A Field Trip

Our mission for this day was to visit Entreamigos, an amazing community center in San Pancho. It was a three-bus trip, from La Cruz to San Pancho. The first was a “collectivo”, a privately-owned van that seats 16 people when crammed full as they often are, which dropped us off on the main highway.  We darted across four lanes of traffic and waited under a concrete overpass for the bus to Sayulita which rattles and snorts, climbs and grinds along the downsized two-lane highway through the jungle before arriving at its terminus.  This surfer-hangout town is known for its healthy lifestyle and with fresh fruit juice and smoothie bars on every corner and in between, we just had to choose a vendor.  We savored our smoothies as we waited 40 minutes at the outdoor bus terminal, a collection of bus seats set in the dirt under a tin roof, for the next bus to San Pancho.

It was worth the wait.  The bus dropped us off on the highway and it was a short walk down the colorful main street in San Pancho to Entreamigos, a non-profit, community-supported education center.  The entrance to this old milk processing plant is wide and high, drawing one’s gaze up and through the immensity of the space.

The building sat abandoned from the 1970s until 2009 when the government gave Entreamigos the rights to occupy and remodel the building.  It is a recognized model of environmentally responsible design.  Recycled materials were used throughout. Sunlight pours through skylights in the reception area, library, computer lab and study areas.

Deeper into the space is a sports area with trampolines and gym mats; eco-design workspaces for sewing, screen printing, glass and metal works; a recycling area and a recycle shop. 

Outside are an organic garden and a play area. 

This is a busy place where materials collected in town are repurposed; plastic detergent bottles become toys, a velvet blouse becomes lovely purses, a car hood becomes a blackboard, egg cartons are lamp shades, glass bottles and jars become vases, cups and ornaments. 

Nothing is wasted. Classes are taught by volunteers, visiting artists, local inhabitants, anyone is invited to give a workshop, to share their talents inspiring others to take care of their planet and contribute good things.  Oh, and while we were there, a Navy League member from Puerto Vallarta came in and purchased 20 toys that will be distributed to Families at the Dump for Christmas!  This is an amazing place.  You can learn more about it at www.entreamigos.org.mx. 

We were standing on the highway waiting for the hot, rattily return bus to La Cruz when a big, plush Pacifico long-distance bus pulled up and stopped. They had a few empty seats and invited us aboard.  Cushy, reclining seats, air conditioning and a movie - what a way to end a great field trip day!