Guanajuato.

I love Guanajuato. Many of the streets are underground tunnels (calles subterráneas ) that run under the city leaving the streets above for people to walk on. It's so beautiful there. So full of life and colors. The tunnels give sort of an eerily beautiful vibe to the city. We also met some really great people from different parts of the world like Texas, Nicaragua, Venezuela etc. Guanajuato is very different from Pachuca. They both have their own charms, but there is something about Guanajuato that makes you feel a little more alive. A little more curious. A little more alert. Lately I have been feeling like my brain is in hibernation here in Pachuca. Like it has gone a bit numb from doing the same thing everyday. Think Guanajuato was just what I needed to wake up. Can't wait to go back there.




Another thing I love about Guanajuato is el Callejón del Beso. There are lots of really skinny little alleys in Guanajuato and there is a legend that a girl from a wealthy family fell in love with a poor miner. They were forbidden to see each other so he rented the apartment on the other side of the alley from her house and they would meet at night and kiss while standing on the balcony of each lovers' side of the alley. Of course the story ends tragically, but v. romantic nonetheless. I love it. There are so many alleys in fact, that there is actually a verb here for people who are just walking around or hanging out in the alleys: callejoneando. And there are students (estudiantinas) who do shows walking around in the alleys singing for tips and people follow them all through the city. So at night all you can hear are men singing from about 6 to 11. It is an awesome tradición. You should go there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHfnrpYyaIg


But of course, the craziest thing about Guanajuato is el Museo de las Momias (The Mummy Museum...or Mommy Museum according to the terrible English translations.) It's really quite creepy because when the family of the deceased can't pay the taxes on the burial plot, the bodies are exhumed and if destroyed they are cremated. If not, they can be put in the museum. The bodies can be dug up after only 6 years. Creepy. You could go to the museum and see the mummy of your dead grandmother whose taxes you couldn't pay. Also saw the smallest mummy in the world. It died during a c-section and was premature. The mother was only 6 months along. So basically the mummy is a 6 month old fetus. The mommy mummy is displayed next to the fetus looking very pregnant with a big slash across her stomach from the c-section scar. As the Mexico travel book says. "The museum is yet another example of Mexico's obsession with death."

For Margo.

Do not be fooled by her sweet kitty-cat appearance. If this mexican doll were a 4 day old baby, she would be gnawing on it too.

Everyday is Saturday.

It's summer vacation in Pachuca, Mexico. It feels like everyday is Saturday. I have a little less than a month to relax and do whatever I want (although the number of pesos I currently have in my wallet is v. limiting).
Good thing I have Nolita to keep me entertained. She is constantly getting into mischief like: clawing apart unopened bags of bread. Knocking over my plants. Sticking her face in my food when I am trying to eat. Meowing like a banshee at 6 am. Also she is a biter. At this moment she is pulling clothes off of their hangers in my closet. Cute.

Spoke to mom today. She fell when she was running and broke her nose. I have so many qualities like my dad, but I must admit falling on my face/hands/butt/knees/back is a trait I have gotten from her. Wasn't it just last month she dropped a bed frame and broke her foot? Good thing we aren't heavy drinkers. Hope her nose heals quickly.

Have a skype date with Nick and La Shawn (too bad Liam can't join). Wish the circumstances were happier ones. I just hope I can give Nick some comfort at such a difficult time. I never met his mom, but I am sure she was a wonderful woman. Anyone who reads this blog please keep Nick and his family in your prayers. LOVE YOU NICK!!!

Today would have been Josh Sturgill's 25th birthday. I have been thinking about him a lot today. I wonder what he would be doing now if he were here?

I love the summer. I love being able to take naps whenever I want. Stay up as late as I want. Drink micheladas all day. Tonight Marlies and I are going for tacos and renting a movie. Tomorrow party in Real del Monte. Hooray for summer vacation! Hooray for micheladas! Hooray for Mexico! Hooray for chick flicks in English with Spanish Subtitles!

"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind you."- Maori Proverb

Me: I'm starting a blog.

Adam: Well aren't you hip?

Me: I have nothing else to do. Which stands to reason that the blog will probably not be very interesting.

Summer vacation

Saturday was the 4th of July. It was a bit strange to celebrate it in Mexico, but fun nonetheless. Marlies had a party at her house and invited just about anyone who lives in Pachuca. It was a great time, but maybe just a little too much drinking on my part. Sunday we had a post 4 de julio fiesta at Marlies' house. We pulled all of her living room furniture out into her yard and drank micheladas. Once again a bit too much drinking on my part. Besides that, it was basically a perfect day. I am watching Margaret's cat for the vacation. Se llama Nolita y es muy pero muy traviesa. Today she ripped a hole in my brand new bag of bread and pulled down my curtains. Sometimes it's nice to have the company though. My dad got back to Michigan today after 3 months on the Appalachian trail. I'm proud that he made it to his halfway point and wish I could see him this summer. Today I plan to clean my apartment and watch movies. Being a teacher is the life. Some of the time.

"To see the Summer Sky

Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -True Poems flee"

~Emily Dickinson