#MexicoCityAdventures

[travelerwiz]

5 Of The Best Things To Do in Mexico City. For more, read amazing things that you can do in Mexico.

[ask-kuroko]

Mexico City A mesmerizing symphony of vibrant culture and awe-inspiring architecture, Mexico City is a true gem waiting to be explored.

[effyxlabujo]

Motin Mexico City /

Exploring the rich traditions and vibrant culture of Mexico City.

[killmotion]

Mexico city /

Ready to explore the vibrant streets of Mexico City? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with culture, history, and mouthwatering cuisine.

[xxlikeashiningstarxx]

La Casa de Los Azulejos, Mexico City Experience the vibrant history and cultural richness of La Casa de Los Azulejos, a must-visit landmark in Mexico City.

[poetadoeterno]

Mexico city /

Ready to explore the vibrant streets of Mexico City? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with culture, history, and mouthwatering cuisine.

[jleberg]

How to spend a layover in Mexico City

Make your layover in Mexico City an unforgettable experience with these must-see attractions and local recommendations.

[lexidoesrequests]

Four Seasons Mexico City

Indulge in the ultimate luxury getaway at Four Seasons Mexico City, where every moment feels like a stylish celebration.

[honeychiles-kitchen]

Motin Mexico City /

Exploring the rich traditions and vibrant culture of Mexico City.

[hellnohugo]

Motin Mexico City / Captivated by the enchanting streets of Mexico City - a city that never fails to inspire.

[malenylovespi-blog]

Home Sweet Home

It has been a week since I left Mexico City and I have not had tacos this entire time. Needless to say, my life is a little sad. However, I am excited to be home and get ready for camp and the upcoming school year!

I still can’t believe I am home.  To be honest I was nervous that I would not be able to come back. I know that the chances of that happening were slim and almost inconceivable, but the chance was still there. I am grateful to Rebecca and Jorge for traveling and going through the whole process with us. I was relieved when the immigration officer signed my advanced parole and even joked with me. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. However, once Martha interviewed me and asked how I felt, I realized that I was no longer in Mexico and that I was going to miss the wonderful people I had met during this program!

I think it’s weird how I met nine individuals at the airport on a Saturday morning and I was able to create wonderful friendships despite the fact we did not really know each other. They have inspired me to go out into the world and to not be ashamed or fearful of my status. They have taught me the importance of speaking up for our community and setting a good example.  I think what I’m most nostalgic about is the people who stayed in Mexico because I don’t know when I will be able to see them again. I am hopeful that it will be soon.

My last week in Mexico was definitely one of my favorites. We were invited to celebrate the 4th of July at the U.S. Embassy and it was one of the best nights of my life. I laughed and danced like there was no tomorrow. Ambassador Jacobson was extremely kind to us. I just enjoyed being able to be myself without cameras following me around. That week we also met with young leaders who are giving their all to change their communities. It was inspiring to learn how they are empowering their communities and providing opportunities to individuals who cannot find support from their government or society.  My favorite part about this week, however, was visiting the homeless shelter. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the shelter and talk to the children that are currently living there. The best part was seeing the results of the shelter’s endless efforts to change the lives of these kids. I loved that their help was extended to Central American children and not just Mexican kids. I am a firm believer that education and love should be given to every child regardless of their sex, race, or religion.  

In my third blog I talked about how I was starting to see the world for the dark place that it truly is, and I think this is important because in order to change what I don’t like I have to be aware of it. This is a lesson Mexico and its people have taught me. Even though I am aware that the world can be a cruel place, I am glad I visited the homeless shelter because it restored my hope in humanity. I met Jonathan, a young man who joined the shelter when he was young, and who is currently earning a degree in social work and is now volunteering to help others like him. The foundation’s name is Renacimiento. You can find them on Facebook (Fundación Renacimiento) and I urge you to consider donating 5 or 10 dollars a month. They are truly making a difference in these kids’ lives and your financial support would allow them to continue to do so. I am hoping to find a similar organization in Fort Worth so that I can volunteer as a teacher/tutor on the weekends. If you know of one please let me know!

 Final Thoughts

I consider the United States my home and I love the country for all the opportunities it has provided me with. I am truly blessed to have my family and friends, who have supported me throughout my journey in this life, with me. However, not everyone is as fortunate as I am, and I should not be okay with that. Areli mentioned that she felt guilty about forgetting Mexico and its people, and I am too guilty of this. Sometimes “in the middle of my little mess I forget how big I’m blessed”, but most importantly I forget about the struggles other people are facing. Traveling to Mexico opened my eyes to the reality that the majority of the people there face. If it had not been for the young leaders we met and the homeless shelter we visited I would have lost my hope for the country. I was honestly tired of hearing about corruption and injustices and I was angry because I felt like there was nothing I could do to help the situation. However, meeting with people who not only recognize that there are many problems, but who are actively doing something to combat these issues, gave me hope for humanity. I am delighted I was able to meet these inspiring individuals before leaving the country because Mexico needs them and I know they will make a difference.

 Well, my #MexicoCityAdventures will pause for the moment. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Remember to be the change you want to see in the world and best of luck with your own adventures!

 Best Wishes,

Maleny Calderon

[malenylovespi-blog]

The Taco Game is Strong: The Tells of a DACAmented Girl/Woman?

If you are my Facebook friend or Instagram follower you probably know how crucial the taco game is. Most importantly, you are aware of the fact that thunderstorms will not keep me from getting my delicious tacos. The taco guy already knows me—and my order—and started to give me free tacos again. I pretend like I don’t want free tacos because I’m trying to be polite and I can hear my mom saying “hay Maleny esos son muchos tacos por eso te quejas de que ya no te queda la ropa,” but lets be real, I WANT those tacos. So the taco guy tells me to break the diet and I listen to him.

Yes, the taco guy is going to miss me when I’m gone (and I’m going to miss his tacos).  But this can be easily fixed. You see, the taqueria has a wall with pictures of famous people who have eaten there, and I’ve been insisting that he needs to hang my picture up there. After all, I am a loyal costumer. He just laughs and tells me to bring him my picture. Little does he know that I have several pictures of myself with his tacos *insert evil laugh here*. The other Dreamers and I are already treated like celebrities whenever we meet with government agencies, so I technically meet the requirements to be on the wall. We now know the struggle Beyoncé and Taylor Swift go through when cameras follow them around all the time *flips hair*. I guess this is practice for when I get famous for inspiring the Math-Mexican version of Freedom Writers (or the female version of Stand and Deliver). 

My friends and I joke about going back to the U.S. and telling people who refuse to give us special treatment “do you know who I am? I am a DACA student” and how these people will have no idea of what we are talking about. Don’t get me wrong, the special treatment is nice and I am grateful for all these opportunities! I think I just feel uncomfortable that I am treated like I am the best thing that has happened to this country because I am not. I am just like my classmates and the Other Dreamers—young people who grew up in the U.S., but for some reason or another found themselves in Mexico before President Obama’s Executive Action.  

This special treatment is unfair not only to my classmates but to the Other Dreamers as well. My classmates deserve to meet with all these government agencies just as much, if not more than, my friends and I do. Unlike us, they are well aware of the issues that need to be addressed and deserve to be heard by the people and the agencies that are supposed to serve them. I think this program could also benefit by inviting the Other Dreamers to apply and be part of the entire experience along with us.  These Dreamers are continuing their lives in Mexico, and like my classmates, they can provide better feedback to these agencies.  

 I was completely unaware that Mexico housed other Dreamers, and I did not know about their struggles until Jill Anderson visited our migration class on Thursday. Reading about their stories was very emotional, and realizing that someday I can find myself in their situation terrified me. It was heartbreaking to learn about the struggles they still face in their country of origin and feeling like both nations reject them.  I was fortunate that DACA existed by the time I graduated from college. Because of DACA I was able to student teach, and most importantly, I am able to teach now. I’m not sure if the program will continue after President Obama leaves office (and that is stressful), but I am lucky because I was able to apply to the program and pursuit my dreams!

Overall, I am thankful I had the opportunity to visit Mexico and take classes at COLMEX. This experience has opened my eyes to issues I was completely unaware of. My friends and professors have inspired me to speak up for others and myself. I am excited to go home and start volunteering again. I want to be more involved in my community, and I am hopeful that I will be a resource for my students and their parents alike!

Thanks for reading,

Maleny Calderon