Purpose :

The purpose of this travel/study trip is to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about Mexico, Mexican Protestantism, migration issues, culture and popular religion. This trip is designed to engage participants in meaningful conversations so that we can learn as much as we can about Mexico; immigration patterns, NAFTA and its problems and responses and how these directly impact the immigration concerns that are affecting the U.S. Participants will also get to meet and talk to Mexican scholars who are doing research on the impact of immigration to Mexico and what this means for the future of this nation and for U.S./Mexican relations. This trip will include visits to cultural and religious sites, a local congregation, local towns and ranchos “neighborhoods”, lectures, participation in national festivities as well as two privates Mexican fiestas in two different settings. The trip will involve a fair amount of walking and a night at a hot spring (bathing suits or shorts required). Academic credit is available through the Pacific School of Religion.

Overview :

Historically, Mexicans and their descendants have always been the largest Latino population in the United States. This should be of no surprise given that nearly one-third of the United States was once Mexican territory. When the U.S. annexed Mexico's northern territory, it also acquired a population that over time has attracted others from the original homeland. Since colonial times, Guanajuato whose motto is tierra de oportunidades [land of opportunities] has been a major agricultural and mining center of the country. Petroleum refineries, assembly plants for U.S. automobiles and trucks, the shoe and leather industries, and the booming clothing enterprises are other contributors to the economy of the state. Additionally, remittances from guanajuatenses [natives of Guanajuato] in the United States, migrants, and immigrants add millions of U.S. dollars to the economy on an annual basis, allowing thousands of rural families to overcome economic hardships and many small businesses (such as grocery and clothing stores) to thrive . To protect the rights of its citizenry abroad and to promote cultural and economic ties with Guanajuato, the state government of Guanajuato created la Dirección de Atención a las Comunidades Guanajuatenses en el Extranjero [The Office for the Attention to Guanajuatense Communities found Abroad].

Located in central Mexico, Guanajuato covers an area of 30,589 square kilometers, and according to official census figures, is populated by nearly 4 million inhabitants. The vast majority of the Mexican immigrants to the United States are campesinos and rural proletariats from Guanajuato and other states of Mexico's Central Plateau Region

Over the last two decades, as vegetable, fruit, and horticultural industries restructure their operations and intensify their production, there has been an influx of Mexican farm workers to non-metropolitan and agricultural regions of the United States. With each passing year, many of these laborers are settling with their families in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, and other states that had not experienced heavy Mexican immigration in the past. As part of our travel-study experience Dr. González Martínez will help us understand the phenomenon of Mexican migration from an “inside-out” perspective. She will lead us through a series of discussions of immigration from Mexico to the United States, particularly from the state of Guanajuato. She will also help us examine and understand the regional concentration of Mexican-origin workers and their families in the United States.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato:

In the mountainous central region of Mexico, part of the "Bajio" region of the State of Guanajuato, there is a magical town rich in culture and traditions known as San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel breathes a cosmopolitan air due to the influx of people from all over the world. Its climate is warm during the whole year and the beauty of its architecture has made of San Miguel a world cultural treasure.

History:

San Miguel El Grande (as it was originally known) was founded by a Franciscan monk in 1542. It was an important stop over of the silver route from Zacatecas. When the Mexican War of Independence began in the nearby town of Dolores (now know as Dolores Hidalgo) on September 16th, 1810, in an act now celebrated as "El Grito", the rapidly growing revolutionary army came to San Miguel El Grande.

Dolores Hidalgo is known as the "Cradle of National Independence" while San Miguel calls itself the "Forge of National Independence", for it was here that General Ignacio Allende joined the army as Padre Miguel Hidalgo's chief lieutenant and led the army to several victories. Allende was not able to enjoy a Mexico independent from Spanish oppression, as he was captured during battle and summarily executed, however Allende became a national hero, and the town was renamed "San Miguel de Allende" in 1826 to honor his actions.

Having been declared a national monument in 1926, the town has preserved its colonial heritage by banning new style construction, neon signs and other heralds of "modernization". The colonial buildings remain, today, in the same style as when they were originally constructed.

San Miguel de Allende is world famous for its mild climate, colonial architecture, and large expatriate population, which estimates number in the 6,000 - 8,000 range - in a total population of about 85,000. Of these, the majority are Americans retirees, with a healthy percentage of Canadians, and smattering of Europeans and other nationalities. Many people have elected to retire to San Miguel, as the large community of foreigners has brought about a number of “conveniences” that would normally not be available in a town of this size.

San Miguel de Allende is also world renowned for its community of artists, many of whom, while garnering international acclaim, have chosen to live and exhibit in San Miguel’s numerous art galleries.
Nothing, can replace the experience of actually walking down the narrow cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, come and join us,
Since 1737 the center of activities in downtown San Miguel has been El Jardin. In the 16th and 17th century, the area was known as the "plaza parroquial", as the town gathered at the "plaza de la soledad", which is now known as the "Plaza Civica General Ignacio Allende". The "Jardin" was originally an open area with a fountain in the center, much like the Zocalo of Mexico City, that has become the pattern of cities all over the country. In the 1860's, a garden was started and the fountain was replaced with a gazebo.

Cost:

$935.00 per person (double) **
$1,085.00 (single) **

Fare includes:

Ground transportation from and to the airport
Lodging – double occupancy (two beds or one king size bed) Extra charge applies for single occupancy.
Daily full breakfast
Daily lunch
Daily bottle of purified water (as needed)
Ground transportation to and from study sites (3):
Atotonilco
Ranchos
Dolores Hidalgo
Guanajuato
Daily materials
Lectures
Fiesta Mexicana
Velada at La Gruta (an evening fiesta at a local hot spring) including a serenade by local Maricahis
A full time local-bilingual guide during the duration of the experience
** Fare does not include any security charges, immigration fees, custom charges, taxes or surcharges which may apply at the time of ticketing.

Our Host : Rev. Gamaliel Vega

Rev. Vega is the pastor of the fastest growing church in San Miguel de Allende. As a pastor of a local church, Rev. Vega, has studied the peasantry of Guanajuato and understands the social and economic consequences of the Mexican migration and immigration to the United States. Over the last six years, Rev. Vega has examined the emergence and evolution of major migration and immigration networks from rural Guanajuato to different regions of the United States and Canada.

Reservations :

Reservations: A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required to secure space on the tour. For more information, please contact Dr. Carlos J. Correa Bernier at correa@scncucc.org.

Transportation:

Air transportation with American Airlines or Continental Airlines by economy-class regional jet based on the non-refundable advance purchase excursion fare. Land transportation is by private motor coach.

Hotels:

Accommodations are in a mid-range Bed and Breakfast. Traditional hotels are available but not included in our fare. If participant decides to stay in a particular hotel he/she will be responsible of all fees and for ground transportation to and from Bed and Breakfast for participation in daily activities.

Meals:

Daily breakfast and lunch are included. Three dinners will be provided on three different occasions, all other dinners are on your own to provide variety and choice. Plan to budget between $10-35 daily for dinners, if you would like to include dinners in your fare, please, let us know.

Sight Seeing :

All sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary with the services of English-speaking guides.

Tips and Taxes :

All tips to guides, drivers, hotel staffs and for baggage handling as well as air and hotel service charges and taxes are covered.

Passport:

A passport is required for all U.S. citizens.

Not Included in Cost :

Charges and costs not included above, such as

• Airfare
• Dinners and tips (except for three dinners);
• U.S. passport fee;
• Pre- and post-trip domestic airfare or other transportation to and from Houston or Dallas;
• Baggage, medical and flight insurance;
• Laundry, telephone, internet access fees;
• Excess baggage fee or overweight baggage fee.
• Items of a personal nature and any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Cancellations and Withdrawals :

Airline rules and policies will apply in case of cancellation or withdrawal from the trip. After the deposit is paid, each traveler is responsible for finding a replacement traveler if he/she is interested in recovering his/her money. All bed and breakfast monies are subject to forfeiture if a traveler cancels after paying part of the full amount of the study-travel trip. Trip cancellation, travel accident and baggage insurance is recommended and can be secured through the airline's website.

Baggage Allowance :

Please check with airline about current free air bag allowance. Due to motor coach capacity, it is highly recommended that baggage be limited to one checked piece and one carry on.

Important Notice :

Tour prices are based on 25 passengers. Rates are subject to change if group total is fewer than 25.

Responsibility:

The Romero Center (TRC) acts only in the capacity of agent in all matters of transportation and tour operation, and its liability is limited to the terms of the tickets and membership agreements. Notice is given that all arrangements of transportation or conveyance or for hotel accommodations or other particulars of this tour are made by TRC as agents upon the express conditions that they shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay through the negligence or default of any hotel proprietor or tour or transportation employee. Such arrangements are subject to the laws of the country where the arrangements are provided.

The airline concerned is not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. The passage contract in use by the airline concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and passengers. The operator reserves the right to alter the itinerary as necessary and in the best interests of the tour party as a whole. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure and to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour.

The price of the tour is based on rates in effect January 1, 2012 and is subject to adjustment without prior notification.

Travel day; arrival in San Miguel. Check in (Concha's Bed and Breakfast)

Day 1

AM - Breakfast and an overview of our time together
Introductions: Guides, Facilitators, Concha's staff
Orientation: Our host city, San Miguel de Allende
Lunch: at Concha's
Siesta
PM – Protestantism in San Miguel and other details of the municipality
Walking tour of San Miguel de Allende
Dinner on your own

Day 2

• AM - Breakfast
• Worship at a local church
• Lunch at El Pollo Feliz
• Visit to Dolores Hidalgo
• Dinner – On your own (a guide will be available)
  

Day 3

• Breakfast
• Morning Reflection
• Introduction to the concept of "ranchos" in Mexico
• Visit to a local "rancho"
• Lunch & Siesta
• PM - The changing "face" of San Miguel de Allende: Immigration and the socio-economic and cultural transformation of San Miguel de Allende.
• Dinner on your own
  

Day 4

• Breakfast
• Morning Reflections
• Introduction to the Atotonilco Chapel
• Site visit: Atotonilco
• Conversation with a local farmer
• Lunch & Siesta
• Protestantism in Latin America
• Dinner on your own
  

Day 5

• Breakfast
• Morning Reflections
• Reflection Day: From a sociological, anthropological and theological perspective
• Lunch
• Free afternoon
• An evening at La Gruta (hot springs)
• Dinner will be provided
  

Day 6

• Breakfast
• Morning Reflections
• Introduction to the city of Guanajuato
• Site Visit: City of Guanajuato: The migratory phenomenon of El Bajio
• Lunch will be provided
• PM - Guanajuato
• Dinner on your own (San Miguel)
  

Day 7

• Breakfast
• Morning Reflections
• Site visit: Local church
• Introduction: Facing the challenges of globalization in Mexico
• Lunch & Siesta
• PM - A Conversation with local business owners
• Globalization and San Miguel de Allende
• Merchandise expo
• Dinner on your own
  

Day 8

• Breakfast
• Morning Reflections
• Site visit: Local Market
• Lunch & Siesta
• Free Afternoon
• Fiesta Mexicana @ Conchas (Dinner will be provided)
  

Day 9

• Breakfast
• Worship at a local church
• Merchandise expo
• PM - Participation in local (national fiestas) Danzas
• Group dinner at a local restaurant
• Evaluation

Traveling day: Return home

Or Plan Your Own Event!

To plan your own immersion experience, please contact Carlos Correa.

Custom educational-transformational immersion seminars include weekend immersion seminars (Friday through Sunday) and 7 day educational-transformational seminars (from Sunday to Saturday), both seminars are designed to fit the interests of church members, students of all ages, government officials, community organizers, seminarians, universities and colleges, business persons, and community and labor organizers.

A typical immersion day consists of four to five site-visits in the city of San Diego and/or Tijuana. During our weekend program we spend most of our immersion time in Tijuana. During our weeklong program we balance our time between San Diego and Tijuana sites. Our activities include talks with activists; community organizers; church leaders working to bring about social change.