Guadalajara 2012

The largest contingent yet to go to Guadalajara for the student exchange program just returned. By all accounts, it was a very successful trip. Nearly 30 students participated, mostly from Mr. Hanson’s Spanish 5 classes. According to Mr. Hanson, the program’s founder and director, this year’s group was particularly close and many of the students intend to maintain contact with their Guadalajaran brothers and sisters.

Though we talked with several of the participants, there were some common thoughts about the trip. The trip seemed, for some, to focus around the families involved (the families the Sibley students were staying with) instead of the whole group. Just about everyone we talked to commented on the eating habits and food, just as the Guadalajara students did when they stayed here with their Sibley brothers / sisters. In Guadalajara, they ate at random times, it seemed. Breakfast was around 7:00 AM, a snack around 10:00, lunch was later in the afternoon and dinner was late in the evening, sometimes around 10:00 PM. They ate lots of beans, cheese and meat, including organs and tongue, and the candy was spicy, not sweet.

Since the Sibley students were with different families, their activities varied widely. Gabi Cerda went with her family to their ranch. Riley Sexton attended a classical concert with her family. Others rode horses, went to malls, visited the traditional tianguis (outdoor markets / bazaars). There was a visit to an elementary school where the Sibley students got to play soccer with the children.

For the students, this was an experience that will stay with them for a very long time and one that demanded a great deal from all of them; living a different lifestyle, abiding by different rules and norms. Nonetheless, the Sibley students were appreciative of the experience and many plan to stay in touch or even visit their brothers and sisters in Guadalajara.

Tags: henry happenings, sibleyscribe