More Posts from your Girls

Week 5 already?! Its hard to believe it was so long a go when our adventure began in Houston. We have traveled so far since then, and it finally feels like everything is sinking in. Waking up in the freezing cold darkness of the morning to stumble down the ladder of the loft at our hostel. Having goosebumps and seeing my breath for the first time I left Boston during the peak of winter. Running up the hill while the sun chases us. San Cristobal is indescribable. I could stay here for a month! I actually feel like a student traveling abroad. Drinking hot chocolate at a cafe while the sun sets and people are everywhere around us. Internet! Laundry! A kitchen! Every place we stay becomes another home. I feel like I want to pause at every moment, have time to stop and absorb, but there is so much more for us to see on this journey!

Love Always, Maggie

Sophomore, MA

.Dear friends and family,

Hi there!  I am currently in San Cristobal de las Casas, and it's absolutely gorgeous!  I'm just settling down from an insane white water rafting trip!  I sat in a boat with four other girls, and we were taught how to paddle forward and back, and how to 'get down', prepping us for the big waterfalls!  As we made our way down the river, we hit waterfall after waterfall  which was totally frightening!  Rafting has probably been my favorite experience so far!  

Life here involves getting up early every morning to get our heart rates racing and lots of sweating.  Three meals a day and then lights out at 10pm, with a lot of activities or classes in between.  You all have no idea how much I miss you, and how many times you cross my mind each day.  So what's in store for me next?  Backpacking trip through the Guatemala Highlands, parent trip (wish you were coming), El Salvador, Nicaragua, and scuba in the Corn Islands!

Time's flying by, so I'll be home before you know it...however, I really am starting to enjoy myself here.  One month down and two and a half to go!  

Ava:

Sophomore, OH

Hi everyone!  

We're in San Cristobal!  I can't believe it's already March!  San Cristobal is very European - lots of color and cobblestone.  We have a full kitchen at our hostel so we're eating good hot meals!  I wasn't expecting it to be so cold at night...I have to sleep in my hat in a sleeping bag!  I've been learning a lot about the Zapatista Movement.  We watched a movie about its early stages and had a meeting with Don Ernesto, a restaurant owner and indigenous cooperative coordinator who has been heavily involved in the movement over the past 19 years.  Although the movement is very complicated, it involves empowering indigenous communities to establish their own education, health, and judicial/government systems, in their native languages, so they don't have to rely on the Mexican Social & Judicial Systems for support.  

We have lots and lots of Internet over the next week, so I'll be in touch!  I love you Mom and Sarah!

From Kathryn:

Senior, VA

Last night, after a long day of classes and frantically finishing up our Lit essays, we went to a movie called A Place Called Chiapas.  I've been learning about the Zapatista Movement since we've been in Chiapas, and the documentary really helped me understand it.  We learned about the affects of the movement for the Zapatista supporters and the negotiations that have been going on for the past 19 years.  

It was really cool to see first-hand accounts of how the movement affected rich ranch owners who got their land taken, poor peasants who support the movement, Marcos - the leader, and the members of 'Peace & Justice,' which is a military group that seems to terrorize the indigenous in support of the Zapatista movement.  I didn't know that much about the Zapatistas prior to arriving here in Chiapas, and it has been really cool and sad to learn about it.  I also love being in San Cristobal!  It's a really beautiful, cool, dry city and I'm excited to learn more about the Zapatistas and explore this city.  

Love you Mom and Dad and whoever else is reading this!   

From Anna:

Senior, NY