CoastalA26 On the trail

The Journals from the Road

November 17: A visit to the K'miai people - Ensenada, CA

Just after I wrote my last message from the computer lab at the university I met a man who asked me if he could help me find a place. At first I wasn't so sure but after a bit of a discussion we decided that he would drive me to a campground. On the way he changed his mind and asked me if I wanted to stay with his family.

As I write this, I am remembering that I was thinking about who I would most want to stay with in Mexico if I could pick. I thought of a family with kids, possibly at the age that I couold interview. They might want to learn more English and I might be able to practice my Spanish. Well, to make a long story short, let's just say I found the exact family I was looking for. The father's name is Juan Alfredo. He works in wildlife recovery for the region, owns a modeling agency, and is always learning new things and taking classes. The mother's name is Luz. She works as a nurse and enjoys going to a Free Methodist church in Ensenada. The three girls' names are Carel(14), Kenia(13), and Dennis(12). They all like watching cartoons after school and do lots of homework every night. The boy's name is Erick(8) and he is a great basketball player and likes to dance with their dog, Rex (see video).

Last night I got a chance to do some shopping with Juan, get a shower, and visit the hospital where we were to pick up Luz from work.

I will always remember the way Juan, who was also a RN, introduced me to the entire hospital staff. I was amazed by how he knew everyone and had either a kiss, a hug, a joke, or all three for each person we visited. Whenever he would meet someone they would kiss each other on the cheek. Everyone was so happy to see him. From the doctors to the custodians, it was as though he had touched every person's life in a special way. Seeing him greet everyone was a reminder for me to let go any fear I have of meeting new people and just share my enthusiasm with them.

I was going to leave this morning but Juan offered me a chance to go with him and Luz to visit a remote indigenous group of people. He is planning some habitat restoration projects around the area where they live.

We had a fantastic time, the three of us, riding in the cab of his pickup, as we bounced and bumped along this old dirt road. In one place Luz and I had to get out so that Juan could work the pickup from between a couple of sand piles in the road. What an adventure.

When we got there Juan told some of the adults about PeaceBike and while he and Luz checked out some of the erosion sites I got to speak to the kids at the village school. After my presentation and a semi successful video shoot (They were all saying what school they were from but you can't understand it.) the students continued practicing for a village parade coming up on November 20.

After our wonderful visit with the K'maia people we rushed back to get Luz to work. After that we stopped by a bike shop to check and see if they had a bike pump. I left mine at the university when I loaded my bike into Juan's van. We found TNT Bicicletas Ensenada, a small bike shop by US standards but amply supplied. It is a store and service center. I would speak to Roberto Garcia or Ivan Robles if you need help or bike items in Ensenada ( Ave. Mexico No 1703 Col. Hidalgo Ensenada, Tel. 044 61 76 12 61)

After this great find we got a chance to see Juan in action. His modeling agency is organizing a fashion show-benefit for a group of elderly people. We got to watch the group of teens and middle aged ladies (they were putting on the show) strut down the runways.

Always something new, huh? From indigenous tribes to fashion shows.

Peace(Bike),

TAD

An 'edu-venture' around the world for peace.