July 20th-30th, 2007

Monday, July 23rd- A Walking Tour of the Twin Cities

Monday the Guatemalan Delegates, Juan Carlos and wife Alba, Padre Juan Rene, associate pastor of TNII, and Alejandro the Sister Parish interpreter and friends of SJA did a walking tour of the Twin Cities for approximately nine hours! Yes, nine hours of walking, more walking, and more walking! Michael Branigan was the host of the day. Watch out he really loves to walk!

The first stop on our tour was the St. Paul Cathedral. Do you know how many steps there are in order to get inside? Keep in mind the weather was HOT and HUMID. All seemed to enjoy the visual aspects of the building especially the beautiful stained glass windows. Padre was able to talk with one of the employees, adding to his understanding of the Cathedral’s purpose in the community.

As we were leaving the Cathedral, we were joined by another couple from SJA, how fun! From the Cathedral we walked to the State Capital by way of the History Museum, and the Roy Wilkins Memorial, which everyone marveled with the beautiful metal aspects of the memorial. It is awesome!

Reaching the Capital we were faced with more steps, lots and lots of steps. Inside, the serenity was appealing as we wandered throughout two of the floors (more steps). The Delegates especially enjoyed seeing the Senate assembly room and hearing how that part of the government works. In Guatemala you are not allowed into government buildings.

We met up with two more friends, as we returned to the Cathedral and our cars. Our group was growing, and the laughter was louder!

After a short ride to downtown Minneapolis, we parked at the top of the parking ramp and viewed the city buildings and sky line. The delegates walked with amazement at the height of the buildings on our way to the Government Center. At the Government Center we met with Willie Bridges(right), a Hennepin County employee and an SJA member, who has visited Guatemala as a delegate. He showed us an empty court room, but the judge’s secretary, an SJA person, (isn’t it amazing, they are everywhere) told how the trial system works.

Filled with judicial knowledge, we needed nourishment and regeneration. It was getting so late that the cafeteria closed after we arrived.

Back upstairs, our second time through security, we went to see Willie’s office, which is very colorful and filled with African masks. Willie, a senior planner with the juvenile justice system, had prepared information, in Spanish, for the delegates on our judicial system for youths 12-18 and also gave them information on ways to help their youth. They were surprised to learn that it is the law that you have to go to school until you are eighteen. Many questions were asked and we all left with lots of new knowledge. Thanks Willie!

Michael, our tour leader, also works at Hennepin County, so off to his office we went where we looked out the windows at the sky line. Next stop was the top floor to look out at the tops of other buildings, a breath taking sight.

To the skyway system of Minneapolis we walked. Our skyways are the largest in the world, next to Montreal. We walked, and walked, with stops in each building to go down to street level and outside to look up to see how tall the building was compared to others. Walking back up the stairs we continued with our walking tour. We ended at the IDS, looking up in awe! We do have a beautiful city.

After a short stop at Marshall’s to check on prices of different consumer products, we started our return, going a different route. FYI, we saw five Caribou Coffee stores, several Starbucks and other coffee cafes!! Do we really drink that much coffee?

Close to the Government Center we stopped at a Caribou Coffee store and had coffee and rested. The delegates decided to have their reflection time while enjoying their rest. We also reflected on our day and the many things we learned. It is truly a learning experience for all of us, the information gathered and exchanged by each person.

The walk back to the Government Center and the long walk back to the parking lot in the hot and humid weather were actually refreshing after our break and reflection. It was a quick ride back to SJA, as we missed rush hour traffic.

and

Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children." Nancy can be reached at nalynch@aol.com.

While taking Alejandro and Padre to their host family our conversations continued about the day and the things they enjoyed, actually all of it!After a quick stop at the host family, they were going to Coon Rapids for a birthday party!

As I write this, I have taken my Aleve and am sitting with my feet soaking. My only regret of the day was that I didn’t wear my little gadget to tell how many miles I walked. It was a learning journey with special friends. Thanks to Michael and all who came and helped in your own special way.