At The Pearl, we cherish every opportunity to connect with our students and their families in person, and this summer’s meet-up in Quer茅taro, Mexico, was no exception. From August 2nd to 5th, 2024, we hosted three amazing families for a weekend filled with exploration, learning, and bonding.
“We left Quer茅taro with our hearts filled with joy and gratitude.”
– Pearl Parent
Friday: Dinner at Tikua
We kicked off our weekend at Tikua, enjoying a feast of Southeast Mexican cuisine. For many of us, it was the first time meeting in person, but it felt like we鈥檇 known each other for years. The conversation flowed as freely as the delicious dishes from Yucat谩n, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Campeche.
Saturday: Discovering Casa Otom铆
On Saturday, we visited San Ildefonso Tultepec in Amealco, Quer茅taro, to experience the inspiring work of Casa Otom铆. This organization supports the H帽盲h帽煤 (Otom铆) community with daily breakfasts, educational support, and women鈥檚 empowerment through artisan cooperatives. We participated in a workshop on Lele dolls, shared a meal with locals, and watched our students play soccer with community kids鈥攁 truly heartwarming day!
Sunday: Exploring Quer茅taro and Its Pueblos M谩gicos
Sunday was all about exploring Quer茅taro鈥檚 historic center, filled with stunning Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. We visited the Contemporary Art Museum, then headed to Tequisquiapan and Bernal, two of Mexico鈥檚 charming Pueblos M谩gicos. We strolled through vibrant artisan markets, enjoyed street food, and climbed Pe帽a de Bernal, the third-largest monolith in the world.
Monday: Mexican Cooking Class
Our final day featured a hands-on cooking class led by Chef Liz. After exploring the Mercado de la Cruz, we learned to make traditional dishes like taquitos de huitlacoche, sopa de milpa, mole, and bu帽uelos. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable weekend!
Reflections from Our Community
We left Quer茅taro with our hearts full, having experienced the magic of coming together. Whether exploring the city or simply sharing a meal, the energy and joy of being in each other’s company were truly the highlights of our time. From laughter and stories to newfound friendships, this meet-up was a wonderful reminder of the strength and spirit of our Pearl community. We are already looking forward to the next summer meet-up, eager to create more memories and grow even closer!