Colombia
Colombia 2018 Nimsi, Thalia and Megan Cartagena Our first day of the trip was just travel from Guadalajara to Cartagena. It was a long day; albeit with smooth travels, from the alarm at 1:36am, then to the airport for migracion and security. We first stopped in Mexico City, as the sun was dawning over the…
Posadas and Other Holiday Fun
(Originally posted January 2018) The holidays are a busy time with traditions and celebrations. People come together to spend time, eat and drink and celebrate the friends, families and communities that shape their lives. In Mexico, the month of December is filled with posadas, gatherings of the various factions of our daily lives. Children have…
Reunion in Ensenada
(Originally posted December 2017) Three years ago we formed our little friends’ circle, Mandy, Ale, Vicki and I. Our friendship grew over evenings of laughter and tears, trips to Chapala and the beach, and several bottles of wine. At the time I was new in Guadalajara, but I knew I found a family away from…
Travels through Cuba
(Originally posted June 2017) Arriving in La Habana Cuba is a complex place. Three years ago I visited Cuba for ten days with an educators delegation with Witness for Peace. This time, I spent two weeks traveling around with friends and a backpack, with fewer government restrictions and more choice in our itinerary and explorations.…
24 Hours at the FM4
(Originally posted February 2017) The FM4 has been a place continual change. In the past year of volunteering at the migrant shelter, I’ve seen the place transform into a 24-hour facility serving the needs of migrants in transit and refugees. I love being a part of the family of volunteers and staff that makes this…
Up and Coming Tecomán?
(Originally posted February 2017) The long weekend is a must for getting out of the busy city: dust, traffic, construction and general responsibilities in exchange for relaxing, reading and the sea breeze. In lieu of the typical beaches of Vallarta or Sayulita, we went to Tecomán, Colima. Our options were limited, probably due to the…
November Update
(Originally posted December 2016) Last week I visited Minneapolis and Madison on our November break. We had the whole week off of school because the US’s Thanksgiving holiday coincided with Mexico’s Día de la Revolución, the perks of working at an international school. Arriving in Minneapolis, Rachel scooped me up at the airport and…
Closing Out the School Year
(Originally posted June 2016) What an interesting ride this school year has been! This week, I complete my first year of teaching at the American School Foundation of Guadalajara. Yes, I survived all the changes from my previous post and I’ll be returning for another year in August. At ASFG, the fourth grade…
FM4 Paso Libre
(Originally posted June 2016) Since February, I’ve been volunteering with a grassroots project that supports migrants coming through Guadalajara, called FM4 Paso libre, officially known as Dignidad y justicia en el camino, A.C. The organization provides humanitarian aid, along with legal and psychological accompaniment, to ensure the human rights of migrants. The journey migrants…
Teacher’s Appreciation Day in Mexico
(Originally posted May 2016) Mexico celebrates big for its Teacher’s Appreciation Day. From school wide to classroom celebrations and even a day off of school, it made for a fun week! On Wednesday, in lieu of our regularly scheduled after school meeting, we had a catered luncheon with the whole staff. Everyone gathered in…