Paradise Found

Greetings from San Pedro,

We are on the shores of Lago Atitlan, once called by Aldous Huxley the most beautiful lake in the world. The past few days have been very busy but I wouldnt have it any other way, because I can-t figure out this keyboard dont expect gramatical excellence! This morning Claire and I woke up to quite the amazing sight, the sunrise from hundreds of feet above the valley that Antigua lies in. Last night we stayed in a treehouse that overlooked a small grove of avocadoes. We had a delicious full vegan meal for dinner, that I actually ENJOYED, and sat amongst others who were enjoying the Earth Lodge. The place is owned by a Canadian and American couple but to Claire and my surprise there was a girl volunteering there from Cottage Grove, Oregon! The place was amazing, and some of the children of the caretaker came down and we played with a deflated volleyball as I tried to explain the theory of spiking. This morning on our way back to Antigua, to catch the shuttle here, two more children came up and we played with a bicycle tire for 30 minutes waiting for our late shuttle. OUR shuttle, just so happened to be a pick up truck with a bar across the top that we held on to with dear life as our driver manuevered over a dirt/mud road. At many points you could see where the last storm had washed another couple feet off the road into the embankement below and Im pretty positive I watched Claires grip tighten on the overhead bar with each close embakement we passed.

We hung around Antigua for an hour or two and then caught a real shuttle, full of other tourists, to the town of Panajachel, the gateway city to Lago Atitlan. The drive from Antigua to Panajachel was almost surreal watching the famous Guatemalan Chicken Bus swerving in and out of lanes of traffic and passing on double yellows heading up hills. They are essentially the old yellow school bus I rode to 3rd grade, converted to look badass with multiple flames and possibly the national bird, the Quetzal. At one point during the ride I watched a younger boy jump from the moving bus and then do a bow to his friends, showing off how brave/stupid, that he was. Anyways, if I thought the grip Claire had on the bar in the truck earlier this morning was white knuckled the fingers she dug into my thighs on a few of the turns this afternoon proved she had anything but a wet noodled grip.

We arrived at Panajachel and were quickly stormed by locals asking whether or not we needed a hotel, a boat ride, or one gentleman in particular was very foward in annoucing that he knew where I could smoke some weed. I attempted to kindly disregard all of them but one gentleman was especially pushy and after much discussion we lowered the price of a lancha, boat, from 300 quetzals down to 175 quetzals for 3 of us. The ride across the lake was MISERABLE, it was pouring rain and at least once I feel like Claire gave me the much missed during our 10 weeks apart look...did you really take me on this boat into the middle of a hurricane? Anyways, we made it safely and now she is facebooking while I type this message. I hope to swim tomorrow in the lake and then if all pans out we will catch an 8 hour shuttle to Semuc Champey in the waining days of our trip. Hope all is well back home, I have been especially jonesing from some home cooked pasta lately and cant wait to italian sausage and meatballs back home. I would post pictures, but unfortunately I did not bring my cord....they will have to wait until the trip is over, but they are most definitely worth the wait.

Off to Guatemala

I haven't updated in awhile, sorry! Tomorrow I leave for Guatemala for 11 days of rain in paradise! Check the link in the earlier post for newer pictures, including last night where I drank entirely too much but had a great time hanging out with some amazing Mexicans I met while taking classes here.

I'll try to update at least once or twice from Guatemala, more later foks. Now I must try to go to sleep so I can catch my bus to Mexico City at 6am tomorrow.

Rain, rain, rain....

It has been a very rainy week. All day Monday and Tuesday it rained, yesterday started clear and rained most of the afternoon and then it downright poured in the evening. The majority of the students in the program have been complaining about it, but I've really been enjoying it. The natural beauty of Mexico is really impressive, and the nightly thunder and lightening that with the backround of the rising valley Queretaro lies in, has been way cool. Two downsides to the rain...My papers have been drenched twice this week hanging out next to my bedroom window and the drainage in Mexico is awful. Everytime it rains the city smells a little funky and I'm convinced sewage floats up and runs down the street with the rain...not a great time to be wearing sandles, or stomping around in puddles.

Today marks the second day of my prospering modeling career in this country. About 3 weeks back a couple of students and I volunteered to be in a government sponsored pamphlet highlighting the benefits of studying Spanish in the State of Queretaro. Last week I hung out for nearly 3 hours and spent a grand total of 20 minutes pretending to read a Spanish text book with a 26 year old newlywed from Michigan. Afterwards I got on the wrong bus and spent an extra 30 minutes trying to get home, eventually giving up and taking a taxi (which are really cheap here, usually nothing over 40 pesos or $4). Today we take our action shots, which should be hillarious because I felt strange enough acting interested in a Spanish text over my level, who knows what ridiculous things the photographers will suggest today. In honesty, I am a little convinced that they simply tell us to do things soley so they can laugh at how awkward we are. Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss in my near future? While anything is possible, I think I'll just finish up my last year of college and see if the circus is accepting applications for fire eaters or tight rope walking.

The program heads off to San Miguel De Allende and Guajanuato this weekend, but I've decided to hang in Queretaro. The decision was made mostly out of financial forecasting, I know I need to curb my spending a bit so I can enjoy Guatemala and still have a little money to buy Top Ramen and hot dogs when I get back to the states (oh, the life). It's a little disappointing because I just found out they will likely be visiting hot springs, but whatever, USA plays Argentina Friday night (Olympic basketball) and the championship game is on Sunday, plus I have a fair share of work I could do in preparation for my final week. AND if my understood my host brother correctly he wants to go to a club or bar Saturday night. Well, that is all for now. Suddenly none of the apostrophes are working, so I guess this is a good time to sign out. Hope all is well. Only 2 weeks now until Guatemala and seeing Claire again for the first time in 3 months!

Oh and by the way, what the hell is this I hear about Obama only having a 1 point lead in the polling right now in the states? Please, please tell me after the convention he gets a huge bump! 2 entirely un-winnable wars, a faltering economy, human rights abuses all over the world, rampant ignorance of international opinion and treaties, gasoline at 5 dollars a gallon...all this under a Republican President and Obama only has a 1 point lead!? Tell me they are polling only the most backward rednecks. Hopefully, Obama gives Biden the nod and all the naysayers about his foreign experience give it a break. But then Biden did vote for the war in Iraq (more ammunition for the GOP)....ahhh...1 point....seriously...1 point?

wow

grammatical and punctuation errors galore in the last post. Lo siento todos.

Photo UPDATE

Back in Queretaro from a weekend trip to Mexico. Yes I am in Mexico, and when in Mexico and you make a trip to the city of Mexico you simply call it "Mexico."Crazy, I know. I had a lot of fun and saw some amazing things, it really is too bad I couldn't take pictures in the National Art Museum because there was a Diego Rivera mural that (for a student of Political Science) was just awe inspiring. It was a depiction of a man trying to change the world from the two possible directions it was heading, capitalism on one side, socialism on the other. Diego was of course, a little one sided and had many more negative images on the capitalism side than the socialist...in my opinion. The piece though, was simply amazing and it's history was very controversial as well. It was originally supposed to be in New York but because of Lenin's depiction it was never shown. Wikipedia for more info, it is very very interesting. I wish we had 2 more hours for both the Anthro Museum and the Art museum, but when in Mexico with 20 tired gringos sometimes things don't pan out. We also visited the site of the 1968 shooting of a number (still disputed) of students protesting the government in anticipation of the Summer Olympics. The city has so much history, it is amazing yet completely believable that its 25 million people make up one quarter of the population of all of Mexico. (After writing that statistic I just asked my host sister and her friend and they claim it has 20 million, either way it is HUGE!)

I am keeping very busy at school and am pleased to report that I got a 9.8 out of 10 on my presentation over Mexican weddings last week in my discussion class. It was 15 por ciento of my grade! I don't especially want to talk about my midterm in grammar class, but have a feeling Object Direct and Indirect kicked my butt a bit. Whatever, just inspiration to study a little harder before the final. Anyways avid followers, here is a link to a number of photos I just put up, hope you enjoy!


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2179705&l=ba7b3&id=11512554

This weekend was ridiculously busy as we visited the State of Michoacan and attempted to visit every point of interest that the state can possibly offer. It started out bad because of my losing battle with some watermelon I ate on Thursday, but ended up being pretty fun. We saw some awesome things and overall had a great time, my only complaint is our total lack of Spanish while traveling in a big group...I hope on future trips we try to speak a little more Spanish. Anyways, here are some pics that I have taken so far....

La Lucha Libre Etiquette

Last night marked my first foray back into the world of professional wrestling. While I can't completely feign ignorance of the oft considered white trash sport (yes, I watched Raw and Smackdown in Middle School...yes...I was verging on obsessive) it had been a number of years since I fully took in the spectacle of two waxed men in singlets grappling one another. Let me say this: It's probably one of the most macho things I can ever consider myself to be apart of, and really freaking sweet. A number of students from the group studying Spanish here attended last nights match at the Queretaro Arena. Funny, the arena from the outside looks more like the Wow Hall in Eugene, and from the inside looks like a dingy version of a high school gym. The point I'm getting at is that I doubt it will be hosting U2 the next time they pass through on World Tour, but it hosted nicely for the Luchadores and the ever popular Dr. Wagner.

I arrived a little late with a few people I've met through the program and picked a rail around the top to initially take in the acting and acrobatics. The wrestling here has a lot more stunts involving jumping off the turnbuckles and in and out of the ring, and on multiple occasions people in the crowd either caught or were suddenly blind-sided by a sweaty 300 lb masked man who was thrown from the ring into the first 3 rows. I quickly found myself invested in the luchador in red and was hurling insults at his opponent shortly after entering the arena. Markus gave me a few looks of bewilderment but fell along with me in yelling when I pointed out that the woman a row in front of me, the one chain smoking and verbally accosting the luchadors, was simply translating my rugged English into its Spanish counterpart. I apparently have terrible luck picking luchadores (much like my terrible luck with directions and gambling) and red suffered the most embarrassing defeat possible in the wide world of La Lucha Libre when his opponent ripped off his mask, revealing his face for the crowd to see. The grown man who I had just seen chop blocking and suplexing like a pro was quickly desecrated to nothing more than a whimpering crying 250 lb baby as he begged for his mask back.

The de-masking ended the match and Mexican women wearing small bikini´s crossed the ring with signs declaring round number. I'm convinced no one actually pays attention to what the sign says, it could easily read "You are all pigs" and the guys in the crowd would hoot and holler just as loud if not louder. At this point the three of us who came together spotted our party and walked around the other side to sit down with the very obvious group of gringos.

There was now one match left before the main event and I myself was getting very excited. I picked a luchador in black and quickly began my verbal beat down of his green singlet wearing opponent. About half way through the match a small child a row in front of me and a few seats down turned around and in perfect English said: "God, you are annoying! Shut up!" I was shocked. Everything I had invested in this match was suddenly stifled by the judgement of one 12 year old boy. In response to his behavior his father gave him a high five and I quickly realized that I was far from being a legitimate lucha libre enthusiast. It dawned me on at that point that, really, no one was cheering as loud as I was, and everyone was laughing at me. I was like the drunk guy at a concert that really digs the opening band when everyone else wants them to finish their set and get the hell off the stage. After realizing I was actually a terrible spectator, and fielding nasty looks from buzz kills mother for the next 20 minutes, I was happy to move farther away from them before the final match. I found that during those 20 minutes of awkward embarrassment, wrestling is really ridiculous if you are not screaming your head off.

Doctor Wagner took the stage to much pomp and circumstance and the crowd went absolutely berserk. Things got a little weird when a woman with only one leg was passed through the ropes and Wagner carried her around on stage while people took pictures. I just figured it was the equivalent of Make a Wish Foundation, but was in general agreement when another student in our program pointed out there are millions of disabled Mexicans that don't even receive the benefit of ramps into most public buildings. Anyways, the match was entertaining and despite getting his butt kicked the entire contest Doctor Wagner came out victorious and the crowd went wild. I went looking for a taxi and made it home about a half hour later. I watched a telenovela called El Fuego en La sangria, or something like that (think really corny Mexican soap opera) and fell asleep with thoughts of Mexican fruits and vegetables dancing among my thoughts.

I unfortunately still forgot what the words for peas and watermelon were in Spanish on my quiz today. Anyways, more later. I'm off on Friday to visit Michoacan and will be gone until Sunday afternoon. Hopefully I'll post pictures sometime in the near future...for your viewing pleasure.

Pollo Poco (o pequeno? no se)

Greetings from Mexico!

This night seemed like a better night than most to put off doing some homework (only one page about an old friend, thinking I'll write about Mike) and physical activity (ignoring the invite to salsa dance) and start up a little correspondence with whoever may have an interest (albeit likely limited) with what it is I'm doing down in Mexico. So honestly, mom, this is for you. But feel free to tell your friends if you want...

After one week here I venture to say I have become acclimated to my new home in the center of Mexico. The city I am studying Spanish in is named Queretaro and it has a population of nearly a million people. It doesn't at all feel that large though and compared to the 24 hours I spent in Mexico City it is a very laid back and relaxing atmosphere. It is considered to many Mexicans a tourist destination because it is the locale of a number of historic buildings and events in Mexican history. It is also popular because of the remnants of an aqueduct that once transported water to the city. One old tale says that the ducts were built by a rich man vying for the heart of a nun in the local convent. She promised to give her hand in marriage if he could bring water to the people of the town. I am very lucky when you figure that now a days all you have to do to get a girl's hand is hold a job 9-5 and not get caught staring at too many other women. But I digress...

Considering the fact that I hadn't studied Spanish for a year before coming here, and also that I completely disregarded my promise to watch copious amounts of Telemundo and Univision before arriving, I feel that things are going just about as well as they possibly could for a tongue twisted Gringo in Mexico. After a week I am finally feeling more comfortable talking with my host family and was able to spend a half hour last night discussing food, and sushi especially, with my host brother. He has offered to make sushi Thursday and wants me to invite friends from the program. Exciting huh!? Maybe dangerous aswell considering I'm in Mexico and hundreds of miles from a body of water....but lets get to some juicy details of my stay...

Among other things that have happened here two stories tend to stand out:

1. The story about the time I told my host family the sky fell on my neighbors head
2. The story about the time I left with a group of Mexicans in an overloaded car for a city I didn't know at 11:00 at night.

Story number one requires little back story, simply the fact that Paul (a member of our group) had his ceiling fan fall on his head last week while he was reading a book in his room. He was not sure whether or not he suffered a concussion but came to the conclusion that SINCE he fell asleep, and since if you fall asleep after a concussion you are supposed to die, that he is actually alright.

When I heard this story I found it wholly hilarious and decided I must share the humor with my host parents. So while eating comida (the big meal of the day, it comes around 3pm) I attempted to tell the story of the time Paul was:
"leeindo sus libre y el cielo (at this point I stood up and made a crashing impression) golpen en el cabeza" (So now you are starting to understand, really, how terrible my spanish is).

In response, a little confused, my host father said:

"La lluvia ayer?" Implying that perhaps I meant "the rain" fell on Paul's head.

"No, no, no." I responded. "El cielo!"

A dumbfounded look crossed both my host father and mother, but being the patient people they are they proceeded to maybe help explain that, unless Paul was merely a nick name for Chicken Little, it is impossible for the sky to fall and hit someone in the head.

"El granizo?" My mother asked. Maybe hoping that she could pull me away from the edge of ignorance by suggesting that it was hail that hit Paul in the head.

"No!" I exclaimed. I proceeded to make a spinning motion with my hands, impersonating a fan and declared "El cielo golpen Paul en la cabeza!" Then continued to laugh...

They both looked completely bewildered by the increasingly louder American standing in their kitchen (while they were sitting) , pointing at the ceiling and declaring that yesterday, in total flagrance of all known science, the sky fell and hit Paul right in the cabeza. After awhile I came to the conclusion that perhaps, just maybe, the term for "ceiling" was not actually "el cielo" and went upstairs to find my dictionary. As it turns out the proper word for fan is "ventilador" and when I was trying to explain how it fell out of the ceiling the word for ceiling is "techo" and "el cielo" is indeed "the sky."

After realizing I had made a huge ass of myself they laughed and my host father had me repeat "techo" very slow a number of times, probably hoping I wouldn't make such a ridiculous claim again anytime in the near future. I started talking in English, saying how stupid I was and how they must think I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing in Mexico before realizing that, yes, they do live in Mexico and speak only Spanish and me telling them a bunch of useless information in English really isn't going to accomplish anything. I ended my rant of English with "Lo siento" and thanked my host mom for comida and went upstairs to take my daily siesta.

As embarrassing as the entire thing was, it has proven to be an entertaining story to tell to the people in the program and I was even able to relive the experience with the Mexicans I travelled with to San Miguel De Allende Saturday night and they found it as funny if not more funny than my host family when it happened. The story of the trip to SMDA will have to wait, because I've been typing for way too long. But, (yes I start sentences with But, take that 4th grade English) now I must watch some television and continue to write down words that are new to me. Oh, actually now I have to finish my homework. More later!