A Beginner's Mind 1st Blog

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Hello friends and readers. We left Boise, Idaho on June 12 and arrived in Mendoza 13 de junio, 2008. In the past five days we've been busy learning Spanish, setting up our home away from home, and meeting wonderful people. Mendoza is a beautiful city, and until today everyday has been sunny and really quite warm for the late fall season.

So far we have made one day trip to an area called Porterillos. We did a little hiking and enjoyed the view of the mountains. There is a small ski area there, but as yet it hasn't opened. There were a few people there with cross country skis that were heading up the slope. We also saw a half dozen bicyclists climbing the mountain near 10,000 ft elevation.

Yesterday we made our first trip to Brazos Abiertos, a shelter, soup kitchen, and orphanage that is privately ran by a blind woman in her seventies. The group that we are here working with and visiting has been volunteering there for several months. It is interesting to learn how large a role cultural and language differences play in communicating and collaborating. I certainly have plenty of opportunities to learn a great deal while I am here.

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Photos

Eastern Andes near Mendoza
Just one of many amazing views of the mountains.

Late Fall Sun Rays
A warm, sunny day before the onset of winter in the mountains

Some Children at Brazos
This is one of the more attractive views of Brazos Abiertos

Nino Muneco
Children playing in front of the building.

Morning Laundry
This is the upstairs under construction at Brazos

Comments

[Vashti]

Good Job!
Good job on your first post. We will look forward to keeping up with you this way! We miss you and love you bunches.

[Cindy Staggs]

Love it!!
Dear Shannon...I have bookmarked this blog and will be checking it as often as possible. Thank your for sharing this with us!!! I am proud of you!!!