Day Trip to Magdalena Mexico (April)

Day Trip to Magdalena, Mexico

Cost $104

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.

We will provide an orientation at the camera club, where you will have a chance to meet your fellow travelers and hear about the Mexican context today, ask questions and fill out the waiver form. To provide an intimate and safe experience, groups are limited in size to about 16, traveling together in a van with your guides. Your fee includes transportation, lunch, expert guidance, tax and tips. You may tip the van driver.  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.
• You may want to bring money for purchasing snacks and souvenirs. 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. 
  

Waiver of Liability

• When you arrive, you’ll be asked to complete a Waiver of Liability, if you have not already done so at the orientation meeting. A copy will be provided to you or you may wish to download and print from the link below. 
• Waiver-of-Liability-CBT.pdf
  

Information from the Camera Club Field Trip Guide

Meet at the Camera Club at 7:00AM, and depart at 7:15AM. 

The carpooling mileage is less than 100 miles and parking is $5, so $15-$20 is appropriate to split among the riders for gas payment to the driver, if you are car pooling. There is a $5 all day parking fee at Burger King. Pay Burger King when you arrive to obtain a parking pass. 

Itinerary:

8:15 Meet Alex La Pierre (BCA Guide) at Burger King in Nogales AZ.

Walk across the border as a group with the guide Alex, to the awaiting luxury 20 seat van with professional driver.  Meet Mexican guide Alma Cota De Yanez (Executive Director of BCA partner FESAC).

Stop at KM21 to get visa

Visit San Ignacio mission church, founded by Padre Kino in 1687

Arrive at the grand plaza in Magdalena for tour (crypt of Padre Kino, church and mausoleum)

Municipal Palace to view the amazing murals in the Mexican tradition

Lunch of your choice from the menu at a local Magdalena restaurant

Visit Cafe Sed, a non-profit venture supporting the work of Casa Vida y Esperanza. You will have a chance to taste their fair trade coffee in an historic casona. 

Depart of Nogales and return to DeConcini port of entry to walk back across to the US. 

Estimated time return to Burger King is 4-4:30. 

FT Guide:  Sue Rock, philr@iname.com or 269-978-6852.  Contact Sue with any questions. 

Last date for cancellation is March 30.

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.