Arriving at Our Cabana, Cuernavaca Mexico

What an exhilarating day! This morning our host family drove us to Our Cabana for the beginning of what I am sure will be a very exciting week. My first impression was overwhelming - it is so beautiful, peaceful and serene! The gardens and vegetation are absolutely wonderful and it has the most amazing outdoor living areas. It brought tears to my eyes (I know that sounds silly) but it has been a dream of mine for many, many years to come to this place. For those who do not know, there are four World Centers in different countries around the globe which are affiliated with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. There are an estimated 10 million members in this wonderful organization. The website for Our Cabana tells the story that this world center was established in 1957 and has since seen over 70,000 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts pass through it's doors. It is an incredibly safe place to be, indeed since arrival in Cuernavaca over a week ago I have felt very safe here in Mexico and Nuestra Cabana continues to welcome its visitors! I will tell you more tomorrow and as the week goes on! For now, Buenos Noches!

I am here for the annual meeting of the Friends of Our Cabana. Although I have not met all of them yet they are an amazing group of women who dearly love and therefore support this little piece of paradize by giving of their time, talents and finances. I hope to learn more this week about Our Cabana and hope to encourage our scouts in Central California to come here to partake of all its' beauty and activities. I am posting a few pictures now and more will follow in my days here to come!

Cuernavaca Mexico- Jan 30 to Feb 6, 2011-Before Our Cabana

My story begins many years ago (about 46 yrs ago!) when I became a Girl Scout as a Brownie. I have continued to either be a Girl Scout as a girl or as an adult for all these many years! I love the program and how it helps girls grow to grow courage, confidence and character! I love the program and am passionate about it to the extent I want to share Girl Scouting with everyone I know!

I 2006 I was asked to be a delegate to what was then called the Mile Hi Council in Colorado so I attended the National Girl Scout Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that I met my friend, Rae Ann Dougherty from Colorado. Over the past few years Rae Ann has invited me to attend Our Cabana with her as a Friend of Our Cabana! I called her bluff and told her I would love to go with her!! Then she told me there was an opportunity to attend an immersion Spanish speaking school called Los Encuentros. I decided to accept the invitation for that so this past week I have been attending class at Los Encuentros and living with a Mexican host family in Cuernavaca, Mexico! What an adventure that has been! The teachers at our school spoke very limited English so we were forced to speak only Spanish. One day we had two ladies come to talk to us (in Spanish, of course) about what is being done in Mexico regarding the environment and how they are educating both young and old alike on pertinent issues facing our planet today. We went on a tour ov several museums where the tours took place with Spanish speaking guides - it was sink or swim!!! I was amazed at how my comprehension and vocabulary impoved during the week! I would highly recommend this school for such an experience!