Aase interviewed Julie from El Salvador.  His first link was supposed to be to an El Salvador link from the US Dept of State, but I couldn't figure out how to find out about El Salvador. It did have a neat list of independent states of the world and their capitols, though.  The second site he picked was www.tbwt.com.  This site was like an encyclopedia page with basic information about the gov't, imports exports, weather, just about every basic fact you would want to know about El Salvador.  The third site was www.alternet.org.  This was an article about the United States involvement in the Salvadoran civil war.  I found it interesting that they bring up the high crime rate, since I read that myself in my research on Mexico City.  Here, there is a high unemployment rate that contributes to the crime rate. 

I then read Aase's actual interview with Julie.  It was very interesting to see the parallels between this girl from El Salvador and the woman I interviewed from Mexico City.  Both say that family is more important in their culture and that many festivities revolve around religion.

  Before I began this class, I knew little about humanities or Latin America. I knew that humanities had to do with music, storytelling and people, but so what?  So what.  Storytelling, music, families, culture.. the beautiful histories I have learned!  A new tapestry has been woven for me- history and humanities is the perfect marriage.  I am still so fascinated by the Aztecs crossing over to Catholicism- I told my husband if I could make a decent living just studying Latin American culture, I would!  I am also surprised by the way I look differently at my Mexican friends- this class has shed a different light on them.  Their superstitions, beliefs, values mean so much to me now.  Not to sound corny, but I am amazed by how we exist in the same country but hold our own values so dear to our hearts.

America is truly a melting pot.  I have learned how egocentric and Americanized I am and what I can do to change that.  I have a greater respect and understanding for people of different cultures.  Can an online class do all that?? It did for me.  And I will miss it.