Course Description and Outline!

University units available.
For information regarding 1-3 Professional Growth units through the University of San Diego, contact Allan Varni
tel 650-948-6545 or e-mail usdcourses@hotmail.com

**About the Area**

Playa Los Cocos, Nayarit is located on the Pacific Coast. It is 2 hours north of Puerto Vallarta in an area still unspoiled by high-rise hotels. It is a tropical climate lush with native foliage and long expanses of sandy beach. It is well known among bird watchers for its large rare bird population. The area produces mango, papaya, bananas, and avocado. During the summer, there are multitudes of colored butterflies and the nights glitter with lightning bugs. The nearby villages of Santa Cruz and Aticama are home to farmers and fishermen and a sprinkling of foreigners who have found the beauty, tranquility and warmth of the community impossible to leave. The larger town of San Blas is 10 kilometers to the north and is famous among surfers for "the longest rideable wave in the world". Anthropologists come to work with the indigenous groups, the Huichol and Cora. There are many opportunities to admire and shop for regional folk art.

**Other activities**

During the afternoon, the students are able to study poolside, siesta, and swim or visit villages of the area. Once a year, there is a turtle hatching which occurs at night on Platanitos Beach. By luck, it occurs within the course timeframe. One is able to sign-up for this ecological experience upon arrival and is separate from the package. One can arrange to hike to the El Cora waterfall, fish, hike, and surf or arrange tours with the local anthropologist, George Otis. There are colonial towns with Florentine style churches. There is a beautiful volcanic lake named Santa María del Oro. Many of the villages have artisans such as basket makers and potters. These villages are off the beaten path of tourism. And there are boat tours through a labyrinth of estuaries, hidden beaches, and much more.

** Day Trips**

A tour of Mexcaltitan, "The Venice of Mexico," is available as well as the state capital, Tepic. Anthropologists debate whether Mexcaltitan is the original home of the Aztecs. There is a fascinating museum in the middle of the village. The town is situated in the middle of a lagoon and one must arrive by boat. The town of Santiago houses a Huichol Cultural Center and is along the way. Tepic offers museums, shopping and many Huichol artisans in the city center. It is a very safe city with some colonial architecture. It is situated in the mountains and is 40 minutes from Playa.

**Lodging**

The students will stay at the local inn, the Casa Mañana, on the beach called Playa Los Cocos. Reinhard and Lourdes are the owners and hosts. Reinhard is from Austria and his background is social services and education. Lourdes is from Mexico City and is working on a thesis tracing the history of the local village. They have 3 trilingual children. They began the concept of the Casa Manana 25 years ago with a few bungalows. Now it has grown but maintains the personal care and involvement of the owners in all aspects of the hotel. Reinhard and Lourdes maintain an impeccably clean, environmentally sensitive and beautiful hotel on the beach with an incredible sunset view. The oceanside swimming pool is surrounded by gardenias and is well supervised. The restaurant has an international menu to suit most palates. As well as maintaining high health standards, all water and ice are purified.

Reinhard and Lourdes (owners of Casa Manana).
Children from left to right; Damian, Stephanie, and Paul.

**How to get there**

The Playa Los Cocos is located two hours north of Puerto Vallarta. Airport transfer is included.

**Program coordinator**

Juana Lawrence is on the faculties of the University of San Diego and Cañada Community College. She received her B.A. in Romance Linguistics and has a Master's in Education specializing in early childhood.She has focused on multicultural education and second language acquisition. She also has a preprimary American Montessori Society credential. Juana taught preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade over the last twenty years in Italy as well as the United States. She has taught English in Spain and founded the Gourmet Language School for children. Juana is involved in early childhood teacher training in the Latin-American community has a community service early childhood program in Nayarit, Mexico. She has a house in the village of Aticama near the Playa Los Cocos. As well as her familiarity with this area of Mexico, she has traveled extensively throughout the country, spent extended periods in Central America and has lived in Spain.

Suggested Texts:
· Harvey, "Spanish for Gringos", 2nd edition, Barron's, 1999. (Plus tapes)
(Available through Borders)
or
· Keenan, Joseph J., "Breaking out of Beginner's Spanish"
· Spanish-English/English-Spanish Dictionary (The New World version)
· "501 Spanish Verbs"
· Bring a tape recorder, blank tapes, extra batteries and small notebook.

Individualized language/conversation groups with native speakers available.
After sunset: Spanish cultural films available.

Pricing:
Room with Ocean view @ Casa Mañana
Airport Transportation
Language and Culture Program
Fiesta

Single occupancy
US$ 1,085.00

Shared Rooms (Rooms have 2 double beds)
US$ 885.00 per adult
US$ 600.00 per child

*(Airfare is not included).
The Casa Mañana has a restaurant and there are small restaurants in walking distance. One may purchase package of food coupons (children and adult) at the Casa Mañana office which can provide savings.
.
To make a payment through paypal, click here.
You will have to become a paypal member and then submit your payment
to Casa Manana via email at reinhard@prodigy.net.mx.

Additional expenses:
· Air flight (recommend going online to Alaska.com)
Try to arrive on the flights coming in close to 3 p.m. This allows for a picturesque two-hour drive up the coast to Playa Los Cocos and arrival at Casa Mañana for the sunset.
· Lunches, weekend meals etc.
· Texts

**Daily Schedule**

9:30-1:30: Group instruction, planned activities and excursions
(There are 2 days at the beach – it is necessary that the children have a ratio of one adult to each child –there are lifeguard trained surf instructors available and the cost is not included in the package but is very reasonable – also refreshments on the beach are at the individual’s expense)

Afternoons:
The afternoons are very warm. Most appreciate this time to swim, relax, study, or read. It is a great time to strike up conversation in Spanish with the locals and practice. The children do this naturally through play.
One may also sign up for cooking, dance, surfing and private Spanish classes.

Evenings:
There is a large and impressive collection of well-known Spanish language films with sub-titles available to view in the all purpose room at no charge.

One may make special individual arrangements for day trips to Tepic, Mexcaltitan, La Cora waterfall, Turtle Beach eco tour picnic, and archaeological sites.

There are a variety of additional activities available:
hiking to waterfalls, fishing, boogie boarding, tours with local anthropologist etc. Sundays are unscheduled. Also, spouses sometimes attend and just want to go fishing. The program attempts to adjust to individual needs.

To contact Juana: juana@gourmetlanguage.com

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