Puerto Escondido Here I Come!

¡Me Voy a Puerto Escondido!
I skipped class today (boooooooooo). I just didn´t feel like going....and pretty sure I´m not gonna feel bad about it! So far I have spent the day eating, reading in the zocalo, and catching up on my blog! I AM GOING TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO TONIGHT! and I´m super excited! Puerto supposedly has some of the most beautiful beaches Mexico has to offer. Unfortunately it takes about 6 hours in a van on an extremely curvy, sickening road. Vomitville here I come! Lalo already told me I will probably puke...great! We leave tonight at 11pm and will arrive at about 5am so hopefully I can sleep most of the way. Lalo and I are going to meet up with Panina who went with her class, and Miguel is coming on Sunday. Our plans is to stay until Monday morning! I am psyched because I have wanted to go there since I got here....the beach, beers, the sand, the ocean...a mini-vacation within my vacation! If you don´t here from me again....assume I have met a hot surfer and decided to live in Puerto Escondido for the rest of my life :) So excited to soak up the sun....except sunblock literally costs about $20 for a small bottle here...charge those gringos! Adios...Besos...Hasta Pronto!

Dia Numero 20

¡Me encanta la comida aqui...Que rico!
I recieved a package from home today....lots of goodies, magazines and a few clothing items. It is fun to share with my friends...¡Gracias Familia! Today was fun because Lalo doesn´t work on Thursdays...he came to school to pick my up when I was done. We went to pick up my box together since I didn´t know where the post office was...they told me they wouldn´t deliver the box because it was too big. I was expecting a HUGE box...I think they are just too lazy to deliver packages! We went to get a cheeseburger at a place called "la segraria" the mexican equivalent of a diner....horrible....never eat bad american food in Mexico! We then went to see Miguel at the tattoo shop...I want to get another tatoo...something in Spanish...not sure yet what I want...or maybe a piercing...hahah! After dropping off my box and finishing my homework, Lalo and I got dinner at what so far has been my favorite place. We had the best "pozole" which is an amazing soup with meat, veggies, and spices. ¡Que sabrosa! I´m lucky to have a "mexican tour guide"! I need to find a recipe for that when I get back...I wish you all could share some of these experiences with me because I will never be able to describe in words how amazing they are! To eat authentic pozole at a small little cantina where you pretty much know there is a little old lady in the back making everything from scratch...indescribable! Next we had "tacos al vapor con res" steamed tacos with bull? Not sure we eat that in the U.S. and if we do we don´t call it bull...I learned the authentic way to eat them....open them up and load in quacamole, tomato salsa, spicy salsa...roll it back up and YUM! After dinner we were going to meet up with Katie and we had a drink and a "pastel de nuez" (nut cake...not my favorite) while we were waiting. Unfortunately Katie wasn´t feeling well so we decided to go to "Casa de Mezcal" Here I experienced another one of my most favorite things from Mexico...smoky Mezcal followed by a juicy orange slice covered in "sal de gusanito" (salt mixed with chili and crushed maguey worm). The combo of the sweet orange mixed with the spicy, salty chili is amazing! Don´t worry I am bringing both back the the states with me when I come...along with "chapulines" a favorite snack here. I´ll let you know what those are after you eat them....The culinary experience here has been truly awesome. Most things I have liked...some are a little too nasty for me (tripa or pig intestines...with the filling and all) but I have tried it all! I only wish that I could capture it all and bring it home to share with you all! Adios...Besos...Hasta Pronto!

Dia Numero 19 MIercoles!

Subjuntivo!
We are studying the subjunctive in my classes now....one of the more difficult concepts to master since the tense doesn´t really exist in the English language. We added a new woman to our class yesterday...and until now she is the only person I have met that I truly despise! ¡Me molesta UN CHINGO¡ (She bothers me alot!) She is a nurse from Chicago and pretty much thinks she knows everything about spanish. Me and the older woman I have made friends with (Carolina) glance at eachother rolling our eyes. I had to put my head down because I was laughing at her! Carolina actually asked her to stop answering the questions that she had posed to the maestro...haha! Also, as a cutlure Latinos are very annimated when they talk often times making noises and hand gestures....well she has taken this to an extreme pulling out some of the most ugly guttural noises I have every heard. I´m kind of embarassed to be affiiated with her as an American...you can tell that the Mexicans think she is a piece of work! Other American woman I met at school quickly asked me if I had diarrhea after 2 minutes of knowing her...what are we (Americans) thinking? I think Carolina has gone so far as to ask the head officials that we not be placed in a class with her again! I am really enjoying my conversation class with Carolina and my old professor Hugo. We have had some interesting conversations mixing politics, cultural differences, naughty words, and bodily functions all into one 1.5 hour class. Carolina is a very sweet woman and has been somewhat "motherly" offering me advice when I was sick, walked with me to try to find a new hotel, and dramamine for my potential trip to Puerto Escondido! I have been so impressed with everyone I have met so far....everyone is lusting for adventures and seeking out the unknown. For example, Carolina is in her 60´s and beginning a journey to learn a new language and travel all over Mexico all by herself! How cool to meet people that have such desires and motivation! I feel empowered to do something cool after I return...what that is...not quite sure...maybe teach English somewhere? I am excited to know that you can be by yourself in a foreign place and meet such cool people! ¡Que Suerte Tengo! Adios....Besos...Hasta Pronto!

Dia Numero 18 ¡Viva U.S.!

¡Inaguracion!
I was excited to experience the inauguration here in Mexico despite my glimpse of sadness not being in the U.S. for such a monumental event. I watched the Inauguration on T.V. and couldn´t help but feel a large amount of pride in the fact that it truly feels that as a whole we are demanding change and for once we may really get it. I enjoyed listening to Obama speak and his ties to historical relevance. After just 3 weeks here, it was so obvious to me how much we really do have as a country...seeing Obama and his wife and daughters dressed in beautiful clothes, parades, security, and 2 million people flocked to the capital. I tried to explain this to my friends but I think there is such an atmosphere of complacency here that it is hard for them to understand the energy behind the change. I felt energized knowing that so many people united to witness the inauguration! It was very interesting to watch the news here in Mexico surrounding it. The news was absolutely flooded..I was trying to think if we gave as much attention to foreign leaders taking power...I really don´t think we do. The power and Influence that America has in the country is outrageous and outstanding. I challenge someone to buy an article of clothing with words in spanish...you won´t find one! There is a sentiment here that things are going to change for Mexico with Obama´s presidency. As we all know, there are so many "elegales" living in the U.S....everyone hopes that things will become easier for them! On a lighter note...I have discovered one of my new favorite things to eat...."pistache" ice cream. "Michoacana" has the best damn pistachio ice cream i have ever had...I ate 2 cones in one day and I don´t usually particularily care for ice cream...I´m gonna eat some everyday until I come home....fat and happy! Oh and the best part...it costs the equivalent of $1.40 per cone! ¡Que Rico! Adios...Besos...Hasta Pronto!

Dia Numero 17

Free Mezcal anyone?
I was super tired in my classes today...however, the sun is back in Oaxaca and it feels great! It had been overcast and somewhat cold here so the sun feels great! After class I decided to go walk around and try to find a new hotel. Lalo and I had seen one near the Zocalo on Sunday and asked about prices....I went back and THANK GOD I decided to view the room before-hand because like usual the bathrooms were discusting! If I never have to pee in another discusting bathroom I will be so happy! I walked across the street and found a cute, quiant little hotel that only costs 300 pesos per night which is about $25 so my refund will cover it! The room is clean, comfortable, and guess what! HOT WATER! I have become quite accustomed to taking a nap after class and eating something (today I had a tlayudo which is like a huge quesadilla with lots of fillings). Sure gonna miss that when I have to go back to work! Lalo, Panina, Miguel and I made plans to meet up in the Zocalo around 8:00. Lalo and I met Panina and we went to get Miguel at his job at a local tatoo shop. The shop is small but cute and reminds of a shop you could find in the U.S. The people there were all quite interesting with tatoos and piercings...very friendly nonetheless! After picking up Miguel we went to La Embajada again because they serve free Mezcal on Mondays. ¡Me encanta Mezcal! Put a little salt on your lime...¡Que Rico! Not sure I understand their philosophy because you literally do not have to buy anything....they give you a small cup and continuously walk around filling them up. I think we bought 2 beers (40 pesos)...I really like the atmosphere there because it is a place where many travelers go and it is very laid-back with couches and places to sit. Everybody enjoyed the Mezcal and we decided to call it a night around 1:00 am. I am looking forward to tomorrow because of the presidential inauguration...it should be interesting to experience this in a foreign country. The impression that Bush has left here is not a good one...nobody has respect for him...and this is coming from a people who traditionally have disappointment with their government. In the Zocalo their is a group of indigenous people on a hunger strike to protest the corruption and thievery in their community...hopefully change in the U.S. will bing a brighter outcome for the world....Adios....Besos! Hasta Pronto!

Dia Numero 16 Domingo!

Sightseeing?
Katie, Lalo, Miguel and I had decided to meet up in the Zocalo for some sightseeing. Miguel is from Guanajauto and Lalo had never been to any of the museums so they were "psyched" to go as well. Despite our plans, communication problems prevented Katie from meeting up with us :( I did however, meet a new girl that Miguel had met at Elefante the previous night. Her name is Panina (like the sandwich...she loves that). We remembered that we had actually met in the airport when we arrived in Oaxaca. I was missing my bags and must have had a worried look on my face when a friendly Mexican woman asked me if I needed help. When I informed her I didn´t have my bags and was going to a hotel...she offered me her place. Turns out that Panina was one of the students staying with her for the month of January. Small world...no? She is super friendly and we ended up spending the rest of the day together with the boys. Unfortunately the boys weren´t super interested in sightseeing once we got started. We went to "La Casa de Benito Juarez" which was actually quite boring. Benito Juarez is the Mexican equivalent of Abraham Lincoln...with founding father appeal...he is somewhat worshipped by Mexicans. After a few minutes with Benito we decided to move on to more intersting activities...drinking Micheladas....Beer mixed with lots of lime juice and Chili! Que Rico! I have discovered that Mexicans pretty much put chili on everything....including pizza! After our beers, Lalo and I grabbed some pizza..which tasted soooo good after all the Mexican food I have been eating...Not that I don´t like it...Pizza just tasted really good! I returned home for a good night sleep before classes again on Monday. I am a little tired of my classes...they seem to interfere with my social life...hahah! No, but really they are a little boring and I feel like for me speaking is the most intrigul part of the process. I feel 95% confident in understanding just about any conversation...however, ask me to speak back and that is where I flounder. Lalo says my Spanish is good but I still feel a little apprehensive. I speak in present tense...What did you do today? I go to the Zocalo...studid! I´m getting better and better. Better start getting this under control if I want to come back someday! I´m so happy that I have had this experience by myself. I cannot tell you how much self-assurance I have gained simply by being the only person I have to rely on! I think given the opportunity...every woman should travel at least once by herself. Don´t worry about being lonely...you make friends everywhere! I have made some great friends that I will be sad to leave behind....despite what all of you think...my FRIEND Lalo has been super fun and I look forward to being able to come back for a visit! Too bad U.S. policies suck and no one can come to the U.S. without a lengthy process....Adios...Besos...Hasta Pronto!

Dia Numero 15 Sabado!

Monte Alban Here I Come....
Hola amigos! Today I took an excursion to Monte Alban with other students from Solexico. There were about 25 students that went in 2 vans. Monte Alban is ancient ruins just about 25 minutes outside of the city of Oaxaca. It is situated in the mountains near Oaxaca. It was beautiful! You cannot imagine the scale of this place until you actually set foot...supposedly nearly 250,000 people lived there at one time. It is clear that our ancestors (Latino or not) had a grasp on things that we will never understand. That architecture can still be standing 2,000 years later is amazing. They also had a underground tunnel system that provided them with running water. Maybe current day Mexico should learn a thing or two from their ancestors :) After returning home from Monte Alban I took a nap to get geared up for the night. Katie and I had decided we wanted to go for drinks and dancing. Lalo and his friend Miguel Angel met up with us and we went to a club called Elefante. Here we danced our little butts off until well into the morning! I had a super fun time and I it was my first time being a little "boracha" here in Mexico...Don´t worry I made it home safely without any problems. Katie wanted to leave a little earlier than the rest of us so we walked her home and ended up returning to the club afterwards. There was a large group of Americans from Maryland and it was fun to dance to the few American songs that they played. Otherwise I actually enjoy the Mexican music they play in the bars here...not too bad! Not to mention that drinking here (pretty much like everything else) is much cheaper than in the states. My round of 4 beers cost 80 pesos or less than $8! Too bad that won´t continue after I return to the states. I still have no hot water in the apartment that I am living in and am feeling incredibly frustrated. There is nothing worse than when you are sick, tired, and have incredibly dirty feet than getting in the shower and not having hot water....I actually almost started crying! You never realize what comforts we have at home until you have to go without! My plan is to spend some time looking for Hotels this weekend and I am going to move. The school is going to refund my money ($25/night) that I had paid so I should be able to find a hotel for that price! 2 weeks have passed and I have 2 weeks more...and I DON´T WANT TO COME HOME! Any chance I can leave it all behind? Start all over? Adios...Besos...Hasta Pronto!