Two weekends ago I went to Mexico City and saw the Pyramids at Teotihuacán. They were beautiful and amazing. I could not believe they were built by hand so long ago. They were so intricate and there was meaning behind everything they did. When my mom and brother come we are going to visit again. It has been one of my favorite places to visit so far. There were a lot of people trying to sell things there as well. They made me laugh because they tried to speak English to all of us. They would call out to me, “Hey Lady! Buy something nice for your boyfriend. Almost free!” Almost everyone we passed said that to us.
After the pyramids we had lunch at a restaurant in a hotel nearby. There was a buffet with different types of Mexican food and there was a band that played for us and traditional dancers.
After lunch we hopped back on the bus and went into Mexico City. The bus driver had the heat on and the bus was almost 90 degrees. It was disgusting. All of us were sweaty and cranky when we got off the bus. He must have figured it out when we all walked off the bus angry. My friends told him in Spanish to turn the heat off as well. We went and explored a church, some ruins, and the president’s old house. It was so beautiful. I felt awkward taking pictures in the churches because people were in there praying and preaching. They were magnificent though. Everything was so elaborate and decorated. There was a place outside where there was a hole in the sidewalk and there was glass over it. If you looked down you could see bones and skulls of dead people. I am not sure why it was there but it was creepy and it reminded me a lot of the movie Angles and Demons.
Later that week we went to a Queretaro soccer game. Queretaro’s team name is Gallos which is a chicken. What is with me always having horrible mascots? Chickens, Browns, Indians, Cavs, really though? Anyways, we placed the Pumas which are a really good team. We ended up winning 3-2. It was an intense game but a lot of fun. I felt like I was at a high school football game but times 100! Everyone was so into the game. They went crazy every 2 minutes and they had specific cheers for everything that happened. I loved the intensity of the crowd. They get into it like I get into my sports so I fit right in. I even learned a few cheers. I don’t know how many people watched Disney Channel movies when they were young but if you remember the one with the dance team. They had a coach with red hair and they all spoke Spanish and said ‘Si se puede’ (Yes he/she can). Well the point of this is that is one of the cheers they cheer at the game!
The game was on Wed. and on Thursday I went to the play Aida. My salsa instructors were in the play so a bunch of my friends and I went to support them. I had never heard of the play before and I really enjoyed it. It was in Spanish and I understood the majority of it. I may go to another play this Thursday.
Friday I took the bus home. I hit the button for the bus driver to stop at my stop. He looked at me and continued to go. He took me another five minutes down the road. I was so upset but I was glad I knew where it is was and it was in the afternoon. So frustrated I turn my ipod on and begin walking home. As I am walking a van pulls up next to me. I get nervous and just continue to walk until I hear someone call my name. I look and its my professor of my international business class. She asks if I am walking to the Tec and I told her I was just walking home to my house. She offered me a ride and I told her it was ok. She insisted and she drove me all the way home to my house. On the way home she asked if I have been to San Miguel yet, which is a town about 45 minutes from here. I told her no, but at my internship I translated a brouchre for a residential area in San Miguel called El Secreto. Turns out she owns a house in El Secreto. She then asked who set me up with the internship and I told her Carla, the woman who works in the international office. Ironically enough, my professor is Carla’s godmother. So it’s a small world after all! That is one thing about Mexico I love. People are friendly and would do anything for you. She could have easily drove by me and not even stopped. It was definitely a heartwarming moment and something like that would never happen in the US. I hope I can bring some of that kindness back with me!
Last weekend I went camping in Michoacán. It is a state in Mexico north of Queretaro. We stayed in a large cabin in the middle of the woods. It was on a farm with horses and cows. 27 of us went and here are the stats from the trip:
Quesadillas eaten: 230 pieces
Oranges made juice: 50kg (110 pounds)
Cups used: 200 pieces
Plates used: 275 pieces
Distance driven: 540 kilometers (335 miles)
Hours inside a car: 12 hours
Butterflies dead: 347,236 butterflies
Accidents: 4 accidents
Cars dead: 1 car
Cars wrecked: 1 car
To better explain, the first day we were there we went to see the Monarch butterflies. Every winter they migrate to the same place in Mexico. We drove there and saw them. It was unreal. The trees were orange that is how many there were. They were millions flying around everyone. It was beautiful but I would have much rather watched them behind glass or something. I did not like that they were flying at my face and trying to crawl on me and land in my hair. I am glad I went but it is one of those things I will never do again because I was so afraid of the butterflies.
On our drive back the car in front of us (a car that was in our group) had a fender bender with a van in front of them. There was nothing wrong with the car but a dent in the van. There were 2 women in the van and we drove out of the town and out of traffic to assess the situation. We offered the women 2000 pesos which was way more than enough to fix the dent. They refused and had the owner of the car call his insurance agency. Well in Mexico the insurance agency needs to come to the accident and look for themselves. The agency took over 2 hours to get there. So in the meantime we waited with our friends (the same people traveled in the same car all weekend) and played car games and made up a cheer for our car. We were team snakessssssss. Team snakes went to go get tacos and brought them back for the people in the car that got in an accident. At the taco stand we had tacos and burritos. The cook was so friendly and she loved us and our car cheers. She was interested in where we were from and how our trip was going. Anyways, when we come back with tacos the police and insurance agency are there. The police threatened to take the car away because an American was driving and she did not have her license. So they paid of the cops with 1000 pesos and the insurance agency estimated the damage at 1000 pesos. So in the long run we waited four hours and ended up paying just as much as if the women would have just taken the money in the first place. If anything they go the worst deal because they waited and go less money.
Later that night we went swimming and all hung out. My friend Owen had me laughing so hard that night I could not breathe. I do not think I have ever laughed so hard in my entire life. Our friend video taped him so hopefully it is on facebook soon.
The next day we went to the waterfall. We had to hike about 45 minutes in the woods to get to the waterfall. We had to cross the river two times and the current was strong and since it had rained a lot the water was up to my waist. It was definitely an adventure and a lot of fun. It reminded me of hiking in North Carolina when I was little. When we got back we packed up and headed home.
After my internship on Monday I began walking back to the Tec to catch the bus with a friend to go home. There is a hotel next to my internship and there was a car pulling out. It is a one way street and he was stopped. There was a ton of traffic so I decided to cross in front of him assuming since there was so much traffic he would not pull out. I was wrong. My left foot was in front of his car and he hit the gas. He ended up running over my left foot, hitting both of my knees, and my arm on the rearview mirror. I got so angry I hit his car with my fist. He stopped looked at me and then drove off. I did not fall over and I only have a small bruise on one knee so I am very lucky. I was more in shock that a car ran over my foot than anything else. Luckily Evan picked up the phone and calmed me down after it happened. I am alright though and feel fine. No pain and very minor bruising. But it is always a good story to tell!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bullfights, Salsa, Superbowl and More
The rain finally stopped and the weather has been nice. I saw two movies last week. I saw Avatar in 3D and The Book of Eli. They were both great movies. They were in English with Spanish subtitles. I also ate at Chili’s on Friday night and I got chicken fingers. They were so good, I didn’t realized how much I missed them!
On Saturday I went to my first bullfight. It was very interesting. I did not realize how much tradition and style there was to a bullfight. We got there about 2 hours before it began. I have never been to a horse race back in the states but I would assume they have the same atmosphere. There were a lot of people dressed up for the bullfight. I was very out of place in my jeans and tshirt. It is a rich persons sport. They had tents set up with food and things you could buy like hats and paintings. There was live music and people grilling out. It was a fun atmosphere. When we got into the stands it was packed. There were people that walk through the aisles and sell food, just like at a baseball game. There was a band right behind use that would play occasionally. There were 3 matadors, one from Spain, one from France, and one from Mexico. They all killed 2 bulls each. It was a good experience and I would not mind going again. It is easier to watch when the bullfighters do a good job. If they do it right then the bull will not suffer or feel a lot of pain. Also, they give the meat to a family in need.
After the bullfight we left to find a taxi. Since the arena is in the middle of nowhere we had to walk to a hotel to catch a taxi. My friend Bryan is such a negotiator. He asked the police the best way to get there and asked if they could give us a ride, but they said no. We (all 11 of us) were walking through a residential area when a man came out of his house. Bryan went over to ask for directions and the man offered us a ride in his minivan. So we fit 12 people in a minivan. The man was very nice and ended up taking us to I-HOP. He would not take our money at first so we left it on the seat and said thank you. It was crazy but the man was very nice and helpful.
After I-HOP I went home and changed for my friend’s birthday. We went to a salsa club which was so much fun. I got to practice some salsa with friends and we all had a great time. We want to go back again soon.
On Sunday I went to a Mexican flea market. It goes on every Sunday downtown. I bought 3 dvds for less than 5 dollars and sunglasses for about 5. They have a lot of cool things and I am planning on going again in a few weeks!
I went to an Irish Pub with friends to watch the Super Bowl. We had pizza and watched the game on a projection screen. They even had couches for us to sit on, so it was almost like being at home, except for the fact the commercials were different. They were regular Spanish commercials, not the good super bowl ones. If anyone has ones they liked and can find them on youtube please send them to me.
This week is exam week. I have two exams and had my first today and the second is tomorrow. The one today went alright, but it was still hard. At least I now know what to expect and what to study for next time. Tomorrow should go well, I hope.
On Saturday I went to my first bullfight. It was very interesting. I did not realize how much tradition and style there was to a bullfight. We got there about 2 hours before it began. I have never been to a horse race back in the states but I would assume they have the same atmosphere. There were a lot of people dressed up for the bullfight. I was very out of place in my jeans and tshirt. It is a rich persons sport. They had tents set up with food and things you could buy like hats and paintings. There was live music and people grilling out. It was a fun atmosphere. When we got into the stands it was packed. There were people that walk through the aisles and sell food, just like at a baseball game. There was a band right behind use that would play occasionally. There were 3 matadors, one from Spain, one from France, and one from Mexico. They all killed 2 bulls each. It was a good experience and I would not mind going again. It is easier to watch when the bullfighters do a good job. If they do it right then the bull will not suffer or feel a lot of pain. Also, they give the meat to a family in need.
After the bullfight we left to find a taxi. Since the arena is in the middle of nowhere we had to walk to a hotel to catch a taxi. My friend Bryan is such a negotiator. He asked the police the best way to get there and asked if they could give us a ride, but they said no. We (all 11 of us) were walking through a residential area when a man came out of his house. Bryan went over to ask for directions and the man offered us a ride in his minivan. So we fit 12 people in a minivan. The man was very nice and ended up taking us to I-HOP. He would not take our money at first so we left it on the seat and said thank you. It was crazy but the man was very nice and helpful.
After I-HOP I went home and changed for my friend’s birthday. We went to a salsa club which was so much fun. I got to practice some salsa with friends and we all had a great time. We want to go back again soon.
On Sunday I went to a Mexican flea market. It goes on every Sunday downtown. I bought 3 dvds for less than 5 dollars and sunglasses for about 5. They have a lot of cool things and I am planning on going again in a few weeks!
I went to an Irish Pub with friends to watch the Super Bowl. We had pizza and watched the game on a projection screen. They even had couches for us to sit on, so it was almost like being at home, except for the fact the commercials were different. They were regular Spanish commercials, not the good super bowl ones. If anyone has ones they liked and can find them on youtube please send them to me.
This week is exam week. I have two exams and had my first today and the second is tomorrow. The one today went alright, but it was still hard. At least I now know what to expect and what to study for next time. Tomorrow should go well, I hope.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Acapulco and More
Acapulco was a lot of fun. We left on Friday night around midnight and had a 9 hour bus ride. Before the bus ride we all ate tortas. They are a heated up sandwich but they are so good!! I might go to the bus station just to get another one! The bus ride was fine; I slept most of the way if that surprises anyone. When I woke up before we stopped I thought I was in the jungle. There were mountains everywhere. It kind of looked like North Carolina because all the mountains were covered in green plants, except it was more exotic because there were palm trees mixed in. I kept telling my friend to look out for wild animal, but all we saw were cows!
When we arrived and stepped off the bus it was so humid. It was not sunny but very warm. We all (22 of us) took taxis to our hotel and got into our rooms right away. I roomed with 2 girls from CMU, Amanda and Kayla, and Tish who is from North Carolina. We were on the 21st floor so we had an amazing view! (Our hotel at 22 floors so we were almost at the top)There was an amazing pool and a restaurant which I never got to eat at. Then all then went to the beach for the day, and there was a restaurant on the beach that some people bought food from. The owners were very nice and let us use the tables and chairs all day and then for the rest of the weekend. There are many people who walk up and down the beach and try to sell you things. They kept coming up to our tables and chairs wanting us to buy things. They had everything you could ever imagine. I had people who wanted to braid my hair, sell me a bracelet with my name on it, a little girl who sang la cuchracha, tacos, ice cream, beach cover-ups, you name they had it. The worst was an old man had massage oil and would give massages. They are all very pushy and get right up in your face and this old creepy man started rubbing my back and saying “massage, massage.” I ripped his hand off and told him no. I did end up buying some tacos from a vendor (4 tacos for 20 pesos, that is less than 50 cents a taco. They sure beat taco bell!) Then I bought some stuff that was like lemon ice but it was fresher and it was mango. It was delicious! Later that night my friends and I were craving American food so we went to Pizza Hut. It was so good. It definitely hit the spot. I had stuff crust cheese pizza and bread sticks. After dinner we went out dancing for the rest of the night which was a lot of fun. We got to dance a lot of salsa so I got some practice in. After we went out for tacos at a small restaurant by our hotel, again they were so good. (30 pesos for 5 tacos, which again is about 50 cents per taco!)
The next day we slept in and then went to the beach again for the day. Some people went jet skiing and parasailing. I just jumped off of the rocks and swam. We then ate McDonalds for dinner (yum!) and went to the restaurant/bar we went to during the day. They had a campfire for us and music. It was fun except there was a chicken that kept pooping on people. The owners told us not to worry because they were just going to kill it tomorrow. We were all freaked out!
The next day we had to check out so a few friends and I decided to check out the town instead of getting all sandy and not being able to shower before the bus. We went shopping and bought things at the local shops. They were just like the people on the beach. They were all very pushy wanting you to buy things and wanting to spend your money. They would try to charge you outrageous prices for everything too. You had to barter with them which was fun but did not always work. I only bought a bracelet from a store without a pushy salesman. We then had lunch at Subway and for dinner we had tacos again from the same restaurant. They were so delicious. I am craving them again!
When we were shopping we stopped at the mail to cool off and walk around in air conditioning. My friend Tish sat in a massage chair and we decided to leave and get dinner. We were about to exit the mall when she realized she did not have her wallet. She went back to check for it and could not find it. We talked to the security guards and thank goodness one found it. She had left it in the chair and luckily enough it was found by a security guard. So that was a relief.
We sadly left Acapulco at 9pm and did not arrive back home until 6:30am. I was so tired on Tuesday but it was so worth it. I just wish I was back there because all it has done this week is rain. Its only in the 50s and it won’t stop raining. Since it does not rain a lot here there is not a good draining system so a lot of the streets are flooded. My host mom has driven me to school the past 2 days because it has been raining so hard and the water is so deep in places. I took the bus home and I have to walk a little after to get home. On Wednesday I came home soaking wet because the cars would speed through puddles and splash me. I felt like I was in a movie. It was pretty funny though. Luckily that did not happen today though!
I have found out this week why I am horrible at salsa. I do not like not being in control or no knowing what is coming next. Since the guy leads I am always tense and I think too much. My partner always tells me to relax my arms. He laughs at me a lot and I am pretty sure he knows no English. I felt bad because last class I think I stepped on his feet 100 times and elbowed him once. Yes, I am not graceful either. I now understand why my parents never put me in dance. Thank you for saving me the embarrassment and keeping me in soccer.
My host mom now calls me here Hija. That means daughter in Spanish. She had her grandson Marco over again today. He is sick so he stayed home from school. He is a lot of fun and helps me a lot with my Spanish! Although he did throw up in the living room today and I almost did too. I felt so bad because he was sick but felt bad because my host mom would not let me help her clean up.
I went to the movies last night. I saw Avatar in 3D with some friends. It is a great movie and if you have not seen it yet you need to go! NOW! But the movies here are really cheap. I went at 9:30 and it was less than 7 dollars!!
I might be going to a bull fight this weekend and watching the super bowl with some friends. A hopefully relaxing weekend!
When we arrived and stepped off the bus it was so humid. It was not sunny but very warm. We all (22 of us) took taxis to our hotel and got into our rooms right away. I roomed with 2 girls from CMU, Amanda and Kayla, and Tish who is from North Carolina. We were on the 21st floor so we had an amazing view! (Our hotel at 22 floors so we were almost at the top)There was an amazing pool and a restaurant which I never got to eat at. Then all then went to the beach for the day, and there was a restaurant on the beach that some people bought food from. The owners were very nice and let us use the tables and chairs all day and then for the rest of the weekend. There are many people who walk up and down the beach and try to sell you things. They kept coming up to our tables and chairs wanting us to buy things. They had everything you could ever imagine. I had people who wanted to braid my hair, sell me a bracelet with my name on it, a little girl who sang la cuchracha, tacos, ice cream, beach cover-ups, you name they had it. The worst was an old man had massage oil and would give massages. They are all very pushy and get right up in your face and this old creepy man started rubbing my back and saying “massage, massage.” I ripped his hand off and told him no. I did end up buying some tacos from a vendor (4 tacos for 20 pesos, that is less than 50 cents a taco. They sure beat taco bell!) Then I bought some stuff that was like lemon ice but it was fresher and it was mango. It was delicious! Later that night my friends and I were craving American food so we went to Pizza Hut. It was so good. It definitely hit the spot. I had stuff crust cheese pizza and bread sticks. After dinner we went out dancing for the rest of the night which was a lot of fun. We got to dance a lot of salsa so I got some practice in. After we went out for tacos at a small restaurant by our hotel, again they were so good. (30 pesos for 5 tacos, which again is about 50 cents per taco!)
The next day we slept in and then went to the beach again for the day. Some people went jet skiing and parasailing. I just jumped off of the rocks and swam. We then ate McDonalds for dinner (yum!) and went to the restaurant/bar we went to during the day. They had a campfire for us and music. It was fun except there was a chicken that kept pooping on people. The owners told us not to worry because they were just going to kill it tomorrow. We were all freaked out!
The next day we had to check out so a few friends and I decided to check out the town instead of getting all sandy and not being able to shower before the bus. We went shopping and bought things at the local shops. They were just like the people on the beach. They were all very pushy wanting you to buy things and wanting to spend your money. They would try to charge you outrageous prices for everything too. You had to barter with them which was fun but did not always work. I only bought a bracelet from a store without a pushy salesman. We then had lunch at Subway and for dinner we had tacos again from the same restaurant. They were so delicious. I am craving them again!
When we were shopping we stopped at the mail to cool off and walk around in air conditioning. My friend Tish sat in a massage chair and we decided to leave and get dinner. We were about to exit the mall when she realized she did not have her wallet. She went back to check for it and could not find it. We talked to the security guards and thank goodness one found it. She had left it in the chair and luckily enough it was found by a security guard. So that was a relief.
We sadly left Acapulco at 9pm and did not arrive back home until 6:30am. I was so tired on Tuesday but it was so worth it. I just wish I was back there because all it has done this week is rain. Its only in the 50s and it won’t stop raining. Since it does not rain a lot here there is not a good draining system so a lot of the streets are flooded. My host mom has driven me to school the past 2 days because it has been raining so hard and the water is so deep in places. I took the bus home and I have to walk a little after to get home. On Wednesday I came home soaking wet because the cars would speed through puddles and splash me. I felt like I was in a movie. It was pretty funny though. Luckily that did not happen today though!
I have found out this week why I am horrible at salsa. I do not like not being in control or no knowing what is coming next. Since the guy leads I am always tense and I think too much. My partner always tells me to relax my arms. He laughs at me a lot and I am pretty sure he knows no English. I felt bad because last class I think I stepped on his feet 100 times and elbowed him once. Yes, I am not graceful either. I now understand why my parents never put me in dance. Thank you for saving me the embarrassment and keeping me in soccer.
My host mom now calls me here Hija. That means daughter in Spanish. She had her grandson Marco over again today. He is sick so he stayed home from school. He is a lot of fun and helps me a lot with my Spanish! Although he did throw up in the living room today and I almost did too. I felt so bad because he was sick but felt bad because my host mom would not let me help her clean up.
I went to the movies last night. I saw Avatar in 3D with some friends. It is a great movie and if you have not seen it yet you need to go! NOW! But the movies here are really cheap. I went at 9:30 and it was less than 7 dollars!!
I might be going to a bull fight this weekend and watching the super bowl with some friends. A hopefully relaxing weekend!
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