also in groups beneath the trucks if they park them alongside the road. Entire caravans and they do block the traffic for a moment when passing by.
It was very impressive!
Related link:
Working Alongside a Retired Portuguese Style Bull Fighter... in Mexico | Juan Carlos Fuentes with whom I worked
Fabulous photos as always. Sure looks and sounds like it was a wonderful experience for all.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteThank you and yes, it was an absolute wonderful experience!
Hugs,
Mariette
Such amazing experiences you've had! That Palace of Fine Arts is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you garner more respect when you are willing to (literally) get your hands dirty and work alongside people, rather than simply tell them what to do in some sort of "overlord" position. Good for you both for understanding that! (And that's the case no matter where you are in the world, IMO. Simply dictating to workers in some arrogant manner never works, though the people who do it never seem to realize how detrimental it is to morale AND productivity.)
Dearest Kim,
DeleteYes, we have had truly amazing experiences that made us so rich on the inside!
Both of us feel so privileged for having seen so much of culture and history in other countries. No tourist will ever experience this. Indeed, for working alongside and with them and speaking their language, many 'books' open en it is far more fruitful indeed.
Both of us never have felt superiority above anyone!
It sure shows in quality and productivity as all humans strive to be special and try to make a living in their own capability.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a fascinating experience, Mariette! That mushroom farm is quite impressive.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteThank you and this is only one product that comes to our table.
Working with the people that produce them is a blessing.
It sure can be challenging but solving problems together is rewarding.
While doing so, for living their culture and learning from history is a tremendous bonus.
Hugs,
Mariette
Huge halls!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteGuess you mean the mushroom farm's room size? There are even bigger ones.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, These neat sheds are not as exotic as the mushroom caves you showed us a while ago, but I guess it is a lot easier to control all the factors of mushroom culture.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, these buildings are ideal for better environmental control. Also the set up is done by keeping the strict hygienic rules in mind.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a dream trip you had to Mexico. Seems you were treated like royalty! I so enjoy you sharing your fabulous memories with us.
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteYes, we always enjoyed our consulting work that got interwoven with such historical and cultural gems!
Fondest memories and true riches.
Hugs,
Mariette
Amazing what goes on behind the scenes to provide us with all the produce we consume, Mushrooms, vegetables and meats. We consume without thinking of all the work done by others.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThat is very true and it is quite a science what goes on behind the scenes and on top of that, lots of labor by machine and humans!
Hugs,
Mariette
El palacio de Bellas Artes de Mexico es una preciosidad. Disfrutaron de un hermoso espectáculo y de un hermoso patrimonio de arquitectura.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
Delete¡Oh, la arquitectura y la actuación colorida y temperamental fue una fiesta para los ojos y todavía es bálsamo para nuestras almas como un recuerdo precioso ...!
Abrazos,
Mariette
Stunning Photos From The Mid 90's - Looking Forward To Reading About This Journey Tonight - Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dearest Travis,
DeleteThank you and yes, this gives my/our readers an insight into our working days, doing mushroom consulting work within Mexico.
Hugs,
Mariette
Il Palazzo delle Belle Arti deve essere stupendo.
ReplyDeleteBuon fine settimana🌹
Caro Giancarlo,
DeleteÈ sicuramente stupendo, così come la performance!
Abbracci,
Mariette
Good memories from past times, I hope you have returned to Mexico after this.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteYes we sure did, over a period of 12 years for work and several times for vacation also.
Hugs,
Mariette