New York, New York
Has it really been three years? The last time that I was sipping coffee in the sunny window seat of my brother’s home in Brooklyn Heights was exactly three years ago. Both PJ and Julia were still in high school and I was getting ready to move to Guadalajara. Now, we’re all back here again,…
Chacala Beach Weekend
May 2018 While living in Mexico, I’ve been so fortunate to be surrounded by a group of strong and supportive women. Whether we are sitting around the plastic tables of Res publica for our favorite steak dinner or on the sandy beaches of the Pacific, these friends fill my heart and soul. This weekend, the…
En el camino…On their way
Each person that passes through the doors of the FM4 is received as a part of the family “in the house that keeps dreams alive” and is treated with respect and dignity. With over 5,000 migrants and refugees passing through our house each year, I want to share with you all a part of their…
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…
Safari in Tanzania
July 2017 After the intense experience of climbing Kilimanjaro, I relaxed the next week on a safari camping experience. Some of the same hikers continued on this leg of the trip, along with new arrivals. Leaving Arusha, we visited three protected areas while on the five day safari. We started at the Lake Manyara National…
Climbing Kilimanjaro
Tanzania, July 2017 June 29th After months of training and two long flights, I arrived in Moshi, Tanzania. Feeling jet lagged but excited to start the new adventure, I went down to the hotel breakfast. One or two at a time, our group accumulated and started to get to know each other over several cups…
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…