2026 Southern Arizona Day 4

 

















Day 3

Today we got up fairly early to go and visit a school called Mexicayotl in Nogales. There, the students presented their Hispanic culture through music, poems, sculptures, etc. One of the most meaningful presentations was when we gathered in a circle and we joined them in a unity clap. After that, we joined them in their classroom to experience their day-to-day school life, during which we wrote poems, answered meaningful questions about immigration, and how the border affects them. Another activity that we participated in was called the identity suitcase, where we drew items that showed who we were as people. Next, we joined the students for pizza in their cafeteria. Then, we drove to the border to check out the 30-foot wall and talk with our guide from Borderlandia, Alex, about the history of Nogales and the impact that the wall has had on the economy on both the US and Mexico side. We walked through downtown Nogales, stopping at some murals before making our way to a Mexican ice cream shop to enjoy some cold, sweet treats. Afterward, we also went on a 50-minute drive to a gas station for snacks. We then continued the 2 hour drive to our hotel in Ajo. When we arrived, we dropped off our stuff and quickly made our way back into the town of Why to the home of an O'odham family, where Jason, Anne, Larry and their grandchildren made us 3 different types of frybread- elk and beef, beans and cheese, and then a dessert frybread which we helped make and then topped with honey and sugar. After an amazing meal, we finally came back to our hotel, which is a renovated old schoolhouse, and got ready for bed. 

-Ellie and Valerie

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