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Social Activities in Cuernavaca

All students are encouraged to make the most of their time in Cuernavaca by participating in the activities offered by the college, which are great fun and also add to the learning process. A weekly schedule is posted in the college each Monday morning.

Twice a month the college organises "fiestas" for students that allow for informal conversation and discussion with faculty members. Host families are also invited to these events. A social hour is organised at a local café in Cuernavaca where students can interact in Spanish with each other and their teachers in a social setting. Salsa dance classes are offered, so students can perfect their Latin dance skills or for those prefer a quieter pace we recommend enrolling in a Mexican cooking class.

To enable the students to learn more about the city of Cuernavaca, the college keeps information about the various cultural activities that take place locally, including music and dance events, exhibitions, lectures, films and plays.

The college also arranges a range of excursions, which will provide an insight into the pre-hispanic culture of Mexico. Five trips are offered weekly.

Half day trips: Xochicalco & Hacienda de Cortes, the Cacahuamilpa Caves (amongst the deepest in the world), the Rio las Estacas (a natural spring river in the midst of tropical jungle, used to film many scenes from the old Tarzan movies), Tepoztlan ( a typical Mexican pueblo), Ballet folklorico (typical Mexican dances performed at the Palacio de Bellas Artes). Approximately 20 US Dollars.

Full day trips: Teotihuacan Archaeological site (magnificent and world famous pyramids), Museo de Antropologia in Mexico City (housing a broad range of work from the rise and fall of all Mesoamerican cultures), Taxco (the city of silver), Puebla and Cholula (the 5th largest Mexican city with much of its wealth reflected in the 19th century architecture) and the Museo de Dolores Olmedo (the largest private art collection of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo) and the Xochimilco gardens. Approximately 30/35 US Dollars.

Weekend Trips: 3 day trip to Acapulco. Approximately 150 US Dollars.

For those who like to make their own plans there is plenty on offer. Cuernavaca's historic sites and museums include the old Robert Brady museum now known as the Museo Casa de la Torre, with artefacts from pre-Hispanic times through to the 20th century. It is best known for housing Frida Kahlo's "Self Portrait With Monkey". The only remaining Aztec building within the city is the Teopanzolco pyramids, it is made up of two temples dedicated to Quetzalcoatl (Wisdom god), Tlaloc (Rain god) and Huitzilopochtli (War god).

Another famous landmark, is the Jardin Borda, named after the Frenchman who having made his fortune from Mexican silver settled and created a sumptuous private garden, which in the 1800's became a royal summer residence for Carlota and Maximilian. Today the Gardens are used for public entertainment and are an ideal backdrop for concerts, plays and art exhibitions. There is an impressive waterfall, with a 30 metres drop, just 3 km from the city centre, known as the Salto de San Anton, which is set in beautiful grounds. Local artisans display their plants, pots and other wares near the waterfall. There is also a thriving range of side walk cafes and galleries around the main Zocola. For shopping in Cuernavaca, try the Artisans market next to the Cuauhnahuac Museum for crafts and silver goods or for bargains check out the Zocalo area.

Outside of Cuernavaca there are a wealth of fabulous places to explore including; Lake Tequesquitengo, just 20 minutes south of the city and a popular haunt for water skiers and holiday makers, the nearby town of Xochitepec, a truly picturesque colonial town famed for its colourful Sunday markets and 16th century Franciscan church. On a less cultural note, El Rollo (a water theme park) in Tlaquiltenango can be a real tonic!

If your tastes run to prehistoric caves, the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa are the largest caverns in central Mexico and can be found near Taxco (which is itself famous as an early Spanish silver mining town) with cobbled streets and baroque churches, whilst Tepoztlan is a typical Mexican village set beneath towering vertical mountains.

For those who want to explore Cuernavaca's night life we recommend the bars and restaurants in the city centre. There are plenty of places around the centre which will appeal to younger students, where there are a number of discos, bars and restaurants to explore. If you want something a little more cultured there are plenty of theatres, cinemas and musical concert centres to chose from. If in doubt ask the staff at the college for the Tourist Guide provided by the college.

A sample of a Week's cultural programme:

Monday: Free afternoon to explore Cuernavaca unless you are booked into the afternoon options; Dance or Cookery classes or private tuition sessions etc
Tuesday: Afternoon options or private tuition sessions etc Social hour at a nearby café: 18.00hrs
Wednesday: Afternoon options or private tuition sessions etc Excursion: Ballet Folklorico or Xochicalco y Hacienda
Thursday: Afternoon options or private tuition sessions etc Excursion: Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
Friday: Afternoon options or private tuition sessions etc Weekend trip to Acapulco, leaving Friday morning, returning Sunday evening
Saturday: Excursion: Museos y Xochimilco or Basilica y Teotihuacan
Sunday: Excursion: Museo de Antropologia in Mexico City or Teotihuacan

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