Hola amigos y familia! Well, we made it and are all settled in with our homestays. Mexico has been incredible so far, to say the least! We've been busy basking in the sunshine, eating the most delicious food we've yet to encounter on planet Earth, and acquainting ourselves with the culture around us. Our first morning commenced with breakfast at Casa Arnel, and then we were whisked away to San Lorenzo Cacaotepec for a week long retreat at an old Hacienda called "El Encuentro" (The Encounter).
Here we were all able to get to know each other, as well as some of our professors for the semester. We played some group bonding games with Sergio and learned about Oaxacan history and culture from Gustavo. There was also a lot of free time where we would take walks down the quiet, dusty roads to the local village, passing ruins, donkeys and countless stray dogs, as well as residents with who we were able to practice our Spanish.
On Friday we visited Monte Alban, the remains of where over half a million Indigenous lived at one point. We also had time to explore the city of Oaxaca that afternoon before heading back to our last night in the remote San Lorenzo.
On Saturday, we were introduced to our new families and homes for the next few months--all of whom provided warm welcomes. Now it's time to get focused with 9am Spanish classes down at Solexico and afternoon classes with our UVM professors.
Heidi y Erin
