Prepa school Artist at Los Sueños

On Wednesday night we had the honor of hosting the art class from the Prepa school here at Casa de los Sueños. Nadia, the teacher, and her students came with beautiful pieces they had painted to show and sell to our group of Yogis.
These are some really talented and inspired artists, you can see that they were so proud to show their work and excited when they sold something.
Nadia is extremely motivated and hardworking, not to mention an absolute sweetheart. I have had the privilege to get to know some of the teachers from the school and they are all hard working, fun and motivated people.
The teachers in this country are up against very difficult odds, coming from government regulations that are un-helpful and un-realistic, circumstances of teaching and living conditions, down to daily issues of all teachers that can be frustrating and demoralizing.
We are so happy to help in any small way that we can and look forward to a continuing relationship of collaboration (we are talking murals, workshops, and much more here at Sueños).
Some people ask me, "why are you interested in the Prepa?"...my reason is simple. I remember being high school aged, I had the luck of going to a school where the teachers made an impact on my life in the best ways, I was allowed to be myself, to be creative, to grow into an adult that feels confident and supported.
I helped start a teen center when I was fresh out of high school, I did this because I knew I was lucky and not everyone had the same support I did in school and at home. I wanted to be there for youth that was lost and in need of someone just to talk to, to see them as a person.
Being a teenager is, I think, the most difficult, delicate, and important passage in life. It is a time to learn who you are, who you wish to be, who your friends are, and what path you would like to take into adulthood. For that reason, I hope to support the people that are supporting these kids, these kids that, with any luck, will go out into the world to learn and grow and come back to their little town with inspiration and hope for the next generations. And most certainly that would be a much less likely possibility if we don't have a high school here in Yelapa. For that, I will continue to support as much as possible. Stay tuned for ways you can help to.

Here are a few more photos.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/jesseroseroberts/36G9e8

What a difference a day makes.

This morning I was here. In the lovely cafe at the Posada del Cafeto. Where, for the last week, I have shared morning chatter, coffee and bread breaking (amazing pan dulce!) with so many wonderful bambuseros (maybe my favorite term learned this week). This group of scientists, cultivators, conservationists, enthusiasts, innovators, legends, and lovers of this crazy pre-historic, resource rich, enchanting plant. (Of which I will wax poetic about in future blogs) who are so warm, welcoming and really just a good time.

I was one if the last guests of the group. It felt a bit rushed and lonely this morning, after such a savoured time with so many great companions.

Then began a long travel day, 4 hour bus, insane rigamaroll around the Mexico City airport (made worse by too heavy and bad luggage choices), and an easy but full 1 hour flight to Puerto Vallarta.

Arriving I felt tired, hungry, and a bit lonely. As post travel blues are wont to do.

But I knew where I was going, what exactly I would do upon arrival, and that felt nice.

I taxi'd to my apartment in PV, dropped my too heavy/bad choice luggage off, and walked over to Joe Jack's Fish Shack for my favorite Niçoise salad and a ginger mojito, greeted and served by friends and familiar faces. 

Satiated and ready for rest I walked home in the balmy breeze of this cobbled seaside town. I remembered that the best thing is traveling and having an amazing experience, and then feeling absolutely wonderful about coming home. 

Tomorrow I return to Yelapa, to the real start of the busy season, to even more friends and familiar faces, armed with a motivation and inspiration that, at this moment, makes me feel like I will achieve my highest dreams for myself and my community.