Hello, friends of Borderlandia,
Wow, where did summer go? And talk about a late rainy season!
I can hardly believe Rocio and I were already out trick-or-treating with our two-year-old son a few days ago, and now we're turning the page to the holidays.
In fact, I'm just emerging from a parallel universe of sorts: the annual Jane Austen Society of North America conference, held this year in Tucson. I was invited to offer conference attendees several days of local heritage tours in Tucson, Tumacácori, and Tubac. It was wonderful to see so many people come together, united by their passion for Jane Austen, and to witness the enthusiasm of those who embraced the occasion by dressing in the fashion of Austen's era. A delightful change of pace!
In this new edition of Borderlandia, we have some important updates and exciting news to share, including a look back at our amazing Basque Borderlands tour and a preview of our inaugural Spanish Immersion experience in the Río Sonora this coming January.
Most importantly, I want to share some wonderful news about my friend Francisco (Kiko) Trujillo, the steady hand who has guided ARSOBO (Arizona Sonora Border Projects for Inclusion). Kiko is one of five finalists for CNN's Hero award! You can vote for him every day with just a couple of clicks right here. Let's help push him over the finish line!
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you who believe in and support what we're doing. Together, we're on the front lines of changing hearts and minds about the 98% good news of the borderlands: its extraordinary people, rich cultures, and tremendous potential.
Growing up with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner from one another, I always preferred Thanksgiving. Perhaps it was because it felt less about the material things and more about what really matters: family coming together, sharing food, and, most importantly, enjoying the experience and the feeling of being together.
With that spirit in mind, we hope you'll consider our upcoming cultural experiences as gifts for friends and family—or simply as an opportunity to create something meaningful to look forward to together during this festive season.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season!
Best wishes,
Alex