I thought I should finish up some final thoughts about this mission since I am heading off to a new one. When I'm on a mission I jot down notes during the day so I wont forget things but...I didnt really do that on the "Team Day" so I am relying on my memory - 5 months later that's a little scary.
The team day festivities weren't going to start until noon so Katrin & I took off about 9 in the morning & went exploring. we found a really HUGE market area that was just amazing & full of all sorts of sights & smells. There were probably 100 different people selling fruit, vegetables, beans & grains, fish & meats & cooking alot of that & selling it too. we also found some little craft places on the side of the market & wandered all around..almost missing the bus!!!
For our team day they took us to Huamantla - a "Magical City" about an hour outside of Tlaxcala. The Rotary Club sponsored the day for us & there were big banners hanging in the town square when we arrived that were Thanking the Operation Smile Volunteers. They had a VERY FULL day planned for us...it was an opportunity to experience some of the culture in the area. We started out a a presidential palace that was beautiful then walked to the National Puppet Museum that has been visited by renowned Puppeteers from all over the world. It was started by 2 brothers in 1837 & was really cool - some of the early puppetry originated here & it was really neat to see. They had a full orchestra of puppets set up, or wedding parties or presidential parades - it was very elaborate. we also went to The Plaza de Toros - one of the oldest bull rings in the area & a Bullfight museum luckily but there was but no bull fighting today...we also visited a BEAUTIFUL OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH built in 1528 - the oldest church in Tlaxcala. It was HUGE & amazing...lots of gold & stained glass, several statues of the holy family & saints, there was several smaller side chapels or areas & in one a baby was being baptized & in another a very old couple were kneeling in there praying....it was my favorite site of the day :). As we exited the church to meet up again in the town square there was a whole Quincenera Party walking thru the 15 year old girl in a beautiful dress with all her friends in purple...it looked like a wedding party!
The rotary people arranged for an "ice cream cart" to come & serve us a snack mid morning & then they took us to a very pretty meeting hall (I think it belonged to the Rotary Club) where they served us a traditional Mexican. We took LOTS of photos and really had a fun time. I spent the day w/ Katrin & Christoph (our PACU team) & Neils one of the Anesthesiologists who pretty much does this full time. We had some shopping time & I found some treasures to remind me of my trip & some for friends & family too. BY the time we got back to the hotel it was almost 8 pm & there was a small open air market near the hotel open until 9 so we went over there & then ended the night. My flight home was at 8 am but since we had an hour ride to the airport & they wanted us there 2 hours early I was on the 4 am shuttle....Some were gathering in the bar so I went in & said my goodbyes & went off to pack...
This mission went so fast...I met some really amazing people & we left many children with new smiles & helped some families who needed just that....a few memories of Mexico....Stoplights are "optional" people drive a little crazy, there were dogs howling every night - I would have sworn they were running thru the halls of the hotel! Plus since it was almost independence day there were huge sounds that seemed like BOMBs going off all night - fireworks or firebombs! and green/white/red everywhere. I loved the cobblestone streets & the walk each morning to the hospital. Another great experience...THANK YOU Operation Smile!
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