Our day began with a hearty, and of course delicious, breakfast of mini vegetable omelettes, beans, potatoes, bacon, sausage, tortillas, etc. We were swooped up by our guides, Silvia, Citlali, and Steph at 9:00am and ventured out into the desert about an hour down a dirt road outside of Todos Santos for our hike up the mountainous mountain. (It was v steep.) The hike was very strenuous, but oh so rewarding and we are all grateful we persevered to enjoy the inarguably unique view of cacti, lomboy, ironwood, and golden elephant trees, all against the backdrop of a distant ocean.
Silvia taught us all about endemic plants' usages for the indigenous rancher families that live in the now-protected national park. A specific type of low-growing stumpy cactus is nicknamed "Silla de la Suegra," or, "the Mother-in-law's chair."
Upon returning to the van after a dusty tramp down the mountain filled with lively conversation and occasional missteps, we were rewarded with cold, cold soda! Our tired group split up between vans and we sped over the bumpy dirt road. Citlali drove like Indiana Jones.
Silvia taught us all about endemic plants' usages for the indigenous rancher families that live in the now-protected national park. A specific type of low-growing stumpy cactus is nicknamed "Silla de la Suegra," or, "the Mother-in-law's chair."
Upon returning to the van after a dusty tramp down the mountain filled with lively conversation and occasional missteps, we were rewarded with cold, cold soda! Our tired group split up between vans and we sped over the bumpy dirt road. Citlali drove like Indiana Jones.
At the Palapa Society and Hogar del Niño, we practiced our Spanish and teaching skills with equal effort. In the more formal classrooms of the Palapa Society, we bonded over One Direction and Shakira after team-drawing portraits of one another.
With the kids at Hogar del Niño, we made collages with pictures of their favorite things about spring, and afterwards we got to break piñatas with them. We also discovered that some of the older girls are very talented at hair-braiding!
Reconvening at an elaborate dinner of cactus quesadilla, California rolls, beef empanadas, white pasta, and Japanese-style short ribs. And for dessert, flan and chocolate truffles! We ended the meal by acknowledging what we appreciated about our adventurous, enlightening day together. Little did we know, the day wasn't quite over yet. Stargazing with Sergio was next on the docket!
Sergio pointed out the Milky Way right before our eyes. His masterful storytelling ability gave mythological context to the vast bundles of constellations above us, and some of us saw our very first shooting stars.
Another big day lies ahead!
With the kids at Hogar del Niño, we made collages with pictures of their favorite things about spring, and afterwards we got to break piñatas with them. We also discovered that some of the older girls are very talented at hair-braiding!
Reconvening at an elaborate dinner of cactus quesadilla, California rolls, beef empanadas, white pasta, and Japanese-style short ribs. And for dessert, flan and chocolate truffles! We ended the meal by acknowledging what we appreciated about our adventurous, enlightening day together. Little did we know, the day wasn't quite over yet. Stargazing with Sergio was next on the docket!
Sergio pointed out the Milky Way right before our eyes. His masterful storytelling ability gave mythological context to the vast bundles of constellations above us, and some of us saw our very first shooting stars.
Another big day lies ahead!