Rain Rain Go Away Please Come Back Another Day

D.F. was awesome. The day we met up with Coleman and Alex we walked around quite a bit and saw the center of the city. The next day we took a 3 hour tour bus and that showed all different parts and places to see and go. Definately worth it-except getting hit by the branches, but it was nice to go outside of where we were staying. That night we went out to dinner with Coleman for one last night, we stayed up late playing cards, having him play his guitar and doing what Alex calls 'warm fuzzies'. After he left us girl went to sleep again thinking we would wake up at 11 or so, but we ended up waking up at 4. By the time we got showered and stuff it was time for breakfast haha. We went to a ghetto movie theatre and watched Sex and the City 2 and went back home to go to sleep. The whole city is built on a lake and in the old churches you can see where the group has, and continues, to sink. Tuesday we went to Puebla, its a large city a couple hours out from DF and very historical. It reminded me of a more modern and larger version of Guanajuato. I liked it. And some of the churches were pretty cool. There are tons of angels everywhere in that city and cerramics are super prominant. That night we met and played cards with to guys from England who had just gotten to Mexico that week and were traveling all summer. Wens Alex and I said goodbye to Casey until Monday and went on a tour to the pyramids called Teotihuacan. We went to a church first that had the modern version right next to it. We learned that the design had been a mockery in response to the government that had killed hundreds of students in the square during the 70s or 80s, the designer was forced to do it also. Then we went to a place on the way to the pyramids to eat lunch and get sucked into buying things-most the people that went with us were new to Mexico and were buying a lot of it. I found a worm in my salad and lost my appetite. At least it was fresh. Then we went to the ruins. The Pyramids were HUGE. there was one for the moon and one for the sun gods. Each were placed so that when looking at one from the other you cant see the mountains behind it-all perfectly placed. Our guide also told us the legends and other facts. These were Aztec ruins. He even took us to one of the smaller stuctures and talked about the worshiping of a certain bird. When you clap facing it the echo sounds like a bird-no Joke. It was pretty crazy. We then headed back to Guanajuato where I am staying with Caseys roommates. Its been pretty slow and not exciting. I did watch the opening game with Mexico and South Africa in the world cup Friday and the USA England game yesterday. Today we went to Embajadores and bought lots of souveniors! Almost done! but not quite. I was supposed to go play volleyball but its started raining and hailing. Its rainy season now and has rained everyday that I have been back. I cant do much outside. You dont want to be in it because then youre soaked and cold-theres no heat in the house, although its not NEARly as cold as before when it was raining-it gets humid now. I cant do laundry or lay out...I hope that it goes away soon! and casey comes back tomorrow! Im excited because its so weird without everyone here. We will see how it goes...

Summer time officially!

It has been a complete whirlwind. And Im behind in writing, which means I will definately leave out some things. Becca has made a full recovery and we spent a lot of time together the last week or two. It was better, but also made it harder. Alex's family came to visit. Its always interesting to see people with their families, it adds a different element to them, but they enjoyed us a lot and we enjoyed them as well. We went to leon and did some expert shopping, I still havent found my leather jacket yet but the search is not over. I also do not know how I will get all my things home...The last week was rediculous. The new ISA group came in and that was actually kind of rough. It was like we were/are getting pushed out and they are replacing us-not only that but the feeling of protectiveness of the city and our places here really brought to the surface. We have hung out with a few of them and they are pretty cool, so that helps a little. I have spent a lot more time with my family and it just seemed easier, but that made it harder to move out. The last night Becca was here we had dinner and just joked around (they mostly joked around about my future life with another exchange student here that likes me, not fair but how it played out) I am glad that I stayed with my family the whole six months. Stayed up with Becca the whole night that she was packing and took her to the airport, I went to my art class that night, but couldnt finish all my work because I was leaving Monday. My professor said it was okay with it, but when he found out I was traveling to Oaxaca he was way more excited for me and even said he would finish my work for me. 3 classes over. Seminar friday I found out I got an A in also, 4 classes over-3 As. So Saturday Casey and I went to Starbucks to write our 10 page paper for the final class. Missed a goodbye send off for a friend and spent the last night out with all the people we wouldnt see when we returned from traveling. It was a bittersweet time. Sunday Coleman, Bouber, Peter, Kelsey, Casey and I all went to a favorite place to eat one last time together-except we all went to her roof for one last roof session that night later, with some added people.

The rest of the night I stayed at Caseys to write my paper all night long. We finished 30 minutes 30 minutes before it was due and hurried to meet our teacher. Two all nighters in 5 days. The teacher was actually nice about it and told us to meet him when we come back because he wants to take time grading so he wont knock off credit for grammar. Nice of him since this is the only thing we had turned in all term-no homework or tests. Then I hurried home and packed all of my belongings in less than two hours, I was impressed with myself. I moved it all to her house with a little help from a friend and we hurried to the bus station. We had a terrible goodbye to Aly because the cars behind we honking and got in the car. Once in the car we could FINALLY relax. But then it was sad, thinking about all the people we wont see when we are back or wont see again in Guanajuato.

Since then, we got to Oaxaca city on tuesday morning and slept a little more, then got up and walked around the city and came back to the hostel to chill a little, we were pretty wiped out. Yesterday we got up and went to Monte Alban, which is ruins-I even learned about it in class-and then came back and ate lunch-it was a long afternoon, I got some pretty hideous tan/burn lines I cant get to go away. We napped and went to a Baseball game. Got seats right behind home plate for free and ate traditional street food after and then stayed up in the hostel for awhile-its a bunk room but no one else is here, which is nice haha. Today we got up a little slower and went across town to see a church to take pictures and show to our teacher-suck up a little since he wants to meet us when we are back. It was Beautiful. By far the most ornate church I have ever seen. Gold, sculptures and paintings everywhere of everything from scenes in the bible to saints, to a family tree looking thing and it was so detailed-every part of it. I did not expect that at all. Then we went to the markets. Got lots of good stuff and gifts for people too. It was HUGE and so much stuff. It was super extreme because there was so many different things, but it wasnt bad. Except that the meat smelled too strong and so did the seafood. YUCK but at least it was all fresh. The have these things here called bugs that they season and eat-like grasshoppers. Those smell too so I know when they are close, but all the fruit and veggies and cheese looked amazing. The strawberries looked better than the ones from home even. Before that we had gotten pizza. Apparently there is no chimichurri this part of Mexico, but the pizza was A LOT better. Tomorrow we are going to go to DF to spend Colemans last couple days together and I will be back in Guanajuato while Casey goes to Eugene to watch her little sister graduate and I stay at her house. She will come back for six days while Im here and then I leave...its so soon.

UPDATE: Becca's friend Justin, that stopped responding to treatment, is on a experimental drung for prostate cancer even though he has a different kind and its removed 4 of 7 tumors. Its not over yet, but things are looking up. Such great news. Prayers are being answered.

Parting Ways

As our time here starts to come to an end our mental state changes. We reflect on the past, all that has changed what we learn and look forward to the future. I cannot help but to think of the faces of the people that have made my experience and forever be thankful. There is no doubt in my mind that each person I have encountered has impacted my time abroad with different perspectives, stories, experiences, lessons and personalities that are shared, each person has planted a little seed or an idea that may never be brought out of our memory for decades. But all the things that are there and have forever changed who we are and shaped how we experience the world that we live in. There people, who in some cases I barely even know and may never see again, are the people who I have grown to trust and love more than I could have ever hoped. These are the ones that will hold that special place in my heart called Mexico.

Scramble Scramble

It is so crazy how fast everything is going. Becca got her stitches out yesterday, Saturday, after her 65 dollar surgery and her last day of medicine is tomorrow. Monday I did not have my 4 hour class because of mothers day is monday and the campus was closed. No one knew-including the prof. I also found out that I had another presentation in my conversation class and it was teaching the class something. I ended up teaching how to give a baby pig an in muscle vaccination. It was interesting to see what the other people presented on. And definately entertaining. I have grown to appreciate the people in my classes very much. Tuesday I also had a presentation on the first emporer of Mexico and his whole one year reign. Thursday my art professor didnt show up so I left early. I actually have quite a bit of work to do in that class and only about two weeks. Friday was our seminar class again which we have a paper due Friday. Conversation is also done friday and tomorrow history is over. But enough of the school.

Tuesday I rode in the overpacked bus in the windsheild practically and again the same on the way back but backwards. It looks really fast when your backwards looking at the ground pass at 30 miles an hour. Thursday was the first official goodbye party for our friend Trevor. Goodbyes BLOW. Becca, Juan and Kelsey all leave in about 2 weeks. Junko made us sushi on Sat after a roof session with Casey and Saturday night was really relaxed. We watched tv, talked had pizza and one of our Korean friends came over to hang out. They tried to give me a mohawk but my hair was too long it didnt really work. Today I studied a little and then had Korean food made for us. It was amazing and really fun. We made a cheescake for them, but we all ate with chopsticks and everything on the roof. They even did most of the dishes and carried the trash out for us, showed us dances to Korean songs and were just plain precious. There's no other way to describe.

I have 2 weeks to write my long paper. I just finished writing the 3 page paper for seminar in english, and have to translate it tomorrow, and have 3 projects to finish in classes tomorrow and next week for my art class. Skit tomorrow in conversation. So much to do it seems, but still able to make time for friends as this is the last stretch for most people. Monday we had a formal ceremony where we 'graduated'. Ha pretty much got a certificate for being in the program but the president of the University came and everything, it was a big deal. It was also a reality check of how little time is left. Then later, after class, our asain friends came over and took me to ice cream and brought some back for Becca. One of them, Hee Won offered to make a video for me with all my pictures. So I am trying to go through the literally thousands of pictures that we have accumulated together. He's also making a video for our teacher with all of us saying "Gracias Veronica!" and came over to film me today because it was Dia de Estudiantes and I did not go to class. It was optional, and I probably should have gone, but took the opportunity to work on other homework and lay in the sun instead. It was definately worth it. There was a concert today also so lots of cowboys are in town, ha with hats, wranglers, boots and I even saw a lime green shirt. I like so much here. I like walking to dinner in 15 minutes notice. Seeing the jardin filled with people. Everything lit up at night, because all the buildings are different colors and levels, making everything look different but similar. Its beautiful.

Alex's family is here, and I have only met her younger sister so far, but she seems pretty cool. Alex's host family also has puppies and I keep forgetting to go up there, but I will soon. This ones written pretty badly and confusing since its two different times. I keep forgetting the things I want to write during the week and end up only writing about school, but a lot does happen. For example, my host mom talking about how fast its gone as all her students are moving out in a span of 4 days and remembering how little spanish I spoke when I got here. Remebering how I absolutely could not understand the asains speaking spanish, but now its mostly when they are trying to speak with random english words. I can recognize how much better I am at understanding people with any accent. How much faster I can reply sometimes when in a conversation and how even I will know how to ask for things, I still am timid not to. How many things I have learned from other countries, like in Korea people are a year older because they could the year that a person is in the mothers belly. The boys are also required to serve in the military and the people I have met are some of the happiest I have ever met in my life. I appreciate the fact that because it is not my first language the expectation of quality is much lower. While this sounds lazy, it is actually realistic. I dont know how to write well in Spanish and being from the states I already have the mentality to make a decent effort when I am doing something so I do try to present good work, however it is MUCH more difficult to do so when the expectations and topics for a paper are not given or very unclear. Obviously what is normal here is not the same as in the States, or other European countries. That difference is usually not clarified. For that, I am glad that the expectations are lower, definately helps with the stress. I appreciate that when native speakers learn you are trying to learn spanish they help you. And I enjoy teaching people english that want to learn, I also realized how hard things can be to explain when its somthing that we just know from growing up with it. I like juevos mexicanos, becuase it hides the taste of eggs, I could go without eating white rice for years and iceburg lettuce salads and I much rather prefer corn tortillas. I like oaxaca cheese better than cheddar and the saltines here are better. I do not like the coffee here much, and usually any kind that you order, including smoothies greatly vary depending on the restaurant. Rainy whether can be comforting after lots of heat, but I still like the sun over the clouds, and I will never get a small dog-they bark WAY too much. Children here are some of the cutest kids ever. The movie titles arent the same as as tranlsation and it bothers me a little bit. Lots of pizza here has cream cheese or hot dogs on it. Cake is soggy a lot of the time. Going to movies is cheaper. There's no recycling. Phones are a lot more expensive and a monopoly. Also, the richest person in the world is from Mexico and owns the cell phone companies. Drug cartel activity is UNHEARD of in our area/town. The area that I live in is in the center of the events of the Independence events of Mexico, for example Alhondiga, is in GTO.

Sleepless nights

It is currently HAILING. Huge, huge balls of hail and really hard. It had been not under 90 degrees the last few days and yesterday evening it was really windy. It just started to downpour, which is not as bad since it is not as cold anymore. The girls were playing in it like we used to play in snow back when we were kids. Even Mari Cruz and Angelica were excited about it. It is nice though from the swealtering heat we were having. This week was a doozer, and flew by. Last Saturday Casey and I went to Morelia for a couple days and then Guadalajara. In Morelia we went to an orchid museum and saw hundreds of different types and Guadalajara has 4 million people or more there. It was interesting to say the least. When we got back on Tuesday, I cleaned my room and when my roommate came home, her stomach hurt-a lot. After she talked to her family because she also found out her Grandma died, we went to the Hospital. First-it was the wrong hospital, the taxi driver was apparently retarded, and it was a public hospital. She had her appendix taken out late that night. Casey stayed with her to do the translating and only one person is allowed with her at a time. They also have few nursing staff, so when Becca needed to go to the bathroom, we carried her iv bag-or when she ate-we held her tray and helped her eat. She was a trooper. I stayed with her for a good portion of Wens and again all that night. I was completely sleep deprived. Friday was rough by the time I made it there. Today Alex, Coleman, Casey and I went to Embajadores. Its a market place, that is very hard to explain. The clothing section is like goodwill on steriods and theres food, veggies, movies, makeup-pretty much everything you can image. After that we made some guacamole and went home...and then the storm happened. Ps. Happy Mothers Day

Study Study

Last Friday was the last night that one of the girls was here because she left for home early the next morning. A bunch of us went out to dinner and then out to Fucilado where Coleman and Alex were working. It was a lot of fun. Its a smaller place and further out of the way, so generally the only people there are those that are laid back and easy going who like to laugh and joke around. About nine of us were there and the owners and maybe three other people, but the owners are so laid back that they hang out with anyone there-they also stayed open two or three more hours because we were all up there. Then I went to Amy's house to help her finish packing and spend a little more time with her. It was hard to say goodbye. Its going to be even harder at the end of this month when so many people leave. I want to cry just thinking about it. I walked home and ran into a friend and was talking to her when some guys from Leon were looking for a place to go so we took them to La Dama, its another salsa place, but actually a lot better than El Bar. I didnt want to stay there so I walked outside where one of the Leon guys was waiting because he didn't want to stay there either. He was actually a lot nicer than I thought he would be based on what his friends had been saying and even walked me home. The best part about it is that we took the smallest hill in the city of Guanajuato to my house because its only three minutes from where La Dama is and he was so out of breath he could hardly talk. I felt a little proud of getting used to the altitude and massive hills-it was rough after spring break. Then next night was really relaxed. I laid out in the sun on Casey's roof for two hours during the day and got pretty burned, but its all tan now:) I lose my tan so quickly here, its ridiculous! That night we got pizza and had Jecca, Becca, Alex, Alex's boyfriend Andrew and Kelsey over and Caseys to watch a movie and chill out. It was nice to not have to get ready or anything like that and I do not even remember what happened Sunday, but I am pretty sure I wasted the whole day. So much happens here I forget things quickly. Monday started class again and my 4 hour class was rough, the prof was in a bad mood and we didnt even get a break. Tuesday I found out that I didnt have my art class all week and because I didnt go last week and we have next Tuesday off I will have missed two and a half weeks. Wensday I procrastinated and wrote my paper for yesterday. Later yesterday we all got dressed up and went out to a nice resaurant before we went salsa dancing at el Bar. Arturo said that I had a mischeivious face...I dont understand it but both Becca and Alex agreed with him. I should really find out what they mean by that. For some reason, we have both Monday and Tuesday off so tomorrow Casey and I are leaving for Morelia. Its supposed to be really pretty and not touristy with really gorgeous and historic towns until Sunday. Then we will leave to go to Puebla, where the biggest celebration is in Mexico is for Cinco de Mayo, where Alex and Jecca are going to meet up with us. Its interesting here because Cinco de Mayo isn't even really a holiday here. Its when the Mexicans beat the French in a war, but the French came back and overthrew the Mexicans a year later. Puebla is where the battle happened apparently. We will see how this goes. Also, the girl in my class from Turkey is leaving Monday and today was her last class. I feel like this month is going to FLY by and I will not be ready for it!

Clock is ticking

It has been a rough reality getting into the swing of things again. I havent even been home much, spending a lot of time at Caseys house with her and with her french roommates. Which, another one arrived thursday. His name is Greg and hes doing an internship here. It is so interesting to get to know people from other countries, like sometimes these girls are so french! it sounds stupid but its kind of funny. Monday our prof gave us a ride home, but before that I had somehow managed to sit in gum and step in it 4 more times in ten minutes before we went to get actually signed up for the worst class here. Then during class we found out that we have to write a 10-15 page paper in spanish...UGH. Wensday there was an 80s and 90s party and El Bar, and I promised a couple people I would go, so I got way into it with Alex with big hair, funny clothes, makeup and everything and we were the only ones dressed up! And there werent many people there. Once Lily got off work, she was dressed up too but the bar closed soon after. So all the people that usually hang out there with us and work there were able to go out for a night and we got to hang out with them. We ended up running into the owners of Fucilado, a place out by where I have my 4 hour history class. They arranged a anniversary party Saturday with donkey races and a bbq. Coleman and Alex worked and it was a lot of fun! Everyone stayed out way late and I ended up working the next day for their weekly bbq. Its all really good food and they are really fun to be around. Thursday we were walking around because Greg had arrived and Amy went home with my key, so I decided to try to run and catch up to her. Only thing about that is that there was a dispute about an unpaid bill at el bar, where I know all the waiters, the owner and people that hang out regularly there. Anyways-they were all out in the street with the police and I just happened to sprint by them and through downtown then Casey following me. I am sure that they all saw me but a little suprised that no one has said anything yet. Friday I went to a friends soccer game, it was caged to make it indoor like (size and rules) and it rained while we were watching but it was still a lot of fun. We also found the best quesadillas in town. Wensday me and Casey had a roof session and it was pretty amazing. I miss that-so I am pretty sure that there will be one tomorrow. I have a presentation Thursday and a paper due next week. My art professor offered me to go to class to listen to an artist instead of his class today when I saw him saturday at the Diego Rivera museam. We also went to the Alondiga one, but I still do not like them. They are a little boring for me. Go figure. Not that this blog is any sort of organized-its kinda my mental state right now as time is starting to run out and I feel like there is still so much that I want to do. Its sad, and makes me sad to think about leaving, but someone once said "all good things must come to an end." I wish they hadnt.