July 19 - Work Bound

Today was a day of contrasting experiences: a morning tour of the Talavera de Uriarte (pottery) and and afternoon in Tlapanala talking with locals about migration and education programs in their community.

What did I notice?

Talavera de Uriarte: This morning we walked into a high-ceiling room filled with the blue and white tiles, dishes, and pots of Talavera.  The recent owner of the company founded in 1824 took us through each step of the patented process to make the pottery: the mixing of two clays, drying it, stenciling a pattern, painting it, firing it, glazing it, and continually checking for flaws.  With each step we encountered artisans carefully molding the clay, patiently examining the work, or steadily adding paint.  The care of the process was evident and the results were beautiful.  

What questions did I have? 

While employees of the company have remained the same and the products have maintained patterns and processes, the economical structure of the company has to change as global and local markets change.  Will this company be able to keep its identity with families of artisans while meeting the needs of a changing market? 

Stages of Creation

In Process

To Tlapanal: 

This afternoon, our bus left Pueblo and lurched its way down an uneven and narrow road, leading us to the town of Tlapanal.  As our bus pulled to a stop children in black polo school shirts huddled toward us with their parents close behind.  We were greeted with waves and hugs as we found a place under a large tree to talk.  The afternoon started with formal introductions and time for all of us to send questions back and forth across the groups.   Soon, we walked to one of the farms nearby so that some of the students could tell us about one of the programs in their community.  The students are learning to feed and take care of chickens, providing food for their families and knowledge about businesses.  They proudly showed off their successful chickens, feeding and watering system, and eggs.  We also learned about a program that is being started for the students to raise their own vegetables.  We made our way back to a cinder block structure which is being re-built for a children’s library.  We were treated to chocolatey, home-made mole sauce and corn-wrapped Tamales.  Sitting next to farmers in the community and women who worked with the children’s programs, our conversations quickly picked up.  

Over the course of the afternoon I spent quite a bit of time talking to two different men about the time  they spent migrating back-and-forth to the U.S. for work.  My two new friends told me about the necessity of making the risky journey to America for work.  When I asked them about their perfect English speaking skills, they told me about classes they took at the end of long days of hard work to learn the language.  Both of them were glad to return to their home communities and families but found it difficult to return with so few options for work.  Our conversations covered family, farming, education, and a few jokes about Minnesota.  I was humbled by the sense of community and hospitality we were shown.  

Sharing a Meal