AGUA

Trip Start Apr 30, 2005

Trip End Dec 03, 2007

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Flag of Mexico Parras, Mexico
Saturday, June 4, 2005

WOW! Today was absolutely amazing. We went to this area that has underground caves. They said we would have to wade through water but it originally sounded like it would at most come up to our chests. HA! We got there and saw this channel with flowing water coming out of a tunnel with about a foot of room between the water and the top of the tunnel (just enough room for our heads). I seriously didn't think they would have us go into that but once I found out we were I was totally thrilled. Some people with claustrophobic issues were a bit concerned. To get through the tunnel those with headlamps put them on (so glad I bought one before I left) and everyone had to hold hands, which became so important. The current was pretty strong against us and the ground was slimy so it took a bit of effort to go through the tunnel. It was absolutely amazing. We had to stay quiet to not cause an avalanche of rocks onto us. The ceiling and walls were lined with bricks/large rocks. As the water level rose we had to stick to breathing through our noses with our heads tilted a bit trying to avoid hitting our heads on lower rocks

Caves

. Very little room to move but everyone was really good about checking on everyone and making sure people were breathing well. We eventually got to an open area of absolutely beautiful water and some overhead light coming down. We continued through some high, narrow tunnels where the water only came up to my waist and chest. The walls were smooth and shaped by the water running through and down the walls. We were still struggling against the current so it took a bit of effort. We got to a point where the tunnel pinched off and a small waterfall was coming down at the end. One of the Mexican students leading the group got under the waterfall then got down into the water under it. I thought he was trying to get a water back massage or something until his head disappeared under the rock, then his abdomen and then his feet were gone. I was waiting and he wasn't coming back. I was getting a bit concerned. We were eventually told there was a cave on the over side and we had to swim under the wall to get to it. I was hesitant but have earned a reputation in the group as being into extreme sports so I couldn't let them down. They said to swim really hard once I got under the water (which was all kinds of confusion with a waterfall coming down on me). I learned once I was under the rock wall that the current was strong under there and it took quite a bit of effort to go the four feet or so but soon a hand grabbed me on the other side and I was thrown onto a friend who had just gone through. I thought it was going to be a small cave and those that wanted to try it would go back and we would head back towards the front of the cave but we learned that everyone had to do it to get to the end of the caves

Chillin' at the pool

. We continued on for another couple kilometers. It was so beyond amazing. The water levels were up and down until the very end of the caves where they got as low as our lower legs but that made walking more difficult and dangerous. As we neared the end (different groups had split off getting to the end at different times) Ajay and I were way ahead our group and neither of us had a flashlight. He was walking a few steps ahead of me and every 3-10 seconds a slight amount of light from the flashlight far behind us would give a shadow of the walls ahead of us and allow me to easily see where he was (white shirt) then everything would go pitch black. It reminded me of some really scary movie, which he splashed me with water when I told him. There were all kinds of amazing little waterfalls from the middle of the tunnel (showering areas) so I made sure I always showered in them (and danced as one usually does in those situations). We drank spring water as we went (quite good) and celebrated quietly at the end. As we came back we caked our faces and arms in mud and joined up with the rest of the group. The way back was significantly easier as we moved with the flow of the water. About half the group decided to leave the cave at the one spot with an exit out to avoid going back under the rock wall. I doggy paddled most of the way back to the wall. When I went under there were people that pulled me up and out of the water again. The group is great at taking care of each other. We made our way back towards the small tunnel (the tunnels were still quite tall)

Church on the Volcano

. We of course stopped in a larger underground pool area for the long celebrated tradition of girls against boys splash war. As we entered the small tunnel again we swam forward in a doggy paddle style until the water became to high to breath and many of us decided to lie on our backs. Let me tell you, that was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I got onto my back and floated down the tunnel, the water caring me down. All I could hear was my breath as I watched the bricks a few inches from my face and sides move above me. It was indescribable. Afterwards we headed to a picnic area and had lunch. I was pretty scrapped up and bruised from rocks and ready to go again. All I could say for the next few hours (and most people as well) was how amazing the whole experience was. Many of us plan to go back.

We met our conversation partners last Monday. Apparently we didn't feel vulnerable enough having spent the entire weekend with only our families they decided to blindfold the students from California and would bring us one at a time into the center of a circle of Mexican students. The students would walk around us in a circle and we had to walk towards the outside of the circle and grab someone as our conversation partner.

The heat is intense but a good change. I have been doing some running with a friend here. Listening to music helps drowned out the whistles. The swimming pool is absolutely amazing. It is under the church on the volcano with fish swimming in it and deep all over. It is fed from springs and sooooo blue. Friday after visiting the church on the volcano we went swimming. I am now beginning to get more comfortable with water so I had a total blast. A group of us looking for more extreme swimming began playing a game of throwing Frisbees and soccer balls out towards the water in front of a jumper and they had to catch it in midair over the water. This is the kind of water game I enjoy. I was tired after and wanted to get a quick shower before going to some live music with the group for a short time. When I got home I found a bunch of people in my courtyard and a bbq going on. Apparently it was for a friend of theirs birthday and to celebrate Julie and myself (Julie is staying with my host mother and aunt's older sister so she and I are cousins but we call each other sisters). They kept giving us tequila as the party grew in number and volume and we ended up partying with them for 6hrs. I was so tired by the time I got to my room. I really hope to sleep in tomorrow but I don't see that happening with my room being the center of morning activity (cat crying, doors constantly being slammed, and a strong sun coming through the curtains). Anyways, it was a totally awesome week with amazing adventures. I gotta get more of that water Frisbee going this week.

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