Entreamigos 10th Anniversary

One of the unexpected benefits of the kids going to school at Escuela del Mundo is that we became part of a second community in San Pancho.  The center of the community in San Pancho is Entreamigos.  The complex of rehabbed buildings/bodegas that house all kinds of activities like art programs, recycling, libraries, a community center, artisan workspaces, sports, dance and circus programs is the heart of the town and provides the community something unique and special that Sayulita does not have.  Virtually all of the kids after school activities are offered right here in the complex.  Most of the staff who run the community center are or have been school parents so there is always a familiar face close by to say "hola" to or keep and eye out for the kids.

Entreamigos turns 10 years old this weekend and there will be a parade and a celebration in the Plaza del Sol in San Pancho.  Our family is ridiculously attached to all the activities in the bodega complex and appreciate all of the fantastic programs offered.  I couldn't imagine San Pancho or our lives here in Mexico without it.  I really do feel like we live in Sayulita, most of our friends are in Sayulita but our "community" is in San Pancho.  Does that make any sense?

Anyway, "Felicidades" Entreamigos!  We will see you at the celebration!

"Those Parents"

I have always been in amazement at "those parents" who schedule their kids every afternoon for activities every single day of the week.  School gets out, the kids gobble down some energy and off they go doing whatever they do for part or all of the afternoon.  I wondered, do the kids ever get down time or an opportunity to actually develop the skills to keep themselves occupied?   Do they just follow orders and report for the next activity whether they want to or not?  Are the parents scared to have them at home doing...gasp...nothing?

Well, my thoughts on this have changed a bit in the past few weeks.  I have come to realize that the kids are older now, can do and handle more activity.  They want to do it all.  I have also come to realize that nothing can compare to what this little corner of the world can offer them each day.  So, unintentionally we are totally loaded up each and every day of the week with the coolest and rewarding of activities.  Even better is that all instruction is totally in Spanish.  Here is what is on tap for the next few months.  Each with it's own link.

Capoeira  
I am proud to say that the kids have been in the Capoeira program for over a year and a half and will be graduating again in March at this year's Batizado.  I really like this program and hope they continue with it with all the programs that are out there competing for the kid's time.  It is unique and the group of kids, coaching and conditioning are all amazing.  Certainly without the skills they have learned during their time with Capoeira they would have had a tough time diving into other things.

Alex aims for the knock out kick.

Celebrate the Beat
Alex goes it alone with this one and returns again this year at special invitation from the instructor.  Where Alex learned to dance is a mystery and her ability to control her body, keep the rhythm and remember all the moves is beyond me.  This a fantastic program for kids of all abilities and again, the instruction is fantastic!  We love that she gets to do this.

Entre Amigos Art Program
This one was unexpected and again Alex is attending by special invitation.  She submitted a painting for an art contest at Entre Amigos which is the community center in San Pancho.  For each age group the Entre Amigos staff selected a handful of submissions and those kids were given free art classes to learn new techniques for the next round of competition.  Cool!  Alex is way into it and she gets to take class with one of her good San Pancho friends too.

Alex and Adesha listen to the results.  Yes, Ozzy is in the back row.

Circo de los Niños

This one is really cool!  Circo De Los Niños is yet another offering at Entre Amigos.  You can click on the link to read about the program on the website but here is the short version.  In 2011, Cirque du Soleil co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix approached Entre Amigos with the idea of creating a circus show with the children of San Pancho.

The program basically takes kids out of the community and provides them with training and equipment so they eventually take part in a performance designed, sponsored and choreographed by Gilles Set-Croix and his wife.  It has become a huge fund raiser for Entre Amigos and we attended the performance last year.  It was great!!  Lights, costumes, make up, music, a packed house and we knew many of the kids from school and around town here in Sayulita. Alex and Trace are both in the beginner program this year and a whole portion of the Entre Amigos bodega complex has been rehabbed to accommodate the program permanently.

What is there to do in small town Mexico?  Just soccer and go to the beach right?  Think again!  All of these programs take place in San Pancho so we will be spending a lot of time there for the coming months until each of the programs comes to a climax in late March.  It's going to be a busy time for sure.  

The Murals Of Entre Amigos

Entre Amigos is the fantastic community center down the road in San Pancho.  The kids have been spending the afternoon there twice a week for the last year for their Capoeira class.  The story of how Entre Amigos began is better told from their web site so click on the link above.  

While walking around the center the other day I really had a chance to look at some of the murals that decorate the walls.  They are just about everywhere and they are AMAZING!  I've taken photos of only a handful of them and included them here.  Beautiful colors, images, kinda trippy and beyond creative.

If you are ever in San Pancho a stop at Entre Amigos has become a "don't miss" type of event.  They have a gift shop and a coffee bar as well.  There is a lot more to know about Entre Amigos so check out their site.