spring break dos mil diez.

For the past 5 days, I have been kickin' it in Puerto Escondido. The people are super sweet, the sun is always out, and the waves are perfect. It has been wonderfully relaxing. Even though I will leave this beachtown with 47 mosquito bites and a tomato-red sunburn, I have enjoyed my stay for a couple of reasons:

1) Fish! Last night I enjoyed a tasty fillet Mexican-style. It included chile, tomato, and onion (for the Mexican flag colors).
2) Our hostel. It looks likes it's straight out of the movie "Hook" with Robin Williams! It includes a bowling pin shaped pool, a bar that blasts beachy tunes every night, a ping pong table, and countless tucked away rooms with mismatched furniture.
3) #274 on my bucket list: I rode on the back of a motorcycle! The owner of the hostel, Steve, is an old English bloke who plays soccer by the beach every night. A couple of us took the city bus in that direction with him. On the way back, to save me from paying the 5 pesos, he offered me a ride. Thus him, his black lab, and I enjoyed the 10 minute drive back on his sputtering motorcycle. Woo!

single digit zone.

So it's official. I only have 9 days left in Mexico. And even less in Puebla with my host family and friends. Eek! My third and final class finished on Thursday. I don't know how, but I escaped with 2.5 weeks of spring break!

Last weekend I travelled with Robin, Erika, and Andres to Taxco. It is tucked away in a small mountain range. Thus, you can probably guess how the bus ride getting there was. Luckily the gorgeous view in the last 5 minutes of the ride erased the nauseating hours preceding. The quaint and picturesque town reminded me of somewhere in Spain or Greece with all of the narrow winding roads, colorful vespas, and white Volkswagen bugs that doubled as taxis.

We had heard that Taxco was not to be missed, particularly for it's Saturday market. It is home of silver mines. Thus, the market is loaded with kiosk after kiosk selling silver. While most of it was too shiny for my fancy, I was able to find a turquoise ring that I now wear everyday! While here, we also enjoyed delicious meals, rooftop nights at our hostel, and a stunning view of the city when visiting a "photo opp" area surrounded by none other than pine trees!

casa del sol.

Twice a week, I make my way down a dusty road to Casa del Sol. It is a center that provides a home for kids who have a difficult home situation or no home situation at all. They range from as young as a couple months up to 5th grade age. On Mondays and Wednesdays, Ellie and I volunteer in the baby room. Vanesa, Rosalba, Viane, Hilda, Jesus, Angel, Moi, and Jeremias all have my heart. We typically arrive just as they are waking up from their afternoon nap. Then we help feed them lunch, brush their teeth, clean their diapers, gel down their hair (the gel look is popular even at this age), and lead them to the playroom. Then begins the fun!

This past Wednesday was my final day volunteering. My camera tagged along and helped me capture some priceless moments of a few of the munchkins....

cheese and trees.

Last weekend, a group of us traveled to Oaxaca. It is home of three important things. First is quesillo, that tasty and stringy cheese that I am obsessed with. Second is mezcal, an alcoholic drink that is made from an agave plant and that is stronger than tequila. Third is El Arbol del Tule, the biggest tree in the world with the stoutest trunk in the world. We got to experience a little bit of it all. I was a fan. I was also a fan that the weather was in the '80s the entire time. Cha-ching!

In addition, we visited Monte Alban (featured in the photo). It is an archaeological site that sits atop a mountain that has the most gorgeous view of the city. Monte Alban is actually the intersection of the three valleys that make up Oaxaca. While having a great view, the site itself was also appealing to the eye. The ancient stone carvings were still visible to this day!

march? already?

Time is flying by so quickly! I can't believe it. To make sure that everything I want to accomplish gets done, I made a bucket list for the rest of my time in Puebla. A week ago, one of the items was crossed off.

What was it? Eating elote.

Elote is a very popular Mexican snack. It is sold at every market and is practically on every street corner. I've always watched with skeptical eyes at the locals who feast on it. Robin and I got talked into trying it while at the Sunday market. We agreed to it, but not before receiving the promise that we would only have to eat one. So we ate it. Corn + mayo + parmesan cheese (mas o menos) + chili powder + lime juice = a cup of elote. While not as bad as I expected, it still wasn't something I'd buy again. That being said, I'm glad we tried it in the long run :)

a playlist from puebla.

So like I promised, here are some of the ridiculously popular songs here. On any given night, you are guaranteed to hear at least half of these while out and about.

1. "I Gotta Feeling" - Black Eyed Peas
2. "Hotel Room Service" - Pitbull
3. "Colga" - Carlos Baute y Marta Sanchez
4. "Low" - Flo-rida feat. T-Pain
5. "Sexy Bitch" - David Guetta feat. Akon
6. "Esclavo de tus Besos" - David Bisbal
7. "Sex on the Beach" - Spankers (and yes, it talks about precisely what you think it does)

For numero 8, I will leave a link since it is too good to not listen to....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGdnYJXRStg

caffeine, confetti, and carnaval.

This weekend's adventure took me to Veracruz. It is a coast city that rests on the Gulf of Mexico. While the weather wasn't exactly beach weather, we did not mind. For there are two other things that Veracruz is known for that we got to experience...

1. Carnaval!
Comparable to Mardi Gras, Carnaval is a weeklong party that leads up to the first day of Lent. It wouldn't be complete without masks, confetti, and alcohol. Carnaval is most known for the celebration in Rio, but all latino countries celebrate. We were informed that Veracruz is THE place to go in Mexico. So that's where we went. On Friday night we attended a coronation of the Carnaval Queen. Once announced, confetti and fireworks were released like crazy! On Saturday was the big "desfile" (parade). We had a fun time watching dancers and ridiculously glittery costumes stroll on past the beach backdrop.
Side note: there was also an event called "Extranos del Noche." It was here that we had a great time watching transvestites strut around the streets complete with heels the size of pencils, the most unrealistic butt-enhancers I've ever seen, and volumized hair that puts "bump-its" to shame.

2. Lechero!
Mmmmm... this is for all my coffee-loving followers. Lechero is a drink that is specific to Veracruz. While I'm usually a tea drinker myself, Seattle has changed my tastebuds so that I am able to enjoy a cup of coffee every now and then. I figured this was an experience to not pass up. When you order a lechero, your "mesero" (waiter) will bring out a glass cup with a shot of espresso at the bottom. Then another mesero comes around with a huge silver kettle of steaming milk. Because a lechero is supposed to have foam, these meseros are taught to pour the milk from unbelievably high distances. Thus, they end up pouring the milk while the kettle is above your head! Add some sugar (ok, quite a bit for me) and you have yourself a hot tasty drink.

i heart san miguel.

The reason I haven't updated in a while is because... I've been traveling! A week ago, the entire SU group traveled to Mexico City. We visited the ruins at Teotihuacan, the Church of El Virgen de Guadalupe, Frida Kahlo's house, and El Palacio de Bellas Artes. After that, Robin and I decided to head to a quaint town called San Miguel. It is northwest of Mexico City, and we found it to be the perfect place to wrap up the weekend.

I have exactly 365 pictures from my six day trip. For someone who loves photos as much as I do, it was extremely difficult to narrow them down. Thus, I have decided to solely focus on San Miguel. Nestled in a valley, it is comprised of cobblestone streets and brightly painted casas. I could honestly write a novel about it, but have decided to let some photos speak instead. Enjoy!

"olive oil and eggs together?"

Ayer was the big 2-1. For being in a country where turning 21 has no major significance, I had a lot of fun!

Robin and I made carrot cake and cream cheese frosting to celebrate. The entire family was fascinated by our "pastel de zanahorias" and thus stood in the kitchen while we prepared it. It was really cute because they would make comments such as, "Olive oil and eggs together?" I'm pretty sure it was their first exposure to cake batter. But I don't think it will be their last exposure based on how much they ate. Sara, one of our sisters, is not particularly found of anything cake-y. Even she liked it!

At night we met up with friends at a popular bar. It's called La Mentirosa, which means "the liar" en espanol. It was here where we drank and danced the night away. I think my next post will be about the music down here. There are some definite winners we hear almost every night we go out!

lucha libre.

So just as Monday nights in the states are for WWF, Monday nights in Mexico are for lucha libre. Lucha libre is a big tradition down here. Think macho boxers mixed with acrobatic moves mixed with Halloween costumes. That's a lucha libre fight. I was feeling venturesome enough to attend such an event with some friends last night.

We bought our tickets for less than 5 bucks each. With these we entered and became part of the cheering audience. We got into it real quick. Each boxer has his own unique outfit, complete with a mask. My personal favorite was a stout muscular man who decided to channel his inner cupid and wear a one-shouldered minidress to pair with his pink mohawk. haha. While he didn't win, he definitely added to the experience!

una merienda.

Yesterday, Robin and I were feeling a little hungry. That is, until we saw what was being offered to us. But being the open-minded individuals that we are... you can probably guess what happened next!

highlights.

What made today great?
- Sun and WARMTH. They predict that it will hit the 70 degree mark later this week. Keep your fingers crossed!
- My host mom made a delicious fruit-filled tea today. The name is escaping me, but it's made with these mini apples that smell absolutely fantastic. Again, something that does not exist in the states that I will fully savor while here.
- A local friend of ours took us to a market that basically sells all things pirated. Robin and I bought the movie "New York, I Love You" that we've both been dying to see. It cost less than a buck.
- The bus driver, for two reasons. First, he took some change from his bus fare collection and gave it to a beggar at a stoplight. Second, he waited outside a teeny torteria (torta shop) until someone came out to hand him his lunch in the form of a torta (meaty sandwich).
- In the afternoon, Robin and I visited a museum absolutely for free!

Not band for a Monday, eh?

to huevos rancheros and maya angelou...

Mmmm... Mexican food. Is it really a surprise that it's better here? Unlike when I was in Spain, my host mom here actually makes every meal an authentic meal. And each one has been absolutely delicious. Not only are my taste buds pleased with each dish, but so are my eyes. Please notice Exhibit A. Blanca served this to Robin and I a couple days ago for lunch. It is enchiladas with cabbage on top. As most of you know, my stomach is rather small. Not to fret, it is growing with each meal. This morning for breakfast I ate delicious huevos rancheros (hence the Rent reference in the title). It consisted of a fried tortilla, ham, eggs, and salsa verde. Typically it also includes beans but Blanca caters to my dislike for them. haha.

In addition to the dishes themselves being "muy rico", the ingredients are also "muy rico". Namely, the cheese. I probably consume cheese in at least 1-2 meals a day. Not that I mind. There is this fantastic cheese Blanca gets from Oaxaca that I'm head over heels in love with. The closest comparison to a cheese in the states is probably string cheese. But not really, because that makes it sound really squeaky and shiny. Trust me, if there was someway I could get it past customs, I would.

un poco sobre puebla.

Since I have been here a while and have learned much about the city myself, I thought I would share some information with you guys. Care for a history lesson?

Puebla:
- is the 4th largest city in Mexico. Wowza!
- is the place to buy Talavera pottery. Google it... simply beautiful.
- contains church after church after church.
- is the origin of mole. Unlike the animal, it is not pronounced mole but rather mo-lay. It is a ground-up sauce used in typical dishes of Puebla.
- lastly and most interestingly, is home of the infamous battle between the French and the Mexicans. It happened on May 5, 1862 (or rather Cinco de Mayo). The reason this day is so highly celebrated is because it is one of the very few battles Mexico has won. Ever. Contrary to what most people think, Cinco de Mayo is not the day Mexico receive it's independence. That happened on September 16, 1810.

Ok, I just took off my teacher hat. Now I am back to wearing my poblano hat (poblanos are residents of Puebla). This weekend was very eventful! As a class, we took a tour of the city on Friday. Seeing all the nooks and crannies was really fascinating. It was then that I also saw the site of the battle of Cinco de Mayo. Later that night, we went out as a group to a typical Mexican bar called La Cantinera. Then we went to an andra (it's in between a bar and a club). And later to another andra. We danced that night and morning away. Had we gone one more hour, we probably would have seen the sun rise!

confession.

So like the title says, I have a confession. It is not just Robin and I who share the guest room. There are quite a few more who inhabit the room. Namely, six fish and a turtle! There are two aquariums in here (one for the turtle and one for all the fish). After figuring that we would be living with them, we decided to name them. Tito La Tortuga (Tito The Turtle) is a bit shy, but cute nonetheless. Then we have Raul... and his six women. We have come to the conclusion that he is quite the player (mujeriego en espanol). They keep us company at all times of the day.

Later today will be the first time that the whole SU group will get together for a reunion. It will coincidentally be at our host family's house. Because of this, our Mom has been cleaning away. It definitely will be fun to see everyone, eat dinner together, and head out afterwards.

I will keep you updated how the rest of the week goes! The plan is to have an orientation at the school and then take a final exam on Spanish grammar. Then come Monday, we will have our first class!

estoy aqui!

I have been in Puebla for a little more than 12 hours, and boy has it been great! The taxi dropped me off at the house (after a little bit of difficulty finding it). It was there that I was warmly greeted by my roommate Robin, my host family, and more of their family.
Everyone introduced themselves with un beso (a kiss) and their name. After all the introductions, I was given the tour of the house. It's so darlng! I love it. Robin and I are staying in a room that is separated from the rest of the house, similar to a guest house. After the grand tour, they asked if I would like to go out to the bars for a "bienvenidos a Puebla". I was a little tired from the traveling but said, "Why not?"
Robin, Pedro (the nephew of my host mom), his friends, and I went out to a bar called La Playa. It was definitely a new experience to be able to just walk into a bar and order a Corona haha. But it was great because we spent the night talking in Spanish and listening to the popular music here.
This morning Robin and I woke up to a delicious breakfast plate. It was tortilla chips with shredded chicken in a delicious sauce. Afterwards, we went on a walk to the university. It's only a 15 minute walk from our house... talk about lucky! Really the whole situation has me thinking that we are lucky. A friendly family, a beautiful house, a great cook as a mom, close to the university. Wow.
There's so much more I could tell, but I'll save it for later :) I'm off to unpack and get settled. Un beso de Puebla a todos!

adios los estados unidos!

For the past couple of hours, Leese and I have been in my room as I attempt to pack. It is now 2am. Am I finished? Just about! It's definitely harder than you think to pack ahead for 3 months. I'm positive I forgot something. But as my friend Bryan put it, forgetting items just makes it that much more of an adventure.

My adventure officially begins tomorrow morning. My flight to Mexico City leaves at 11am. Once there, I will catch a bus into Puebla. And from there, I will take a taxi to my host family's home. I'm so excited to meet them!

The next update will be from Puebla. Crazy, right?