Oaxaca is awesome

So first off, this is RobWerner masquerading as Jen O´Brien. Secondly, I just want to let everyone back home that we are having such a wonderful time here in Oaxaca. I'm so incredibly proud of all of our students here. Seeing them work with the children from Casa Hogar, taking them on field trips, and watching as they take on the roles of chaperones blows me away.

And I will even say, as hard as it is for a grown man to admit, I was nearly brought to tears watching the glowing smile on Anacelida's face as Kate Needle began communicating with her in sign language. Crossing the Spanish-English language communication barrier is tough enough for many of us down here, but to watch Kate (who went into this trip not knowing a lick of Spanish) all of a sudden make such a huge impact in this girl's life using her ASL skills was simply amazing. Who would have thought that a hearing impaired girl in Mexico would be able to connect with one of our Watkinson kids in such a powerful manner? I know I'll never forget that, and I guarantee that Watkinson nor Anacelida will either.

I have been having such an amazing experience in Oaxaca so far. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and I have fallen in love with so many children here. One of my favorite experiences so far was being able to communicate with a deaf girl at the orphanage using American Sign Language. I never thought I would have this opportunity, and I feel really lucky for being able to help someone who has such few opportunites to communicate with someone else. This experience was extremely inspiring and I know I will always remember it. There have been so many great adventures so far and I am excited to see what else comes our way.

Here are some other things that I have learned that I thought were worthy enough to share with you guys:

1. Never EVER eat grasshoppers. I thought I was going to die.
2. ALWAYS look down when walking, the sidewalk has a way of jumping out at you.
3. PEPSI > COKE

Days 2 and 3...

Sunday was our last day of being tourists before working with the children from Casa Hogar.  We toured the ruins in Mitla, shopped in the markets, enjoyed stone soup, visited the Cultural Museum and prepared a traditional meal at Socora, the host family coordinator's house.

Monday, we helped chaperone the Casa Hogar children at the Iglesia de Soledad and the Tamayo Museum of pre'Columbian art.  As a reward, we all enjoyed a treat of nieves...Oaxaca´s famous ice cream.  After lunch, we spent 3 hours in Spanish immersion classes...Funny how the students actually enjoyed intensive three hour classes that started at 3pm!!

Tomorrow, we tour the town of Tule with a tree that has the largest base in the world, more nieves and Spanish classes...which reminds me...I need to do my homework...yes, even in Oaxaca WE ALL have homework!!

Below is a video of the most powerful moment of the trip so far....Kate doesn´t speak a lot of Spanish, but when we figured out that one of the Casa Hogar girls, Ana, is hearling impaired AND knows American Sign Language....magic happened....suddenly Kate and Ana were speaking to each other endlessly...Just watch the look on Ana´s face when she realized she had a fellow ASL speaker with her...It brought tears to our eyes!!  Luckily, we have a strong ASL program at Watkinson and Liz and Samanatha can also speak with her!!

Our first moments acting as chaperones for the children from Casa Hogar!



Mike listening to Eugene's description of the church




Emily enjoying time with the girls!!

Enjoying nieves -Oaxacan ice cream!! Beso Oaxaqueno (Oaxacan kiss flavor) for Destiny and Tamarind for Ana!

  


Ruins at Mitla






Some form of pit stop at the Cultural Museum

Gwen and Sam (with Enid´s grandaughter) on cheese and cabbage duty at Socoro´s dinner

Brandonlee and Mr. Werner taking their turn at the grill

Top Chef Quick Fire Challenge:  Guacamole

The First Day in Pictures

A breakfast of chilaquiles (tortillas, sauce and cheese) at Cafe Alex

Will approves of the breakfast!

Sampling Oaxacan gelatin as we tour the streets with our guide, Eugene.

In the Mercado with Eugene, a pit stop for drinks...we tried the 'tuna' flavor...prickly pear cactus, not the fish

Chapulines, chili flavored grasshoppers, for everyone

Mayadormo- Oaxaca's version of the Wonka Factory

Mike, Brandonlee and Emily in front of the chocolate grinders

Lunch in the Zocolo

Finally....Casa Hogar!!

Destiny has already found a friend

Kate is having way too much fun

Brandonlee is also helping our our non-human friends

Tomorrow's Agenda:  Breakfast at Cafe Alex, move luggage to homestays, the ruins and market at Mitla, the State Cultural Museum & making a traditional dinner at the host family organizer, Socoro's house.

Hotel Santa Helena Plaza!!

We have arrived!!  After a long day of travel that seemed like something between the Amazing Race and an immunity challenge on Survivor, we are comfortably in the hotel. The kids have already been for a swim in the pool (at midnight), Enid came by for a brief 12am orientation and we are hopefully getting some sleep before tomorrow...but with wireless in the hotel...there may be little sleep for some of us.

Tomorrow, we will tour the historic center of the city, churches and the town square, the Zocolo with Eugene, the tour guide who keeps us up on everything Oaxacan.  In the late afternoon, we will take the bus to Casa Hogar where we will see the children for the first time and make plans for the week!  Look for an update and photos Saturday night!!

And We Are Off....

We are packed and ready to go!!  With a mix of excitement and anticipation, we await meeting the children at Casa Hogar and our students in Ocotlan!!  Thanks to all the family, friends and colleagues who have helped make this trip happen. Look for our first update as soon as we can get to an internet cafe in the next day or so!

Less Than a Week

In less than a week, we will be on the ground in Oaxaca!!  Our plans include a week of working with the children at Casa Hogar.  We will be there to play with the children, maybe paint another mural, take care of odd jobs and most importantly, act as chaperones for the children on field trips around Oaxaca.  Our help will be invaluable as these children get to experience all the amazing sites, culture and history Oaxaca has to offer.

The last picture I took of Oaxaca in 2011...only days until I am there again!!

Teaching English in Ocotlan- 2011

Oaxaca 2011 Watkinson Travelers & the children from Casa Hogar 

Anna E. (pictured above with children at Casa Hogar)  and Will R. are returning to Oaxaca this year!!

Everybody makes goofy faces in PhotoBooth

Our students will also get experience what it is like on the other side of the teacher's desk....By teaching English and holding a reading event at the elementary school in Ocotlan!!  In between, we will visit Monte Alban, eat more Oaxacan cuisine than you can imagine, linger in the Zocolo and visit the artisans that make Oaxaca such an authentically Mexican place to visit.

Please take time to check back, comment and stay connected with us as we put Watkinson's mission "to shape our world and the world around us" into practice!!