We returned safe and sound from our trip to Mexico late last Saturday night and I'm just getting around to this.. and even though I need to get this taken care of because its old news I feel terrible posting about this when other things (ie Gilbert falling out of his 2nd story window) have happened. I guess it goes with the "living away from home" territory. I can't tell you how frustrating it is hearing all these terrible things* happening at HOME to people I LOVE and being so far away from it all. It is such a helpless, detaching feeling. One of the prices we are paying for our Californian adventure. Don't get me wrong, I do still believe this is where we are supposed to be, but it is a learning process. My poor poor family that I don't even feel a part of. I love you all dearly and you're in my constant thoughts and prayers... This 'curse' as Kennan has coined is difficult and I fear it knocking on my door. But life is still going on and because I can't cry, laugh, yell, and plead with you in person does not mean I don't feel it.
On to our trip... Coleen is very involved in her Rotary Club and discovered this organization a few years ago. For Christmas, long before I came along, the Clark's have been forgoing sibling gift exchanges for a service project gift (quite glad the Williams are still doing it the old fashion way). Since I've been in the family we have done stoves, wheel chairs, and schools. It's actually really impressive and I will say this again and again.... the Clark's are much better people than I am. But hey, at least I get to basque in their presence every couple of months.
Anyway, Coleen is really careful to which organizations she will donate, always making sure her donations are going to the right places. Project Amigo was one she believed in. They are based out of Colima Mexico where they try to give the opportunity of education to less fortunate families. What we have been doing as a family is sponsoring children for their education each year. In addition to the sponsorship program the organization offers a 'work week' for volunteers to come to Colima to help. Coleen said she would pay our expenses if we could make it down there for a week. Out of the 18 Clark adults 11 of us were able to make it down and what a week we had!!
Now this was something Coleen had orchestrated and thus none of us really new what we were going to be doing while were down there. On the plane rides we kept thinking "we're flying blind"
Fear not though... because we walked out of the airport to this
As we arrived we learned our work week was called 'literacy week' and we would be involved in organizing and distributing mini libraries.
Meet Bernice.
The first day there, we all went to a turtle reserve with students that are being helped by Project Amigo. At the turtle reserve we we're able to meet the child we sponsored and spend some time with all the kids (no kidding Nate and I had 18 kids we were in charge of)
Only in Mexico do you get to see baby turtles born that morning...
And hold them...
And set them FREE!! This was really cool... we all got our own turtle and we stood in a straight line and set them down to swim to freedom!
Before we could deliver the mini libraries we had to put them together...
Nate and his amigo
scaring kids again...
In front of 'Hacienda'. The accommodations were just charming! They were definitely Mexican but clean and had a lot of Mexican character.
We ate the majority of our meals in the Hacienda and they were really delicious. Mexican, but clean and a little Americanized some of the time.
The girls on the city center corner!
And finally....
Just a few "Only in Mexico's" I couldn't leave out
An elephant driving down the street
And dyed Chickie's :)
The End, Thank you JayDee and Coleen for the amazing week. It was such an incredible experience!
4 comments:
Finally, she posts about Mexico! Very cool that you could do this as a family. And BTW...be grateful that you are distanced from the "curse"...it's exhausting! Miss you so much! XOXOXO
What a great family! I would love to do something like that. The baby turtles are adorable!!! I can't believe how small they are. Were those kids really asking you for your autograph after your tumbling? That's pretty funny.
Paige....loved your account! I should just link directly to yours so I don't have to document anymore. You're great and I had fun hanging out with ya!
that is so awesome! i looks like you guys had a tun of fun! how are you? i havent talked to you in forever! ~ashley
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