Mexico City: History, Art, Culture and Politics
Mon, Feb 24 2025, 12pm
An Exclusive Learning Adventure for AROHE Members
Monday, February 24 to Monday, March 3, 2025
UMRA is a member of the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE). AROHE formed a Travel Institute and this year partnered with Road Scholar to offer an opportunity to travel together on educational tours. This is a wonderful opportunity for members to meet other retirees with similar interests and a great way to make new friends.
Embrace and explore Mexico City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character. In a place where many public buildings are built from the stones of Aztec temples, past and present are inextricably linked, so that around each modern street corner is another opportunity to delve into the history of Mexico. Ballet folklórico, mariachis and a cosmopolitan mix of museums and neighborhoods adorned with the art of the great muralists illustrate the story of Mexican antiquity alongside pre-Aztec pyramids and colonial squares.
Program Highlights:
- Trace the history of Mexico City with local historians and in a variety of museums.
- Study the life and work of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in museums and exhibitions.
- Explore quaint and historic neighborhoods like Coyoacan and San Angel.
Program Prices:
- Double Occupancy: $2,849
- Single Occupancy: $3,349
Activity Level: Keep the Pace—Walking up to 2.5 miles daily. Elevations of 7,200 feet.
See the PDF for more details.
To reserve a spot, please contact Cheri Hamilton at [email protected].
Space is limited to 18 to 24 participants
Deadline to express an interest is July 20, 2024.
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.