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TCE Students Working on Global Initiatives Trip

Benjamin Hopkins: Student Report from 2016 Alternative Winter Break in Mexico

The Engineering Global Initiatives trip to the Yucatán was an amazing experience I will never forget. From the food (I cannot overstate this) to the archeological sites, Mexico provided an opportunity for immersion in a wonderful culture with an absolutely incredible history.  The most memorable parts of this trip were the interactions with the locals as we helped renovate their village. The project definitely made me break a sweat, but this adventure would not have been anywhere near as fulfilling without it. So while this type of trip may not be the usual way to spend a break from the stress of school, I would highly recommend it. Here is why:

The Food

Oh my goodness. I did not have a single “meh” meal in Mexico, and I’m not talking *insert local Mexican joint here* quality food here; this is next-level stuff. For the average meals, the menu is about what you would expect with grilled meats combined with peppers, vegetables, and tortillas. The way they season/spice their food is very different from your conventional American-style Mexican food, so even the average food was different in a very mouth-watering way. Oh, and side note, when a local says “picante,” they mean it. Some of the food is HOT! My favorite dinner of the trip was a three-course meal that opened up with a chicken lime-soup, followed by a giant, green chili stuffed with seasoned ground beef served with rice and beans, and ended with pineapple sorbet.

The History

Benjamin Hopkins at Kabah
Benjamin Hopkins at Kabah

The project was located in the Yucatán Peninsula, so we found ourselves in the middle of ancient Mayan stomping grounds. We visited four different archeological sites and learned about the history of the civilization.  The first site, Uxmal, was my favorite as it was my first exposure to the limestone cities the Mayans used to inhabit. My first thoughts were that the pyramids look much bigger in person, but once I learned about the astrological detail hidden in the building’s shape, location, and direction, I developed an appreciation for how advanced the Mayans were. In the details of the structures, you are able to get a glimpse of the Mayans belief system; some of the major symbols being intertwining snakes (representing new life), the jaguar (representing power), and Chaac (the rain god). We then went on to see a court where the Mayans used to play the infamous ball game, Pok-A-Tok, and learn about the various rules and gruesome outcomes. This was followed by an overview of some of the restoration efforts, where they are rebuilding the structures with the same technique and materials the Mayans used. The last stop of the tour was climbing of the pyramids and taking in the view.

Mayan Historical Site in Mexico
Mayan Historical Site in Mexico

The Work

Our project was helping a local community renovate the neighborhood. More specifically, we assisted making a wall out of (heavy) chunks of limestone. The most memorable part of this project was working closely with the people who lived in the home that the wall was going to surround. The group I was in did not speak very much Spanish, but we were able to overcome the language barrier through various hand gestures, lots of pointing, and laughing at each other when something fell down. We got a glimpse of daily life and toured around their home. We also learned that no matter where you live, everyone jams out to Ariana Grande. Interacting with people on projects who may not have the technical background you have will be part of being an engineer, and what better way to practice this skill set than working with someone who is literally speaking another language.

All in all, this trip was an all-around amazing experience, and I would highly encourage anyone thinking about taking an alternative break to go for it. Not only do you get to have a blast and explore cool places, but you also get to leave somewhere far from home better than it once was.