Day Trip to Magdalena, Mexico
A second trip has been added on February 5, 2019. Click Here to register!
This trip is provided by the Border Community Alliance (BCA). BCA is about bridging the border and fostering community through education, collaboration and cultural exchange. We do this in the Nogales region of Southern Arizona/Sonora Mexico.
Trip description:
The historic city of Magdalena lies approximately sixty miles south of Nogales, yet it is a different world with colonial buildings and the rustic feel of the vaquero (cowboy) heartland. Father Eusebio Kino (1645-1711) is buried there. This Jesuit missionary is credited with founding some twenty-one churches throughout the Sonoran region, the most famous of which is San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. Beginning near the border in Nogales Mexico, this tour includes an overview of the rich and complex history of the region with stops at Imuris and San Ignacio before proceeding on to Magdalena. Magdalena’s beautiful plaza and memorial to Kino is surrounded by an artful promenade where shoppers stroll in the shaded walkway. The chapel and church are a moving tribute to the faith of the region, architecturally will done. After lunch the tour continues with a visit to a local school and a chance to dialogue about the local context.
Tours typically begin with an orientation where you will have a chance to meet your fellow travelers and hear about the Mexican context today. To provide an intimate and safe experience, groups are limited in size to about a dozen, traveling together in a van with your guides. Your fee includes transportation, lunch, expert guidance, tax and tips. Returning to the US participants know that they have had a significant learning experience.
What to wear and bring
- Please remember to bring your passport!
- While there is not a lot of walking, we suggest comfortable shoes. Men in Mexico do not generally wear shorts. Long pants or slacks are probably best for both men and women. No tank or halter tops or short shorts. You may want to bring a bottle of water and wear sunscreen.
Waiver of Liability
- When you arrive, you’ll be asked to complete a Waiver of Liability. A copy will be provided to you or you may wish to download and print from the BCA website.
Information from the Camera Club Field Trip Guide
Meet at the Camera Club at 8:00AM, and depart at 8:15AM.
The carpooling milage is less than 100 miles, so $10 is appropriate for gas payment to the driver. There is a $5 parking fee at Burger King that can be split among the riders.
After the meet-up at Burger King we will walk across the border where our transportation will meet us and the tour will begin. After the tour we will leave our transportation at the border and walk back across to our cars at Burger King.
You may want to bring money for purchasing snacks and souveniers. US dollars are accepted or you can bring pesos. If you bring snacks with you or bring food back, fruit, veggies and meat are usually not allowed to come back with you over the border. This is where you will need your passport. There is no senior discount on this trip, but if you are interested in joining the BCA before hand, the trip cost is $80 for members.
FT Guide: Sue Rock, philr@iname.com or 269-978-6852. Contact Sue with any questions.
If we are getting a senior discount and you do not qualify as a senior, please pay the difference to the guide before leaving for the destination.
To cancel your registration contact cameraclubfieldtrips@gmail.com
To attend this event you must be a member of GVR and the GVR Camera Club
Note: The BCA is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. It has no religious or political affiliations. It depends on donations and grants for funding. Incorporated in the state of Arizona,the board members reside in southern Arizona.The advisory board consists of people from across the globe. BCA is based in Tubac, Arizona, a community forty miles south of Tucson and twenty miles north of the US/Mexico border.
Values: We believe in social investment, not charity. We seek to listen and learn from each other, rather than presume we know it all. We respect the cultures and traditions of both Mexico and the US.We value working together with like-minded organizations and individuals on both sides of the border.We welcome participation in our programs regardless of one’s viewpoint of immigration.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.