I'm back from the beautiful state of Chiapas, and I want to go back already! Like the title of this entry says, I want to be a citizen of Chiapas, a Chiapaneco. I forgot how beautiful the mountains are. It's definitely a lot different than the Yucatan. Gone was the hard, dry fields of bushes and stubby trees. Chiapas is full of lush forest, complete with banana trees and conifers. And odd combination, but it makes for a wonderful views.
The weather in Chiapas is quite different from Merida. We had a few days of cool, crisp weather, like Iowa in fall. The mornings and evenings definitely required a warm sweater, but during the day it was hot enough for short sleeves and shorts. It was a very nice change to see fog and shiver in Mexico!
I'll write more about what we did in Chiapas, but the 8 hour van ride from Palenque today just made me tired, even though I slept through most of it. Hasta luego!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Off to Chiapas!
The long-awaited Chiapas trip is finally upon us! We leave from Casa Central tomorrow at 5am, for an 8-9 hour drive to Palenque. Although the traveling won't exactly be fun, we're all pretty excited to go on this trip. In past groups it has been the best excursion by far!
Chiapas is the southern most state of Mexico. It's pretty high up though, in the mountain area. Within a day we'll be rising about 9,000 feet in altitude, from sea level to the mountains. We're really hoping nobody gets altitude sickness!
We're all looking forward to beautiful sites, cooler weather, and different culture that's found in Chiapas. Chiapas is a very indigenous state, with a large Maya population. It's also home to the Zapatista movement, which was a strong movement in the 1990s and early 2000s. Recently the Zapatistas haven't been credited with much activity, but they're still a strong organization- one which fights against the Mexican government for the rights of indigenous people. Don't worry- I'm not in any danger! We're actually going into a Zapatista community, so it's safe to be there.
Other than the Zapatistas, we have the chance to see some beautiful waterfalls and other scenery. I'm not 100% sure what to expect, but I'm excited! Adios for 5 days! I'll be away from the computer, so don't look for updates for awhile.
Chiapas is the southern most state of Mexico. It's pretty high up though, in the mountain area. Within a day we'll be rising about 9,000 feet in altitude, from sea level to the mountains. We're really hoping nobody gets altitude sickness!
We're all looking forward to beautiful sites, cooler weather, and different culture that's found in Chiapas. Chiapas is a very indigenous state, with a large Maya population. It's also home to the Zapatista movement, which was a strong movement in the 1990s and early 2000s. Recently the Zapatistas haven't been credited with much activity, but they're still a strong organization- one which fights against the Mexican government for the rights of indigenous people. Don't worry- I'm not in any danger! We're actually going into a Zapatista community, so it's safe to be there.
Other than the Zapatistas, we have the chance to see some beautiful waterfalls and other scenery. I'm not 100% sure what to expect, but I'm excited! Adios for 5 days! I'll be away from the computer, so don't look for updates for awhile.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Peaceful Week
The past week has been a week of vacation, which I always love! I spent it just working on things in the Central House and doing stuff around the city of Merida. It was really nice not to have to worry about traveling. During Semana Santa, many of the people here take vacation and head to the coast for the week. I could notice the difference in the city! There was a lot less traffic, fewer people were around, smaller businesses and schools were closed, restaurants were nearly empty, etc. It was a very calm and peaceful time to be in Merida. I'll miss the quietness- now the traffic has picked back up outside the house, and it seems like the city is returning to normal. However, some schools and places are still closed for Semana Pascua- Easter Week. Unfortunately, we still have class. :( But on Thursday morning ta 5am (!) we're leaving on a five day field trip to the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. So it's a short week for us, and we definitely have something to look forward to!
I'll have to write more about Easter and our wonderful Easter dinner later. I have to go prepare for Civ class now though. :(
I'll have to write more about Easter and our wonderful Easter dinner later. I have to go prepare for Civ class now though. :(
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thinking About Back Home
I have about a month left in Merida, and I've had some mixed feelings. I can't wait to go home and see all my friends and family, but I just don't want to leave Merida. I love living here- in a big city, in Mexico, surrounded by vibrant life and culture. I can't wait to go but never want to leave.
But I have been thinking about some of the things I miss most, and what I plan to do when I get home. Here goes:
1. In the Houston airport I'm finding Cherry Pepsi or Coke. Oddly enough, I really miss it. I haven't found it at all anywhere in Mexico, not even in the touristy areas. I'm looking forward to enjoying a nice cool cherry Pepsi, as crazy as that may sound.
2. Pet my puppies! I always miss my dogs when I'm away from home for a while, and 3 1/2 months is a very long time to go without a little dog laying on your lap. We're going to have some quality time when I get home.
3. Drive. Although I love public transportation, I'm looking forward to being able to go where I want, when I want, without a creepy bus story. :) Watch out though, people here drive FAST, and I may just be used to that.
4. Watch some Gilmore Girls. To do this one right I have to wait until I visit my sister. We'll get french fries and cherry coke and have a Gilmore Girl marathon into the wee hours of the morning!
5. Eat at a Mexican restaurant. Yes, I know I've spent 3 1/2 months eating Mexican food, but I've been craving some good ole TexMex, which is completely different from Yucatecan food. And I can confuse someone when I accidentally start speaking Spanish.
6. Ride my bike. I love my bike, and I obviously don't have many chances to ride here. A nice ride through the park in Otown sounds peaceful.
7. Have a Mommy-Daughter day! I can't wait to spend some time shopping or something with my Mom. We've been deprived of our Mom-Daughter time together, and we're going to have to make it up.
8. Eat the ultimate All-American Daugherty style meal: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and hot rolls, with something nice and chocolately for dessert. Yum!
9. Visit my Central friends- I've gotta do this before they all leave for the summer. FYI I'll be up there on the 12th of May aka first day of finals! :)
10. Hang my hammock and take a siesta. This may prove to be tricky, but I'm bound and determined to figure out where and how I can hang my hammock. How else can I take naps?
Finalmente: 11. Hug all my friends!! I miss you all!
I love Merida, but after 3 months, I'm really missing some stuff from home. There's a lot more things that I'm looking forward to doing, but this is the short list. I know when it's time to head home, I may not want to leave Merida. But for now I'll look forward to doing these things!
But I have been thinking about some of the things I miss most, and what I plan to do when I get home. Here goes:
1. In the Houston airport I'm finding Cherry Pepsi or Coke. Oddly enough, I really miss it. I haven't found it at all anywhere in Mexico, not even in the touristy areas. I'm looking forward to enjoying a nice cool cherry Pepsi, as crazy as that may sound.
2. Pet my puppies! I always miss my dogs when I'm away from home for a while, and 3 1/2 months is a very long time to go without a little dog laying on your lap. We're going to have some quality time when I get home.
3. Drive. Although I love public transportation, I'm looking forward to being able to go where I want, when I want, without a creepy bus story. :) Watch out though, people here drive FAST, and I may just be used to that.
4. Watch some Gilmore Girls. To do this one right I have to wait until I visit my sister. We'll get french fries and cherry coke and have a Gilmore Girl marathon into the wee hours of the morning!
5. Eat at a Mexican restaurant. Yes, I know I've spent 3 1/2 months eating Mexican food, but I've been craving some good ole TexMex, which is completely different from Yucatecan food. And I can confuse someone when I accidentally start speaking Spanish.
6. Ride my bike. I love my bike, and I obviously don't have many chances to ride here. A nice ride through the park in Otown sounds peaceful.
7. Have a Mommy-Daughter day! I can't wait to spend some time shopping or something with my Mom. We've been deprived of our Mom-Daughter time together, and we're going to have to make it up.
8. Eat the ultimate All-American Daugherty style meal: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and hot rolls, with something nice and chocolately for dessert. Yum!
9. Visit my Central friends- I've gotta do this before they all leave for the summer. FYI I'll be up there on the 12th of May aka first day of finals! :)
10. Hang my hammock and take a siesta. This may prove to be tricky, but I'm bound and determined to figure out where and how I can hang my hammock. How else can I take naps?
Finalmente: 11. Hug all my friends!! I miss you all!
I love Merida, but after 3 months, I'm really missing some stuff from home. There's a lot more things that I'm looking forward to doing, but this is the short list. I know when it's time to head home, I may not want to leave Merida. But for now I'll look forward to doing these things!
A Relaxing Week
Not much has been happening during Semana Santa- sorry for the boringness! I'm a little stressed about my research paper for this semester, and I'm trying to work on it now. With this week and our 5 day trip to Chiapas, I feel like the due date will just sneak up on me. So my goal this week is to work on it- a lot. Tomorrow is H-day: homework day.
Some interesting news, at least to me: it's been chilly and even cold today! Wonders of wonders! Oddly enough, I checked the weather online, and it was in the 80s. I was wrapped up in a fleece blanket thinking it was freezing. It's amazing that 80 is chilly to me, and 70 is just downright cold! I'm getting used to the hot weather!
This evening, Robin, Sara, Erin, and I dressed up nicely and went out to eat. After our meal we decided to head down the Paseo de Montejo to an ice cream shop. It was a little farther away than Robin thought, but the ice cream was yummy. I was thoroughly chilled after eating it though, considering the cold weather and all. :) We had an enjoyable walk- or adventure! We had the potential to get lost on the way back, since we took some back streets. Luckily we could see Chapur (a huge department store), which guided us to the house. Chapur is a very important landmark for us. It's about a 1/2 block from the house, and basically everyone in the city knows where it is. So we just tell the taxi drivers to take us to Chapur, and they get us there quickly. It makes things easier for us!
Some interesting news, at least to me: it's been chilly and even cold today! Wonders of wonders! Oddly enough, I checked the weather online, and it was in the 80s. I was wrapped up in a fleece blanket thinking it was freezing. It's amazing that 80 is chilly to me, and 70 is just downright cold! I'm getting used to the hot weather!
This evening, Robin, Sara, Erin, and I dressed up nicely and went out to eat. After our meal we decided to head down the Paseo de Montejo to an ice cream shop. It was a little farther away than Robin thought, but the ice cream was yummy. I was thoroughly chilled after eating it though, considering the cold weather and all. :) We had an enjoyable walk- or adventure! We had the potential to get lost on the way back, since we took some back streets. Luckily we could see Chapur (a huge department store), which guided us to the house. Chapur is a very important landmark for us. It's about a 1/2 block from the house, and basically everyone in the city knows where it is. So we just tell the taxi drivers to take us to Chapur, and they get us there quickly. It makes things easier for us!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Semana Santa
This weekend marked the start of Semana Santa, or Holy Week. This means that I have another whole week off of classes- nice. I didn't have any big travel plans because I just wanted a nice relaxing week. And I have a big research paper due in another couple of weeks that I need to work on. :( Yes, I know. So exciting!
However, on Friday Sara, Erin, and I went back to Chichen Itza. We went once before on a program excursion, but we had a huge homework assignment to do, so we really didn't get to enjoy it much. So we decided to go back. It was a very hot day, and Chichen doesn't have much shade. But it was nice to walk around, look at things and enjoy the experience of being there. I also managed to do a little souvenir shopping, although I still have a lot left to do. :)
We decided that we would stay a night in Valladolid, a city near Chichen. We had a nice hotel with AC and a pool. We enjoyed the chance to cool down after a long, hot day. The AC wouldn't work unless we put our 1 and only room ket into the slot in the wall. I thought that was neat since it wouldn't run if we weren't in the room. Pretty ecofriendly!
The following day we went to a nice, cool, beautiful cenote near Valladolid. It was fun to swim in the underground water well, and watch the fishies. They nibbled on my toes a bit, which felt odd. After that we headed back to Merida. On the way there our bus had to turn around and head back to Valladolid for some reason. Apparently the road wasn't open to buses and such. That made our trip take about 2 extra hours. Good thing the bus was comfortable!
However, on Friday Sara, Erin, and I went back to Chichen Itza. We went once before on a program excursion, but we had a huge homework assignment to do, so we really didn't get to enjoy it much. So we decided to go back. It was a very hot day, and Chichen doesn't have much shade. But it was nice to walk around, look at things and enjoy the experience of being there. I also managed to do a little souvenir shopping, although I still have a lot left to do. :)
We decided that we would stay a night in Valladolid, a city near Chichen. We had a nice hotel with AC and a pool. We enjoyed the chance to cool down after a long, hot day. The AC wouldn't work unless we put our 1 and only room ket into the slot in the wall. I thought that was neat since it wouldn't run if we weren't in the room. Pretty ecofriendly!
The following day we went to a nice, cool, beautiful cenote near Valladolid. It was fun to swim in the underground water well, and watch the fishies. They nibbled on my toes a bit, which felt odd. After that we headed back to Merida. On the way there our bus had to turn around and head back to Valladolid for some reason. Apparently the road wasn't open to buses and such. That made our trip take about 2 extra hours. Good thing the bus was comfortable!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Lack of Writing...
Sorry for the lack of writing lately. I've been struggling a lot with homesickness. My Grandpa died last week, and I wasn't able to go back to Ottumwa. Being in another country in pretty hard when stuff like this happens. Thus, I haven't felt like writing much.
And there hasn't been a whole lot to write about, other than the unrelenting heat. Everyone said that April would be a hot month, and were they right! We're enjoying a couple of cool days now- just in the 90s. But then it looks like it will be back up above 100! Unfortunately, the Central house doesn't have AC, so we're stuck with fans and open windows. Luckily, my room gets a nice breeze. And I think I might be getting used to the weather. Maybe...
And there hasn't been a whole lot to write about, other than the unrelenting heat. Everyone said that April would be a hot month, and were they right! We're enjoying a couple of cool days now- just in the 90s. But then it looks like it will be back up above 100! Unfortunately, the Central house doesn't have AC, so we're stuck with fans and open windows. Luckily, my room gets a nice breeze. And I think I might be getting used to the weather. Maybe...
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