Day One is a Real Eye-Opener...

Yesterday was our first day in Merida, but there was to be no rest for weary travelers. As the timing would have it, it also happened to be the last day of school for Yucatecan children... which means scrambling forces to shoot some video for EducaTE, the non-profit organization we've chosen to assist during our stay here.

We got our business phone line set up then started the day by backtracking to the airport to pick up our rental car, some pesos from the ATM, Burger King for lunch (ugh, out of necessity!) and a phone card. The rental manager has loaned us a cellphone to use for the month (US cellphones work down here, but the roaming charges are obscene). Then since we're in new territory, we managed to get lost and drive all around Merida for an hour trying to find our way back to the casa. That left about a half hour to gather equipment and change to meet our project hostess and tour guide for the day.

Cherie is a very interesting woman who along with her husband, sold everything and moved to Merida from North Carolina three years ago. Before that she was a wildlife photographer in Kenya, where she was plagued by drought, pestilence, sandstorms, and general turmoil before escaping back to the US. So life in Merida is paradise for her!

We drove with Cherie to meet up with our translator Aliza, then journeyed to a Mexican home in Cholul. There we interviewed a family with three children that attend school with the support of the EducaTE program. While education is free for all children in the Yucatan, uniforms are mandatory, so they must find a way to supply their own, along with books, water and toilet paper. When the child comes from an impoverished family, EducaTE can be there to help.

This first family suffered through damage to their home from the tropical storm that recently moved through the area: broken windows and a crack in their plaster ceiling where the rain water flooded in. They already have so little, but their contentment is clearly in simply being together as a family, even living under such adverse conditions. The parents struck us as being so in love with each other after many years together, and visibly proud of their children. Two of the children aspire to become veterinarians while the third hopes to become an entrepreneur and open a shop that sells blouses & clothing.

To help feed the family and make ends meet, the children have a car washing business that may bring in a few extra pesos from time to time. However, with it being considered the rainy season in the Yucatan, many folks skip washing their cars, so their business is struggling. We learned that many days, they may share only one meal, or even have nothing to eat altogether. Surely it must be very hard for children who want learn to focus on studies with an empty stomach.

While Jennifer and I videotaped and interviewed the children, the mother entertained Emma & Lukas by playing soccer with them in the other room.

Afterwards, the kids spent some time hugging some puppies and cuddling up to a brand new kitten, or gatito, en español.

We could have easily spent all day with this delightful family; even though they spoke no English, they were so expressive and grateful, it was in some ways strangely easy to understand them.

We left there to visit another family living elsewhere in Cholul, and record the story of their eldest daughter Gloria, who hopes to attend University some day. It was heartbreaking to see her extended family of eight, living in a rooftop dwelling consisting of three rooms. Three young girls regularly play on the rooftop, which in some areas has no railing or wall, because it has crumbled away. This is the home for grandmother, mother, three daughters and a son, with his wife and newborn baby.

Gloria's story was as compelling as those heard earlier in the day, and her mother and grandmother are just as proud. As we wrapped up and were packing up our equipment, they appeared out of nowhere with a beautiful pineapple cake they had all chipped in together to buy at the bakery to thank

us. This speaks volumes since these people have so very little yet they are so gracious and thankful to both us and the EducaTE program. We all shared cake with them on the rooftop in a celebration that was very touching.

Our final stop was the end of the school year celebration starring many of the secondaria (middle school) students of Cholul, just outside of Merida. This is a grand fiesta celebrating the Mexican culture, and showcasing the dances and musical numbers learned by the students throughout the school year. Their costumes are handmade in gorgeous bright colors, and the talent of the students is clearly evident. Everyone noticed the gringos with the blonde children videotaping the event, so they were sure to publicly announce that a camera crew had travelled from Norteamericana for the fiesta, and expressed their gratitude.

It was a long day, and we were all hot and sweaty and on the verge of dehydration. After wrapping up the shoot and going home to clean up, we treated ourselves to a wonderful meal at La Casa de Frida. Finally, an authentic Mexican meal! Chicken enchiladas with a spicy chocolate mole sauce...out of this world.

A very important day for us; very busy and both physically & emotionally demanding, but extremely rewarding for all.