El Pueblo Que Fuimos
The people we were
Isaac Rogel

Like thinking citizens of other countries, Isaac is not entirely enthusiastic about the changes he has seen in Mexico during his 60-odd years of life.  In addition to exposing you to some of the most elegant Spanish writing, Isaac's book will open windows on the Mexican psyche--and people's psyches change little even when external circumstances change greatly.

Isaac has kindly given me permission to place his book in our website.  Each chapter will be published in three parts:  the original Spanish version; a version with an interlineal translation; and some notes about cultural references you may be unfamiliar with as well as some interesting and useful things about the Spanish Isaac uses.

The book has fifteen chapters, each of which is a story on its own, and I intend to post one about every three to four weeks.  I wish you both enjoyment and benefit from Isaac's work.  (I also did a little bit of work on the translations and notes.)

Isaac is also the author of Andar de pies ajenos (Walking on Strange Legs), letters written to his "Internal I" in which he recollects memories of his rehabilitation from a terrible road accident which he considers his second coming to life.  (Isaac lost both legs at the hip about ten years ago.)  Andar de pies ajenos is to be published this year in Mexico.  

We also have the song El México que se nos fue, by Juan Gabriel.  It is the perfect accompaniment to Isaac's book.  The words, translation, and about half the music are here.

For more information about the Cuernavaca Language School, go here.

The chapters are:

1. El ejido de Rutila (Rutila's Ejido)  Spanish  Translation   Notes

2.  Goyo el lechero  (Goyo the Milkman)  Spanish   Translation   Notes

3  El canasto de pan  (The Basket of Bread)   
    Spanish   Translation   Notes

4  Tía Casilda  (Aunt Casilda)   Spanish  Translation   Notes

5  El Molino del Pueblo  (The Village Mill)   
    Spanish   Translation   Notes

6  El río se metió por la ventana  
    (The River Came In Through the Window)
    Spanish   Translation   Notes

7  El desconocido  (The Unknown[man])   Spanish  Translation  Notes

8  Sangrelinda   Spanish  Translation  Notes

9  Hacienda Cornejo  (Dogwood Hacienda)   Spanish  Translation  Notes

10 Lluvia Aurora se llamaba  (Llluvia Aurora She Was Called)
    Spanish  Translation  Notes

11 Las que sí dan color  (Those [the things] That Really Do Give Color)
     Spanish  Translation  Notes

12 Cecilio el cantador  (Cecilio the Singer)   Spanish  Translation  Notes

13 Isannah   Spanish  Translation  Notes

14 Romaryo   Spanish  Translation  Notes

15 Bautízame, ¿sí?  (Baptize Me, Won't You?)   
     Spanish  Translation  Notes

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x