Journal Entry #1 – Sunday, February 3, 2008

Our first full day as a group at Hotel Senorial. After a breakfast during which we became acquainted with each other, and with several Mexican breakfast specialties, team leader Carl Granger began conducting our volunteer orientation sessions. He started by introducing himself in Spanish, asking our name, and having us ask each other’s names in as good Spanish as we could.

Following that, team members conducted life story mutual interviews and presented them. What a group! Highly accomplished, dedicated, and ready to begin the program at UTEK, just the kind of people Global Volunteers needs.

Carl then emphasized highlights of the service program manual, and the philosophy of service: the community requests Global Volunteers and directs them as to how they can be best used. We respond to their needs. Establishing personal relationships are vital.

At 12:15, Carolina Ezeta, Director of the Language Department at UTEK, spoke to the volunteers and thanked them profusely. UTEK is the leader of the 61 similar Mexican universities in the efficient instruction of English, and she feels this because of Global Volunteers.

After Carolina left, Carl spoke about Esperanza Rosas, the in-host coordinator at UTEK.

A lavish Sunday buffet lunch at the hotel followed.

After lunch, the options for our free time on Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10, were discussed by Carl. Ernie was named coordinator of arrangements for our activities, and Janice and Tom were named as his committee members.

Carl continued orientation with mention of the daily journal, the thought of the day, and a quick lesson in Survival Spanish.

He then led a walking tour to Jardin Zenea, the Plaza de la Corregidora and the Tourist Office, where Tom and Diane got separated by the group, to explore on their own. They watched musicians on stage at Plaza de Armas, and stumbled across the Governor’s Palace in which they took photos.

The perfect weather that we have had so far, blessed the large crowds gathered at the Jardin Zenea gazebo band concert, where we stopped in the evening on our way to dinner. Examples of Paso Doble dancing were enjoyed by the audience, and especially by the participating dancers. Then at Plaza de Corregidora a clown juggler and his infant son entertained.

We had dinner at Meson de la Corregidora nearby, which was also featuring the Superbowl on TV, as were several restaurants in the area. As the game proceeded, the face of our waiter fell during the final seconds of the game, since he had bet on the Patriots. He said that he had lost about 300 pesos, but nevertheless retained his good cheer, and thanked us for coming. Enchiladas Queretanos, Sopa Azteca, and other specialties were enjoyed.