Oh, How Time Flies...

I apologize for neglecting my never-visited blog. Oops.

Anyway, in the past month, here is what I've done:

1. I turned 22. Sigh... Every year that passes, I just get abruptly reminded that I am now an adult and am soon going to be on my own. Yikes.
2. I walked through Frida Kahlo's home studio. I can't imagine that many people have...it was really special.
3. I touched a Diego Rivera mural. 
4. I went a complete day (actually many) without doubting my ability to speak or understand Spanish. To me, that's a big deal.
5. I visited Tajin and stood in the same spot where thousands of men were sacrificed for losing a simple game of Pelota.
6. I rediscovered my love for bus tours.
7. I finally understood how different this country is, and how different women are treated and viewed.
8. I saw Radiohead among about 100,000 Mexicans.
9. I suffered from an awful bout of Salmonella poisoning. (I won't get too detailed on this one)
10. I overcame the lack of air conditioning. Yes...I'm serious.
11. I have met people that, hopefully, will stay in my life forever.
12. I've been humbled beyond belief and sadly realize that I take too many luxuries for granted; hot and CLEAN water, driving...just to name a few. 

In a nutshell, over the past month, a lot has happened. I am finally feeling like this is my home. Don't get me wrong - I really miss my real home - but this is a wonderful second. My host mom, Mirna, couldn't be sweeter. She is a fantastic cook and has a heart of gold. 

I went to Mexico City! Contrary to popular belief, it was absolutely amazing and probably one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. I always felt safe. The only thing I didn't like was that I didn't have enough time to do everything I wanted. I highly recommend ANYONE to visit there. Here are some random pictures from the last month...

All in all, I love it here. I thought I would be homesick, but it's quite the opposite. This Friday, will be the seven week mark, which is about half-way through the whole trip. Oh, how time flies...

Ruins & Villa Rica

Hola! Yesterday, we all went to Cempoala, Quiahuiztlan and Villa Rica! Everything was so beautiful! The Cempoala ruins date back to 800 B.C. It is amazing...there is a huge stone ring in the middle of the ruins. If you stand in the middle and yell, the whole site can hear it. It's like a modern-day microphone. Cempoala was inhabited by the Olmec civilization. Here are some pictures!

After Cempoala, we went to another site called Quiahuiztlan...and no, I can't pronounce that. All of the historical sites in Mexico are in Nahuatl, the national indigenous language. Anyway, we went straight up the mountain in our tiny van...gulp...and finally got to the ruins site. Quiahuiztlan is known for housing Hernan Cortes during the Spanish exploration of Mexico. Here are some photos...the actual ruins photos were dumb. They just look like a big pile of rocks...haha. So here are some othes.

Finally, we went to Villa Rica. It's literally across the street from Quiahuiztlan. Villa Rica is a beautiful beach and is somewhat untouched. We were the only people on the beach! Some of the students began the day with yoga, but I preferred body surfing with some people. Everyone had a great time and GREAT food. I ate the best shrimp cocktail of my life! The Mexican secret: Orange Soda!!!

Cold Shower...

I just stepped out of one of the coldest showers of my life. Ay! In Mexico, the boiler has to be turned on about twenty minutes before you shower...so the water will be nice and hot. I knew this. But today, I failed to remember to wait. Damn. So cold. Another strange thing in Mexico, well at least Xalapa, is that you can't flush toilet paper down the toilet. Yes, it sounds disgusting, and at first I was disgusted. But now, I'm totally used to it. In every bathroom, there's a little trash can next to the toilet. I'm still pretty grossed out, but I don't really have another option.

I finally have my schedule all worked out:

M T W TH - Civilizacion y Cultura Mexicana

M W - Temas de la vida Mexicana

T TH - Literatura Mexicana Contemporeana

T TH - Literatura Hispanica

Ughh...so much literature. I hate it. I really like my Civ class though. Only three months of classes and then it's back to the States for me! Hopefully it doesn't go by too fast - I love it here.

P.S. I looked out my window last week and saw this:

Perros, Parques and Paraguas

Hola chicos. Well, it's Sunday night and I just finished my homework. Today was awesome. We woke up around 9:30 and went to Gerardito's Championship Soccer game around noon. It was so hot and I am burnt to a crisp because of it. I took an umbrella but that just didn't seem to cut it. Well, his team won the game! They are Los Tiburones Rojos (the Red Sharks)...so cute! After the game, we had a team picnic with empanadas, tostadas and cervezas! (Gerardo is the fourth from the right...next to the really white kid.) He is Mirna's grandson! 

Last night was interesting. Amy and I left the house trying to find a bar...and she was attacked by a stray dog. We're hoping that wasn't some sort of sign...

Salsa dancing was great! I learned the basic steps and they're really not that hard! I think Amy and I are going to take a class with some other girls. 

On Friday, we explored the city a bit and stopped in a beautiful park called Parque Juarez. It has an awesome view of the city. I had a caramel-filled churro and enjoyed a little bit of people-watching...and lemme tell ya, there were some strange people. 

I'm slowly falling in love with this city. The people here are so genuine and nice...contrary to popular belief. Everyone is extremely welcoming and I already feel like I have a family here. 

Hasta luego!

One Week Down...

I´ve survived my first week in Mexico! I absolutely love it here. It´s a totally different way of life...that I`m still not quite acquainted with. I`m looking out the window of the ISA office (ISA is the program I am with) and seeing one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. Behind the church, el Parque de Juarez and beautiful mountains in the distance. The window is open and I can hear the men below selling periodicos (papers) and the children walking home from school. I feel like I fit in here. Of course I get stares from the locals, but I just smile back.

I can´t even begin to express how amazing the food is. I just ate lunch in the greatest little cafe with Amy and Maggie. It was about $18 for all of us to eat, with tip...and bottled waters. Yes, it´s that cheap here.

School is fantastic, too! My classes are, for the most part, pretty great...minus Hispanic Literature. Oh...and they´re all taught in Spanish. It was pretty difficult the first day, but I am slowly getting used to it. The only thing I´m not used to is the walk to school. I think it is about 3 miles to and from school. I do that twice a day...uphill...both ways. Not kidding. Somehow, it just is. On a lighter note, my clothes are already a little looser.

Tonight? Salsa Bar.