I'm starting this blog for anyone interested in joining me on my experience in Mexico. I expect it will be at turns fun, exciting, inspiring, lonely, challenging, and life-changing. I will be living with a family in Puerto Escondido for 2.5 months, working in a rotation between local health clinics, some remote, in tropical disease education / diabetes, followed by a rotation in women's health and reproduction in a brand-new hospital in Puerto Escondido built in 2009.
From what I understand Puerto Escondido is a fishing town that, in the last 40 years, has become a sort of 'under the radar', low-key surfing destination, the culture of which has been less corrupted by tourism than some other coastal towns, like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco...more on Puerto when I get there. :)
The goals of my program are to enrich my Spanish while bringing some sunshine to the local patients and residents, while exploring and integrating with the Latin culture, the local beauty and landscape, and the people. I want to get outside of my comfort zone, build self-trust, overcome my fears, achieve a dream, spread my wings, spend some quality one-on-one time with myself, and have a hand in creating my reality, while enjoying sobriety and staying connected to you guys, my friends and family.
As I write this from my dining room in Denver, CO, it's a balmy 28 degrees with the recent heavy snow finally melting (photo attached). Currently in Puerto the forecast is 84 and sunny for days on end. I'm starting to gather everything I will need to leave on March 1. Andy is going to join me for the first few days to get me settled, which is amazing.
Please consider this an open invitation to come visit if you would like to share in some Mexican sunshine!
Con Amor,
Stefanie
You are such a brave and beautiful soul, Stef. I will be thinking of you EVERY day, sending you love and happy thoughts. XOXO!!
ReplyDeleteStefanie I'm so proud of you. Totally epic undertaking, so brave and creative and stepping into the unknown. I'll miss you when you're gone. I'll check out ticket prices, maybe I'll be able to come see you! That would be so great.... XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteThis is not a surprise at all Stef. It was never "if" you would venture out like this, it was just "when". And When you return, we may have some fun things to talk about. We're involved in an organic green house devtoted to teaching the children in the neighborhood more about healthy eating - planting, maintaining, harvesting, preparing and even maybe selling it. There will also be an obtacle course to encourage fitness and a haunted house to raise money to fund the programs. Ciao Bella... Don't forget to take a look at Eddie's Wedding Photos too... sent to your gmail account.
ReplyDeleteGreat Big Hugs...
Terri