Hello! My name is Meara, and I’m a first-year Occupational Therapy student. This trip to Mérida is my first ABST experience, and it has already been such a meaningful opportunity to learn and grow.

We started the morning with breakfast and coffee from a local shop nearby. Some of us made eggs and toast, and we all gathered together before heading out for the day. It was a calm and simple start, which made it easy to feel excited about what was ahead.

After breakfast, we loaded into José’s van and drove to Uxmal. There, we learned about the religious and cultural background of the Mayan temples. One of the more interesting things we learned was that the inhabitants of Uxmal had zero enemies. We also learned about a traditional ball game they played, which is somewhat similar to baseball. Players had to hit a ball into a small ring positioned several meters above the ground. The outcome of the game was intense, the loser sacrificed the winner to one of their gods, Choq, by cutting off the winner’s head.

After visiting Uxmal, we traveled to a smaller town called Mani, which is nicknamed the “Magic Town.” While we were there, we went to an authentic Yucatán restaurant for lunch. I ordered poc-chuk, which is grilled pork served with sides that you place into a fresh tortilla. The meal was amazing and gave me a chance to try something traditional to the region.

Following lunch, we visited an old convent and explored the surrounding area. We also saw a few women wearing classic Hispanic dresses, which added to the cultural experience of the town. It was special to see traditions still present in everyday life.

Once we returned home, we had time to relax and unwind after a full day. As I write this, we are playing a board game together. We’re planning to make quesadillas, spend time reflecting on the day, and then head to bed.

Today was filled with learning, new experiences, and meaningful moments, and I’m so grateful to be here.