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I chose this picture because it was the picture the night before the trip happened. This picture represents the readiness and excitement I felt for this upcoming journey. It had been 10 years since I was in Mexico, and honestly my memory of certain things were fading. I was looking forward to this trip to learn more about my roots. Since this was a study abroad I knew that I could finally get to know the nationality I represent in the United States. I was excited to gain more knowledge about the education system that differs drastically from what I’m used to, the government system, and history. 

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This picture represents that I was finally indeed in Mexico. I chose this picture because I felt that I was finally in the country where I belong. Although I wasn’t going to the state that my parents are from, I was going to be surrounded by people who share similar values and traditions. I wasn’t going to be an “other.” Often in the U.S I am not considered American because of my roots, I hold a citizenship, yet still don’t belong. 

On the bus ride ton Cuernavaca, I could still feel the excitement about the upcoming 10 days. I was home. I was one step closer to find things that make me who I am.

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Full of color, full of life, full of happiness. This is what this picture represents to me.  I love Mexico for all of the colors that make up the environment. The bright yellows, pinks and greens of houses and business that make up the streets of Mexico. While walking through Tepotzlan I admired all of the colors and art work, but I also used it time to reflect. It was my last full day in Mexico and I was proud to have learned about the country I love and represent. While enjoying the walk in Tepotzlan I related a lot to the excerpt of Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua. I was Mexican, maybe not a born in Mexico but I am still in Mexican. Anzaldua explains the different kinds of identities that exists within the Mexican community, and I can testify to that. This trip completed me in a strange way, and it filled me will happiness that for a small amount of time I was able to feel whole. 

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This picture was taken in the backyard of my host home. It was my last evening I was going to experience in Mexico and I made sure to enjoy the sunset, because I’m not sure when will be the next time I will return. This picture shows things I will be bringing back to the U.S. My my huaraches, and an anklet with a bead of the evil eye ( commonly used in Mexican jewelry.) I related this to the article ways of knowing. During my trip I was able to learn why Mexico’s corrupt government exists, and how the education system functions. I had a deeper understanding of the structure of Mexico that I would carry with me now. The knowledge I gained is something I could carry with me like the two items shown in the picture. 

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Cuernavaca, The city that is recognized as the city of eternal spring. Cuernavaca was a completely new place for me. I felt that the energy that many of the people of Cuernavaca brought was happiness.  One of the major themes throughout the trip was the four agreements. I gained a better understanding of the four agreements and how to use it to promote growth within myself. I understood how I could be more happy with my life If I tried to follow the four agreements. I chose this picture to represent growth, something that I felt happened to me during the trip.

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Pan Dulce, a traditional sweet/ dessert of Mexico. During one of our classes, the native Spanish speakers all shared one of these desserts. It reminded me again of the excerpt from the book Borderlands. I looked around, and most of the other students were Mexican but from different parts of Mexico. In border lands there is a description about the different types of Mexican identities and how in the end of the day we all have the common factor of being Mexican. It applies to this moment. We all were from different areas of Mexico but shared the common factor of knowing what pan dulce was. We were able to relate to one another through something so simple. 

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In this picture, A trompo is repreented. A trompo is famously known for the type of tacos that is produced from it. Tacos al pastor is the end result for the use of this tool. I chose this photo because it was my first time seeing one, I don’t remember seeing one when I came to Mexico when I was younger. I relate this to the article to hell with good intentions. I came to Mexico to learn, and here I was learning more about some of the traditional foods in Mexico. The article states that when travelling, people shouldn’t be concerned about changing a place with new ideas and ‘development,” instead they should emerge in the culture, and learn a new way of living. This was one of the experiences where I sat and learned, while emerging in the culture. 

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In the picture above is my host mother, Mama Nati. I was able to get to know her over the span of ten days. During my stay I learned about her family. One of her daughters lives in Michigan and occasionally comes back to visit her mama Nati in Mexico when she can. Her reason for leaving is tied to the article about roots of migration. Her daughter left in search of better opportunity for financial growth. This stems from outside big corporations that come to Mexico and establish themselves. This creates a higher poverty rate because more people become unemployed, and it becomes harder to get a job at these places due to the lack of English. My host mother was a prime example of why migration exists and how it affects individuals. This is the same reason why my parents decided to move to the U.S.

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This photograph was taken in a unique museum, the only one of its kind in Mexico. Casa de la Memoria Indomita was created by mothers who mourned on disappearance of their child. These kidnappings are ones that happen because of the government in Mexico. The people who have disappeared are usually students/educators that have opposing views about the government and try to create change. The mural represents the love of a mother. It expresses the hurt that these mothers go through because the government tortures them by kidnapping their kids.  This leaves the imagination of mothers to run wild. They have no idea what happened or could be happening to their child. This highly relates to the agreement of not taking things personally. The government takes opinions personally, which then fills them with rage, and they use that as a motive to destruct these mothers. These mothers have not given up their fight for this child. Through their suffering they have came together to create strength and make sure that these kinds of acts by the government are brought to the light.

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This quote translates to “the disappeared do not disappear nor will they disappear as long as they are alive in the memory of those who recognize themselves in them”

This is one of the founding ideas of why la casa de Memoria indomita exists. To bring awareness of a situation that is more than just history. It will not be left in the past. The motto that they often use is “vivos los llevaron, vivos los queremos” translating into they were taken alive, alive is how we want them back. Their hope ties into the third agreement about not making assumptions. The mothers and community do not automatically assume that the people taken are dead, they could be alive, and because there is a possibility, there is a reason to keep fighting to bring them back. I think this act of creating the museum and fighting for the lives of the disappeared demonstrates the communal unison that exists within the Mexican culture.

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I chose this sign because it is yet another act of resistance against the government of Mexico. Around the sign it says that the land will return to those who use their hands to work on it. Meaning that one day the land will belong to the true workers of Mexico, It will one day belong to the people and not the government. This act of resistance is on display in the downtown area outside of a government building. The community came together and posted photos of government caused abductions. The government tries to cover their actions saying that these people were part of the drug cartel and therefore needed to be removed to keep the country safe; but this is a lie. This was hidden history that I had no idea about, a situation in Mexico that I had never heard of. I tie this topic to the ways of knowing. The article speaks upon the fact that there are many things to take into consideration on why things are the way they are. In my case, I knew that there was corruption in mexico but I didn’t know in what ways and why, after this trip I recognized why people don’t trust the government and why Mexico is the way it is. 

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I have always been intrigued about the indigenous culture that started in Mexico, but never experienced anything that was a part of it. I was also unfamiliar with the myths or beliefs that come from indigenous people. The picture here was from my first indigenous experience, a very pleasant one too! I was able to participate in the Temazcal, and during the process I was able to learn about the different herbs, and gods that they believe in. Like the previous picture, I tie it in with the ways of knowing. I learned why certain customs come about, and why people believe things such as that dreams tell you things. I am thankful to have learned about a topic I have always been interested in, and got to be a part of it. 

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One of the the most iconic women that is widely recognized is Frida Kahlo. She was born in Mexico and lived a very interesting life. I only knew about Kahlo as a painter but I didn’t know much of her life, nor other things that she was known for other than painting.  While learning about her life, I related it to always doing your best and being impeccable with your words. She expressed herself through art. She was very intentional with the things she painted in order to express her feelings and life. She also made the best out of her life as she could despite her circumstances. She didn’t let her accident or complicated love life get in the way of reaching success. I am glad she represents Mexican culture, and is recognized internationally. 

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The picture is here is the final destination of the hike in Tepotzlan. In order to get here, you have to get through a tough hike. Personally, I relate this always do your best. This hike was not easy but I pushed through it. I even went with the group that was for the more advanced people to push my limits. During the trail I would take the more difficult routes because I didn’t want to cheat my experience. the journey there was tiring but the end result was incredible. the view was breathtaking and in the end I was glad that I did the hike. Once we reached the pyramid there was a guy that spoke about what the pyramid represented and what tribe built it. Once again, I was introduced to something new about the land that I love. 

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This photo above is about an indigenous women running for a government position. This picture represents the fight for the preservation of the indigenous culture in Mexico. I found it inspiring that this group of people are fighting to not be forgotten or overlooked. They are a part of Mexico and deserve representation. This reminds me of the topic that we spoke alot about, the “others.” Often times these groups are not recognized as Mexicans, or seen as if they were a different breed of people, they are the “others.” I hope that they receive some type of representation in the government because they do contribute to the country. 

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The two kids shown in the picture are the two students from caminando Unidos that inspired the mural. I chose this photo because I believe that during their process they followed all four agreements. They were impeccable with their words through the mural design. The design was very intentional, t represented the foundation and growth of Caminando Unidos. When they received feedback and opinions of the colors for the mural they didn’t take the critique in a negative way. instead they used it to make the mural the best they could. They never made assumptions about who should do what job and if the mural was going to turn out bad, they remained positive. Most importantly they always tried their best, even to creating the right shade for every leaf. They truly put in hard work for this project to happen.

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This picture Is me leaving my mark on the mural that we helped create. This picture represents the article to hell with good intentions. I did not go to Mexico to spread my american views and try to change caminando unidos. Instead, I learned from the program and thought about how their way of teaching can be applied to the education system in the U.S.I knew that I was not there to volunteer with caminando unidos, in fact they didn’t need me. I was there to take away from the kids, to learn and grow as an individual. I left my mark on the wall not to show that I helped caminando unidos or to receive credit for my contribution to the mural, I did it to show that I was a part of them.