Hello, back home! Our first full day in San Diego is coming to a close and we have already learned so much. We started our day riding the trolley to Old Town where our incredible host Alex Gomez taught us some of the history of California, including the impact of the Mormon church in fortifying the state during the Mexican-American War. We then set out in teams exploring Old Town through a scavenger hunt, hiking up to the Presidio, and learning more about the Indigenous cultures of San Diego. After a delicious lunch of tacos we had the opportunity to wander through the markets and shops of Old Town (and buy some ice cream!).
While the first half of our day was very exciting, needless to say, we were all seeking some much-needed rest. When we got back to the hostel, we relaxed and got to know each other better, laughing and sharing stories. Afterward, we watched a moving documentary about the history behind Chicano Park. We learned about the government’s appropriation of the vibrant Mexican community in San Diego and the valiant fight to maintain it. We learned about the beautiful murals and the artists who designed them. And we learned about the ups and downs of one of the most powerful social movements in history. After watching the documentary, we walked to a nearby park to do our “Circle” where we discussed our day and our goals in a group. Then we went to dinner, which was delicious, but it left us very tired.