os Culturales enchants For the past four nights, my dreams connected with the universal subconscious, blurring the lines of time as Conquistadors march north, hunting for seven cities of gold, always looking in the wrong direction. They plant cultural seeds which centuries later continue to ripen and nourish their descendants and all who willingly embrace a rich heritage that runs as deep as the aquifer. The desperate wailing of La Llorona, searching for her dead children, dissolves into the verse of Los Penitentes singing to save a soul – widespread wings honor the eagle, as the sound of the single drum fades into the strings of guitar and violin lightly strumming, as the newly wed dance through the arch formed by friends and family. The wool blanket lies heavy on our chests, providing both warmth and a reminder of how the fibers of one culture weave through existing traditions to create an entirely new design. My inner sanctum begins to recede and the dark night, accentuated by the light of stars, melts into a slow burst of color rising behind the silhouette of the silent, all seeing mountain. The Hilos Summer Institute (hilos is Spanish for threads) impressed more than my imagination. The tightly scheduled days began with morning workshops. Business Executive Carlos Gonzales shared his expertise with administrative staff. Barbara Catbagan and Scott VanLoo facilitated the session on active learning, which engaged faculty in strategies to become more effective professors. Seated on old church pews, cooled by afternoon breezes waving curtains inward, the group of 21 listened and participated as experts in their field shared their knowledge of the Spanish Colonial visual arts, music, dance, language, lineage, religious ceremonies, and stories. Colleagues and institute leaders connected at a deeper level – through music and song at the end of each day. From my heart, I thank Lillian Gomez, Title V director, for inviting me to participate. This experience enriched and enlightened my understanding of a proud and strong culture and helped open my mind to acceptance of all. Story & photos by Linda Relyea ‘96 counter-clockwise from upper left: Lynee Sanute, reference and instruction librarian, and Dana Provence, professor of art, act the part of the married couple during the Bailes Sociales presentation. Larry Torres makes history come alive portraying Francisco de Coronado. Alumnus Huberto Mestas ‘84 relates various aspects of his creation of the Stations of the Cross in San Luis (background). Debbie Carrillo (at right), an accomplished potter of micaceous clay, appreciates the interest of Candice Morgan, resident director; Beth Apodaca-Ruybal, Extended Studies curriculum and evaluation specialist, and Ryan Shiba ‘04 ‘07, director of the Academic Instructional Technology Center.
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