NASW Symposium Mexican Holiday November 20-27-1979

The latter part of November, 1979, I joined seventeen other social workers on an educational
tour to focus on Social Work in Mexico.

This eight day, seven night, professional advancement tour was sponsored by NASW and
led by Professor Alejandro Garcia ACSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work,
Scyracuse University, Scyracuse, New York.

Member of the Tour: Rebecca Bejar, Edward Schwartz, Jessie Schwartz, Fergus Monahan,
Kathy Kemp, Cecelia Esparza, Bernard Long, Diane Long, Edwin Cooke, Linda Cooke,
James Stanley, Bennie Fleming, Bernadette Ambrose, Elvira Brigg, John Coleman,
John Fuller, Jerry Smith.

Departing San Antonio, Texas, following NASW Delegate Assembly where I
had been a delegate, I looked forward to a new learning experience with interest
and enthusiasm.

I was shocked and surprised when the airline cabin was fumigated shortly after
take off.  (American Airlines, flight 2602, 9:45 AM.) My gut reaction was this was
an act of cultural insensitivity-disregard. I have never had a similiar experience.

Hotel accommodations in Mexico City (Plaza Florencia), Guanajuato (Real de Minas),
and Guadalajara Sheraton were first class.

Mexico is rich in history, culture, languages, peoples. Mexico City (the capitol) was
impressive. I visited the Anthropology Museum twice. I could not get enough of it.

The second night, a once in a lifetime experience, was the Ballet Folklorico, a two
hour presentation of regional dances and indigenous rhythms. I had only one word
to describe it. "Fantastic!"

The third day, we met with leaders of the Mexican National Association of  Social
Workers in Mexico City. It was insightful to see the similiarities and differences
in our social work practices. In the afternoon, we had an opportunity to visit
social agencies. I chose an agency serving children. Later, we hosted a wine and
cheese reception in our hotel for our Mexican Social Work associates.

Smog in Mexico City is apparent as an environmental health factor. In fact,
I was awakened one night in the hotel with a heavy smell of smoke, thinking
the hotel was on fire. There is also a lot of poverty in Mexico.

At the sacred shrine of the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe, I was impressed
with the faith of the people and their testimonies of miracles.

The ancient pyramids of San Juan Teotihuacan evoked thoughts about the
beginning of mankind, and what it was like in this place. It never ceases to
amaze me how humankind everywhere created its own unique culture, language,
and foods. You can certainly see it here in Mexico.

The fourth day, Friday, November 23rd, we began a motor coach drive over
the Central Highway from Mexico City to Querataro, making stops in San
Miguel Allende and Dolores Hidalgo. Then on to Guanjuato to see the mummies.

The Independence Route traces Mexico's long struggle for independence from
Spain. During the colonization period, Spain built elaborate churches, colonial
cities, and palaces.

Among the great cathedrals visited were the Cathedral of Quertaro, Santuary of
the Virgin in San Juan de los, Lagos, the Cathedral of Tlaquepaque. We
also visited the Chapel of the Hospicio Cabanas.

Mexicio is a great place to shop. There are a lot of street vendors. Along with
Rebecca Bejar and Jerry Smith, I visited Casa de las artesanias de Jalisco,
a government handicraft store. I purchased beautiful onyx elephants and hand
blown glass.

The final social work activity on November 26th was a visit to the School of
Medicine of Guadaljara. There were lectures and we spoke with medical
students from the United States.

November 27, 1979, I departed Guadalajara on Texas International Flight 942
to Houston. Cleared U.S. Customs. Luggage put back on Flight 942. Driven
to Gate 11 and reboarded for Dallas. Arrived Dallas at 11:45 A.M. to connect
to flight to Dayton.

There was a lot of cross cultural learning on this trip along with tours of
historical sites.