Peña de Bernal and Learnings

Hola! It's already Thursday, which I am not upset about at all. Today my host mom, Leslie and I went to Peña de Bernal which is a giant monolith. It was pretty cool to see, but we definitely didn't climb it. Haha. We walked around the little town though! I almost bought this really cool ring, but then didn't. I'm trying to save my money, or at least as much as I can so I can finally buy my own car. FINALLY. So I'm being quite frugal these days, or at least for today because on Friday I'm going to a lucha libre event! I'm excited! This is like the epitome of Mexico. And then one week from today I'm leaving for Islas Mujeres! Woo hoo! I'm excited about that! So many things to look forward to in these next few days! 

It's hot as usual here, I have yet to experience that rainy season that everyone keeps talking about. Seeing the pictures of rain on instagram and stuff makes me miss the rain, although I do enjoy getting my daily tan as well! Even if the tan is uneven. 

On a different note, 7 weeks from today I will be back in the US. I have to say, I am excited about this because I am missing American things, like some of the food, my friends, my family, and of course my beautiful cats Edgar and Percy. However, since I'm realizing that I don't have that much time left here, there is so much more I want and need to do - especially traveling wise. I need to figure out where else in Mexico I need to visit that's worth the sightseeing and such because as of right now I have only been to: San Miguel, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Bernal. So for any of you travelers out there - if you know other beautiful places in Mexico that I should visit, tell me! 

While in Bernal with Monica and Leslie, we spent much of our time talking about traveling and the places we have been to and the places we want to visit. Monica has visited so many cool places - some because of work (she is an architect) and others with her family. And Leslie has studied in Austria for a year. All of these travel stories first made me jealous because I have barely been to Europe - 2 weeks in Poland is just not enough! and secondly, it has made me want to see more of the world while I can! I am still very much so stuck on wanting to go to the Netherlands (Go Dutch!) and of course Spain, because I just have to continue on with my Spanish. If I could visit those 2 places, I would be the happiest person in the world. 

Something really cool I've been learning and experiencing is to love being an American - or a US citizen. We have so many opportunities than others do and yet we don't realize it or take full advantage of that fact. I've also been learning a lot about the culture here - or Latin culture rather, and how different it is than American culture. I truly believe that everyone should go to a different country and experience a different culture because it will really shape and transform how you see your own country and culture and make you more appreciative and less ignorant. I have to admit, there have been times where I have had the stereotypical ignorant american attitude of thinking "That's not normal" and "Why don't they do such and such like we do in the US" I've learned that just because something from my culture is different than here in Mexico, it doesn't mean that either one is wrong, I just need to get over what I think is normal and adapt to the "normal" of Mexico. I think I will bring a lot of different cultural aspects back home with me to the US. For example, putting lemon juice in my tacos, eating chorizo with eggs, and yes, even kissing people on the cheek as a greeting (Just with friends, don't worry). I can truly say that I've experienced a culture that's very different than my own, but I love it and am glad that I am becoming more well rounded and experiencing all of the beauty and love that God has made in Mexico and in the hearts of the people here.