Skip to main content

The Last Day

Image
By
We spent our last day of the trip out on the coast, soaking up the sun!
We began at Ria Lagartos, a biosphere reserve

We saw flamingos

and pelicans which are 2 of the 106 species of birds found in the reserve as well as 3 types of mangroves and multiple reptiles and mammals who call this amazing salt and fresh water ecosystem their home

We even spent some time with a horseshoe crab!

Our guide told us that the Mayans would use them for head massages

It seemed like it would be a good idea...

So we tried it out!

The group in front of las coloradas, the salt flats

Piles of salt in the distance, the ancient Mayans used to trade salt with peoples from present day Guatemala and Belize for cacao, obsidian and jade

Headed back on the boat

On the way back we stopped to harvest some arcilla, or mineralized clay that is most commonly found in spas to soften and revitalize skin

Then we met a crocodile!

He was big...

but he seemed friendly

Time to wash off the clay in a fresh water spring

And then...lunch!

almost too pretty to eat....

In the afternoon we headed to an island off of San Felipe

To spend some time wandering....

chatting...

and bonding

on our last day in Yucatan! 
In just a few hours we will head to the airport to say farewell to our wonderful high school group, until next time! Thanks for an incredible experience and may the culture and the people of Yucatan stay in your hearts and minds for years to come! We'll be here waiting with open doors and open arms whenever you'd like to come back to visit or to stay. Buen viaje!

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Orientation 2024: A Journey along the East Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

By
We began our orientation trip for the College of the Atlantic Yucatan Program on the beautiful eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. We avoided the main tourist hubs of the Riviera while visiting historical sites, influential cities, and small communities that welcomed us in to see how they are working to preserve their environment and maintain cultural practices. Along the way, we met some amazing families, ate delicious food, learned about the history of the peninsula and worked our way closer to our final destination, the city of Merida, capital of the state of Yucatan.                                   Our journey began on the beaches of the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, where we visited one of the most important archeological sites from the Mayan Postclassic period, the ancient city of Zama, better known today as Tulu...
Read more

Our Days in Merida

By
This stage of the program in the capital city of Merida is the first true immersion for our students, They begin to acclimate to the way of life here with their local host families while having daily classes that push them to continue learning while also providing a comfortable space to ask questions and explore concepts. Our adventure in Merida began with a very important element of this program: meeting our host families who will walk hand-in-hand with our students for this first part of the immersion process in the city. It is thanks to our wonderful Yucatecan host families that our students will better adapt to this urban context.  Another important and necessary element during our time in Merida are Spanish classes, because the language is key for interacting with, and diving into, the culture. During this class, students not only learn grammar and structure, but also develop their linguistic abilities using colloquial forms of speech.           ...
Read more

Yaxunah: Our Days in the Pueblo

By
Before our next adventure began in the community of Yaxunah,Yaxcabá,Yucatán, we first visited the traditional pottery studio “Najil Kat” belonging to the family Espadas Xooc, in Uayma. Here, the students had the chance to explore the diverse materials and traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation in this family of artists. With the help of Virgilio, we learned about the many types of local soil and clay that are mixed  to make a diverse range of creations like vases, plates, mugs, toys, musical instruments, incense holders and more. As part of the workshop, each student sculpted their own little artistic creation, exploring their creativity and the skills necessary to work with the clay. Similar to the time spent in the city of Mérida, the families in Yaxunah are an invaluable aspect for the students to settle into the rhythm of everyday life. The arrival to Yaxunah marks the beginning of a beautiful new family relationship. Students can make s...
Read more