Back home in Massachusetts it’s school vacation week. The legislature is out of session—and it’s cold. Not me! I am in Mexico for six days, thought not for a vacation. At the invitation of the United States State Department, I am visiting a number of colleges and governmental institutions. That’s right, you read correctly. I know that I am the last person you’d expect good ole Condoleeza to be passing a Sunday afternoon with …but the reality is, I am working through the US embassy in Mexico City to make a series of speeches –in Spanish--on behalf of the United States government to Mexican college students and young political leaders.
I will be in Mexico City and the state of Veracruz interacting with young leaders and debating political participation in the two countries. This trip will be the first time since last October’s anti-gang conference (when I addressed Central American anti-violence advocates and police) in San Salvador that I will be “presenting” in Spanish. Because I received very little formal education in Spanish growing up, I am always a little nervous about my level of sophistication. Over the week, I’ll try to provide updates: Mexico is at a fascinating juncture politically, with real political reform taking root, although corruption –both economic and electoral—still to be found.
Pray for safe travels—and stay tuned!
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