Field Family

Today we had a lazy start.  Meeting for breaky at our favourite breaky bakery then coffee before heading off on another road trip for the day.  We went to Walmart first. This store seems to have one of everything from jocks and socks to machine guns.  We then visited some local Pueblos and a lake which included a cool RV park where every camp site has its own covered BBQ area.  We have then travelled to Tent Rock. An amazing natural rick formation. We hiked for several hours to some of the most amazing views.  We then headed to the local DFO centre for a little shopping and a late lunch before returning our rental car and heading to tine for pizza, beer and shuttleboard with a couple of locals. A great couple of days.  Back on tour in the morning after mass. So off to bed.  Last nights efforts. Craig ridding an elephant before three Police cars arrived. Quick exit.  Do they not sell anything at Walmart? They wonder why there is a gun problem in this country! A 16 year old can walk in,

Today was a free day.  We decided to hire a car for the day and head out into the great unknown and explore.  We had breaky at our favourite local bakery after Collecting our car before heading to Los Alamos (the secret location of the Manhatten Project - where the A-bomb was created).  We the headedp to White Cliffs for some great viewing the to the canyon and national park.  We stopped at Jemez for lunch at a popular hunting pub. Great stuff to look at including bears etc. on the walls.  We continued back via Albuquerque from here before heading out on the town for dinner where I am now.  I had a chilli green cheese burger for dinner along with margaritas. Yum.  A pilgrim carrying a timber cross today. One of hundreds we gave seen.  A great view on the way to Los Alamos  The A-bomb at Los Alamos The Rio Grande River meanders through the canyon today.  Matt in the national park today. Looking for Yogi Bear.  The boys road trip today. Still getting used to driving on the correct side o

Today we started with a holy Thusday prayer led by Reuben, Chis and Bill.  We then had a group workshop before heading off in the bus to Albuquerque to visit a few schools and an early learning centre. The early learning centre focused on play. This was a load of fun.  From here we headed to Madrid which is a country and western town where the move Wild a hogs was shot along the Route 66. I had the worst meal I have had on tour (if not one of the worst meals ever) as I was honouring Good Friday in Austrakisn time and hence ordered fish (albeit I am a long way from the coast).  Holy Thursday prayer and reflection.  Reviewing our reflections.  A structure built by Austin and myself during our development play today.  The hotel from the movie Wild Hogs.  Enjoying a game of pool Today's group shot in Madrid. 

Today we stayed close to town.  We didn't meet till 7:45 so a bit of a sleep in before we had a quick debrief and off to the first school.  Today we started with a local elementary school that has just completed a turn around program. A turn around program is essentially a program for an extremely poor performing school and involves the sacking of at least 50% of staff and usually the principal along with an extensive plan of reform. The up side is the school then receives substantial financial benefit for a three year period with the view to turn the schools performance around.  This school received $1.2m per year as a result and has gone from the 9 th lowest ranking school in New Mexico to one of the best over the past 4 years. One of the initiatives undertaken involved the extension of the school day by 1 hour every day. This would not go down well in Australia as after the three year turn around period they still continue to teach the extra hour but recieve no extra pay.  A ver

Today was another early start as we headed into the mountains for the day. We met for breaky at 6:00am before heading off in the bus.  Our first stop was in the Espanola Valley where we stopped at the Lov'N'Oven an all American donut store started in the mid 1900's from an outdoor oven. We purchased 2 dozen large donuts for $14 which were sensational however the coffee was like tar.  We continued into the mountains going from our current 7000 feet above sea level to 10000 feet above sea level (to put into context Australia's largest mountain is 7300 feet). Fantastic scenery and views enjoyed by all.  We continued to Eaglenest School. A school of 175 children at the top of the mountain in the snow. What a fantastic location. The children we met were fantastic and heavily engaged in their community. They are currently looking to build an ice skating rink for the winters to give the children an activity and also generate income for the school and community. This is being d

Today was an early start as Matt and I were to present our reflection. We decided to do an electronic presentation so needed to get down early for breakfast and set up the room. The presentation went well and was very well received by all.  We also woke this morning to snow. A vast contrast from yesterday when we were in shorts and t-shirts.  We then had a short workshop before heading hi a local elementary school for the morning. This was a great school. Very clean, friendly and welcoming. The children are all bilingual. They spend 50% of the time doing English based learning and 50% of the time doing Spanish.  We then went to the Loretto Chapel for lunch. A 5 star restaurant located in the hotel once owned by the sisters. Had a great pulled pork and green chilli sandwich with sweet potato chips - yum.  Then we travelled top another local kinder to six school in a low SES area (poor area). This school was completely different. The students are mostly undocumented (illegal immigrants)

Today was our free day.  I started the day with an epic hangover after my drinks were spiked in town. I recall making my own way home, falling in a driveway then waking up in my bed with the lights on and window open for all to see!! Will be more carefull to only drink bottled drinks when out.  Anyway. Went to the local discount centre today. We travelled on the local public bus system. Very efficient and only $2 for a day pass. The buses are free if you have a bike (to encourage exercise I suspect). Amazing place where they have brand name goods at very good pricing. Got Mel some nice ASIC runners, myself a Ralf Lauren shirt and Tommy Hilfiger jacket.  We returned to town and headed to a nice pizza bar that over looks the town square/plaza. The pizza was great and the beer settled my hangover.  The afternoon and evening were spent preparing our reflection for the morning.  We experienced a few IT issues (we said so many times "wish Mel was here to help!" ). I will have to ge