FW: Berlin

The Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate -- courtesy of Mr. Tokarski's iPhone

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Celestun

About to go bird watching in Celestun, a port city on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. 

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza

Visiting some ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza on Saturday morning

Watching Merida's baseball team, "Los Leones" play on Friday evening

Casa Crisal

Saying goodbye during our last visit at Casa Crisal. 

Casa Crisal

Painting posters and working on puzzles with the girls on our last visit to the girls refuge in Merida.

Casa Crisal Orphanage

This picture is at the Casa Crisal girls refuge where we have been visiting every afternoon to do activities the girls who have been taken out of abusive homes.

Tasting Yucatecan Food

Emma is trying a typical Yucatecan food called "panuchos" that the preschool students at el Renacimiento prepared for the cultural exchange.  The children dressed in traditional clothing from the Yucatan to show us more about their mestizo culture which includes both Spanish and Mayan influence.

El Renacimiento (Private Bilingual School)

This is the private bilingual school that we visited on Wednesday for a cultural exchange. Every subject taught in this school has to include lessons both in Spanish and English.  The building that we visited is for P-K through third grade.

Vocational High school day 2

Our students shared their Powerpoint presentations about their culture, families, hobbies, and favorite foods.  Then the Yucatan students shared information about their culture, including special sites such as Chichen Itza, now one of the wonders of the world.

Eating some fruit flavored Mexican ice cream (before dinner!)

Vocational high school day 2 continued

Our students posed with some of their new friends outside of the culinary building.  Inside was the senior student's final exam--fruity drinks and special food. We were invited to this special celebration while some other students outside watched from an open window.  It was a wonderful experience and it was hard for everyone to have to say goodbye. 

mexico

mexico

The second picture is of the chemistry teacher, Gladys, and her daughter.  Gladys is Kristine's contact at the school through a friend.  Gladys does not speak English but her daughter does. 

mexico

The third picture is of some of the teachers of the school

 

* I hope you got all of my other emails!  I just got a message that two of them didn't make it through

mexico

pics 3

Enjoying the beach and the Gulf of Mexico.  Cooling off from the hot midday.  

mexico pics 2

Enjoying FRESH fish tacos oceanside with Kristine's mexican mama and hermanas (sisters)

Arriving to the hotel in Merida

Departing from Jackson