Amigos 50th Reunion in Mexico, summer 2013
by Mary Pat (Lett) Ashby: Apaseo el Grande, 1964; San Pedro Tenango, 1965
As I have talked about this trip with friends and family, they are always amazed to hear that our group has remained in contact and has had annual reunions for the past 50 years. I think this speaks to the impact that our summer experience(s) in Mexico had on all of us and how wonderful it was to return after nearly 50 years. I also want to thank the faithful Amigos leaders for all of their work these years, as this would not have happened without them. And then there was Fr. Joe. He was definitely with us on this trip.
The group that travelled to Mexico this summer was just amazing. In spite of the fact that we did not all know each other at the start, everyone was so welcoming, especially to the spouses that came along. It was wonderful to see old friends again, to put names I had heard for years to actual faces, and to listen to all of the life stories. The optional travel at the end gave us more time together, and so many new memories. I’ll never forget Jack Walton navigating the confusing tunnels under Guanajuato; we thought we were lost but Jack finally found the right exit and it was closed!
My husband Jack and I now live in Hawaii, but we felt right at home as the “aloha spirit” is very much alive and thriving in Mexico. Jack even came across a hula halau performing Hawaiian and Tahitian dances in the jardin in Celaya! Jack and Donna also brought us along to a cena with their family – the Martinez – and it was truly a night to remember. Again, everyone welcomed us as if they had known us for years, and there was so much fun and laughter.
Apaseo el Grande has grown so large, it was hard to fathom. Gone are all of the mud houses leading up the hill to the church at La Villita. The wonderful luncheon at Rosalia Cabrera’s house with the students has now earned her the title of “the Martha Stewart of Mexico”. The group of scholarship students shared their stories and dreams and it was an inspiration to us all. Highlights for me were seeing Nacho and Coletta, Vivi (Frias) Gabrian and her family (including Frank, of course), and the tour of the old community center where a group of sisters now live.
Our “project visit” day was very special. Terry Dugan, Molly de Leon, my husband Jack, and I visited San Pedro Tenango. We had no real plan, but we started at the church with Molly as our translator. Terry had brought along an iPad with pictures from our project. We met a nun who remembered us and enjoyed Terry’s pictures. She gave us a tour of the church where we saw the new rooms that were built on top of the foundation that our Amigos hombres had dug. We barely recognized the town as it had changed so much, and was quite nice. We did visit the hacienda at San Cristobal where we had stayed, about a mile out of town. We used to walk through the fields as the one mud road was usually impassable. Now there is bus service, which cost 5 pesos. I was surprised to see how many people take the bus, as the fare could add up to a significant sum after a while. The hacienda is barely used anymore, and not in the best condition, but it was great to see it again. We walked back and enjoyed the beautiful rural scenery.
Upon our arrival in town, a gentleman came up to us, holding a pile of old photographs. His name was Miguel Angel Leon Ramirez. He remembered us – he was 5 years old at the time, and his parents had invited all of us to their house for a tamale party! He had the pictures to prove it, and so did Terry on the iPad. He invited us to his house, where we met his mother. She was so lovely. Several teenage grandchildren were visiting from Mexico City, and were having fun jumping on a trampoline they had in the yard. They, too, had iPads! We enjoyed visiting them for over an hour. Miguel later wrote Terry that our Amigos group had given them hope that they could improve their life. We were all so moved by this, and it was indeed a very special day.
by Mary Pat (Lett) Ashby: Apaseo el Grande, 1964; San Pedro Tenango, 1965
As I have talked about this trip with friends and family, they are always amazed to hear that our group has remained in contact and has had annual reunions for the past 50 years. I think this speaks to the impact that our summer experience(s) in Mexico had on all of us and how wonderful it was to return after nearly 50 years. I also want to thank the faithful Amigos leaders for all of their work these years, as this would not have happened without them. And then there was Fr. Joe. He was definitely with us on this trip.
The group that travelled to Mexico this summer was just amazing. In spite of the fact that we did not all know each other at the start, everyone was so welcoming, especially to the spouses that came along. It was wonderful to see old friends again, to put names I had heard for years to actual faces, and to listen to all of the life stories. The optional travel at the end gave us more time together, and so many new memories. I’ll never forget Jack Walton navigating the confusing tunnels under Guanajuato; we thought we were lost but Jack finally found the right exit and it was closed!
My husband Jack and I now live in Hawaii, but we felt right at home as the “aloha spirit” is very much alive and thriving in Mexico. Jack even came across a hula halau performing Hawaiian and Tahitian dances in the jardin in Celaya! Jack and Donna also brought us along to a cena with their family – the Martinez – and it was truly a night to remember. Again, everyone welcomed us as if they had known us for years, and there was so much fun and laughter.
Apaseo el Grande has grown so large, it was hard to fathom. Gone are all of the mud houses leading up the hill to the church at La Villita. The wonderful luncheon at Rosalia Cabrera’s house with the students has now earned her the title of “the Martha Stewart of Mexico”. The group of scholarship students shared their stories and dreams and it was an inspiration to us all. Highlights for me were seeing Nacho and Coletta, Vivi (Frias) Gabrian and her family (including Frank, of course), and the tour of the old community center where a group of sisters now live.
Our “project visit” day was very special. Terry Dugan, Molly de Leon, my husband Jack, and I visited San Pedro Tenango. We had no real plan, but we started at the church with Molly as our translator. Terry had brought along an iPad with pictures from our project. We met a nun who remembered us and enjoyed Terry’s pictures. She gave us a tour of the church where we saw the new rooms that were built on top of the foundation that our Amigos hombres had dug. We barely recognized the town as it had changed so much, and was quite nice. We did visit the hacienda at San Cristobal where we had stayed, about a mile out of town. We used to walk through the fields as the one mud road was usually impassable. Now there is bus service, which cost 5 pesos. I was surprised to see how many people take the bus, as the fare could add up to a significant sum after a while. The hacienda is barely used anymore, and not in the best condition, but it was great to see it again. We walked back and enjoyed the beautiful rural scenery.
Upon our arrival in town, a gentleman came up to us, holding a pile of old photographs. His name was Miguel Angel Leon Ramirez. He remembered us – he was 5 years old at the time, and his parents had invited all of us to their house for a tamale party! He had the pictures to prove it, and so did Terry on the iPad. He invited us to his house, where we met his mother. She was so lovely. Several teenage grandchildren were visiting from Mexico City, and were having fun jumping on a trampoline they had in the yard. They, too, had iPads! We enjoyed visiting them for over an hour. Miguel later wrote Terry that our Amigos group had given them hope that they could improve their life. We were all so moved by this, and it was indeed a very special day.