SchoolsEstela RomeroFebruary 12, 2020

Front hill-sides to "Sierra Chincua"

SchoolsEstela RomeroFebruary 12, 2020

SCHOOL VISIT.-

Now, dear fellows, we drive around and come to visit the schools located exactly on the other side all over the front hills and lower mountain areas to “Sierra Chincua” Sanctuary. We stop first at “Francisco I. Madero” Elementary, at “Nicolás Romero” community or village. This school has got not many children; first, second and third grade are assigned one teacher, and fourth, fifth and sixth grades get their teacher well, each at their one single classroom. The green surrounding in this whole area is just beautiful; children and their families can see the peak of the mountains where somewhere in the forest, Monarchs overwinter right now; “We could see them arriving last November, on the Day of the Death!, we knew you and white Rocinante were coming next to bring our paper Monarchs from our friends in the North!”, —they all shouted as they carried the box with their Ambassadors all over with their three flags, making like a procession into the school, and then into their classroom, putting their hands on them as if picking up a bunch and then releasing them immediately as if hardly stopping themselves from taking them all out at once to see them!, but glancing carefully behind themselves and knowing I was coming right behind them, would just not let them do it—!. These moments are simply indescribable fun and joy to remember!. In we went to their classroom after having enjoyed our first meeting moment, while playing, recalling for how long they have received their wonderful Ambassador Monarchs... “Well, lets speak about the beauty of our homeland. Let’s think about the animals and plants that make our surrounding here unique; the animals and plants we more like, we more see, but about those we can less see, and we think are not so beautiful to our eyes; you will be surprised to discover now how this latter are so incredibly important and friendly and indispensable to our lives”, —Estela got them started— There we went speaking about our different animal species; they all “poured themselves out” with lots of anecdotes, frightening and funny moments they have experienced when walking mainly into the forest running into plants and animals around them. Well, just when speaking about our plants, a smart boy, Adan, expontaneously asked: “Mmm…and what is the plant that Monarchs like to eat here?”, “Adan!,— Gisela responded—, Monarchs do not eat any of our plants here!, they only get nectar and sunshine and water!, can’t you remember that?”, ”But, why is it that we can never see one single Monarch being born here with us?. All other animals we see are born here, except them… Why is it that we do not have algodoncillo (asclepia) growing here and have them be born here?. We could plant it and see if they want to get born here and stay here in our forest all year round!”. Here, Estela had to explain: “See, every single region in our planet has got its own plants, animals, climate, type of soil, of water, air… types of rocks and even types of people!. See how wonderful big and strong our Oyamel trees grow here?. This is their home!. Here is where they belong to!. Think now of taking a baby Oyamel tree being taken to a shore where sand, hot climate, salty water and burning air will surround it. Do you think it he will love to be and grow there ?. ”, —Estela asked—. “NOOOOOO!”, —they responded without hesitating—. “That is exactly the way algodoncillo plants (Asclepias) could feel if we plant them here; they do not belong here; we should plant and conserve and increase our local plant and animal species; nature only needs that we leave it alone and that we procure protection for it; nothing more. She grows and heals and corrects and makes all beautiful by itself!. Monarchs only need to spend winter here; this is how it has been for thousands of years, and they only need that we conserve and protect their Oyamel spots around. Does that make sense?. Nature is just like magic; we just need to observe and keep quiet. She will do everything”. With this and other few examples, Estela let children know how important it is that every ecosystem in our planet keeps untouchable and unique in order not to disturb the perfect balance of it all. Playing the “Web of life” game, enhanced the this extremely important aspect ; they could agree that mushrooms could not be planted in a shore mangle, as crabs or octopus would suffer to death in our forests; they could just not imagine us moving to the arctic pole to live in an iglu surrounded with polar bears!!!. “Every tiny plant and flower, every little womb, spider, green or moving thing around is unique and beautiful where we live”, —Estela concluded—.This has been, friends, the wonderful lesson we learned today at “Francisco I. Madero” Elementary in the “Sierra Chincua” surroundings today!.