DAY 1: CROSSING BORDERS

Our journey in San Diego began in Chicano Park, with our tour of the historic area. We luckily got to go into the park with a little background knowledge, but it was truly amazing how many new things we learned from one tour. Our guide was so in tune with the culture and it was apparent how much he wanted to teach us. We learned more about the oppression and violence faced by the Chicano people especially when fighting for their land back. They worked extremely hard to not only raise awareness, but to invite new people into the experience. It was so amazing to walk around and see all the murals that depicted this struggle. Walking through these was a good tangible way to see the hard work and determination of the Chicano people while defending their land.

 

Crossing the border was something that wasn’t like how any of us imagined. There was loads of traffic and when we finally got to the front of the line for the boarder crossing we were all guided off the bus into a building. In the building we attempted the process to the best of our abilities. It felt nerve wracking and uncomfortable to be in an environment where we couldn’t be understood due to a language barrier. Overall, the experience is something that can’t really be described through words it is something that every person must experience for themselves. When you see it on the news it feels so far and if we are being honest unimportant. 

 

However, when you are actually there first-hand to encounter it yourself it is very different. All of a sudden it becomes personal and makes you feel all of these emotions that you thought you would never have experienced while participating in this journey. 

 

Going into Tijuana was definitely an isolating experience in a way, but as soon as we saw the ocean, everything felt all inclusive. Going into Friendship Park, we were immediately immersed into a new experience consisting of culture, borders, and inclusion. Everyone’s eyes were opened by the people’s stories around us and the art presented to us. Everyone felt an immediate connection to something in the area, whether it was the ocean, the art, or the simple habit of talking to our peers. Despite the unknown experience of going into a new country together, we were all connected together by entering this park and immersing ourselves to its community. 

We ended our day at the orphanage we are staying at. We were given some time to get acclimated, and some of us played spoons as we waited for the other half of our group to get there. We had great food from the women that cooked for us, and we ended the day with a prayer and reflection on the rooftop. We talked about how we wanted to recognize other perspectives and see the humanity in all those we meet. 

 

We ended by saying something we were thankful for along with a memory or experience from the day, and then we all wrote a word that our reflection made us think of and put it on a candle. Overall, today was very new for all of us and it helped us to open ourselves to new people and experiences.