Tutor Travels with her Student to Visit Student’s Family and Home Country
Victoria Rose, a tutor with the Literacy Council, traveled to Mexico over the summer with her student Carmen. Here is what Victoria has to say about her experience.
“I’ve learned about Carmen as a neighbor and a tutor. I know she is from Mexico, and in one of our lessons I learned about her brothers and sisters. This summer, I traveled with her and her family to the town she grew up in. Matatlan, an hour east of Guadalajara, is a small town yet active and full of surprises. One minute a large pick-up truck would drive by, the next a horse and rider would travel through the town.
When people asked what I want to experience on my trip to Mexico, I responded: experience life with a Mexican family; and learn about the food. Both were delightful! Carmen, her four children and I stayed with her brother, his wife and their three children. For me, the highlight was visiting Carmen’s parents. Carmen’s father built a home outside of town, at the top of the mountain. The views were stunning. Food – avocados, papaya, guava, lime, oranges, cactus all were ripe and ready to eat. My favorite feast was homemade tortillas with pumpkin flowers. The kitchen was filled with laughter and food kept showing up on the table.
I tried to learn Spanish as much as possible. By the 3rd day both English and Spanish mixed up in my head and I could hardly say or comprehend much of anything. I may still be trying to learn Spanish, but I will always remember how wonderful I was treated in Mexico by Carmen and her family.”
