vamos a México!!

The trip took two years of planning: money-earning, planning weekends, and countless e-mails. Seven years ago this very moment, I was in Mexico with five teenaged Girl Scouts: Emily, Hannah, Katie, Lindsay and Sam, and my co-leader Lisa. Since this blog was still two years down the road, I got thinking about that trip and wanted to share with you.


Hannah, Katie and Emily on the flight to Mexico.

We flew to Mexico City via Charlotte on July 12, 2006. We met in my driveway at 4:00 a.m. all decked out in our Girl Scout uniforms. Perhaps not the first choice of teenaged girls, but they soon discovered their uniforms to be a passport in themselves.

Beginning at the Columbus airport, people noticed. The TSA worker commented on how great the girls looked. Two men in first class struck up a conversation as we boarded. Women in restrooms or waiting in line shared their fond Girl Scout memories. Flight attendants commented and asked the girls where we were headed.

I'm convinced that this attention while in uniform caused the girls to hold their heads high and be on their very best behavior. They ranged in age from 15 - 17 and they were awesome for the entire trip.

After a long day of travel, we arrived in Cuernavaca, Mexico at Our Cabaña, our home for the next ten days. Our Cabaña is an international program center for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Opened in 1957, she has welcomed thousands of girls and adults through her doors. Participants live dormitory-style with girls from around the world. They do everything together for their session: eat, do service projects, sightsee and learn about each other and Mexico's culture.

Posing by the pool at Our Cabana

As all visitors do, we entered Our Cabaña through the "Chief's door," emblazoned with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts' trefoil symbol in blue and gold. The moment I entered and stood overlooking the well-kept buildings and grounds, I burst into tears.

This was, after all, not my first visit to Our Cabaña. Exactly thirty years had passed since I had been here, and emotions overwhelmed me.

with daughter Katie at the Chief's door

mealtime at Our Cabaña

Next post ... sights, service and some silliness while in Mexico!