Getting Situated

Nearing four o'clock, eight teachers from the United States began gathering in the hallway of terminal #1 of the Mexico City Airport. A Hilton Hotel elevator stretched upward behind us and a 24 horas Starbucks nearby beckoned. As each of us found our way to the rendevous point, a few Earth Watch t-shirts provided needed clues (in addition to our introductory posts on our shared blog).

Luckily, I had arrived early and had met with another Los Angeles area teacher, Brenda Young. She had let me relax in her hotel room until our late afternoon meeting with the group. Travel advisories swirled in my mind: Don't use the ATM. Don't wear jewelry. Dress modestly. Don't carry too much cash.

Everyone arrived safely: Brynn, Brenda, Sarah, Doug, Edward, Kerry, Bruce, and (I) Tai. We loaded our packs on the van with a professional driver and Erik, our Mexican Earth Watch field guide, a biologist earning his graduate degree at UNAM.

Our driver snaked through the highway traffic, under bridges, passed large buildings, and finally guided the van over an unpaved road to the outer walls of Casa Xitla. He backed up into the gated entrance, and we were ushered into a community that involved a whole projecta with five pillars: peace, human rights, ecology, art, and spirituality.

The first building consisted of large windows and high steel columns to allow the sun to flood the inside. We learned the structure's name: Casa del Sol. Upstairs, each of us chose our own room. Each suite contained two twin beds, a closet, and a bathroom with a sink and shower.

After quickly claiming our rooms and depositing our belongings, we toured the grounds led by Valerie. Casa del Sol housed individual rooms, many conference rooms, and staff offices. We passed an altar with a religious statue and learned that Casa Xitla was once a convent. Across the fields, we viewed Casa Luna. A host of musicians practiced for an upcoming performance in front of Casa Luna. Our tour revealed more rooming quarters and conference rooms in Casa Luna, a building much smaller than Casa del Sol.

At the conclusion of the tour, we dined in the auditorio/cafeteria. We learned that our meals would be specially prepared by the kitchen staff. We had a chance to enjoy authentic local cuisine as we shared more about our home regions, teaching assignments, and schools.

A evening workshop followed dinner. In the Gandhi Room, Dr. Elsa, a lead biologist from the REDES foundation gave us more insight into chinampas, the Axolotl, and conservation methods needed to save the key organism from the brink of extinction. She provided an overview of our teacher research fellowship. We concluded with sharing our favorite memory of nature.

by Tai Fowler