My name is Alayt Issak and I am a sophomore at The College of Wooster. I came on this trip because I wanted to see the border situation between the US and Mexico with my own eyes. As an international student from Ethiopia, much of the details I've heard about this situation have been through mass media and I wanted to change that perception.
Today (Sunday) was our last day of cultural immersion into Tijuana before we start work bright and early tomorrow morning. I believe we'll be digging through mud as soft as butter in order to prepare the foundation for the home we'll be building.
The day began with an excellent start. A few students and I attended mass at a nearby Catholic church at 10am. Although I do not speak Spanish, I was able to understand the ceremony quite well. At noon, the entire group went to Friendship Park, which is where the US - Mexico border wall lies. Until recently, there was no wall and families used to meet at the park, spending hours before parting separate ways. However, about thirty years ago, the US added various layers of security beginning from barbed wire, all the way to active patrol. In fact, the security at the wall tightens every year as various levels of security are added. The most explicit one was in 2009 when the US added a second wall and dedicated land from their territory as a 'no man's land'. The wall extends all the way int the ocean.
Aside from restricting movement, the wall is very symbolic. It sends a message of hope to the families that have been separated. Every Sunday, the gate on the US side opens up and families can see each other. From the Mexican side, everyone has access to the wall 24/7, but from the US side, (as per a person on the other side said), you need to park your car and walk 1.5 miles in order to reach the wall.
What stood out most to me, was the unbelievable prevalence of US based fast food chains, such as KFC and iHOP, that engulfed the Mexican side of the border. They made it seem like the Mexicans in Mexico were experiencing the life they could have if they were in the US, right there in Tijuana. The chains were, yet again symbolically, selling the 'American dream'! Their highly corporate opportunistic aim that is making money out of the hopes and dreams was extremely saddening, startling and aggravating to see, especially as the US is largely responsible for the mass divide of families.
After the park, we went to La Placita, a nice restaurant in downtown Tijuana. Lunch was accompanied by a live Mariachi band and coincidentally followed by there an open air festival with live music and artisan goods from all around Mexico. It felt great to experience such genuine vibes, free from the tourist traps all across the city.
Soon after exploring the festival we went to the Museum of Tijuana. The museum looks like a giant circle perched in the middle of the city, as the structure resembles that shape. The content of the tour was nice and concise, as the exhibit started from Pre-Columbian Mexico, to the Chinese community heritage in Tijuana (surprisingly), all the way until present day Baja California (the state). The museum had eye-catching interactive exhibits including a walk-in ship that allowed you to perceive arrival into the new world from the European's ship.
Lastly, at about 7pm, the museum was followed by dinner at a nearby Taco Stand. I went with the group to see if they had any vegan options, but unfortunately they had none! Thankfully, I am in the avocado capital of the world and was able to make amazing avocado on toast!
That's it from me!
Looking forward to the much anticipated work tomorrow!
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