first day and first time in Mexico

We left right on time this morning and travel went really smoothly. Most of us got some sleep or at least rest on the plane or bus. My (Dennis) first impression is that Mexico is a place of beauty and contrast...poverty and wealth all mixed together. I am looking forward to just getting to know what Mexico is like, getting to know some of the people one to one.

The adults have learned that ATM machines in Mexico are slower paced and not used to us fast moving Americans. It took us a while to figure out that we need to leave our cards in the slot for several seconds (probably about 10) so the machine can read it. We are so used to just sliding the card with a quick in and out and off we go.

We were warmly welcomed by the bishop, like old friends, with whom it was good to reconnect. Fr. Tony, one of the priests down here, had a conversation with the mayor of Cautala about us. The mayor has invited us to his palace (city hall) on Monday at 1 p.m. We will work in the morning and then be his guests for a time in the afternoon. He is going to give us a proclamation, thanking us for the work our groups have been doing. After that, it will be back to painting.

Our group is relaxed and going with the flow....that it the only way to go.

We each did an ball point pen ¨tattoo¨¨ on ourselves this evening as part of the reflection time....just a symbol to remind us of what we bring, what we hope to learn, any image that will help keep each of us remember what we hope this week is about for us. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Dennis (scribe---Jan)