Journal Entry #3 – Monday, February 5, 2008

Chirping, trilling birds – what a happy way to start the day!

After a short meeting for Janis’ thought of the day, Tom’s journal reading and last minute logistics, we’re off in the U-Tec van for our first day of teaching. A short ride through town, up the hill, and through new housing developments, we arrive at the beautifully landscaped university campus. Thirty friendly U-Tec foreign language teachers warmly greet us at a lovely breakfast of fresh fruit and chilaquiles – even too hot for some of our Mexican friends!

With excitement and some apprehension we went off with our respective teachers for 3 different 45 minute classes. Some teachers had specific assignments for us to work on, others wanted us to get acquainted and interact with the students using our own materials. We all found the students to be polite, attentive, and interested in what we have to share. They seemed to be having fun while making a good effort to practice English. What great young people for Mexico’s future.

During a light lunch and on the way home everyone was basically talking about their experiences with the students and sharing some reactions to the day’s events. All comments were positive and we felt the students responded well to all of our efforts.

The day ended with an evening walk down some new streets of Queretaro and a delicious dinner at a natural/organic restaurant – Las Neblinas (clouds), featuring stuffed nopal cactus leaves (penca de Nopal Rellena) and Jamaica or pepino iced tea.

Another very good day!