MEXICALI, MEXICO (as told by Brother Giovanni)—Our days spent in Mexicali were both eventful and educational. Upon our arrival, we met Fr. Tom Kraft at one of our parishes. We prayed the Rosary (in Spanish) and had evening prayer. Then we were off to the convent where Frs. Tom and Anthony celebrated Mass. We visited with the Sisters for a bit, but when we got out, we encountered a very bad piece of news.  It seems that someone broke into the Malo Mobile and stole the radio.  To the dismay of many a novice, some Pilgrim Friars tapes were stolen as well.

To drown our tears, we flocked to a taco stand made famous by previous classes.  Now, these tacos are not your everyday “Taco Bell” tacos; these are made at a little road side stand with their own grills. To say they were great would be an understatement.  Most of us ate around six but some of our more hungry brothers had around eight!  Fortunately, they are very inexpensive in Mexico.   After our great dinner at the taco stand, we proceeded to the Diocesan Seminary, where we would be staying for the next five days. We checked into our rooms and prayed Compline with the seminarians. 

During the next few days, we had the opportunity to eat breakfast with the seminarians and practice our Spanish skills.  A lot of them spoke English so that made things easier for most of us.  We then visited some parishioners homes, went to a nursing home, visited with the Bishop, had dinner with the Franciscans and sang some songs. The Franciscans were great musicians.

On another night, we had dinner with the Escolapios (Piarist Fathers) and had time to chat and learn more about their community.  We also had great meals at the Dominican house with Frs. Tom and David Bello.

The kindness extended to us by the friars and Mexican people was amazing.   Of course as we were leaving, we made one more stop at the Taco Stand!   We bade adios to Mexicali and headed northwest toward Hollywood.