Happy Birthday Our Cabana

Tuesday 24th July is Our Cabana´s 55th Birthday and we would love to hear your stories of when you have visited Our Cabana and also what you hope to see happen at Our Cabana in the next 55 years. Post your stories online at our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/ourcabana or on our website www.ourcabana.org or email them to dwcm@ourcabana.org.mx

Here are some stories we have already recieved:

Sarah Jenkins -  I visited Our Cabana 5 years ago, in its 50th birthday year (have still got my special badge in a safe place:-) I went to the Easter session - and had a great time. I've been to all 4 world centres, some more than once, but Our Cabana holds particularly fond memories for me. I only decided to go in the January and was squeezed into a very full session (the centre was at capacity) without any problems. It was the first time I'd been out of Europe - and travelling alone all that way was a little scary! But Christine (deputy center manager at the time) was a great help to me in making my travel plans and putting me in touch with another group who, like me, were staying at Ticalli the week before the session. I was made very welcome by the two groups I met at Ticalli (from California and from Wales) and they let me join them for all of their activities. By the time we got to Cabana, we were all firm friends. At Cabana I met many more wonderful people - participants, staff and volunteers - and am still in touch with many of them 5 years later. It was a memorable week from start to finish - from the ice-cream to the secret scorpion society!!! Truly great memories of a special place, special people and special moments.

Andrea Dilworth -  I was one of 14 Canadian girls selected to visit Our Cabana in July 1987. It was a fantastic trip that made me want to be part of guiding forever. Next month I will be one of 3 leaders who are taking a group of Pathfinders and Rangers to Our Chalet and Pax Lodge. Can't wait!!

Jeannie Pil Arriola - I enjoyed my stay in Our Cabana, which was 19 years ago. Hope to visit it again. Happy birthday!

Judy Harris -  I volunteered at Our Chalet in 2007, and whilst I was there, many people I met told me how much I would love Our Cabana... so in April 2008 I travelled to Mexico for a Spanish Speaking Adventure Session. Travelling all by myself from Australia I was a bit nervous, but it was a wonderful experience - I loved the colour, the language, the service projects and the activities, and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. During that visit I made friend with another guest, Joan Tolley, who encouraged me to join Friends of Our Cabana. So in February this year I returned to Our Cabana for my first Friends of Our Cabana meeting, and once again had a brilliant time, meeting many new friends. I highly recommend a trip to Our Cabana (or any World Centre, for that matter!)

Yvonne Browne -  Our Cabana was the first world center that I stayed in in 1997, when I attended the Juliette Low Seminar during this time I made a lot of new friends and really began to feel like a member of a World Association. Since 1997 I have returned bringing my own Guides and next year will bring another group of leaders to Our Cabana to experience all it has offer. I think the World Centres are a great opportunity for girls and women of all ages to experience different cultures in a safe environment. A visit to any World Centre is always going to be special.

Anne Rise -  My first visit to Our Cabaña was intended to be the only one - how could I know that this place has a 'come-back-bug' that is very dangerous to touch? The clear and calm mornings when the sun appears behind Popocatepetl - the distant sound of the day that begins with bird song, dogs barking and trucks coming up the road - the flowers in many colours - and the baby bananas in the tree. All these memories are supporting the photos of activities, pool games, late evenings around the Swimming Pool, and singing, tasting, and supporting the friendships started and continued in this place. Feliz Cumpleaños!