Our Trip to Alamos
Dark and threatening skies failed to put a damper on the crowd gathered near Scottsdale's City Hall to begin our bus adventure to Alamos, Sonora this past March. As we waited for the bus, we shared stories of previous experiences in Alamos and it was difficult to hide our excitement about meeting our Sonoran friends again and making new acquaintances in the sleepy, historical part of Mexico that we had all learned to love so much. For some members in our group of 20 this was a first-time experience. But most of us looked forward to once again enjoying the inviting smell of the food, the vivid colors of the bougainvillea and most especially the warmth and hospitality of our hosts, who never fail to make us completely welcome and invite us into their homes.
We arrived late, but the food was ready and hot and the beer was cold. As we ate and visited, we were introduced to our host families and then began the searching for a way to communicate our gratefulness for their hospitality. We looked for similarities, ignored our language differences and the adventure began.
Our Alamos friends had prepared an agenda that allowed us to celebrate the changes that had occurred since our last visit. A new mom was their new mayor who welcomed us to Alamos and then invited us to her casa for lunch; a copper mine just outside of town was revitalized; the Sunday market was as colorful and lively as always
We met the officials at the hospital who appreciated the medical supplies that we brought to them and we visited the DIF (Department of Infants and Families) site and presented cribs and other materials for their use.
Evenings in Alamos were cool and delightful. Meals were served in the most lavish of settings and we visited, ate and dances to lively music. Americans who lived in Alamos and were members of the comite de Ciudades Hermanas were most helpful in filling in the language gaps, giving us a home tour of some palacial residences and expressing in so many ways how happy they were living in this paradise away from home. Our home tour fees supported their project of helping Alamos students further their education.
Our last night in town was sad because we knew that on Monday we began the bus trip home. It was on that last evening that the beautiful formal culture of graciousness was apparent in our hosts as they presented certificates to our members who have been traveling to Alamos over the 20 year span of our relationship with them. The final gift to us was a gift of strolling music with the pride and joy of their town, the Estudiantina's, the medieval costumed balladeers, who make the sound of Alamos so unique and significant.
Our thanks to Ellie Ricker, Frances Burruel and everyone else who had a part in arranging for our stay. It was hard work, took lots of time and communication and we hope that it won't be long before we have the opportunity to ask them to do it again.
by Barbara Nordlund