Alebrijes Monumentales and COS Conference

On Friday the 23rd, I headed back to Queretaro for an All-Volunteer conference and my group’s close of service conference (COS). We had a day off in between the two events and so took advantage of that to go down to Mexico City on Sunday to see the Alebrijes Monumentales that were on display. I had wanted to go to the parade on Saturday, but at least they were still around the city. Alebrijes are traditionally from Oaxaca and can be carved wooden animals or can be made from paper mache. The ones used in the parade were all made from paper mache and featured artists from around the country.

After the seeing the alebrijes, I finally made it to the Anthropology Museum. I’d been putting it off and putting it off, but finally made it. After having visited over 30 sets of ruins in Mexico, it was nice to finally see some of the artifacts that from those sites. The National Anthropology Muesum pretty much has all the jewelry, pottery, skeletons, carvings, and tools from most of the archeological sites from around Mexico.

COS is a couple days where our entire group was together (plus some people from other groups that had extended) for several days of medical appointments, interviews, group sessions, and lots of paperwork. It’s the last time that our group (#5) was together before people started heading back. COS was also a great time for an old stomach infection to creep back into my system and for me to learn that I need a root canal….fun times.


Towards the end of the week, Dia de los Muertos decorations, alters, and sweets were starting to appear around Queretaro. My next entry will be about my Dia de los Muertos travels, so there will be plenty more pictures of skulls, papel picado, and marigolds.