After a few gate changes our flight departed SFO on time. We arrived in San Diego and stopped for a quick lunch and then headed to the border.
We were able to cross the border without much issue. The Mexican border patrol did pull our vans over to secondary but just wanted to see what we were bringing into the country. After opening our doors, they passed us through. Driving across the border can be a jarring experience. As soon as we crossed, we saw a tent city, a refugee camp that sits right on the border. Families from Central America who have traveled to our southern border seeking refuge and now waiting in line to cross legally. After everyone crossed through the border crossing we drove to Tijuana Playas.
At Tijuana Playas, we were able to walk up to the border wall. On the Mexico side, they have made the wall into an art piece. The paintings on the wall are not filled with anger, but with hope and sadness. We spent time talking about the people this wall effects, divided families, deporteees, and surprisingly deported U.S. vets. Pre-covid, on Saturdays and Sundays, the United states would open up one of the two walls (yes there are two 15 foot high walls that separate the US and Mexico for about 70 miles) where families could meet with the second wall separting the families. But, since Covid, they have not opened the second wall. The only way families could touch is through a very strong and tight wire fence between the wall. (pictures on google slide).
After our time there, along with fresh and hot authentic churros we headed south to La Hermosa Orphanage. We settled into our bunks, had an amazing dinner. Then this evening we spent time discussing our experience crossing the border and the border wall. We had a great discussion!
Now students are either playing card games, hanging out or grabbing showers.
Tomorrow after breakfast we will divide into work groups and head to our projects.
The blog will be updated in the evening either before dinner or later in the evening.
