Rain, mountains, grad papers, spinning, and more papers.

HAS ANYONE EVEN MISSED ME?!? It's okay...I have spent the last 2 weeks staring at my computer screen, my head in a book, and trying really hard to meet deadlines while having 6 hours of class on a usual day and even less sleep. But hey, I'm in Mexico and marriage equality is now legal in every state in the U.S. I shouldn't be complaining! Besides cranking out 5 papers in the last two weeks, I have also been living my life (a little bit). Let's get started, I know you're dying to know what I've been doing. (Maybe not, but I really could care less!) I have met some incredible people while here in Mexico and I would not be making it through this graduate program without their constant support and ability to make me laugh when the water was causing my insides to fall out. We spend a lot of time at this adorable café Antik eating French fries (or a whole pizza....), drinking a beer or two, and catching up on (or maybe just complaining about) work that needs to get finished.

 

Fresh made lemonade from a local restaurant.

Celebrating one beer Wednesday! :)

View from the café Antik!



Also, because walking about 2.5 miles daily just to and from school isn't enough we have also started going to the local spin class. We get our bootays worked while we laugh at the amount of music they play blasting the F word loud and clear. But, can't beat something to take our mind off of grad work.

"you can always make a better version of yourself"

Don't mind my crazy eyes!

 

So that's pretty much a daily week for us here in Guanajuato. "But what about the weekends Melissa, I'm DYING to know!"! Well, my impatient friend last Saturday we decided to hike the mountain located on the outskirts of the city. But, we had absolutely no idea where we were going so the 5 of us squeezed into a teeny tiny taxi and trusted he would take us to La Bufa. After about 15 minutes of Rebecca squishing me with her boney butt, the taxi driver said "Alli esta La Bufa". We were on the side of a road.....but we soon found the mountain and began to hike. After about 15 minutes we realized that we had walked in a complete circle around the bottom of the mountain. Once we figured out what we were doing, we had a great time looking at the breath taking views of the city and enjoying our free time. After the hike we walked over to La Pipila which is a huge statue that looks out over the city of Guanajuato. We took some pictures, rested and checked out the artisanal stands.

Guanajuato <3

Gang's all here!

My beautiful friend from Idaho. Yes people live there and they play "FlippyCup"

Mis amigos Jarred and Rebecca :)

La Pipila

 

After our nature filled day, we decided to go out dancing that night. We went to a salsa club and 3 salsa teachers helped us learn the basics. Rebecca and I tried our best, but unfortunately we dance like your typical gringas (a whole lot of enthusiasm and absolutely no rhythm). Jarred and Jessica refused to dance, but we still have plenty of weekends here to learn.

I forgot my phone when we went dancing, but I took this typical selfie afterward?

 

 

So, that's about all I have to say about that. Mexico is amazing and I am absolutely loving this experience and NO I don't miss any of you. Just kidding :) I will be heading back to the States exactly one month from today, but I will share more before then (if you're not extremely bored by me yet).

 

 

Nos vemos pronto amigos :)

 



 

Mis primeros dias en Guanajuato

For those of you who cared to text me, you already know that I have made it to Mexico in one piece. For those of you who are just seeing this and obviously care significantly less, I have made it to Mexico in one piece. Lets start from the beginning of my journey: Wednesday night in the states. I finished all of my packing and errands and spent the rest of the evening watching Orange is the New Black and waiting for my boyfriend to get off work, which he didn't until 1am. So after about 3 hours of sleep, I awoke at 4:51am. This was an hour and 21 minutes after I was suppose to wake up. Lots of anxiety. Rushing and yelling at said boyfriend ;) we were out the door in about 15 minutes on the way to Dulles International Airport. Thank god for patient men and no traffic. Finally, I was at the gate with 20 minutes to spare. The flight was pretty uneventful and I landed in México around 2pm.

Picture of said patient boyfriend

Don Victor picked me up from the airport. He was a very short statured, Hispanic man with glasses. He put me in a white van by myself (I know, I thought the same thing) and was rambling broken Spanish to me while the wind roared from the open windows and mariachi music played loudly in the van. He asked me so many questions and I had absolutely no idea what he was saying. I thought to myself how in the world would I survive these next 6 weeks if I can't even understand the van driver. More anxiety.

After a 30 minutes ride over the mountains and through windy cobblestone streets of the city, we arrived at my new front door. My family greeted me and we had some almuerzo together. I live alone with my host mom Pily, but her son and daughters and adorable grandkids are always around (especially around meal time). They have been very welcoming and the apartment has a lovely view of the hills in the city.

My first full day, I woke up and was told there was a funeral to attend. My host mom and brother (David) took a bus about an hour outside of Guanajuato. I met the whole family (in a very awkward situation) and  attended the misa (service) for the late family member. I am not usually one for religion, but it was an absolutely beautiful service and a Mariachi band played beautiful songs in her honor. We arrived home a few hours later and I slept and slept and slept. An interesting first day to say the least...

Then finally I was able to explore the city with 2 students from my program. It is the most beautiful city that I have ever seen. It feels like living in the past with the incredible temples, colorful houses, and the small shops and stands on every corner. We went to a mummy museum, Diego Rivera's house, and the huge Mercado Hidalgo. We drank tintas de verano which is an awesome Spanish drink that Jarrod recommended. Then I walked home and attempted to open the neighbor's door in which she laughed and laughed and told me that is was nice to meet me. (I probably would have been screamed at in the U.S.) We also found a Starbucks for a little taste of home :)

                       

More importantly, the food is AMAZING!!! To keep this long post short, my favorite so far has been Salpicon frio which is pretty much beef, lettuce, fresh veggies, avocado, with some olive oil and salt and pepper eaten with crispy tortillas. I was trying not to eat like a pig but it was so delicious. Also, we made agua de melon which was fresh cantaloupe, mint and water which we blended. Maybe since I'm writing it down I'll remember and try to cook it. But as my boyfriend said to me the other day. I miss you but I wish I could say I miss your cooking. I can't cook...

Unfortunately, classes start tomorrow and living the tourist life will come to an end but I'm sure I will have plenty more to share, if you're not bored with me already! If anyone is even reading this....

Hablamos pronto mis queridos amigos,

Melissa (o Melly like my host family says)

Antes del viaje

El 28 de mayo de 2015

There are a lot of changes happening in the months of May and June of this year. To begin, I just moved from Baltimore City back to the County to save money for these next few summers in Mexico. And now I will be leaving for Guanajuato, México in exactly 3 weeks to begin my first summer session of three. The emotions that I am feeling can be compared to that of riding a roller coaster. To explain further, I have that incredible feeling of excitement for the adventure before me, but I also feel like I could puke up the lunch I ate earlier today. But like every roller coaster that I have rode in my life I know that the ride will be scary, yet thrilling and that I am going to come out alive in the end. (hopefully :/)

 

 

Now, let's get to the chase. I will not be spending over 6 weeks this summer laying on the beach in some resort sipping piña coladas. Taking a look at the map below you can see the red circle smack in the middle of the country labeled "Guanajuato". That's where I will be if you want to send me a care package :)

 

 

 

 

 

While there, I will be taking 16 credits in 6 weeks towards my Master's degree. Yes, I am loca to say the least. My classes will be focused on Spanish Language teaching and I will end the 3 summer long program with a Master's degree. I have class Monday - Friday pretty much all day, but I am hoping that after class and on the weekends I will have time to explore the windy streets and get to know the culture of this beautiful city. I will be living with a host family. I am a bit nervous because I am leaving in less than a month and they have not assigned me a host family. If it's anything like Valparaíso, Chile I can find comfort with the stray street dogs. At least I know I'll make a few new friends....

Speaking of Chile, one of my biggest struggles of study abroad back in 2012 was the food in this country. It was bland and consisted of mostly bread and unseasoned dishes. Not my style. After researching the food in this region of Mexico, here is what I found:

After I saw this picture, I knew that it was on. If you know me well, you know I have an obsession with tacos. I don't know if obsession is even the right word to use. Is there a stronger word? I can't wait to try new foods and even learn how to cook some of them. Also if you know me I can't cook to save my life.


I am looking forward to this roller coaster ride I am about to begin in this country I am hoping to love. I am going to be writing as often as I can about my experience there so that I can keep track of my adventure and if you're bored while on social media and want to know that I'm still alive you can read a little about how I'm doing.

I can probably write some while I'm dying in the bathroom from accidently drinking the water. Too much? Maybe. I won't be too specific.

Hablamos pronto :)