Adios, El Molino y los chicos de Torreon

Well, we were wrong. The students from Torreon stayed all day Friday, and we've had a chock-full day, so we are writing our last blog late.

Last night, the air was crisp, the day staff headed home wishing us "Buenos Noches," and the strains of disco and squeals from 1st graders and 8th graders alike wafted through the night from the "last night of camp dance." This last evening as a whole camp began with a concert from the Musica tailler, with Morgan G. and Nia performing percussion solos, and Nate, Gabriella, John, and three students from Torreon making up the rest of the ensemble.

Once our heads and hearts were filled with beautiful music, we got to fill our stomachs with two different kinds of homemade tamales for dinner, accompanied by the ever-present piles of fresh fruit (tonight was Naranja, melon, and mousse de mango). The tamales were a hit, vanishing quickly as students came back for seconds and thirds.

After the students headed down to the dance, the rest of the staff surprised Peter, the camp director, with a freshly baked birthday cake and serenade in honor of his birthday.

Today we headed out to two destinations in one day of travel: Janitzio and Patzcuaro. Our travellers spent their last day with the students (5th and 6th graders from Torreon) they had grown closest to. There was sightseeing and a boat ride, a hike up a very steep hill and into a statue, group photos (which we can't post and will show when we get home), a colonial town draped in purple and altares in preparation for Semana Santa, parting gifts, a dinner of chicken soup, and some tears and appreciations before our new friends from Torreon headed off for their 15 hour bus ride home. Our students settled in for their last night with Spanish songs led by their amazing head counselor, Fidel, and a last game in the sala before packing and bed.

We've got some tired and transformed students, who are sad to be leaving, and excited to be coming home. We will see you in San Jose airport tomorrow -- and this will be our last post from El Molino.

Janitzio, historically one of only two

inhabited fresh-water-lake islands in the world...

Patzcuaro, the beginning of Semana Santa.

In the Groove

Today is the last day of classes, and our travelers are finishing projects, exploring new friendships, and moving through the rhythm of a very different schedule with familiarity. Tomorrow is another field trip: to the colonial city of Patzcuaro, and Janitzio, an island on Lago de Patzcuaro. The students from Mexico City, Merida and Torreon will be leaving mañana, and we will be back to just the 33 of us. Hard to imagine that 30 students will feel quiet, but the camp will be different.

During their last day together, Naomi, Rachel, Sydney and Morgan D.were some of the travelers eagerly teaching their new friends to play "spit" (a card game). By this morning, Eliza and Aziza also had their hair braided at breakfast. Anyone with hair long enough - and the patience to sit still - may be coming home braided. Their counselors are having a good time with that, as well. Last night the camp was jouncing to the sounds of salsa. Reluctant at first, our travelers danced into the evening, Californians and Mexicans together, and many are hoping that there will be salsa again tonight.

A few more notes from tailleres:

Animales (con chicititos)

The conejitos are a big hit. Maddy has discovered a vocation as a conejito(bunny)-whisperer: petting them to sleep in her arms and then snapping photos of the little sweeties with their legs up in the air. She has her own pictures of this phenomena. We are hoping she will bring this important new life skill back to the CC, spreading soft calm though the campus.

Queso de Campo

From milking cows, to making cheese, caramels, and other foods, these students have been making and exploring the tastes of Michoacan. Mahlika was very excited to go into town to buy galletas to spread their freshly-made carmel on. Es muy sabroso! Below is a picture of the artisan cheese-maker and his kitchen.

Finally, we wanted to share some sights your travelers see going through a day in Erongaricuaro.

Beatriz, Karen, and Timnah will continue to share our adventures with you tomorrow, in this group-written blog.

Less to say; more to see

Beatriz, Karen and Timnah had their own adventure yesterday afternoon. Before coming to Michoacan, Ian saw a documentary about a local artisan in Spanish class and decided that the one thing he wanted to bring home was a mask from this artist. Because the students are not allowed to leave the camp, we traveled to Tocuaro to take pictures of his masks for Ian to choose one, and returned the next day to purchase his mask. Here is a photo of Felipe Horta, with the mask Ian bought (and Felipe signed). Felipe was so touched by Ian's passion, that he gifted Ian with another small mask carved by one of his young apprentices -- from one young man to another. Felipe's website, for your exploration, is: Mascares Ceremoniales y del Folklor. Ian's mask, and this part of his --and our-- adventure, has touched all the teachers deeply.

Today we wanted to show you some pictures, with a little narration. There are so many stories that we are NOT telling, so that our travelers can share them with you when they come home. You might notice that there are no students' faces in the photos. This is because this is a public blog, and we are not posting photos that show the faces of minors (even though you may recognize your own!)

Students walking with the teacher to their tailler.

Tailler de Joyeria

Tailler de Cuidado de Animales

The first thing Eli did, upon entering the farm yard today, was make a bee-line for the horse in a corral, petting the horse's neck and reconnecting for another day's work. Tomorrow they will all get to help bathe the horse, along with tending to bunnies and baby chicks.

Tailler de Diseño

Tailler de Alebrijes

Max, Sam, Jayme, and Ian were perched in a raised workshop with a wide view of Lago de Patzcuaro. Between the beautifully hand-painted canvas of the outside of the building, and the wild colors and shapes of the animales the students were creating, we were indeed stepping into a world of imaginacion.

Jayme says, "Happy Birthday, Dad!" and sends you a photo of his current art-work. He's been up early every day playing soccer before breakfast, and has been an adventurous gourmet, trying new foods, flavors, and spices.

Apologies for the disjointed format -- trying to cram in too many pictures! Beatriz, Karen, and Timnah will continue to share our adventures with you tomorrow, in this group-written blog.

Tailleres and life at camp

We're a whole camp now. Everyone's here -- students and teachers from Torreon, Mexico D.F., and Merida, bringing the student population at the camp up to between 80 and 90, from 1st grade to 8th grade. Choosing classes went smoothly, and our travelers are involved in outside exploring, animal care, learning from traditional artisans, cooking, music: the list goes on. Counselors walk the students to their classes, using their ever-present walkie-talkies to keep in touch with the camp and the gate keeper who spends his day watching the comings and goings at El Molino. As we teachers visit different classes, we will try and mention a few each day.

In Desilado (pulled thread embroidery) we walked into

a beautiful little courtyard where Rachel, Sydney, Morgan D, Naomi, Lucy and a few others of our angelitos were sitting in blissful quiet and concentration in a circle around Celia, an award-winning and nationally-known artisan, learning about her craft.

In Hojas de Maiz (corn husk art) Karina, Stella and Carrie were sitting around the table, laughing and speaking in Spanish with the other students and teachers, while they worked.

In Diseño (toothpick art) John and Pedraam were sitting in an amazing building built out of concrete and recycled bottles (built by their teacher) on mats on the floor, crafting delicate and complicated structures.

As the first day of classes wound down, we sat on the porch listening to a contemporary Mexican composition being learned in Musica by Nia, John, Morgan G, and Gabriella -- after only two hours, they sound amazing; we can't wait for the concert they will give for the camp on Thursday night.

Our travelers are really excited to interact with the other students here. Naomi and Eliza came bounding up after dinner last night beaming and announcing that they had made new friends. All the students at the camp are playing soccer every day before breakfast, going on walks together -- yesterday there was a walk to the local cemetery, a walk to the bakery, and a night walk to see the full sky of stars. Stella commented on how colorful the cemetery was, and how the cemeteries here seem to celebrate life -- and that made her happy. Gabriella even confessed that she was very thankful that she was forced to come on the trip, because she was having such a good time. Kara has adopted a new hairstyle every day in honor of her travels, and despite a week of cold before we left, is full of smiles and tackling each activity with enthusiasm.

Meals continue to be filled with fresh local vegetables and fruit, and our travelers are not shy about eating their fill, trying new flavors and foods. The camp is making a point of serving traditional foods. This morning's breakfast was enfrijoladas, which most students took seconds of, and yesterday's lunch was posole, with each of us travelers filling our bowl in the traditional order, from posole to onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, oregano, chile, and avocado. Yum!

Beatriz, Karen, and Timnah will continue to share our adventures with you tomorrow, in this group-written blog.

Out and About in Tzintzuntzan

After a solid breakfast of fresh fruit and pancakes, we headed out on a 40 minute bus ride to the archeological site of Tzintzuntzan. We arrived on an auspicious day: the first day of spring after the equinox. The site was filled with visitors from Mexico who had traveled to the pyramids for this day, with children and grandparents, dressed all in white to absorb the energy of the equinox at this sacred site.

These pyramids were built by the Torascans (the only indigenous people in Mexico never to be conquered by the Aztecs). Our travelers were introduced to

petroglyphs (carved drawings in the stones), with Isis, Samara and Morgan G. literally running from petroglyph to petroglyph, collecting photographs of them. All of the travelers were animated and exuberant, learning about the construction and history of the site.

We walked down the hill, through a cobbled plaza, to a church and its grounds, where olive trees are still standing that were planted by the Spaniards in the 1500s. Peter, the director of El Molino, acted as our guide, bringing us into two different churches. In the second church, many students were astounded that the statue of Jesus was black. Outside the church, we saw how stones with petroglyphs taken

from the pyramids were used in the building of the church.

After a picnic lunch, we went shopping, in Spanish. Christian and Nic bought wooden flutes and were playing them in the market place. Karina bought a souvenir that reminded her of a childhood memory of traveling to Mexico.

We returned to camp to meet the other campers, and played a big game of soccer all together, with Bella, Samara and Pedraam having so much fun that on morning activity today, they chose to play games with the littler ones again.

Last night, after dinner, our travelers chose their classes. Nate, at the end of choosing classes, brought out his reference sheet from PDS, and in confident Spanish, asked to have himself and Deryk added to a class. Today the travelers have headed off into town for their first classes. Each one is nine students (Californian and Mexican) and a counselor, with a local teacher, often hosted in the teachers' homes.

El Molino-settled in

After leaving Park Day early yesterday morning we arrived at the airport on time, with cooperative students in tow! Our experience was not one of stress, but one of functioning like a well-oiled machine - these young travelers are great!

The airport at Guadalajara was a breeze and immigration and customs were easier then on any other trip. We boarded a bus, were handed bottles of cold water, fed, and rolled through the Mexican countryside. There was a lot to see on our winding ride: city fading to countryside, trees and fields darkening green as we passed into Michoacan, and even a large wedding procession with a bands and people dressed in their finest!

We arrived at El Molino happy and hungry, to be served Sopa de Verduras, Tinga de Pollo y tostadas, papaya, naranja, y Chocolate Caliente. Everyone was in bed and dreaming by 10:30 PM local time. When Deryk and other chicos were sitting down ready for dinner, Deryk said, "this is the first time I have been out of the country and I still can't believe it!" (said with the biggest smile -- which he still has today!)

Our travelers were allowed to sleep in this morning because the rest of the campers do not arrive until late afternoon. Morning greeted us with birds singing, sun shining, the church bells in town ringing, and the wonders of El Molino revealed in the day light.

The chicos have already explored the campgrounds, played futbol (soccer), and had a pancake and fresh fruit breakfast, as well as chocolate caliente. Naomi and Aziza have claimed this as their morning ritual...they especially like the cinnamon flavor.

The kids are in town getting to know Eronga and exchanging some dollars into pesos before our first field trip. We are going to Tzintzuntzan at 11:30 to see pyramids, have a picnic, and see another small town.

Dreaming about Mexico

...looking forward to seeing you bright and early March

20th ...remember your passports! Also remember to post a comment at least once so we know this is working for you! We have discovered you need a google account/gmail to post on the blog. Any questions should be sent via email until we leave. If you do not want to post something everyone can read you can send email to us by using Karen's park email, it is linked to her gmail!