ADIOS, MEXICO!!!

My time in Mexico has come to an end...After an incredible 2 years here, I am returning to my home in Colorado. Muchas Gracias a Todos!

Stay tuned to see what new adventure awaits!

Daniel

Las Playas de Mexico!

What better place to spend the winter months than in sunny Mexico!? Most recently, I found myself sitting under a palapa in Puerto Vallarta with my good friend Denise (and some random sad clown), sipping margaritas and enjoying the sights and sounds of this resort on the Pacific.

In February, I spent a week in La Paz (Baja California Sur) giving a series of workshops on "Teaching to Young Learners" for the Secretaria de Educacion (SEP). It was Carnival time, so everyone was out strolling the malecon in the evenings, watching the sunset over the Sea of Cortez. Simply breathtaking!

MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATION IN VALLE DE BRAVO

Taking advantage of my day off (Mexican Constitution Day) to update the blog...

After a month of constant travel (Leon, San Luis Potosi, Costa Rica and Oaxaca), I decided to treat myself to a non-work related excursion (sponsored by the Embassy) to Valle de Bravo. Since I arrived to Mexico, everyone has told me how I MUST go see the annual migration of monarch butterflies...Needless to say, I was not disappointed. It was truly a spectacular sight!

I was joined by my colleague, Shannon, as we ventured into the wilderness about 2 hours away from Mexico City. We climbed high into the forest (s0me preferred to ride horses) before even catching a glimpse of the fluttering creatures. Once we reached our final destination, we were surrounded by thousands of them! (It looks like leaves on the trees in the photo below, but they are actually all butterflies!) A magical mariposa moment, to say the least.

We had our lunch along the beautiful lake in Valle de Bravo and also stopped in Toluca to see the Botanic Gardens with its impressive stained-glass windows. All in all, a very good day.

Trying to take advantage of all this amazing country has to offer before my time here runs out...

End of 2011 Wrap-Up

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My last month of 2011 was spent...

...Celebrating Christmas in San Diego (after crossing the border from Tijuana) with the Newman/Moore Family:

Dylan in his "lucha libre" mask (gift from Mexico):

...At a Pre-Christmas Celebration with the Access Students in Puebla: ...At a Hanukkah Celebration at the Benjamin Franklin Library (courtesy of Brenda and Rachel, my fellow "half-breed" colleagues): ...Giving a Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop at Universidad Regional del Sureste in Oaxaca: ...Enjoying the visit of my good friends from Colorado/Guatemala (Haviland, Ken, and Sam) and celebrating the annual Virgen de Guadalupe Pilgrimage:

I Am Thankful For...

1. Getting to spend another year in this endlessly fascinating country.

2.. Having the opportunity to work with incredible teachers (like these in Frontera, Tabasco).

3. Watching the joy in my brother and his wife Nicole's faces when meeting the US Ambassador (before taking a "Green Bike Ride" through the streets of Mexico City, sponsored by the Embassy).

4. The Diego Rivera Murals at the Palacio Nacional.

5. Celebrating an early Thanksgiving in Richmond (VA) with my parents and grandparents, and...

6. ...Being there at the peak season for Fall colors. Simply breathtaking!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Back in Mexico...

...Since the end of August. Sorry I haven't had a chance to post anything since then, but I hit the ground running once I got here, and am finally coming up for air!

S0me of the highlights from September and October include:

* Re-connecting with my colleagues at the Benjamin Franklin Library (Brenda, Michael, Jose Manuel, Elenita, Claudia, Rachel, etc).

* Eating fresh mangoes again.

* Being the keynote speaker a conference at Universidad de la Mixteca in Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca.

* Having lunch in Mexico City with 2 of my Peace Corps volunteers from Bolivia, Jana and Mike.

* Giving a workshop on Service-Learning in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas.

* Getting a private tour of the world-famous Anthroplogy Museum in Mexico City.

* Presenting on Human Rights Education at a conference in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur.

* Seeing the "alibrijes" and all the colorful "altares" for Dia de los Muertos. (Getting a day off!)

* Volunteering at the Embassy for their annual "Trick or Treat" Halloween extravaganza.

* Welcoming my brother and sister-in-law to Mexico, and touring the city until we couldn't walk anymore. (They even got to meet the US Ambassador while taking an Embassy-sponsored "green" bike ride around town.)

* Making some new friends and contacts.

Some of the bummers:

* Having to renew my visa and dealing with the dysfunctional Mexican bureaucracy.

* Not being allowed by the US Embassy to travel to Michoacan due to security issues.

* Not getting to see mi amigo Michael Dean when he came to DF.

I am heading to the US (Richmond, Virginia) next week for a family reunion and early Thanksgiving. After that, I have trips to Tabasco, Oaxaca and Puebla to look forward to before the holidays are upon us again. How time flies!

Hasta Luego!