Parador Del Rio Irapuato

So - I've been in Mexico for about a week and a half now. I remember that when I got to Thailand it took about two weeks before I began to get over the whole to-do of the the long plane ride and the gereral disorientation - not knowing one single familiar landmark. Spending the first two days with Daniel was a wonderful way to get started, but eventually I had to head off on my own and start trying to figure things out for myself.

The first thing I did when he ...

... trip. In attendance: Holly, Martin, Ana, Kirsten, Che, Yazmine, Chantal (CEPE friends), Andy (my new flatmate), a surprise visit from Cameron the Kiwi (who was first discovered langouring in a hostel in Puerta Vallarta, and later visited us in GDL), and of course Kisiev, who was kind enough to let me crash at his uncle`s place. Gracias, cabron!

It was a non-stop weekend. Lots of music ...

... what luck! Thus ensued almost three fascinating hours with my own personal guide. I was especially interested in her discourse about the early people and their (somewhat grizzly) customs and beliefs. Amongst many other things,I learned about their underlying world views regarding life and death, and how this translated into their rituals of sacrifice. I also found out more than I ever wanted to know about the exact nature of the ...

... and Tuesday I have culture class. I love it. The teacher knew I was new and didn't know much, so he was very animated. He knows some English. He was asking the class how to say these two words in English so I would understand (because he thought i didn't). Out of everyone (who were all on a higher lever) I knew both words. He was shocked. It was awesome. I pick up on the most random things.

... of different stuff in it, but the rest of the family has a very simple one.
-The host seats you first, but don't eat until she sits down, unless she says too.
- They will feed you till you pop. Know when to stop.

Street Etiquite:
- Alot of people you pass (anytime in the daytime) will greet you. Greet them back. - When being introduced to people, or when leaving. Kiss on the right cheek. Maybe a handshake, or both. ( to men and ...

... him and asked if he wanted to buy me flowers. He said no. then the kid said, "why, do you not love her" It was hilarious. People often think whoever I am with that that is who I am married to, since they always translate for me.

I have given up flip flops unless it is to school and back. This one day my host mom asked if I wanted to go shopping with her. I ...

... Most of these babies come from broken or non-existent homes, so the life they have at the orphanage is quite a blessing...and for those who get adopted, the blessings continue! Like most orphanages, the younger the child the faster they get adopted. There's lots of turn-over in the baby room, but by the time they are toddlers and then preschool and kindergartners they have hardly any chance of leaving. It's a blessing for me to be ...

... and played. I sat down on the lawn and the next thing I knew I had all these kids sitting next to me asking me questions like, how do you say tree in English? how do you say my name in English? etc...I like kids, and I'm really starting to like these kids in particular!

Last night Dany and Carminda took me to downtown, to see it at night because it is very pretty. We walked around, ate Elotes, which are corn covered in ...

Well I made it to Mexico. Im exhausted. Today was day two and the family I live with showed me around the city...which is huge! I could never get back to the downtown. Ive tasted lots of different food so far, some that I like and others that I really dont care for. Right now, though, Im eating strawberries and they are amazing! Irapuato is known across Mexico for their strawberries. I look foward to getting some ...

... but many still had their teeth, eye brows and not to be disgusting, but pubic hair. After a foul and so not worth the waiting for brekkie, we hit the Diego Rivera (Mexico´s world-famous artist) museum where he had been born. It never fails to amaze me how so many of these artists are hits with the laydees..Like Picasso, I could kind of understand, like he was a bit of a stud muffin..:But Diego was certainly not pretty as a painting, or indeed his self-portrait! He was ...