top of page
This site was designed with the
.com
website builder. Create your website today.Start Now

Itinerary

Mexico

January 4, 2016 - January 8, 2016

Week 1

 

Monday, January 4, 2016

  • 6:00 AM Arrive at Airport and prepare to Depart

  • 3:30 PM Arrive in Mexico City Greetings at Benito Juarez International Airport

  • 3:30-4:30 PM Arrive at Casa de los Amigos-Quaker Guest House and enjoy a delicious lunch

  • 6:00-7:30 PM ¡Bienvenidos! Welcome Session!

    • Making sure everyone has what they need. Review of the week, security guidelines, rules and expectations. Have coffee and dessert.

  • 7:30-8:30 PM Explore the Neighborhood and Monument to the Revolution

  • After 8:30 PM Night time snacks available

  • Bedtime! (And a quick Check-in)

 

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

  • 8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast

  • 9:00-9:15 AM Review of the Day with Coffee Service

  • 9:15-11:15 AM Introduction to Mexico: Context and Background

  • 11:30 AM-12:00 PM Walk to Historic Center

  • 12:00-1:30 PM Lunch!

  • 1:30-5:00 PM Tour the Zocalo and in Tlatelolco

  • 5:00-5:30 PM Back to Casa

  • 5:30-6:30 PM Break

  • 6:30-7:30 PM Dinner in La Casa

  • 7:30-9:30 PM Movie Showing: De Nadie

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

  • 8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast!

  • 9:00-9:15 AM Daily Check In

  • 9:15-11:00 AM Presentation: Mexico as the World's Migration Capital

  • 11:15 AM--12:00 PM Visit to Spanish Classes for Refugees

  • 12:00-12:45 PM Travel to Tochan

  • 12:45--4:00 PM Visit at Tochan

    • Lunch at 2:00 PM

  • 4:00-5:00 PM Return to Casa

  • 5:00-6:00 PM Break

  • 6:00-7:00 PM Reflection and Dinner in the Casa

  • 7:00-7:30 PM Travel to Ballet Folklorico

  • 7:30-10:00 PM Ballet Folklorico

  • 10:00 PM Head back to Casa

 

Thursday, January 7, 2016

  • 7:30 -8:00 AM Breakfast!

  • 8:00-8:15 AM Daily Check In

  • 8:25 AM Departure for Vicente Guerrero, Tlaxcala

  • Day in Vicente Guerrero

    • TBD (Could include introduction to the organization, context of work against GMOs, tour of fields and town, introduction to medicinal plants, temascal)

  • Bedtime at some point!! Check-in before that!!

 

Friday, January 8, 2016

  • Morning in Vicente Guerrero

    • TBD   (Work in the fields, continuation of presentations from yesterday)

  • 4:00 PM Leave Vicente Guerrero

  • 7:00 PM Late Dinner on your own

 

 

January 10, 2016- January 11, 2016

Weekend 1

 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

  • 9:00-9:45 AM Breakfast

  • 9:45-10:00 AM Check In

  • 10:00-10:30 AM Travel to Museum

  • 10:30 AM--1:30 PM Visit to Museum of Anthropology

  • 1:30-3:00 PM Lunch

    • In Chapultepec?

  • 3:00-3:30 PM Travel to Barrio Activo

  • 3:30-5:30 PM Visit Barrio Activo

  • 5:30-6:00 PM Return to La Casa

  • 6:00-7:30 PM Break

  • 7:30-9:30 PM Dinner

 

Sunday, January 10, 2016

  • 8:00-8:30 AM Breakfast

  • 8:30-9:30 AM Travel to Teotihuacan

  • 9:30 AM-5:00 PM Visit to Teotihuacan and the Basilica

    • Lunch in between, time is flexible

  • 4:30-5:00 PM Return to La Casa

  • 5:00-6:00 PM Free Time/rest

  • 6:00-7:30 PM Closing Reflection

  • 7:30-9:30 PM Closing Dinner

 

 

 

                                       

January 11, 2016 - January 15, 2016

Week 2

 

Monday, January 11, 2016

  • 8:00 AM Breakfast

  • Travel to Oaxaca

  • around 6:00 PM Arrive and start settling in

  • After Arrival intro with Oliver and Rocío, Oaxaca program, processing Mexico City, expectations and things you've learned

 

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

  • 9:00- 11:00 AM Group building

  • 11:00-11:30 AM Break

  • 11:30 AM--1:00 PM Walk into town, getting to know San Agustin.

  • 1:00-3:00PM Lunch at restaurant in town

  • 3:00-5:00PM Milpa, Guelaguetza, and the Virgen de Juquila: and Intro to Oaxaca: general background on Mexico, Oaxaca

 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

  • 9:00AM -1:00PM Monte Albán and surroundings. Guide: Rosario.

  • 1:00-3:00PM Lunch at hacienda Santa Marta.

  • 3:00-4:30PM Group Building: respect and watching out for each other, cultural respect. How do you observe and process cultural difference?

  • 5:00-7:30PM Glorifying Rubble: History and state formation in Mexico. Nationalism in different ways,

 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

  • 9:00AM--4:00PM Visit to CASA -paper making workshop.

    • Then spend afternoon with Rocío Landa, Focus on traditional medicine and sustainable living

    • (includes lunch)

  • 5:00-7:00PM Globalization & mobility lecture. Migration jigsaw, connect to globalization matrix.

 

Friday, January 15, 2016

  • 9:00-10:00AM Urban Oaxaca presentation.

  • 10:00AM-- 1:00PM City tour: urban issues

  • After 1:00PM drop off at Becari (language School), to head to your homestays

 

 

January 16, 2016- January 17, 2016

Weekend 2

Saturday 16, 2016--Sunday 17, 2016

  • Free weekend. Enjoy your new homestays and explore the city.

  • Make sure your Oaxacan cell phones are fully functional and ready!!

 

 

 

 

January 18, 2016 - January 22, 2016

Week 3

 

REGULAR OAXACA SCHEDULE FOR MOST WEEKS:

 

Monday, January 18, 2016

  • 9:00 AM -- 1:00 PM Spanish Language Class

  • 1:00 PM -- 2:00 PM Group Check In

  • 2:00 -- ~4:00PM Lunch with homestays

  • Evening Open

 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

  • 9:00AM -- 1:00 PM Spanish Language Class

  • 2:00 -- ~4:00PM Lunch with homestays

  • 4:30 -- 6:30PM Globalization, Tourism, and Development Class with Dr. Wasielewski

  • Night Open

 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

  • Students are working at their Intership locations

    • Some of the internship options include:

      • Education

      • Traditional Medicine

      • Urban Gardening

      • Art Collectives

      • Centers for Urban Youths

      • Ecotourism

 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

  • 9:00AM -- 1:00PM Spanish Language Class

  • 2:00 -- ~4:00PM Lunch with homestays

  • 4:30 -- 6:30PM Globalization, Tourism, and Development Class with Dr. Wasielewski

  • Night Open

 

Friday, January 22, 2016

  • 9:00AM -- 12:00PM Spanish Language Class

  • 12:00 -- 12:30PM Group Check-In

  • 2:00 -- ~4:00PM Lunch with homestays

  • Afternoon/Evening Open

January 23, 2016 -- January 24, 2016

Weekend 3

 

Saturday, January 23, 2016

  • (Optional) 11:00AM Guided Tour of Botanical Garden

    • Try to be there about 15 minutes ahead of time

 

Sunday, January 24, 2016

  • Free Day! Enjoy the city!

 

January 25, 2016 -- January 29, 2016

Week 4

 

REGULAR WEEK SCHEDULE (see above)

 

  • Work on Class Contracts!!

    • Meet with Pat, Max and Kari this week to get it finalized.

 

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

  • Regular class schedule in morning

  • 2:30 PM Trip to San Martin Tilcajete to meet carvers of wooden

    alebrije’s

    • Make sure you can have lunch earlier so you can be there on time!

 

 

January 30, 2016 -- January 31, 2016

Weekend 4

 

Saturday, January 30, 2016

  • TBD

 

Sunday, January 31, 2016

  • Group trip to the Sunday market at Tlacalula and weaving village of Santa Ana del Valle. Mandatory.

February 1, 2016 -- February 5, 2016

Week 5

 

REGULAR WEEK SCHEDULE (see above)

 

  • Feburary 2nd, Class Contracts due!!

 

 

February 6, 2016 -- February 7, 2016

Weekend 5

 

Friday, February 5, 2016

  • Starting Friday afternoon, we will take a weekend trip to Teotitlan del Valle, staying in the village Friday and Saturday nights.

    • Colectiva Nueva Vida y Museo Comunitario

    • Make sure your homestays know.

 

 

Febraury 8, 2016 -- February 10, 2016

Week 6

 

REGULAR WEEK SCHEDULE (see above)

 

 

February 11, 2016 -- February 14, 2016

Weekend 6

 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

  • Pueblos Mancomunados in Sierra Norte mountains

    • Pueblos: Llano Grande, Cuajimoloyas, Latuvi, Benito Juarez & La Neveria

    • Hiking, study of ecotourism and the tequio system

 

 

February 15, 2016 -- February 19, 2016

Week 7

 

REGULAR WEEK SCHEDULE (see above)

 

Friday, February 19, 2016

  • Afternoon trip to Ocotlan, San Bartolo Coyótepec known for black, hand thrown pottery visit to Museo de Arte Popular

 

 

February 20, 2016 -- February 21, 2016

Weekend 7

 

Saturday, February 20, 2016

  • (Optional) Trip to Hierve el Agua

    • Wear bathing suits and bring lots of sunscreen!

 

Sunday, February 21, 2016

  • Free Day, Enjoy the city!

 

 

February 22, 2016 -- February 26, 2016

Week 8

 

REGULAR WEEK SCHEDULE (see above)

 

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  • Trip to Cuilapan and Zaachila site of an ancient unfinished monastery

    • Meet with community groups working

      on projects concerning water, garbage, urban agriculture and

      cultivation.

 

February 27, 2016 - March 4, 2016

Weekend 8 and Week 9

Saturday, February 27, 2016

  • Spring Break Begins

    • Make sure to keep your phones charged and with you!

 

Thursday, March 3, 2016

  • Last Full day of Spring Break

 

Friday, March 4, 2016

  • Begin our trip to the Beach and Isthmus of Tehuantepec

    • Bus leaves Oaxaca City 1 AM, pick up at each homestay

    • For those spending Spring Break at the beach, meet the bus in Puerto Escondido at 10 AM (meeting place found on Moodle page)

  • Stay at Rancho El Encanto, coffee plantation

 

March 5, 2016 -- March 13, 2016

Weekend 9, Week 10, and Weekend 10

 

Saturday, March 5, 2016

  • Visit to shrine of Our Lady Juquila

  • Visit with natural healers in Rio Grande

  • Stay the night in Rio Grande

 

Sunday, March 6, 2016

  • Trip to Afro-Mexican community of La Pastoria--salt production!

  • Drive to Mazunte

    • stay the night

 

Monday, March 7, 2016

  • Class and trips in Mazunte

    • Turtle Aquarium

    • Cosmetic Factory

    • Manialtepec crocodile tour

    • Turtle Release (if possible)

 

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

  • Class and trip to Huatulco

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

  • Class and trip to Playa Cangrejo

    • stay the night

 

Thursday, March 10, 2016

  • Travel to Juchitan

    • stay the night

  • Class visit with Radio Totopo

  • Visit with Muxes

 

Friday, March 11, 2016

  • Class discussion and visit about wind farming

  • Travel to Playa Vicente

    • stay the night

 

Saturday, March 12, 2016

  • Visit to Ixtepec Migrant Shelter

  • Travel to Ojo de Agua

 

Sunday, March 13, 2016

  • Visit to Jalapa de Marquez

    • discussion of hydropower

  • Return to Oaxaca City

 

March 14, 2016 -- March 15, 2016

Beginning of Week 11

 

Monday, March 14, 2016--Tuesday, March 15, 2016

  • Time to reflect on what we have learned from Oaxaca

  • Taking this time to prepare for our departure to Guatemala and Cuba

    • This would be a good time to do some laundry!

  • May also be a cooking class one of these days (TBA)

Please reload

Guatemala

March 16, 2016 -- March 18, 2016

End of Week 11

 

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

  • Travel to Guatemala

  • 2:00PM Arrive in Guatemala City, meet driver to be taken to the hotel in Antigua

 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

  • Breakfast bright and early

  • Visit market of Chichicastenango

    • It's giant, don't get lost! :)

    • Also an opportunity to see the historic cathedrals!

  • Lunch

  • Drive to Solola for lecture on "Ecological Efforts at Lake Atitlan" by Dr. Monica Orozco

    • She is director of the investigation project at Lake Atitlan Universidad del Valle, Solola Campus

  • Dinner at hotel

 

Friday, March 18, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Boat ride over to San Juan La Laguna

    • Meet local spritual guide for presentation on Mayan cosmology

    • Experience a Mayan ceremony

  • Lunch with local indigenous cooperative

 

March 19, 2016 - March 20, 2016

Weekend 11

 

Saturday, March 19, 2016

  • Box Breakfast

  • Travel to Antigua to switch buses, and head to Rio Negro

  • 1:30PM Lunch at Restaurante La Granja, in Tactic Baja Verapaz.

  • 2:30PM Departure to Pueble Viejo

  • 3:30PM Boat trip to Rio Negro

  • 4:30PM Tour of Centro Histórico y Educativo Riij Ib’ooy

  • 6:30PM Dinner with the community

  • 7:30PM Bonfire talk with the community and local leader.

 

Sunday, March 20, 2016

  • 7:30AM Breakfast with the community

  • 8:30AM Guided walk on Path of Memory “El Sol renace en Pak’oxom”

    • Testimony about the massacre of March 13th, 1982

  • 1:00PM Lunch with the community

  • 2:30 -3:15PM The group meets the women of the community

    • learning about their efforts to learn to weave

 

  • 3:30- 4:30PM Free time to swim or play with children

  • 4:30- 6:00PM Visit home and garden in the community

    • Wrap up meeting with Pat Wasielewski

  • 6:30PM Dinner with the community

  • 7:00PM Watch film: "Discovering Dominga" and discussion

 

March 21, 2016 - March 24, 2016

Week 12

 

Monday, March 21, 2016

  • 7:30AM Breakfast with the community

  • 8:30AM Boat trip back to Pueblo Viejo

  • 9:30AM Tour at Chixoy Hydroelectrical plant

  • 11:30AM Trip to Restaurante La Granja

  • 12:30PM Lunch Restaurante La Granja

  • 1:30PM Start drive back to Antigua

  • 6:30PM Dinner in Guatemala City / Antigua

  • 9:30PM Arrival at home stays in Antigua

 

Tuesday -- Wednesday Mar. 22-23, 2016

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Check in at (PLFM) Proyecto Linguistico Francisco Marroquin

    • A non-profit, non-political, lay association legally constituted as a cultural development entity

    • Brief oral exam to determine spanish strength

  • About four hours in Spanish lessons at PLFM

  • Afternoon & Evening open

 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Lecture at PLFM about Guatemala's Easter traditions and how they reflect the social organization of the communities

  • Enjoy the beginning of Easter celebrations

  • Evening free

 

March 25, 2016 - March 27, 2016

Weekend 12

 

Friday -- Sunday, March 25-27, 2016

  • These days are about experiencing Semana Santa, there will be some group meetings and discussions throughout the weekend to explain certain aspects of the celebration, TBD

 

Sunday, March 27, 2016

  • Easter

March 28, 2016 - April 1, 2016

Week 13

 

Monday, March 28, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • PLFM 4 hr. Spanish class

  • In afternoon, visit Guatemala City

  • Visit the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation

  • Visit PRODEMI, an NGO working to protect children's human rights, lecture on "Guatemala Politics" with Cesar Reyes Lucero

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • PLFM 4 hr. Spanish class

  • Inafternoon, visit to Guatemala City

  • Visit the Museo Popol Vuh and the Ixchel Museum

  • Visit INGUAT for lecture on "Ecotourism in Guatemala" with Juan Rivera

    • He is the head of Tourism Segments of MKT Department at the National Tourism Board

 

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • PLFM 4 hr. Spanish class

  • After classes, presentation on Guatemalan politics

 

Thursday, March 31, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • PLFM 4 hr. Spanish class

  • Afternoon on own

 

Friday, April 1, 2016

  • Drive to Guatemala CIty for flight to Flores

  • Move into hotel

 

April 2, 2016 - April 3, 2016

Weekend 13

 

Saturday, April 2, 2016

  • Arrive at Tikal!

  • Spend day at Tikal with a guided tour

 

Sunday, April 3, 2016

  • Fly back to Guatemala City

  • 3:52PM Flight to leave Guatemala

  • Spend night in Mexico City for a layover

 

Please reload

Cuba

April 4, 2016 - April 8, 2016

Week 14

Monday, April 4, 2016

  • Upon arrival at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, you will be transferred by bus to the hotel.

  • Lunch

  • After lunch at the hotel have an orientation meeting

  • Visit Ernest Hemminway's house, Finca Vigia.

  • This evening enjoy dinner at a local paladar.

 

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Presentation by Jorge Mario Sanchez, Cuban economist/urban planner on the growth and development of Havana.

  • Lunch

  • Visit the Muraleando Community Art Project

    • To learn about its history and how it has developed a sense of belonging in the barrio where people get involved and concern themselves with solving problems with their own efforts.

  • Dinner at a local paladar

    • with Dr. Reinaldo Funes Monzote of the Núñez Jiménez y Lupe Velis Foundation, a non profit and non governmental organization that fosters an understanding and appreciation of nature through research and development locally, nationally, and internationally

 

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Meet with the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP)

    • to learn about their mission to reach out to the international community and form ties of friendship.

  • Lunch

  • Afternoon visit El Vivero organic garden in Alamar and get a tour from its creator Miguel Salcines.

    • After the tour spend time meeting workers and helping them with projects.

  • Early in the evening attend a lecture on Cuban American history by Prof. Carlos Alzugaray, Director of the Center for Cuba U.S.A studies and former Cuban Ambassador to the European Union.

  • OPTIONAL cultural activities

 

Thursday April 7, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Visit the National Sex Education Center to learn about their mission and how they help promote sexual rights.

  • Lunch

  • In the afternoon explore old Havana.

    • During the tour visit sites of interest including the Museum of the Revolution.

  • Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Plaza Viejo

  • Visit the model of Old Havana

  • In the evening attend a rehersal of Opera de la Calle or attend an interactive dance presentation-

  • *OPTIONAL visit to Club Chevere.

 

Friday April 8, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Head West to Vinales located in the province of Pinar del Rio.

    • This province is a rural heartland of Cuba and is home to the best tobacco growing farms in the world.

    • On your way visit the farm of Paco Hernandez to learn about tobacco agriculture in Cuba and interact with a local family including music, poetry and dominos.

  • Visit the home of Nils Navarro, a talented wildlife artist and naturalist for a reception and welcome to a local Cuban home.

  • At the end of the day you will be taken to your Casa Particulares (homestay house) to meet your host family.

April 9, 2016 - April 10, 2016

Weekend 14

 

Saturday, April 9, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Visit Las Terrazas

    • This is a classic ecotourism center, situated in an area of around 5,000 hectares, in which a project of sustainable rural economy is being developed, based on the rational use of its natural resources for tourism. Residents are encouraged to play an active role in the preservation and care of the local environment. This was all part of a grander scheme by the government to promote self sufficiency and education in rural areas. Today a large proportion of the community works in tourism, some as employees at the hotel and others as owners of the small businesses that have been set up in response to the growing numbers of visitors.

  • While there meet with community members to discuss the their hard work and how they keep the community thriving.

  • Lunch at Cafetal Buenavista, restaurant built on the ruins of a French coffee plantation

  • Explore area

  • Visit Soroa Orchid Garden.

  • Late in the day arrive back into Havana.

  • *OPTIONAL cultural activities.

 

Sunday April 10, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Travel to the Zapata Peninsula and the town of Giron, site of the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.

  • Visit with museum staff and learn about the Cuban perspective on the invasion.

  • Meet with townspeople who remember the invasion and exchange views about what mistakes were made by both sides in the conflict, and explore ways to reconcile.

  • Have lunch at the beautiful Cueva de los Peces.

  • After lunch at a local restaurant visit to the town of Palpite where you will meet with people from the Korimacao Community Arts and Cultural Project which provides art, music, theater, dance and poetry free of charge to young artists in Cuba

  • Drive to Santa Clara and have dinner at the hotel upon arrival.

 

April 11, 2016 - April 15, 2016

Week 15

 

Monday, April 11, 2016

  • Learn about Santa Clara and Cuban Revolution

  • Have lunch at NaturArte and learn about their innovative community and environmental projects.

  • Attend a special performance by the Municipal Band Caibaram.

  • In the afternoon visit the Che Museum and Memorial.

  • Visit the mausoleum where Che's remains rest.

  • The remainder of the day is free for independent study.

 

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  • Travel to Mantanzas and visit the Matanzas Art School.

    • Tour the facilities and visit with educators and students to discuss music and arts in Cuba and compare to the United States.

  • Attend a Matanzas Symphony Orchestra rehearsal.

  • Lunch

  • After lunch experience rumba and AfroCuban rhythms during a performance by AfroCuba, one of Cuba's most acclaimed folklore groups.

    • The group performs traditional African dances, percussion, and songs which still flourish as an integral part of the island's living legacy. The show last approximately 90 minutes and then there will be some time to talk with the performers.

  • Return to the hotel for dinner.

 

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Return to Havana stopping at the Museum of the Slave Route in the western province of Matanzas

  • Later in the afternoon attend a wrap up meeting

  • Farewell dinner at La Barraca Restaurant at Hotel Nacional.

 

Thursday, April 14, 2016

  • Breakfast

  • Check out of the hotel

  • Visit ISA/ENA Art Schools, Music or Dance Faculty

  • Go to the airport for flight to Mexico City.

 

Friday, April 15, 2016

  • You are in Oaxaca, woo!

 

Please reload

Mexico

Palacio Nacional de Mexico

 

http://www.palacionacionalmexico.com/

 

In Mexico City!

 

http://ciudadmexico.com.mx/atractivos/palacio_nacional.htm

 

http://ciudadmexico.com.mx/atractivos/zocalo.htm

Basilica Virgen de Guatelupe

 

http://www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx/

Teotihuacan!

 

http://ciudadmexico.com.mx/sitios/teotihuacan.htm

Redlands

April 15, 2016 - April 17, 2016

Weekend 15

 

Friday -- Sunday, April 15--17, 2016

  • Finishing Retreat in Etla!!

  • Time to reflect and mentally prepare

 

April 18, 2016 - April 20, 2016

Week 16

 

Monday -- Tuesday, April 18-19, 2016

  • Finish our Oaxaca visit

  • have "despidida" with the families

 

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

  • Return to the US

 

 

Please reload

May Term

 

Students will focus on the process of reintegrating back into the U.S., University of Redlands and Johnston communities.  The group will determine a means by which they will share their experiences abroad with those here at home.  Each student will be responsible for presenting both the group experiences and their individual work. 

bottom of page