Back in the USA

My last week in Leon went by so fast, I didn't have time to write my last blog entry... so I will do it from the comforts of my home now that I am back safe and sound in the USA :)

Recently I went to Leon's annual book fair. It was pretty cool, except for the fact that there were no books in English :( which is what my friend and I were hoping to find. I ended up purchasing a book in Spanish, but probably won't read it for awhile, since reading in Spanish feels more like homework to me.

I also took a self-guided tour with a friend of some cool catacumbs underneath the city's great Expiatorio church. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of graves! My friend told me that it costs a lot of money to have someone buried there because they are considered to be eternally close to God. I took my camera along but sadly, upon turning it on, I discovered that I had no battery power - so I don't have any pics of the experience.

In my last month, two new girls moved into my house. The first - whose name is Lolita - is a dietitian who was relocated to the city. The second, Aida, came for "personal reasons" which I believe had something to do with custody of her children. They are both really nice. Aida has an infectious laugh but watches more TV in one day than I think I did in my entire time in Mexico. haha

I didn't manage to eat all the various Mexican food, but I did try some new dishes in the final week:

• Menudo - this is a soup made of a salty broth and cow stomach. Yep - cow stomach. All Mexicans love it but, not surprisingly, I didn't care for it. A little too chewy.
• Ceviche - this is citrus marinated seafood (which I had already tried in Ecuador) but is prepared a little differently in Mexico. Mine was shrimp and octopus in a cocktail cup with a tomato-based sauce. Delish!
• Molcajete - the "molcajete" itself is a bowl molded from volcanic rock that is used to serve food because it stays hot for a long time. Usually inside the bowl there are chorizo, cheese, avocado, beans, etc which you can use to make a taco.

My last few days in Leon were pura festejar! In other words, partying! I went to some bars with my students and fellow teachers for goodbye parties. It was fun, and I learned some Mexican drinking songs! hahaha The school where I work also mounted a poster on a wall for students to sign and say farewell. It was covered and made my heart want to burst with joy everytime I walked by it!

My overall experience in Mexico was truly fantastic. In fact, I am currently quite melancholy because I want to return! My Spanish improved (at least I learned a great amount of Mexican slang) and I made some good friends. My only regret is that I didn't take more advantage of the open bar on the boatride in Vallarta!

I hope you've enjoyed my posts! Until my next adventure... xoxo Anna