Day one – June 2-8
Today was a great and easy travel day. Plane was on time, van pick up was easy, the Costco stop was short and the border crossing was one of the easiest we have had in a while. One of the things that is always interesting is student’s response from crossing an international border. There aren’t too many places, especially in North America, where one can experience crossing an international border by car. The change in scenery and culture driving from San Diego into Tijuana is drastic. It is quite the experience to drive along the border wall where you can witness two walls separating our two countries while seeing the skyline of San Diego while seeing run down building in Tijuana.
Tijuana Playas was our first stop in Mexico. Here we were able to walk up to the border wall and touch the wall. The Mexicans have made their side into an art piece. You get a feeling of hope and anger, disappointment and a cry for justice. On the Mexico side it felt festive with churro carts, lemonade, venders of hand made crafts, people on the beach. The U.S. side was scarce and very quite with a few border guards patrolling the area.
After our time there we drove south to Door of Faith Orphanage. The students were able to receive a tour of the orphanage and hear about some of the children here. Most of these children are not true orphans. Many do have at least one living parent, but they have been rescued from begging on the streets or abusive situations. But the orphanage is not a depressing place, but a cheerful place, full of color and hope.
Tonight we met as a team to debrief our day and then now enjoying a campfire.
Tomorrow we begin our work projects. I will share more about those tomorrow.
(I’m trying to upload a YouTube video. Pray the WiFi’s cooperates:)
Phil
