Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Teotihuacan & Six Flags


I had an exciting 27 hours this past weekend. My work went on a trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and to Six Flags Amusement park, both just outside Mexico City. The pyramids were pretty cool, but not in the best condition. They were built before Christ by the "Teotihuacanos", but were not discovered until ~1500 by the Aztecs - who found the area deserted. To this day no one knows what happened to the Teotihuacan civilization. After visiting the pyramids, we ate in a little town just a few minutes away. There I tried some new, indigenous food! The first thing was a tlacoyo: a flat, fat, fried corn dough filled with refried beans and topped with lettuce, cheese, cream, and salsa. Yum. The other food was a pambazo: this is a sandwich made of white bread, dipped in red pepper sauce, then filled with potatoes and chorizo. Yum #2.

Six Flags was fun. I traveled around the park with a group that wasn't afraid of any rides - so we rode all the roller coasters. My favorites were Batman, Boomerang, and Kilaueah (think Power Tower at Cedar Point). Kilaueah had a great view of Mexico City - it was really cool.

Last week I also joined a gym. It's really nice and actually has treadmills! (which most of the gyms here don't have because Mexicans prefer weights) But the best part is the shower water pressure at that gym - best I've ever experienced - and in Mexico believe it or not!

In other news, the weather here is still hot. Also, I put up a shelf in my room with some picture frames. It adds a nice homely touch.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Viva Mexico!

The highlight of last week was Mexican Independence Day (September 15th). I went to a party at my boss's house and had a lot of fun. We ate way too much food, set off fireworks, and watched "el grito" on tv (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grito_de_Dolores). The holiday was especially important this year because it was the bicentennial celebration.

On Sunday I also went to a bbq at a friend's vacation house in the nearby mountains. It was a very curvy, hour and a half drive to a tiny, tucked away town (population ~500). The house was very cute, with typical Mexican architecture that you can see in the photos. My friend's mom cooked a delicious meal of roasted potatoes and pork (each person received an entire pig calf!). I felt like I was enjoying a Christmas dinner. Afterwards we went apple picking in a nearby orchard. It was a very relaxing Sunday.

Of course, I've tried some new food:
  • alfalfa water (with lemon): This is water mixed with alfalfa and lemon juice. It's very refreshing! The only downside, as a friend pointed out, is that it tastes a little like grass. haha You can find it at any place they serve aguas frescas (flavored waters).
  • buñuelo: This is Mexico's version of an "elephant ear." Thinly rolled, fried dough, topped with sugar and cinnamon. Of course they're delicious! Buñuelos are served on special occasions, like Independence Day.