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Saturday, March 6, 2010

Early morning, short flight, pretty bus ride, new city and new adventures!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

There is something powerful about the women at the Abbey in Cuernavaca. Something about their purity and spirit always makes leaving difficult for me. After we enjoyed our last breakfast and loaded our bags into Neil’s dirty truck to be taken to the bus we all gathered together for one last photo and then met each other in a circle. We all joined hands and Sister Alejendra said a prayer for us. She wished us all a safe and happy journey, no matter of destinations and told us they would keep us in their thoughts and in their hearts. She thanked us for our laugher, eagerness to learn and for our youth. They said they were sad to see us go, and so were we. We hugged everyone goodbye and headed to Mexico City where the majority of the students would be heading back to the Toronto airport in Canada and myself, Lynne, Chrissy and Gary would be heading off to Tuxtla, Chiapas to start the next part of our journey.

With only minor complications, Melanie’s seat being dumped, Kristin having to take a separate flight, one member losing their Visa and a broken tequila bottle in a bag, everything went ‘smoothly’ and things were taken care of.

When we landed in Chiapas I was surprised to see the trees blowing in the mind. It was a windy day and not too hot. Long time friend of Gary’s and founder and director of Arthur Frederick Community Builders Paul Poirier was there to meet us with his van, it was a comfortably interesting sight to see an Ontario License plate on the back of a GMC van waiting in the parking lot. Paul and his wife Diane have drove to Mexico together, taking them eight days, and have been here since January.

The drive to our hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas we drove through winding roads overlooking valleys and hills of corn fields. We stopped at a stand beside the road to pick up some pop and chips and continued on. On the drive we discussed our last two weeks in Chiapas, different past experiences, mutual friends, some politics, controversy and things we will be doing during our stay.

We arrived at Hotel Baron de Las Casas, unpacked, had a bite, discussed tomorrow’s tasks and fell asleep. One thing I always find about ‘travel day’ is they are always long and exhausting. We were all in our rooms reading, writing or sleeping by 9:30 pm.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Guys,
    Glad to hear that you have made it to Chiapas safe and sound!

    The last few days have been tough, but the whole family have been holding together and have been very strong.

    The kids are doing pretty good, thinking mom hasn't come home for awhile, but are still really not sure what is going on.

    We have all agreed that life needs to go on and as much as we will miss her, she would not have done this if she didn't trust and love us enough to take care of her kids. Her husband is doing alright, he was over tonight to visit the kids and put them both to bed which they loved.

    I can't wait to read about your days and hear about your adventures, I am waiting to be approved on Ideals, so that I can comment on those ones, but no worries it will happen soon.

    Thanks for your support and love the last week, if I have learned anything on my Quest, it is the idea that community is created in every place imaginable, we had our own little community that kept me going and kept me happy enough to get through the days while I was patiently waiting for a plane ride.

    I appreciate everyone's thoughts and talks and am glad I had all of you and the Cuernavaca group there with me.

    Gary- Thank you for your amazing ability to take an almost impossible task and conquer it with flying colours, I would have had no idea where to start, and would not have been able to do it without you and am thankful for having such an amazing and knowledgable professor to get me through this. ANd then also just be able to be a friend and help me through the emotional aspect of it all. I appreciate it al so much!
    Thanks Melanie

    Have a great day tomorrow guys


    Duggie Spice

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  2. Melanie my love,

    It is so wonderful to hear from you and not a moment goes by we don't think of you.

    We understand you can't be here and wish you and your family all the best. On every adventure your spirit is present and even though we can't see (or smell ;)) you, you and Caila both are very much a part of our adventure and our journey.

    Love you like family, can't wait to hear from you again.

    - Michelle, Lynne, Chrissy and Gary -

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