Just Got Back From Mexico...

SkySky Join Date: 2004-04-23 Member: 28131Members
edited August 2005 in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">if you've wondered where I've been =P</div> Well, I didn't <i>just</i> get back. I left from Newark for San Diego at about 9 am last Sunday, and my San Diego - Houston - Newark flight got me here around 9 pm Saturday. I've been hoping that I could get my lazy bum out to develop some pictures I took before creating this thread, but oh well those will have to wait.

Anyway, from San Diego I took a Mexicoach (I kid you not) down to Tijuana, my home for the next couple of days. Now before you get any...interesting...thoughts, note that I went down there with my church's Youth Group. The 15 of us (and 3 chaperones) were there for service and community immersion, both of which I think were incredible.

On the service front, we mixed cement for roughly 5 hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. By hand. If you've never done it, allow me to explain, because I sure as hell will never forget how to do this. When you arrive at the worksite, there is a giant pile of sand, a giant pile of small rocks, and a giant pile of bags of cement powder. Shovel 5 wheelbarrows full of sand, dump them in a pile. Dump 5 bags worth of cement mix onto that pile, then shovel it into a pyramid. Then everyone working on that pyramid tears it down and forms about five or six smaller piles. Then, everyone shovels it back together. This is apparently the best way to mix the sand and cement.

After that's mixed, you flatten out the pile into a pizza crust, complete with a canal around the outside. Dump 5 wheelbarrows of rocks in the center and spread them out. Fill the crust with water and wait about 5 minutes. Now, you have to pull the center of the pile out and dump it on top of the outside, then keep pulling the dry stuff out from underneath the pile and dumping it on the wet cement until a nice consistency is reached. Shovel the mix into bunch of wheelbarrows and dump it where the cement layers tell you to. Repeat as many times and necessary - over the course of 3 days we probably made around 18 piles.

Of course, with the money we raised to go on this trip we coulda just sent them a check to hire a cement mixer that would have done the same job. So you could say the real reason we went to Tijuana was for the immersion, and let me tell you basically every stereotype you have of Tijuana is way off the mark. The people are incredibly friendly (especially when they see you're there to work and not to drink). La Avenida de Revolucion and the beach are the only places where Americans go normally, so they're geared towards pulling in those dollars.

We visited La Avenida, and the beach, but we also went to El Centro (a museum), and the border memorial. That last one I really want to get some pictures up. There is a memorial stretching for roughly a mile or two of the 14 mile border fence filled with crosses, one cross for each of the 3000+ people who died trying to cross the border between 1994 and 2000. And one other thing - while walking along that border, buses and cars driving down the highway right next to us would lay on their horns when they saw us, presumably because they thought we were a bunch of white college kids making fun of their memorial. Amazing how badly Americans have behaved in that city, to give us that stereotype >_>

Oh, and I got to play futbol rapido with some kids. I was the goalie...because I suck at soccer.

Back in San Diego on Friday, we saw Chicano Park. Unfortunately I was out of film by then, which I'm rather **** about because the murals were so awesome. And that's really the end of my trip. It was fun but also hard work. Yes I did get sick at one point, along with almost everyone else, despite drinking bottled water and such, but to say the good outweighed the bad would be a huge understatement. Heck, just practicing my Spanish alone was great; I'm taking it in college next year and I desperately needed a little practice with speaking and listening. <!--emo&::nerdy::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

So, thoughts, comments, questions? I'll have the pics up in a day hopefully, and maybe I can sn.atch a couple from some friends also.

[edit]Worst.censored.word.ever[/edit]
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Comments

  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    Okay I got bored after I read "church youth group" and if the rest of your post didn't involve drinking copious amounts of tequila and bedding hot latino's then why the hell did you go!
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
  • TestamentTestament Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 4037Members
    I can truly say that I didn't notice you were gone.

    Needs more body shots off hookers.
  • SkySky Join Date: 2004-04-23 Member: 28131Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-TychoCelchuuu+Aug 1 2005, 12:07 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TychoCelchuuu @ Aug 1 2005, 12:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Habla espanol? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It would be "Hablas", and yes.

    As for you Sonic, what do you think a church youth group would be doing in Mexico? Take a wild frickin guess. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    Not enjoying themselfs that's for sure.
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    I gotta admit after I read church group I sorta just hit add reply and here we are.
  • reasareasa Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8010Members, Constellation
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Well sky, let me say I'm proud of you and your group for what you did. No doubt in my mind it was quite a spiritual experience.
  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    And beyond that, you'd find it hard to buy that kind of great learning experience. You might not believe it now, but those skills you were learning will be extremely valuable to you in the future. While you might not be the person doing the work, the knowledge will help you plan for any similar projects.

    Good for you and welcome back.
  • SkySky Join Date: 2004-04-23 Member: 28131Members
    Thanks Depot, I didn't know so many of the guys that frequent these forums were so self-centered. Not even self-centered; this is beyond just not giving up your time to help someone else, this is a complete lack of understanding as to why anyone would even serve in the first place. Tijuana was called "the happiest place on Earth" in a Simpson's episode, it's labeled as a crime-ridden city filled with every vice the world has ever seen, but the ONLY reason it's like that is because of Americans who think it's just there to have fun. It's like a playground for us. And I'm sorry but anyone who would prefer to go down there and party rather than see the look on a group of children's faces when you've finished laying the foundation and flooring for their school has some serious moral issues.
  • reasareasa Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8010Members, Constellation
    To be fair, I wouldn't go to any part of Mexico, ever, for any reason.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    I was in Tijuana in 1968 and enjoyed my brief stay. PLUS I love Mexican food.

    Sky, you didn't get sick from drinking the water, did you?
  • MerkabaMerkaba Digital Harmony Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 22Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester
    Nice <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> I'm glad you had fun and I commend you for the work you put in. Can't wait to see those pictures.
  • MetalcatMetalcat Join Date: 2004-08-11 Member: 30528Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Depot+Aug 1 2005, 12:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Depot @ Aug 1 2005, 12:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I was in Tijuana in 1968 and enjoyed my brief stay. PLUS I love Mexican food.

    Sky, you didn't get sick from drinking the water, did you? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    ... thats like a pretty long time ago depot, you do know things can change in like, 40 years right
  • BaconTheoryBaconTheory Join Date: 2003-09-06 Member: 20615Members
    edited August 2005
    Sounds awesome. Except for the part where you mixed cement, that sounded kinda crappy. The experience sounded pretty good though. The only time I've ever been to a Latin American country was when I went to Puerto Rico to depart for my cruise. I toured Old San Juan when I was there and mostly all of the locals are very friendly. Most speak English which I was surprised at (didn't get to use my Spanish skills <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->), except for one woman running an authentic hispanic food cart who spoke no english, but could count money with impeccable accuracy...

    My Dad: Yeah, can I have 3 of those alcapurrias?

    The woman smiles and hands him one and gives a blank stare.

    Me: Lo siento, Senorita mi papa no habla espanol. ¿Puedo tener dos alcapurrias por favor?

    Woman: Ay! Si, si senor. Tienes un buena dia.

    See what you can accomplish when you know a foreign language?
    <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • RaVeRaVe Join Date: 2003-06-20 Member: 17538Members
    edited August 2005
    Mmmm cement mixing. Sounds fun.

    Good to hear you had fun with your trip. Most of mine are pretty boring, with like....visits to animal reserves and such. Maybe I expected too much out of them.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-BaconTheory+Aug 1 2005, 02:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BaconTheory @ Aug 1 2005, 02:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Sounds awesome. Except for the part where you mixed cement, that sounded kinda crappy. The experience sounded pretty good though. The only time I've ever been to a Latin American country was when I went to Puerto Rico to depart for my cruise. I toured Old San Juan when I was there and mostly all of the locals are very friendly. Most speak English which I was surprised at (didn't get to use my Spanish skills <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->), except for one woman running an authentic hispanic food cart who spoke no english, but could count money with impeccable accuracy...

    My Dad: Yeah, can I have 3 of those alcapurrias?

    The woman smiles and hands him one and gives a blank stare.

    Me: Lo siento, Senorita mi papa no habla espanol. ¿Puedo tener dos alcapurrias por favor?

    Woman: Ay! Si, si senor. Tienes un buena dia.

    See what you can accomplish when you know a foreign language?
    <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Since I don't understand 2 full lines of your post, no, I don't see. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • monk1monk1 Join Date: 2005-07-19 Member: 56283Members
    edited August 2005
    Your dad asked for three but you only ordered two?

    Cheapskate.

    ohgoodgod I totally missed out a line's worth of reading.
  • RaVeRaVe Join Date: 2003-06-20 Member: 17538Members
    Actually his dad got one and then Sky asked for 2 more.

    So meh <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • SkySky Join Date: 2004-04-23 Member: 28131Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Depot+Aug 1 2005, 01:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Depot @ Aug 1 2005, 01:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I was in Tijuana in 1968 and enjoyed my brief stay. PLUS I love Mexican food.

    Sky, you didn't get sick from drinking the water, did you? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Didn't drink the water, still got sick, along with over half of the group at one point or another. Not surprising really; the people who live there don't even drink the water, so it must be rather easy to get sick. >_>
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Hope you weren't sick when you had to mix that concrete. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • CyndaneCyndane Join Date: 2003-11-15 Member: 22913Members
    Welcome back sky, tis about time my little nublet came back home.

    :-)
  • MoquiaoMoquiao Join Date: 2003-05-09 Member: 16168Members
    Whilst, i am in awe of the fact you would devote your time to doing something like that, i have to say, sonic and testament made me laugh so hard i cried..

    as ifs sonic's first post wasnt good enough... 'Not enjoying themselfs that's for sure.' set me right off..

    but on the point. its a good thing you did, BUT its hardly very christian of you to go around saying 'presumably because they thought we were a bunch of white college kids making fun of their memorial.'

    thou shalt not judge and all that... just stuck in my mind abit as beign abit of a thick thing to say, when you went there for religious reasons, you automatically assume its cos of these so called 'white college kids'

    maybe you had a sign on your back that said ' honk if your horny!'

    who knows. the point is in a thread which basically celebrates christianity and its goodness, which it does. cos its a great thing you did. dont put judgemental stuff in it, cos it spoils it <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> and makes me rant. and 4:39 am. which is never good.
  • reasareasa Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8010Members, Constellation
    Did they have Dragons there like the map of the world says?
  • TequilaTequila Join Date: 2003-08-13 Member: 19660Members
    Hello? Someone called?
  • docchimpydocchimpy Join Date: 2003-07-19 Member: 18266Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Sky+Aug 1 2005, 11:20 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sky @ Aug 1 2005, 11:20 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> It would be "Hablas", and yes.

    As for you Sonic, what do you think a church youth group would be doing in Mexico? Take a wild frickin guess. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    A) He may have been using the respectful usted conjugation, since he doesn't really know you all that well IRL. (Doubt it tho hes just stoopid lols)

    B)CAUS DA WHIT DEVILS SPREADIN HIS RELIGIONS IN DEM DERE SAVAGES>.


    Seriously though, I'm rather envious, sounds like you had a great time and got some community service in. Good job.
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    They have a memorial for people who died trying to cross the border illegally?

    O.o
  • CageyCagey Ex-Unknown Worlds Programmer Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8829Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    edited August 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Aug 1 2005, 08:58 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Aug 1 2005, 08:58 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> They have a memorial for people who died trying to cross the border illegally?

    O.o <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Illegal immigrants (and those who failed to become one) have friends and families, too. Those friends and families would want to remember their lost ones same as anybody else, and a memorial at the site of an unnatural death is a common thing. Before this spirals into a debate thread, I'll point out that discussion already has some that could be revived <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->.

    EDIT: I'm glad you got so much out of your trip Sky.
  • SkySky Join Date: 2004-04-23 Member: 28131Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Moquiao+Aug 1 2005, 11:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Moquiao @ Aug 1 2005, 11:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> but on the point. its a good thing you did, BUT its hardly very christian of you to go around saying 'presumably because they thought we were a bunch of white college kids making fun of their memorial.'

    thou shalt not judge and all that... just stuck in my mind abit as beign abit of a thick thing to say, when you went there for religious reasons, you automatically assume its cos of these so called 'white college kids'

    maybe you had a sign on your back that said ' honk if your horny!' <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well actually our host who was with us at the time told us that that was most likely the reason they were honking, and given that she's been down working with Los Ninos (yay for no special characters) for a couple months now down in Tijuana I trusted her assessment. And tbh it makes sense considering how the average American behaves in Tijuana. <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Sky+Aug 1 2005, 11:49 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sky @ Aug 1 2005, 11:49 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> And I'm sorry but anyone who would prefer to go down there and party rather than see the look on a group of children's faces when you've finished laying the foundation and flooring for their school has some serious moral issues. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    *Applause*

    That was one heck of a ripping you gave those guys. Nicley, nicely done.
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