IUHPFL Mérida 2016: OUR FIRST WEEK IN MERIDA!!!

Hola a todos! A week has gone by already!

Our first week in Merida has been very busy indeed!!!!! We have officially finished our first week of classes. Lots of exciting things to comment on! Without much further ado, let me share with you what we have been up to :)

A SPECIAL GUEST

This week, we had a special guest: the U.S. ambassador in Merida came to give us a talk about safety in general. Our students listened to his pieces of advice and asked some questions. It was a very informative session!

Afternoon Activities

Our students had three options to choose from: Choir, Theater, or Dance. Choir and Dance have specialized instructors who teach those classes. Theater is led by our wonderful and energetic profe "Pablo." Here are some pics!

CHOIR

THEATER

DANCE

MORE AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES: SPORTS

On Wednesday, we played soccer!!!! It was very fun! A girl joined us and she got to know us!

OUR FIRST EXCURSION: CHICHEN ITZA AND IZAMAL

On Friday, we head on our first excursion: Chichen Itza and Izamal. We got together early in the morning and everybody was really excited. Chichen Itza is a magical place! We learned more about the Mayas and our students learned how to bargain in Spanish!

BEFORE CHICHEN:

Everybody was in high spirits! We gave the camera to the students and they took some selfies!!!!!!

DURING OUR TIME AT CHICHEN ITZA

In front of the great pyramid of Kukulkan!

Instructors can also take selfies!

One of the many cenotes

IZAMAL

AFTER CHICHEN ITZA AND IZAMAL.....

Everybody was exhausted!!!!! Check out this funny pictures!!!! This paparazzi always has her camera ready!

This is Elizabeth! She was fully aware of my plan and so she covered her face :)

SATURDAY: VOLUNTEER WORK AT YAXUNAH

Yaxunah is a Mayan community located approx. two hours away from Merida. Team Merida worked with Mr. Elias, an anthropolog, to find different ways to help the community. The students were divided into three different groups: Group 1 was in charge of painting the local high school; Group 2 helped a local family, and Group 3 did gardening work at the Centro de la Comunidad.