Celaya, Mexico
April 1st-April 8th
Theme of the week: Privilege
2 Full Mexican Shows
Monica, Arturo, Julia
Hosted Alone
4-1-19 April Fools (Monday)
It's been a crazy travel day... Diane and Dave dropped us off at 7pm where the busses picked us up and drove an hour and a half to the airport. While driving there, we found out that our flight was delayed 8 hours. We had to spend the night sleeping outside of security on the airport floor. Likun tried to get the cast hotel rooms, but we could get transportation for 100 people so we just slept in the airport. We boarded early the next morning and had a 5 hour plane ride from Washington to Mexico City. Once we got there, we jumped onto another bus and drove 4 more hours to Celaya. I sat next to Spencer and we shared our excitement for Mexico. I am so excited to get out of the United States. As the busses pulled up, we saw all our host families anxiously waiting to meet us. It's a great feeling to be welcomed into a city like that. I met my host family, and they seem really awesome. Monica is my host mom. She called me her oldest daughter already on the first night. I have two host siblings named Arturo (12 years old), and Julia (10 years old). I am hosted alone once again. I feel like I keep missing out on opportunities to get close to people because I am always hosted alone. On the other hand, I value my quiet time a lot. My host family speaks English pretty well. This week is going to be really nice.
4-3-19 Wednesday
In the morning, I had some free time to hang out with Sara and learn more about her job and the Education aspect of Up with People. Then, I got to sit in on Planning Session. Most cast members have never heard of planning session, and will never get the opportunity to be a part of it. Essentially, the managers of each department get together and plan the logistics of everyday for the next 5 weeks. The go over every detail and confirm events with the Promotion Representatives. I had no idea that so much work went into the schedule that we get at the beginning of every week. I have a new appreciation for the effort that the staff puts into a city. Then we had an education workshop about Privilege. I realized that sometimes your "privilege" actually makes you less privileged in society today. When I got home, I played with Julia and Arturo! We jumped on the trampoline and played pictionary.
4-4-19 Thursday
Today we had a community discovery day in downtown Celaya. The cast got a tour of the most famous Cajeta factory in the world. It is a sweet Mexican candy made out of goat milk and cheese. I learned a lot about the history of the city. It was a gorgeous day and we got to spend it outside with a little bit of free time!! Then Alicen and Sara led the feedback workshop where the cast could learn how to give constructive criticism to each other. It was really nice to talk to people, sort out little frustrations, and help each other grow in the process. When my host family picked me up, the took me to dinner. We ate tacos al pastor... my absolute favorite food in the entire world. It was another great day in Mexico!
4-5-19 Friday, 4-6-19 Saturday
Triple Show Day!!!!! Phewww it has been a truly exhausting past two days. I am burnt out mentally, physically, and emotionally. When we have one show a week I am usually just fine, but 48 hours of complete production takes it all out of me. I have recently felt pretty useless in the show, and taken advantage of by the staff. I finally spoke up and said something about it and it got a lot better. Also, Rodrigo came and played drums for the first 10 songs of the show. It was really awesome to be able to play in the band with him. I got to spend some quality intern time with Sara and work on the second semester retreat. The remaining parts of the semester are going to be totally awesome!! There are also going to fly by so quick. I need to remind myself to stay present even when it's hard. My host family came to the show, and they loved it!! My host brother wants to go to Camp Up with People, and that makes my heart smile:) I got home at midnight and crashed.
4-7-19
Today my host family brought me to their Catholic Church. I was intrigued the whole time because it was my first time going to a legitimate Catholic service, and it was entirely in Spanish. It was very obvious to see the influence from Spain. Almost all of Mexico is considered Catholic, but their faith does not show when the live it out. Then we ate Gorditas con Nopales!!! The food I have been getting this week is unreal. We went to San Miguel de Allende. This is one of the most famous cities in Mexico. We went to tour the Cathedral, the marketplace, and the downtown city. I probably saw half the cast here with their host families. It was a great day filled with great food, great company, and great memories!!!
4-2-19 Tuesday
Today was one of the best days I have had in the semester so far! Being back in Mexico has lifted my entire spirit. The atmosphere is almost indescribable because it is nothing like any other country. My day started off with a surprise visit from Rodrigo!! Then he drove Affe, Angelis, Julia, and I down to his university called Anahuac. During the day, we taught a vocal workshop and a music theory class to the college students. We performed the acoustic version of "It begins with us." Then we taught them the solos and background vocals as well. There was a piano in the room so I taught the sopranos, Julia taught the altos, and Angelis taught the boys. It was great practice for a Music Education degree. The students were so corporative and eager to learn. Then we had an hour jam session with their talented musicians. It was amazing to spend a day with advanced musical talent and just play together. I really missed Rodrigo's drumming ability and his presence in the cast a lot. Having him play the cajon for us was truly bittersweet. When we got back to the facility, there was a Mexican fiesta!!!! We were served Tacos Al Pastor... my absolute favorite Mexican Food. I was so content to have spent the day doing what I loved and then eating an amazing meal. Then a mariachi band came through the door started playing the classics. The entire cast got up and started dancing, and the Mexicans in our cast very so happy to be home. The culture is so rich and its an out of body experience to be a part of it.
4-3-19 Wednesday
In the morning, I had some free time to hang out with Sara and learn more about her job and the Education aspect of Up with People. Then, I got to sit in on Planning Session. Most cast members have never heard of planning session, and will never get the opportunity to be a part of it. Essentially, the managers of each department get together and plan the logistics of everyday for the next 5 weeks. The go over every detail and confirm events with the Promotion Representatives. I had no idea that so much work went into the schedule that we get at the beginning of every week. I have a new appreciation for the effort that the staff puts into a city. Then we had an education workshop about Privilege. I realized that sometimes your "privilege" actually makes you less privileged in society today. When I got home, I played with Julia and Arturo! We jumped on the trampoline and played pictionary.
4-4-19 Thursday
Today we had a community discovery day in downtown Celaya. The cast got a tour of the most famous Cajeta factory in the world. It is a sweet Mexican candy made out of goat milk and cheese. I learned a lot about the history of the city. It was a gorgeous day and we got to spend it outside with a little bit of free time!! Then Alicen and Sara led the feedback workshop where the cast could learn how to give constructive criticism to each other. It was really nice to talk to people, sort out little frustrations, and help each other grow in the process. When my host family picked me up, the took me to dinner. We ate tacos al pastor... my absolute favorite food in the entire world. It was another great day in Mexico!
4-5-19 Friday, 4-6-19 Saturday
Triple Show Day!!!!! Phewww it has been a truly exhausting past two days. I am burnt out mentally, physically, and emotionally. When we have one show a week I am usually just fine, but 48 hours of complete production takes it all out of me. I have recently felt pretty useless in the show, and taken advantage of by the staff. I finally spoke up and said something about it and it got a lot better. Also, Rodrigo came and played drums for the first 10 songs of the show. It was really awesome to be able to play in the band with him. I got to spend some quality intern time with Sara and work on the second semester retreat. The remaining parts of the semester are going to be totally awesome!! There are also going to fly by so quick. I need to remind myself to stay present even when it's hard. My host family came to the show, and they loved it!! My host brother wants to go to Camp Up with People, and that makes my heart smile:) I got home at midnight and crashed.
Today my host family brought me to their Catholic Church. I was intrigued the whole time because it was my first time going to a legitimate Catholic service, and it was entirely in Spanish. It was very obvious to see the influence from Spain. Almost all of Mexico is considered Catholic, but their faith does not show when the live it out. Then we ate Gorditas con Nopales!!! The food I have been getting this week is unreal. We went to San Miguel de Allende. This is one of the most famous cities in Mexico. We went to tour the Cathedral, the marketplace, and the downtown city. I probably saw half the cast here with their host families. It was a great day filled with great food, great company, and great memories!!!
The amazing food...
----> Naulcalpan
----> Naulcalpan
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