September 21, 2010

Dear Journey North friends,
A new season is opening in our region. As we await the Monarch´s arrival we want to say HELLO to you in several different ways:

Last Wednesday, September 15, we celebrated our 200-year anniversary as an independent nation. Our friend Lupita, born in Angangueo, says hello to you while dressing in the typical Charro apparel for a woman.

During our Independence Celebration day, entire families were sight-seeing around town and many children were dressed in the traditional apparel worn 200 years ago by men and women.

Our town is rebuilding after the flood that struck 7 months ago. While streets and rivers get reconstructed, we have hope of a new, safe time for our region.

However, we are concerned to see the extent of logging. This wood-logging photo is an every day scene, running along a back street from the main street in town, coming from an area in the bordering state of México, uninterrupted during the last 7 months, every single day.

The Romero family store was perhaps the most affected point in downtown Angangueo from the flooding because part of the river ran through the back part of our family house.

Nevertheless, we re-opened the store on September 15—our 200 Independence´s celebration—after a 7-month time of reconstruction. Before the flood, our store had had 91 years working without interruption!

I, Estela Romero, your local reporter, send a warm welcome to all of you all. When your Symbolic Butterflies arrive this fall, I will distribute them to all of our children in the regional towns and communities. They are waiting to hear from you once again this year!!!

Over the next weeks, my family and community will be watching for the monarchs to arrive. We look forward to sending you news each week.

Until next week,

Maria Estela Romero, friends and family

Our friend, Lupita, born in Angangueo, says hello to you while dressing in the typical Charro apparel for a woman.

During our Independence Celebration Day, entire families were sight-seeing around town.

Our town is rebuilding after the flood that struck 7 months ago.

This wood-logging photo has been an every day scene for 7 months.

Our family store has reopened!
Before the flood, our store had had 91 years working without interruption.

I, Estela Romero, your local reporter send a warm welcome to you all.