Islas Mujeres photos

On the ferry going from Cancun to the island

beautiful blue water!

My first mojito. It was actually one of the few drinks I liked, minus the little greens and stuff floating in it.

enchiladas verdes

banana and nutella filled crepes for breakfast. It was delicious!

my coconut drink!

getting ready to start our snorkeling tour!

little lighthouse!

So many fishies!

Sea turtles!

My first white russian. I wasn't a huge fan of it because it was so strong, so I ended up swapping it for free.

Lemonade with a little vodka. A much more tame and tasty choice!

Palm Sunday procession 

Welcome to Islas Mujeres!

We are finally on Spring break and in the beautiful place of Islas Mujeres! The rides over here were not bad at all. I was expecting a lot worse from customs, but everything was very easy and fast, which I am thankful for. We arrived here on Thursday afternoon and went to the beach as soon as we could! The water is so warm! It has to be in the 80's at least, if not warmer, and the sun is always shining. I have already gotten some minor sunburn, but it's not bad at all. I'd say it's pretty good considering how much closer to the sun we are! Since we've been here we have been able to eat at a lot of the cute little restaurants in town - downtown is like a 1.5 minute walk from our hotel. It's such a cute little town and not very big at all. We can walk to the beach, down town, and to the grocery store because everything is so close! I'm very glad we decided to come here instead of Cancun because Cancun is probably a mad house. The other day we went snorkeling and it was so much fun! We went to a couple different places out in the big blue ocean and we saw so many different fish and could see straight to the bottom of the ocean! I have never been in a body of water like that before! It's quite salty, but it's still so awesome! We even saw an old car at the bottom of the ocean in one snorkeling spot. We were a bit confused, and so was the couple from New Zealand. I liked their accents! Yesterday we wanted to get a break from the sun because of sunburn and such so we rented a little golf cart and drove around the whole island taking pictures and seeing different sights. There are ton of golf carts for rent. That's how all of us tourists are getting around for fun. There has to be more golf carts and little motor scooters than actual vehicles on this island. While we were driving around yesterday, we also saw a giant lizard and a little lizard sitting on a rock! That was the first lizard I'd ever seen, so that was pretty cool! Today we are going to the beach today and slowly getting info and such for a possible trip to Chichen Itza tomorrow or Tulum (Tolum?). Other than that, this spring break has been a lot of fun just being able to enjoy the sun and relax before heading back to Queretaro to finish out the rest of the school year! 

I would definitely recommend coming here to Islas Mujeres if you are looking for a fun little vacation. It's not super busy here like it would be in Cancun, and everything is in walking distance and if you don't want to walk you can rent a golf cart! And the prices as far as restaurants go can vary depending on what you want to eat. We have been eating at restaurants and choosing meals around 130 pesos or so or below ($10 US dollars or so) because we are cheap and don't want to spend a ton of money! haha. But there is a grocery store, so if you don't want to eat out, then you can buy for for a very cheap cost. The restaurants and souvenir shops have American type of pricing - which I am not used to anymore! Because in Queretaro, things are so so cheap! But it's still pretty decently priced. It's a tourist town here, so you can expect things to be a little more expensive. But anyways, if you like the sun, the beach, and such, you should come here because it is beautiful! :)

Hasta Luego! 

Post Salsa Recital

Hola! I know that I wrote a post not too long ago but I wanted to update you and tell you how my little salsa recital went! It went great by the way! There were only like 1 or 2 errors but we recovered quickly and ended on a good note with a lot of applause! I mean I feel like you can't help but applause for a basic salsa class's dance. We did good for learning salsa for the first time (at least for the german and americans in the class) in the matter of a few short months! There is actually a video of our dance on my facebook so go check it out! I'm quite proud of myself because I have never taken dance classes before so this was quite fun AND it's a huge part of Latin culture. You have to be culturized when you live in another country. It's like a common sense requirement type of thing. Yesterday, not only did my salsa class perform but all of the dance classes here performed! There was bellydancing, contemporary, hip hop, tango, bachata, salsa, and so many more! The whole evening of classes presenting their final dance lasted from like 7 pm to 11 pm! SO MANY DANCES! I have a new respect for dancing because it can be hard and difficult! Especially when the dance is in partners because you not only have to know your part but you have to trust that your partner knows theirs too and trust that they won't drop you! I wish I could have taken videos of all the dances! It was so cool! If I find more videos of the dances, I'll share them on facebook so you can see them. There are some truly talented dancers here, that's for sure. 

We leave for Islas Mujeres on Thursday! I'm excited and already printed out my little itinerary! Since we are leaving on Thursday that means that today is my first and last day of classes for the week! Yippee! Such a hard life here, I know. Only having classes 2 days a week. And after Spring break, the number of days of classes I have left will be in the single digits! :)

That's all for now. Hasta Luego!

Lucha Libre and Libertad

On Friday night I decided to go to a Lucha Libre event which was about 20 minutes away by walking from my house. I went with my roommate Leslie and other internationals from school too. It was actually really fun! It reminded me of WWE events. I don't know why I find these entertaining, but I do. Lucha Libre is probably the most mexican type of even one can attend besides Día de los muertos and 5 de mayo. I also took a few videos from this Lucha Libre event and it's on my facebook, so go check it out! :) 

Tomorrow is my final salsa class, which I am excited about and also a bit nervous because that means that our final dance presentation is tomorrow too! I thought we were just going to dance within our own class, but apparently, all of the cultural dance classes will be performing tomorrow night on a stage with an audience and everything! Eek. Talk about intimidating! I need to practice for sure! And I pray that my partner does too because if one of us is off, it will mess up the whole dance. I'll try to get pictures of that night as well! Please pray for me because I definitely don't want to make a fool out of myself dancing the salsa in front of a bunch of people who know how to salsa! 

It's been a pretty chill weekend overall, I have been able to do a lot of relaxing and it's reaching the point where I can count on my fingers and toes how many more assignments and projects I have before finals! That is exciting! But that also means I should start those projects like today. 

I also can't believe that I leave for Islas Mujeres this Thursday! I'm excited and know it will be so much fun! We will be taking a taxi to the bus terminal at like 2:30 am on Thursday and then taking a bus to Mexico City Airport, and then flying from the Mexico City Airport to Cancun, and then from Cancun we will take this little shuttle to a ferry and then take a ferry over to Islas Mujeres. We haven't really decided what all we are even going to do while on Spring Break but all I know is that swimming with dolphins is on my list! 

Lastly, I wanted to tell you all something that's not really related to Mexico, but kind of is at the same time. Over the past few days or even a week or so, I had been thinking a lot about my purpose in Mexico and career choices and that sort of thing. I think it's inevitable to think about this when you are a senior in college! I was reading in the end of Philippians in chapter 4 about being content in every situation "...For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want." ..."And God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." When I was reading these verses I thought about my motivation for having a specific career, and I realized that my motivation was money. I was first shocked that I would have this motivation and then realized how prized money is and what status is attached to it today. I realized that money shouldn't be my motivation for any career and then I asked myself this question: "What's more important: earning a lot of money or being able to be a part of changing lives through Christ?" I became so humbled by this and realized what my true passion is and realized that I need to trust in the Lord that He will provide all the finances and stuff I need to survive and that I should never be worrying about how I am going to pay for things because God is so faithful. I made it all the way here to Mexico with only the money I had in my bank account, loans, and an abundant amount of study abroad scholarship money that was totally provided by God. Obviously the Lord wanted me to be here and He definitely made it happen. Finding my true passion and taking a route of a career that won't lead to a ton of money, but could lead to God transforming lives through me has helped my faith strengthen and grow and then I read this verse  in Colossians chapter 2 "For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." I love the ending part of this verse because I think it shows that God delights in our faithfulness to Him, and since I've made the decision to switch career paths from child life specialist to preschool teacher and change my major from family studies to early childhood development & learning, I have had so much peace and am learning to have a strong and firm faith in Christ.

Hasta luego!

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. 

Weekend in Oaxaca

This past weekend I went to Oaxaca with the international programs here at Tec. First, it took like 8 - 9 hours to get there and we traveled by bus. Thankfully we left at like midnight, so we slept the whole way and when we got there we went on a tour of a pyramid and stuff like that! It was SO hot, of course and the sun was beating down on us the entire day. Needless to say, I got some sunburn, but only on my chest and part of my back, and my arms. I put sunscreen on my face. Now I have to even the rest of my tan out, thank goodness for spring break! I plan on getting rid of every farmer's tan I've ever had on spring break this year! Although I really hope it won't be like the crazy tan I got last year in Panama City Beach. That was the worst sunburn of my life and the craziest tan lines came out of that. Not this year though! Anyways, we saw pyramids and walked around the city and went to our hotel later on during the day. We went swimming in the pool, and ate dinner in el centro de Oaxaca and spent some time there after dinner as well. I didn't buy a lot. I bought 2 necklaces, some coffee because Oaxaca is known for their excellent coffee - which I am taking home because I bought a bag of it! You're welcome mom and dad! And some Oaxacan chocolate which I have almost finished! It was SO SO good! mmmm. I bought the chocolate vanilla flavor and chocolate coffee flavor. 
After spending 2 days in Oaxaca, we traveled to Mitla as well and visited Hierve el Agua, which is a set of natural rock formations that resembles waterfalls. There are 2 rock shelves or cliffs which rise from the valley below and from which extend nearly white rock formations which look like waterfalls. These formations are created by fresh water springs, whose water is over saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. As the water scurries over the cliffs, the excess minerals are deposited in the same manner that stalactites are formed in caves. One of the cliffs contains 2 large artificial pools for swimming as well as a number of small natural pools. - These are pools which we swam in.
When we went back to Mitla after swimming we ate at this little restaurant and it was a buffet with so many foods and desserts! It was really delicious, and then we had to do a scavenger hunt in teams of 4 and then our 5th member was a surprise who we had to find. Each group's 5th member ended up being a chicken! A LIVE CHICKEN! Which we had to haul around without a box the whole scavenger hunt! Talk about annoying and nasty. I hate chickens. And we had to go to different places around Mitla using a little tiny taxi - it was like a little motorcycle taxi where only a few people could fit into it and there wasn't a door, and we had to haul around our chicken with that. It was annoying. We did find a box in town and put our chicken in that and thank goodness because our chicken ended up pooping later on. Thank goodness for that box. Some groups never got boxes and just held their chicken. When our chicken pooped one of my teammates - who was the designated chicken holder, as us girls didn't want to touch that nasty thing - said quite a few choice words to the chicken and about the chicken. 

Here are some of the boys - who are obviously the designated chicken holders - and their chickens that they hauled around the entire scavenger hunt!

After the scavenger hunt, we headed back to the hotel, and the next day we traveled to Puebla and ate dinner there, did a little bit of shopping, and headed back to Queretaro. It was such a great weekend filled with laughs and great sights. I loved being able to hang out with friends and make new friends as well as see God's amazing creations on this trip! 

P.S. There is another blog post just of pictures of this trip!

Hasta Luego!