The Pope

A couple weeks ago the Pope came to Mexico! He was doing a tour of Latin America and his stops included Cuba and Leon, Mexico (where I live). People were really worried that the city wasnt prepared to handle a visit from a person of such status, but the city actually did a great job! After he arrived from the airport, he rode about 25 miles in his PopeMobil and all along the way people were lined around the streets to greet him and catch a glimpse. I didn't have to leave my house until about an hour before he passed by the spot where I saw him -- which is about 10 minutes from where I live - right across from the Starbucks on the corner - haha. He flew by too! He was really booking it in that Popemobil. People were really excited but everything was under control - yay Mexico! (That's something I don't say often). In the next couple of days he is giving some private masses to special people who have tickets. I wont be able to attend any of the masses, but just seeing him was pretty cool. Check out the video:

End of 2011/ Start of 2012

After a wonderful 2 week vacation with family and friends in the USA, I'm back in Mexico. Before returning to the USA in December, I went with a friend to an all-inclusive hotel in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. It was very nice - the weather was warm and the hotel wasn't too full since we went right before the big holiday rush.

This past weekend was a long one in Mexico because Monday was a Holiday (Constitution Day). I took advantage of this and went with some friends to a city farther north called San Luis Potosi. One of the friends I went with used to live in SLP, so she acted as our tour guide. We explored the downtown of the city (which is really big), toured an old jail which is now an Arts center, and then went to Chili's to watch the SuperBowl. Check out the statue that was in front of the Chili's:

Recently, I did something that had been on my "Things to do list" here in Mexico: I went to a cockfight. I went in not really knowing what to expect, but it turns out that I liked it! It's cruel (the roosters have spurs on their legs and fight each other to the death) but it's entertaining, and part of the draw is that you can bet on the roosters.

Here's to a great 2012!

Outdoor fun

The weather has gotten chillier here in Mexico but that doesnt mean it's too cold to enjoy the fresh air! Lately I've had a lot of outdoor activities...

I played paintball for the first time! Here it's called "Gotcha!" haha. And believe it or not - I won 2 out of the 5 games we played! In other words, I was the last person left on the field. I guess I'm just a natural... ;-)

For Thanksgiving this year, my work held a cookout at a teacher's ranch house. I was kind of disappointed that there was no turkey or mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie, but the tacos we had were delicious! lol

A few weeks ago I went on a Moster Jeep Rally with one of my friends here. She owns a huge Jeep and every couple of months they drive out in the wilderness somewhere to go through an obstacle course with their Jeeps. It was fun - and with me as the co-pilot - we never got stuck!

Finally, my work had the annual Christmas Party this past Saturday. It was at a really nice place for outdoor parties. We had a nice dinner, exchanged Secret Santa gifts, and later there was karaoke. No, I didnt sing anything...that only happens if I've had too much to drink...hehe

In a week I leave for Nuevo Vallarta - a really nice beach in Mexico, then return (hopefully tan) to the USA for the holidays. Hope to see many of you there!

My Birthday!

It's time for another update! Fall has turned into winter here in Mexico - which means chilly mornings and hot afternoons. The weather change is actually kind of annoying because I take a jacket with me to work in the morning and then it gets hot and I have to drag it around with me in the afternoon. Oh well - I wont complain too much for those of you who are suffering in freezing temperatures ;-) Although from what I've heard, the USA's winter hasnt been too bad, yet.

A couple months ago I went to see Mexico's version of the famous stage production, The Vagina Monologues. Yes - they have it here in Mexico! It's made up of different monologues read by three women on stage. The 3 monologues, in some way or form have to do with that female part - be it love, menstruation, female genital mutilation, birth, etc... Some of the monologues are hilarious, and some are more serious. I was pleasantly surprised by the production - I thought it was going to have a feminist bent to it - but there were many men in the audience who enjoyed it as well! I was also pleased that I understood about 90% of it.

A month ago, 2 other American teachers and I took a weekend trip to a town about 2 hours away called Queretaro. It's known for being clean, but there isn't much to do. We just browsed the streets in the downtown and later walked to the famous aqueduct. One of the best parts of the weekend was watching tv in the hotel room at night! (since none of us have tvs - haha)

Finally...my Birthday was 1 week ago! I decided to celebrate it on Saturday by going to a nightclub here with some friends. It was really a lot of fun! The music was great and out waiter brought free shots to the table! In true Mexican style, we stayed until the place closed at 3:30am - then went for a late night snack of tacos afterward. It was one of my best birthdays!

Ciao!

Hi everyone,

Well, summer is over for all of you, but it's just business as usual down here. Since my school is private, we have classes all year. There are some new things in my life though:

A month or so ago I went to my first baby shower! It was for a former student and a lot of fun. I didnt realize all the games that are played. My favorite was the one where you split into partners and one person (the mom) is blindfolded and has to spoon-feed the other person (the baby) gerber food. Lucky me, I was the baby and only got a little little mango-flavored gerber food spilled on my pants. Unfortunately my partner and I came in second.

I also started taking an Italian class. I have always wanted to learn a little of the language and am really enjoying the class so far. Actually I am also learning Spanish in that class because the teacher is Mexican and often translates things into Spanish for the students. So, I got a 2-for-1 there! haha

Some new teachers have arrived at the school and two of them are American girls from Washington and North Carolina. They are really nice and I enjoy hanging out with them. This weekend we went to the big soccer game in town. It was Leon vs. Irapuato (their big rivals). They played 85 scoreless minutes and then the other team scored. Then we scored in the final minute for a 1-1 tie. So that was a pretty exciting finish. Enjoy the pictures!