Through our Travel-Study Experiences, the Romero Center provides participants with the opportunity of learning about Mexico, Mexican Protestantism, migration issues, culture and popular religion with the objective of better contextualizing the immigration issues that are commonly discussed in the United States and to look at them from a “globalize” point of view. Trips are designed with the objective of engaging community members, community leaders as well as religious and political leaders in Mexico so participants can learn as much as they can about Mexico and its problems and responses and how they understand the immigration concerns that are affecting the U.S. today.
Participants will also get to meet and talk to Mexican scholars who are doing research on the impact of immigration to Mexico and what it means for the future of this nation and for U.S./Mexican relations in the future. The trips also include visits to cultural sites, congregations, archaeological sites, etc. as well as exposure to cultural and regional customs and festivities, plus lectures offered by Mexican scholars.
Our Next Travel Study Experience: September 26 - October 6, 2008
To: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Max Capacity: 25 participants
Cost: $1,700.00 See details below
Non-refundable deposit: $250.00
Visiting Scholar: Dr. Laura González Martínez from the University of Guanajuato, and the author of Patterns of Undocumented Migration: Mexico and the United States
For more information, click the links below:
Travel Study Printable Pamphlet
2008 Travel Study Purpose and Overview
Our Host City
Cost and Details
Itinerary
2008 Travel Study Purpose and Overview
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.
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Our Host City
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 located in the mountainous region of Central Mexico, in the State of Guanajuato. It is located about a 4 hour drive to Mexico City, 1 1/2 hour drive to Guanajuato, and about 2 1/2 hours from Leon.
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.
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COST: $1700.00**
Fare includes:
• Airfare from Houston or Dallas (Continental or American Airlines) – Airfare subject to change due to airlines fee increases.
• 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):
1. Atotonilco;
2. Ranchos,
3. Dolores Hidalgo,
4. 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 2008 Visiting Scholar: Dr. Laura González Martínez
Dr. González Martínez is an anthropologist, educated in both the United States and México, who has studied the peasantry of Guanajuato, México, for over 20 years. The social and economic consequence of the Green Revolution on peasant economies, migration and immigration to the United States, and gender issues are only a few of her research topics. Over the last six years, as coordinator of the Network of Guanajuato Migrants Project, Dr. González Martínez has examined the emergence and evolution of major migration and immigration networks from rural Guanajuato to different regions of the United States and Canada. She has published academic articles and chapters as well as several books: Repuesta Campesina a la Revolución Verde en el Bajío (1992) and Patterns of Undocumented Migration: Mexico and the United States. Dr. González Martínez is currently a visiting professor at the School of Social Sciences, University of Texas, Dallas, where she teaches courses on international migration, U.S. Latinos, and ethnographic methods in a field school in Dallas and a Professor at the University of Guanajuato, México.
RESERVATIONS: A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person, due by March 15, 2008, is required to secure space on the tour. Balance of the tour cost is due by July 15, 2008. For more information, please contact Dr. Carlos J Correa Bernier @ correac@ucc.org.
Tour Conditions and Information
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 motorcoach. Flights from other locations are to be arranged through UCC Meeting Services.
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 SIGHTSEEING: 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
a. Dinners and tips (except for three dinners);
b. U.S. passport fee;
c. Pre- and post- trip domestic airfare or other transportation to and from Houston or Dallas;
d. Baggage, medical and flight insurance;
e. Laundry, telephone, internet access fees;
f. Excess baggage fee or overweight baggage fee.
g. Items of a personal nature and any other items not specifically mentioned as included.
CANCELLATIONS AND WITHDRAWALS: Within 90 days of departure, all monies paid are subject to forfeiture if the trip is cancelled. Trip cancellation, travel accident and baggage insurance is recommended and can be secured through American Airlines http://www.aa.com/content/productsGifts/tripInsurance.jhtml?_requestid=864915. If a traveler withdraws within 90 days of the trip, he/she is responsible for finding a replacement traveler if he/she is interested in recovering his/her mobey.
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: The free air allowance is two bags totaling no more than 106 inches (length + height + width) with neither bag more than 62 inches. However, due to motorcoach 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 November 1, 2007, and is subject to adjustment with prior notification. Validity is November 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007
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Tentative Itinerary
Sunday, September 14
Travel day; arrival in San Miguel, Concha’s Bed and Breakfast check-in.
Monday, September 15
-AM – Overview of our time together
-Introduction: Tour guides; scholars, Concha’s staff
-Visit to San Miguel Episcopal Church: Protestantism in Mexico
-Lunch @ Conchas
-PM- Walking tour of San Miguel de Allende
-Dinner on your own
Tuesday, September 16 Stay local
- Visit to San Miguel Ranchos: La Petaca;
- Lunch at Concha’s
- At Sierra Nevada Hotel: “The Changing Face of San Miguel” – Impressions of the day and a half before: A conversation with local business men and women about the pros and cons of outsiders in San Miguel (Antonio Llamas; Silvia Hernandez)
-Dinner on your own
Wednesday, September 17
-Visit to Atotonilco
-Lunch with local farm workers
-Afternoon lecture: Dr. Carlos Mondragón, Universidad de Mexico -
-“Protestantism in Latin America”
-Dinner on your own
Thursday, September 18
-Visit to University of Guanajuato
-A conversation with Dr. Gonzalez Martines
-Dinner with congregation in San Miguel
Friday, September 19
-Processing day
-Lunch at Conchas
-Velada at la Gruta – Evening Fiesta at La Gruta
Saturday, September 20
-Hacienda Tour
-Lunch-conversation: The changing face of Mexico
-Afternoon lecture on Mexican immigration and its impact on Mexico
-Free evening in the historic center of the city
Sunday, September 21
-Worship at a Local Church
-Lunch at El Pollo Feliz
-Visit to Dolores Hidalgo
-Dinner on your own, guide will be available
Monday, September 22
-“Where are they coming from?: Understanding the other face of the Mexican migration”
-Visit to a local San Miguel rancho
-Lunch at el Rancho
-Debriefing and impressions
-Dinner on your own
Tuesday, September 23
-Visit to a local Mercado
-Lunch at Concha’s
-Debriefing and Evaluation
-Mexican fiesta at Concha’s
Wednesday, September 24: Return home
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