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Best Day of Our Lives

Tue, 22 May 2007 16:09:00 GMT

Since our last update things have been very busy. We are having a great time. On Friday night we were invited to the Language School for a BBQ. Our students performed for everyone and I must say we are very proud of them. The girls performed some traditional songs, throat singing, and we even played some Inuit games.

On Monday we went to Tizimin. Some of the students commented that it was the, “Best Day of Their Life”. We went to the local market and took a tour of the city. Then we went to Rio Largotos and boarded our speed boats. We went on a tour of the mangroves. We saw crocodiles, pink flamingos, pelicans, hawks, frigits, blue herons and prehistoric horseshoe crabs. It was AMAZING! We went to the “Pink Water” salt reserve, where we cleansed our skin and opened up our pores. The water was so salty that it was impossible to sink. We then covered ourselves in mineral enriched mud. The mud is so unique that people try to find the location to steal it. We then took our boats back to the beach and washed the dry mud off.

Our skin felt brand new. It was a day to remember.
We were all so exhausted that I don’t remember my head hitting the pillow.

Stay tuned for the next update. We are playing beach volleyball today and the students are set to perform again tonight.

This is Halie signing off! We miss you all and look forward to sharing our adventures with you!

Better Late Than Never!

Sat, 19 May 2007 03:30:16 GMT

Greetings everyone!

We apologize for not posting sooner, we're sure you've all been anxious to hear from us. Things have been VERY busy and we haven't had access to internet or phone easily. Now that we're getting to know the town better, we should be more regular with our updates. Annie and Roselynn will do the next update on Sunday... so stay posted!

The weather has been great. We've been enjoying 40degree weather. Well.... I wouldn't say enjoy, but we've been adjusting!

The apartment building we are staying at is great. There is a pool that the kids can use anytime, and all the girls are together in one apartment, the boys all together in another. It's so cute how they're all bunked up together :)

Wednesday was the craziest day... we had about 10 hours of travel, two flights and an hour long bus ride.

Thursday the kids got to check out the town... Playa Del Carmen... and they got to swim in the ocean (the Gulf of Mexico) for their first time. IT WAS AMAZING to see their faces! They were in heaven. We couldn't get them out of the water. They kept asking us to pinch them to make sure it was real!

Today was another action packed day. We started off by visiting a Mayan Ruin called Ek Balam. It was stunning and absolutely beautiful. However, I think the thing the kids will remember most from this day is the bugs! They were not big fans of the heat, mixed in with many flying friends... haha. However, they did enjoy the view from the top and seeing the Iguana's.

After our stop at the ruins we travel about 20mins to a Mayan community. Mayan people are the aboriginal people of Mexico. We went for a bike ride around the small community and saw some fantastic sites. We thought it was going to be an uncomfortable ride because of the heat, but it was actually fantastic to get the chance to see the Mayan people in their homes and the breeze was fabulous!

Following the bike ride we headed to another location. At this spot the kids had the opportunity to repel by rope down the side of a cliff and down into a cave. At the bottom of the cave was fresh water and we all had the chance to go for a swim and cool off. It was amazing to see and swim in a real cave! Unfortunately we don't have good pictures on hand, but I promise to provide some on Sunday when we update again.

Our day wasn't done yet. When we were done at the cave we drove to another small Mayan community where we were invited to have lunch with a local family. It was AMAZING. The ladies taught the kids how to make traditional tortillas, which we then enjoyed with our lunch. We also got to drink fresh melon juice from traditional coconut cups.

Even though we've all experienced some stress, heat exhaustion and home sickness, we are doing well to persevere and really take-in and enjoy our surroundings. Halie, Chris, Keith and I are very proud of them.

We miss you all and hope you're well. Don't miss us too much - we'll be home before you know it!

Take care and love to all!

This is Kim... signing off!

xoXox

The Pang-Mexico Crew

Pangnirtung Youth Leaders

Tue, 08 May 2007 18:25:22 GMT

In September, a small group of students, teachers, RCMP, and community members came together to form the Pangnirtung Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI). Our goal is to take a proactive approach to engaging youth in Cultural enlightenment, and is also aimed at reducing the risk levels of youth who may fall victim to criminal propensities and early prevention of mental health issues by allowing them to experience other destinations and cultures.

The PYLI is tasked to act as a vessel for youth and also share their own unique culture with vastly different ones. Many of the youth involved may never have the opportunity to see, let alone experience other parts of the world.

Here are some members of the PYLI in Auyuittuq National Park.

Back Row: (Left to Right): Tommy Nakashuk, Chris Smith, Halie MacNeil, Paulette Metuq and Kim Chapelle

Front Row: (Left to Right): Annie Karpik, Roselynn Akulukjuk, Annie Joamie and Patricia Nakashuk

On Monday, May 14, we leave Pangnirtung and venture to Ottawa for two nights. Since Mexico is slightly warmer than Nunavut, we need to trade in our parkas for shorts and sandals. On Wednesday, May 16, we begin our Journey to Mexico City where we will have a short layover before flying to Playa del Carmen. We will be greeted at the airport by members of the 'Language Abroad School' who will act as our guides for our trip.We have so many exciting things planned, such as, Beach Volleyball games, two day tours visiting and exploring Ancient Mayan Ruins, exploring communities, learning Spanish, Swimming, Snorkeling, exploring jungles, swimming with dolphins, meeting Mayan families,shopping eating Mexican food, and sharing our culture and language. We will arrive back in Pangnirtung on Saturday, May 26.

We will keep you updated throughout our exciting adventures.Be sure to check out our site regularly. Please leave a message, we will miss you all