China Update - Tashi Family Orphanage Visit

We spent the day at the Tashi Family Orphanage which is in a small, poor village outside of Lhasa. Although it took some time for the orphans to loosen up, it took no time for our students to hold the orphans, kiss them, hug them and play with them. We donated $300 and the kids brought some great gifts to support the orphans. In fact, after 2 hours of playing with the orphans, I literally had to drag our students away. I think when you see the video, you'll understand.

Tomorrow we embark on the trek for four days. Not sure when we'll have internet access again. Everyone is doing well with the altitude and we're ready to trek. We are heading to several different nomadic camps which should prove to be educational.

Everyone is all well here.

Nexus China Update

We're at the Yak Hotel in Lhasa today. Visited the Johkang Temple and witnessed the prostrating pilgrims. Students beside themselves with the whole experience so far. Beijing was smoggy but interesting. Toured the Great Wall for a day, then the Forbidden City, Tianamen Square and the Temple of Heaven which was a circus of Chinese enjoying themselves in a multitude of ways including kung fu, Tai Chi, singing, dancing and more. Now we're in Lhasa and the students love it. Shopping here is driving them crazy! I've got great video so far and I know they have tons of pics. In a few minutes we're off to a Tibetan Medicinal hospital then tomorrow for our community service at the orphanage. So far everyone is handling the altitude very well and I suspect Diamox has a lot to do with it. We are presently at 11, 684 feet! Please check the interactive map to see exactly where we are. This is the first internet access we've had and we'll be here for two more days, then the trek where you won't hear from us for another 4. I suspect the students will find this little internet cafe and email facebook, friends and parents. All is well here.

Nexus China Blog

We meet at Norfolk Airport at 4:30AM for an early departure for Beijing at 6:10AM. Please remember to check this blog and our interactive map to follow our trip. We should be able to post blogs and GPS coordinates every few days.

Ruta Maya II - Aug 21, 2009

Today we visited the Mayan city of Tikal, and it went beyond any of our expectations. It would be an understatement to try to describe what we saw, so I would recommend googling it to get a visual. Our guide is fantastic though, and pointed out all sorts of animals along the way through the jungle, which used to be a paved, Mayan city with no trees and grass in between these massive pyramids. We saw a crocodile up close (whose name is Paula, a chld told us), a small rodent called "aguti", an animal related to a raccoons and anteaters that was adorable, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tarantulas (the guide scared it out of a hole and caught it so we could pet it), a giant grasshopper, and a number of ant species. The guide taught us that if you put metal in between your teeth, the ants will avoid you because of the current. Those with braces were quite excited about that.Then we visited the Tikal museums and did some shopping at the markets. Tomorrow morning we are headed for Belize!Take care,Barbara

Mexico - Aug 19, 2009

I have another few miunutes in an internet cafe. Yesterday we went rafting down waterfalls, hiked through the jungle, saw a mountain crab, met a Mayan chief, his son & daughter and pet monkey, climbed up ruins, and had shish kabobs with flaming limes for dinner. The kids loved it. We´re dealing with a passport issue but are assured it will all be fine : ) Kids are holding up well.

Guatemala - Aug 20, 2009

After a longboat ride across the river separating Guatemala from Mexico, we met up with our new guide Julio who will be with us the next few days. He gave us a great introduction to Guatemala on the van ride and we stopped at a grocery store so boys could get quetzales and snacks. Now we are in the Jungle Lodge in Tikal. On the way, the boys were excited by the jaguar, turkey, and snake crossing signs. Just as we arrived, we saw a monkey and its baby up in the tree, and some while turkeys. The hotel is beautiful so today we are resting and exploring the grounds and tomorrow we are going to explore TIkal, which is apparently huge. 7 km wide. Saturday we leave for Belize. Hope all is well in the States!Barbara

Ruta Maya II

Hello! Greetings from the Holiday Inn in Chetumal! We just got into Mexico last night from Belize, where we spent two nights on a tropical island paradise. Truly - it was amazing. We all had little huts overlooking the Carribean, we went snorkeling and kyacking and were treated to fresh seafood. Today we went to two Mayan ruin sites and this afternoon we had lunch and went swimming at a crystal blue lagoon. Tonight we go out for "real Mexican tacos", whatever that means! Tomorrow we head further north where we will visit Tulum and then Chichen Itza the next day. I'm not sure when I'll have internet access again, but everyone is healthy and happy. The boys are having trouble believing we have school in 5 days, as are we all! They have all learned a lot of new Spanish words and a huge amount about pre-Spanish culture, so the education has already begun...

We are looking forward to seeing you all Saturday night!

Barbara and Brian