Maggie McCleskey's first thoughts of Mexico

I can already tell that joining this trip to Mexico was a very good choice. We have only been here a few days, and already I've gotten my kayak roll back, paddled some beautiful and fun stretches of river, and made some great new friends. Mayan and Marisol have been so energetic and excited about all that we do... it's so contagious! I've never taken Spanish before, but I'm starting to pick up some words (and I've become pretty good at using hand motions). The town of Jalcomulco is so welcoming and the mountains that surround us help to realize the beauty of the world that we live in. The structures are so colorful and eye-catching; I love it. Katie is leaving tomorrow, so that is a bummer because she's been so supportive on the rivers and fun to talk to. Jessica is hilarious, and we can relate to each other because we speak about 4 words of Spanish and never know exactly what's happening... ha. Just to name a couple of the many awesome things we've been up to... last night we got to participate in some kind of fiesta ritual in the town. We kissed baby Jesus dolls and watched a piñata. We also had a lesson about 'Character' and leadership. Together with Marisol, Mayan, Ellie, and Becca, I came up with some pretty cool things. Kristin and Sean have been amazing, because they're helping us bring two totally different cultures together on this expedition. I'm so glad that I got to be a part of it. I can't think of a better way to break in the New Year than to be in a different place, with different people, experiencing life in a new way with a new outlook.

Quick Events Update

The trip is off to a great start. The students get along really well and are teaching eachother about their languages and culture. Students are working hard to complete their studies early and paddling their tails off. We are so fortunate to have both Mayan y Marisol, two female students from the town join us for the trip. They have shown us so much about the town that we wouldn´t have been able to experience without out them.

We were taught a local dance by a group that was practicing in the central plaza, and last night wewere invited to participate in a local holiday celebration. Young childern parade around town with candels bringing ^Baby Jesus^ to a designated home. After songs the young children break open a pinata and share treats. We were served hot pinnaple juice, sandwiches, and were able to meet Mayan`s aunts, uncles, grandparents, and siblings.

Maggie, Becca, and Ellie have an open mind and are enjoying the differences in culture. We are two steps into their leadership training and they will begin taking turns as leader of the day tomorrow. It is a fantastic group and we look forward to seeing what they are able to accomplish the rest of the trip.

Ellie`s Thoughts

When we arrived in Jalcomulco we took a tour of the town. i took a whole roll of pictures. The town is really safe and full of colors. Maggie, Mayan, Marisol,and I practiced our rolls in a calm spot on teh river. Yesterday, the 29th, we went down a stretch of the river which was so much fun. Afterwards, we started our homework and then ate chicken and salad for dinner. And that night, when we went to get dessert we learned a local dance with the group with will be preforming on New Years Eve. Today we went down the same stretch with Becca and I finished my reading forEnglish class. Tonight Katie adn I are going to try paleta de arroz. A paleta is like a really amazing popsicle and arroz means rice. Maybe I´ll dance with the local group again tonight!

Mayan`s Thoughts

Para mi es un poco normal comer poco, ya que no como mucho y me gusta cuidarmepar no estar un poco gorda. Pero me gusta estar en el grupo Alzar School de los E.U.A., es un poco dificil comunicarnos con ellas y ellas con nosotras pero me gusta aprender ingles y creo que ellas espanol. En kayak es lo mejor del curso, porque he aprendido muy rapido en poco tiempo con mis maestros Sean y Kristin, y con mis otras maestras Katie y Jessica.


For me it is normal to eat litte, because I like to take care of myself so I don`t gain weight. But, I like to be with the Alzar School from the U.S.A., it is a little difficult to communicate with everyone, and everyone with us but I like to learn english and think they enjoy learnings spanish. The kayak is the best part of the course, because I have learned very quickly with my teachers Sean and Kristin, and my other teachers Katie and Jessica.

Marisol`s Thoughts

Bueno, en este tiempo que he estado con mis amigos de Alzar School he aprendido muchas cosas muy interesantes como el dar el roll, y salir del kayak, es un poco dificil comunicarnos, pero nos entendemos. Nuestros maestros son Kristin y Sean. Ellos son muy buenos y tambien hay otras maestras que se llaman Katie y Jessica y nuestrass companeras Maggie y Ellie. La comida es un poco diferente pero me gusta. Lo poco que aprendi de ingles me ha servido para comunicarme con ellos. Son muy buenos con nosotras Mayan y yo.


Right now I am with my friends from the Alzar School and I have learned many interesting things like how to do a roll and how to wet exit from a kayak. It is a little difficult to communicate, but we understand some. Our teachers are Kristin and Sean. They are very good. There are other instructors, Katie and Jessica, and our friends Maggie and Ellie (Becca hadn`t arrived yet). The food is a little different, but I like it. The little thatI have learned about english has helped me communicate with everyone. Everyone is good to Mayan and me.

T minus one day

Well, we have just one day before our group of US students arrive in Mexico. We have been scouting out the rivers around our main basecamp here in Jalcomulco. They are incredible! Today we paddle the Rio Actopan, which is a continuous Class II-III rollercoaster. You start at a small waterfall, which you can choose to run or not run, then encounter three fun rapids in a tight canyon. At one point, a HUGE waterfall dumps into the river. Plus, the water on this river is exceptionally clear, with a slight blue tinge.

Our hotel here is SWEET, one of the nicest places for the Alzar School yet. Plus, we have the new van, which is a great ride, comfy. Plus, we have been eating excellent food.

One of the most exciting developments is that we are going to have not one, but TWO local students join us for the trip. They are named Mayan and Marisol. Kristin and I met with them yesterday and they are SO cool. They are both 15 and are excited to share Mexico with our students from the US. We can't wait. Their tuition is covered thanks to all the generous donations to the Jean Bierle Scholarship Initiative, so a big THANK YOU to those who helped with that!

You would all be happy to know that Pebbles is adapting very well... She made the drive down easily, napping most of the way. We were awed by how well she did in the car. And, she has finally discovered that she can swim and loves it. Today we played fetch in the river and she was having a blast. She still needs to work on her technique a little before hitting the main current, but she is now leaping into the river instead of reluctantly treading out, which is great. She also really enjoys all the new sites, sounds, and especially smells. Today on my jog with her, she chased after a burro for a little bit, and later tried to eat a gecko.

The posts should get a lot more interesting once we start having our students write them. Stay tuned!

-Sean

Last minute preps

Hello all! This will be the last post before Kristin and I officially begin our portion of the "Adventure in Mexico" expedition. We leave Boise on Friday afternoon, for the massive drive to southern Mexico that will take us to Denver, Austin, and beyond.

It's a little crazy around here... there are always last minute details to take care of, but this year has been a new challenge with me teaching full time and Kristin juggling her GA position at BSU, being a full time graduate student, and tutoring. However, we are now wrapping up all the little things that need to be done... Kristin got the students' expedition packets bound today, got snow chains for the tires (for the US portion of our drive--Veracruz is 86 degrees) and gassed up the van. I finished all my lessons at Boise High, met with my substitute, and lined up our parent contact person, Advisory Committee Member Dr. Sam Chewning. Pebbles lounged.

Tomorrow we will pack the kayaks in the van, double check all the gear, and kiss this cold weather goodbye. We'll depart as soon as I check out from school, at 12:20 PM. The next blog post you read will be from the road as we make our way down.

T-shirts for sale!

Hello all! Just wanted to let everyone know that the Alzar School has its new t-shirts for sale. These are made of 100% organic cotton, helping keep toxic chemicals out of the ground. They're chocolate brown, with four different colors of prints to choose from. The proceeds from the t-shirts benefit the Jean Bierle Scholarship Initiative, a program that funds the tuition for female students from our host countries on international expeditions. If you would like to buy a shirt, they're only $25 plus s/h. Just send us an email at info@alzarschool.com.

Why we do what we do...

Last night, I was asked to present at a class for future science educators at BSU. I spoke about being a teacher in the public school, my research into the overlapping fields of environmental, outdoor, adventure, and experiential education, and lastly about the Alzar School. Interestingly, these future teachers were most interested in the Alzar School and what we are trying to accomplish. The big question was "why" take on this huge project if I enjoyed teaching in an established school.

Well, there are many reasons. But, here's one reason the Alzar School is working so hard to provide outdoor experiences for teenagers. If you haven't read the book "Last Child in the Woods," check it out. It's an interesting look at the effects of our increasing "indoor" lifestyle. This video, from the Today Show, talks with Richard Louv about the need for kids to reconnect with nature.


Get your kids into the wild