Well as the title says these past few days have been filled with birthday fun. Friday was a pretty bland day, and it started sprinkling. Then that night for my friend and my birthdays we went out. We decided on a club with open bar. It was a crazy night, but the 10 of us had tons of fun. Saturday came around and I got out of bed around 1:30 to study with an insistent classmate. It started raining on the walk to school and we studied for 3 hours. That night I had dinner plans to meet with the crew going to San Antonio. It was a fun dinner. Sunday the plan was to go to Plaza Sesamo. The forecast was rain, but with a sunny morning we went for it. We rode the few adult rides which included the SCARIEST ride ever (see: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mLyIjCz56Mk&feature=related) and a roller coaster. The SKP was amazingly fun, but so scary. As you can see they have two cars. We got the pleasure of waiting at the top while the other loaded. That was the scariest part. Any movement and we screamed, but we got a good view of the city. We then headed to the water area and the clouds showed up. It started raining while we were eating and we decided to head to the dance show at school. We got there and realized none of us had our free entrance cards and with the tickets costing more then a cab ride home we made the rounds. After getting back we found out they decided not to allow the free passes for the show. What a bummer. It was still a good show. Then it was dinner with my roommate, but before I decided to go to the store while waiting for him. While waiting to check-out I realized I had no cash or a wallet. My roommate had to bring me money, and I felt like a dork.
Monday was my birthday. The weather was raining in the morning, but the afternoon perked up. I didn't do much, but my host parents bought me a cake and one roommate got me presents. I talked with my mom until the phone died right as my dad was about to get on. Tuesday the sun came back for a full day and with it brought the warmth back. The day was boring I had a test and found out I got a 90 on another without the 15 point curve. That night two friends invited me to a baseball game. They got free tickets since their host dad is one of the coaches. The ball park was a little small, and the seats were old. The don't assign seats at all so we sat behind the dugout right behind the team's cheerleaders. All the vendors looked just like the ones on the street and acted more like waiters. The never had changes so you would just run up a tab. The prices were great. $1.80 for a hotdog and $2.50 for a beer. We were having so much fun we got on the Jumbotron 4 times. Monterrey won so we were excited. When I got home my host dad told me he kept seeing me on TV. Today ended the last day of real classes, just review day and finals. In one of my classes a Mexican friend and the teacher were telling me how they were watching the baseball game and kept seeing me on TV. I felt like a celebrity. This afternoon wasn't too exciting just getting ready for San Antonio. I figures I would blog before hand. Well hope everyone has a good rest of the week and weekend.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
last round of partials
Well sorry I took so long to write, a week and a half now. Last week was pretty boring, just projects, homework, and a test. Tuesday it was off to Immigration. It took 2 hours of waiting, even though I had an appointment, but finally I got fingerprinted and signed some papers. Then was told it would be ready in 15 days. Thursday for a project my group spent 2 hours measuring a door, pretty boring. Friday started with class, and in my Culture class the teacher discovered we had Monday free. He proposed that the international students give talks on their homes, families, and schools. I meet with a friend to plan our joint birthday party that is tomorrow. I then went to get slushies with my old roommate. It was the first time we had hung out since he moved out. It was a nice outing. Then that night I stayed in to work on some projects. I had planned to go on a trip Saturday, but things didn’t work out. Instead I went to meet with my group at 1. Here that normally means they will show up at 1:10, but by two no one was there. I then thought crap I miss heard and they said Sunday. The same thing happened Sunday. It ended up working out. Sunday was more work on the projects, and my PowerPoint on Kansas. I had to ask a friend to go around K-State and take pictures since it was hard to find some online. Monday I had a test, and then made my presentation. When getting to class the teacher was surprised the four Americans had slideshows, and the Polish girl felt embarrassed she didn’t. Everyone loved the pictures and really liked my cats and Family pictures. In the afternoon went to a Kindergarten. I agreed to visit and talk about the US. The cab got lost, but I made it. Then my PowerPoint for them was too new of a format. I then had to just talk. It was real fun, but it tested my Spanish. 4 and 5 year olds’ Spanish is much harder and they don’t realize you can’t speak as well. We played Red Light, Green Light and I showed them US money. I had a $2 and even the teacher was amazed by that. They then gave me a bag of candy and a card before taking a picture with me. I was waiting to post until I got the picture, but I am still waiting. Look for it soon. Waiting for the parents and my cab I also taught them Duck, Duck, Goose. Tuesday was bland, except I went to a movie that night. I saw Casi Divas, Almost Divas, with friends. It’s a Mexican movie following four girls in an American Idol like contest to get a roll in a movie based off a Telanovela. It was a good one. Yesterday was the friend of mines birthday, so she invited me to Applebee’s for dinner. It ended up just being the two of us, but the food was great. Today I had another test, and then in my Dynamics class he had someone work the problem on the board, but said whoever can figure it out first gets 5 extra points. I figured it out, and surprised him because I figured out and easier and faster way to get the answer. He then had me show the class how I got the answer, which was pretty hard to do so in Spanish. One kid started laughing, and the teacher said he would get to explain the next question in English. After I finished the rest of the class clapped for me, I was so proud. Then it was on to the next problem. I again finished first, but helped my friend next to me figure it out so she could get the points. I then got home, and had an e-mail that my visa was finally ready!! It only took 109 days of being here, and 102 days of work/waiting. Now I figured I would blog before dinner. Tomorrow, is my birthday party at a bar/club, Sunday I am going to the theme park here, Plaza Sesamo (Sesame Street). I have two partials next week and next Thursday is Labor Day so no school followed by Friday off instead of Cinco de Mayo. I am going with friends to San Antonio. Half of whom have never been to the US. It will be fun. Well until next time.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Mexico City
I know you all have been waiting to hear all about my trip to Mexico City. Well here it goes:
The flight was supposed to leave Monterrey at 5:30 it was a little late. The plane was pretty empty and we got an exit row. We got to DF and it was nearly dark, so we found the official taxi stand in the airport and got a cab to the hostel. Our hostel was the YWCA just south of the Alameda, the city center’s park. It was cheap, and was similar to a dorm. There were 5 floors above the main one, but the elevator only went to the 4th. This worked out since I was on three and my friend Mary was on five. We got our keys and head up. I opened the room to find the luggage of someone else. I went back down and the room’s owner was looking for his “lost” key. We decided to unpack and walk around looking for a restaurant. We headed to the Alameda walked around, then walked from there to the Main Square, or Zocalo, half a mile away. We passed some cool buildings, but surprisingly the city center only had a few buildings over 6 stories. We got to the square walked around then headed to find dinner. We found a cake store walking, with 8 tier (10 ft) wedding cakes for about $100. We then found a restaurant, ate, and headed home. We got back and realized we were never told how to get in the front door. We were shaking the door and the worker heard us, letting us in, and pointing out the bell.
The next day we got a quick breakfast walked around our block and headed for the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe. We went to the subway and for some reason we didn’t have to pay. We got to the Basilica, explored the old one, bought souvenirs, walked the grounds, and went in the museum. In the museum there were guards everywhere directing traffic. I decided to take a picture not being told I couldn’t only to have my camera confiscated after being forced to delete my picture. The museum had tons of old religious items, an amazingly detailed interior and gigantic stained glass. We finished and headed toward the new Basilica where the mystic shroud is. We approached and saw an enormous crowd gathered around crowd control fences. The bells started to toll and slowly a hearse pulled up to the start of the crowd. We thought wow you must be rich to have a funeral here. We then found out that Mexico City’s Former Cardinal, Ernesto Corripio y Ahumada, died the day before and we were at his funeral. We quick looked in the Basilica, caught a glimpse of the shroud, decided to come back, and watched then stood and watched as the casket passed. After returning home I realized how important this cardinal was. Mexico, having the second biggest Catholic population, cut ties with the church when Benito Juarez was president, 1858 – 1872. In 1992 Corripio convinced the government to restore ties and recognize Vatican City as its own country. So he was well liked. Before leaving I bought a totem of a house and pinned it inside the Old Cathedral like the Mexicans, asking to pray for all my family. After this we headed to the Zocalo. We went in the Cathedral, saw the Aztec Templo Mayor (which the city is built on), tried to get in the palace, but lacked any ID. We then saw a terrace restaurant on one of the buildings. We found out it was the Holiday Inn and that is where we had lunch. It was a great view, with a nice breeze, and lots of sunshine. It was then time to walk around the center. This is when we noticed that even the crossing guards have guns. We found some cool buildings and saw a protest against the privatization of PEMEX, the Mexican Oil Company. They were outside the office of public works. Also inside the gate of the building were over 100 cops. We walked past the post office, the Fine Arts Palace, and decided to go to the top of one of the tallest building in Mexico, the Torre Latinoamericana. First we went in the wrong building, but we finally got there. We walked around the 37th floor, saw the museum, and were ready to go down, but accidentally went up the true observation decks on the 42nd and 43rd floors. We again felt stupid. It was then time to go in the Fine Arts Palace, but it had just closed. We walked back through the Alameda to find the Diego Rivera museum also just closed. We were a little frustrated seeing it was only 6 PM. We walked through the park and saw the Monument to Benito Juarez called the Hemiciclo de Juarez. We headed home napped, and went to one of the hip night life neighborhoods, Zona Rosa. Here we saw the most famous landmark in DF, El Ángel. The monument of Mexican Independence, made up of a base with symbolic statues, a large pillar, and a 7 ton gold plated angel. The angel was replaced in 1958 after it was completely shattered in an earthquake. The monument though was inside of an 8 lane round about, which meant risking death getting to it. It was surrounded by talk modern buildings. It was then to the fountain in the next roundabout. After that we explored the area, and found a good, and really cheap Italian restaurant. We were sitting enjoying dinner and chatting only to realize it was 11:30 we hadn’t gotten the bill, it was 5 minutes to the subway and it closed at midnight. We freaked out quick paid, ran to the subway and made it back home with 2 minutes to spare.
Saturday started with the trip to Xochimilco, one of the last remaining canal systems of Mexico City. For those that didn’t know before the Spanish came Mexico City, Tenochtitlan, was built on a lake and had canals instead of streets like in Venice. Only Tenochtitlan was reported to be more beautiful. The Spanish drained most of the lake and only a few canals are left. We had to take the Light Train to the last stop and get off. The light train was a two cared above ground Metro that went about 20 mph. We got to the second to last stop only to be kicked off and finding out the line was being renovated after that. We found a dock to rent a boat, but were told in an hour more people should be there so we could split a boat. After exploring this former suburb we went back to find no one else to split the cost with. We bargained and took an hour ride. The canals are filled with mariachi bands and marimba players on boats, along with food venders, and flower sellers. The sides are lined with small houses, greenhouses, and flower shops. We stopped at the most well know shop where they have seas of flowers of all types. It was then back to the shore. We got back and headed toward a former hacienda of friends of Frida and Diego which is now a museum. We took a mini bus there and got in free as students. The grounds were riddled with peacock, which I have now discovered are a status symbol in Mexico. The museum was short, but had some good pieces. It was then off to Leon Trotsky’s house. On the light train I looked at my watch and realized it was 3:50 and we had two things left to do before 6. We pretty much ran the mile to Trotsky’s house and I said we need to leave by 4:55 to make it Frida’s Blue House with time to see it. Upon saying this Mary looked at her watch and said, “Um, Matt my watch says it is only 3:05.” I realized I had forgotten how to read a watch. We walked through his house and I got to take unlimited pictures for $1. We walked through the photo gallery of his exiles, saw his grave, the bullet holes from the first murder attempt, and the room he was murdered in we swore we still saw blood on the wall. It was then time for Frida’s Blue House, just up the street. It started raining on us, but we made it and stayed pretty dry. We got to see some more of her art, and how parts of the house were set up when they lived there. We saw her bed and the mirror over it. After that we saw the average sized courtyard and headed to the Diego Museum in the Alameda. We got soaked and finally made it. The museum was free for students, except the 50 cents for my camera. Here all they housed is Diego Rivera’s masterpiece Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central, A Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central. It was then to the Basilica again to see the shroud. We got there during a Quinceañera. We sat and waiting thinking the moving sidewalk was on the altar. We started walking around and found the sidewalks were actually under the altar and you looked up through a hole in the floor. After that we decided to check out the other lively night areas south of Zona Rosa. On the way we stopped at the subway station where while building they found an Aztec Pyramid. We couldn’t find any hopping spots and decided to return to Zona Rosa. We found a Vip’s on the way there only for it to be closed. We then found another one in Zona Rosa. This night there we went to bed early planning to get up early.
Sunday started with a trip to the palace. It turned out that the protesters were back and due to them the palace was closed. We went to the post office to check out the museum, to find out it opened at 10, the same was true at the Fine Art’s Palace; so much for the early start. We looked through the gift shop and afterwards saw the museum. They had a large exhibit on Mexican Cinema, and then we saw the famous murals inside. It was then off to the giant park on one end of town. The park is named Bosque de Chapultapec, meaning the forest on grasshopper hill. We entered and walked past the Monumento a los Niños Heroes, where six teenage cadets are buried. The cadets who despite being told to retreat and let the US army take the castle held strong all dying until the last one took the Mexican flag, wrapped himself in it, and jumped from the Castle. This park has some museums, the former Presidential Castle, and the current Presidential house. We walked through the Castle, which now houses a history museum. From the Castle we got a great view of the city and the Financial District next to the park full of skyscrapers. We then stopped in another history museum which was made up of XXXXX. We walked to the Modern Art Museum to see Frida’s Masterpiece, Las Dos Fridas, but it was on lend. We left and headed toward the Anthropology Museum. We walked through every exhibit, and looked at everything. After a few exhibits, we stopped reading ever single sign and decided to just skim. We found beaded bowls like the ones we made in Real de Catorce. Three and a half hours later we finally made it to the finally of the Aztec Sun Stone. This is an Aztec Calendar, which was used as an altar. After that we tried to explore the zoo and park some more, but it had closed. We walked toward the metro, and not being able to find the Presidential House on maps decided to skip it. We headed home for a nap, and then back to the center for dinner. We planned to eat at the restaurant in the Torre Latinoamericana, but it closed at eight. We walked around the gift shop we thought was the top, but found out we needed the bands to stay up there. We headed down and walked past the Tile House again, and decided why not eat at the Sanbourns inside. It was very cool inside and we wondered why we hadn’t stopped there yet. It was then time to get one last look at the Zocalo. We then headed home, and on the way realized we meant to see the monument of the Revolution. We headed that way and looked around. This building is a giant dome that was going to be the Senate building but during the Revolution for some reason they stopped building and made a monument.
We woke up Monday, packed, and headed for the airport at 8:20. The hostel called us a cab, it got there and was just a car no markings. The hostel workers assured us it was okay. We got in and made it to the airport. We got breakfast, and noticed that the prices at 7-11 were way marked up. We got to the terminal and started summarizing our trip. It was time to board and we all got on a weird bus thing to take us to the plane. It was then time to head home. Again we got an exit row. Before we knew it we were home. It was such a great trip, we saw a lot and still didn’t get to do it all. Mexico City is a fun place, but one downfall was restaurants were hard to come by. Well be sure to check out the pictures. Sorry there are so many. Until next time.
The flight was supposed to leave Monterrey at 5:30 it was a little late. The plane was pretty empty and we got an exit row. We got to DF and it was nearly dark, so we found the official taxi stand in the airport and got a cab to the hostel. Our hostel was the YWCA just south of the Alameda, the city center’s park. It was cheap, and was similar to a dorm. There were 5 floors above the main one, but the elevator only went to the 4th. This worked out since I was on three and my friend Mary was on five. We got our keys and head up. I opened the room to find the luggage of someone else. I went back down and the room’s owner was looking for his “lost” key. We decided to unpack and walk around looking for a restaurant. We headed to the Alameda walked around, then walked from there to the Main Square, or Zocalo, half a mile away. We passed some cool buildings, but surprisingly the city center only had a few buildings over 6 stories. We got to the square walked around then headed to find dinner. We found a cake store walking, with 8 tier (10 ft) wedding cakes for about $100. We then found a restaurant, ate, and headed home. We got back and realized we were never told how to get in the front door. We were shaking the door and the worker heard us, letting us in, and pointing out the bell.
The next day we got a quick breakfast walked around our block and headed for the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe. We went to the subway and for some reason we didn’t have to pay. We got to the Basilica, explored the old one, bought souvenirs, walked the grounds, and went in the museum. In the museum there were guards everywhere directing traffic. I decided to take a picture not being told I couldn’t only to have my camera confiscated after being forced to delete my picture. The museum had tons of old religious items, an amazingly detailed interior and gigantic stained glass. We finished and headed toward the new Basilica where the mystic shroud is. We approached and saw an enormous crowd gathered around crowd control fences. The bells started to toll and slowly a hearse pulled up to the start of the crowd. We thought wow you must be rich to have a funeral here. We then found out that Mexico City’s Former Cardinal, Ernesto Corripio y Ahumada, died the day before and we were at his funeral. We quick looked in the Basilica, caught a glimpse of the shroud, decided to come back, and watched then stood and watched as the casket passed. After returning home I realized how important this cardinal was. Mexico, having the second biggest Catholic population, cut ties with the church when Benito Juarez was president, 1858 – 1872. In 1992 Corripio convinced the government to restore ties and recognize Vatican City as its own country. So he was well liked. Before leaving I bought a totem of a house and pinned it inside the Old Cathedral like the Mexicans, asking to pray for all my family. After this we headed to the Zocalo. We went in the Cathedral, saw the Aztec Templo Mayor (which the city is built on), tried to get in the palace, but lacked any ID. We then saw a terrace restaurant on one of the buildings. We found out it was the Holiday Inn and that is where we had lunch. It was a great view, with a nice breeze, and lots of sunshine. It was then time to walk around the center. This is when we noticed that even the crossing guards have guns. We found some cool buildings and saw a protest against the privatization of PEMEX, the Mexican Oil Company. They were outside the office of public works. Also inside the gate of the building were over 100 cops. We walked past the post office, the Fine Arts Palace, and decided to go to the top of one of the tallest building in Mexico, the Torre Latinoamericana. First we went in the wrong building, but we finally got there. We walked around the 37th floor, saw the museum, and were ready to go down, but accidentally went up the true observation decks on the 42nd and 43rd floors. We again felt stupid. It was then time to go in the Fine Arts Palace, but it had just closed. We walked back through the Alameda to find the Diego Rivera museum also just closed. We were a little frustrated seeing it was only 6 PM. We walked through the park and saw the Monument to Benito Juarez called the Hemiciclo de Juarez. We headed home napped, and went to one of the hip night life neighborhoods, Zona Rosa. Here we saw the most famous landmark in DF, El Ángel. The monument of Mexican Independence, made up of a base with symbolic statues, a large pillar, and a 7 ton gold plated angel. The angel was replaced in 1958 after it was completely shattered in an earthquake. The monument though was inside of an 8 lane round about, which meant risking death getting to it. It was surrounded by talk modern buildings. It was then to the fountain in the next roundabout. After that we explored the area, and found a good, and really cheap Italian restaurant. We were sitting enjoying dinner and chatting only to realize it was 11:30 we hadn’t gotten the bill, it was 5 minutes to the subway and it closed at midnight. We freaked out quick paid, ran to the subway and made it back home with 2 minutes to spare.
Saturday started with the trip to Xochimilco, one of the last remaining canal systems of Mexico City. For those that didn’t know before the Spanish came Mexico City, Tenochtitlan, was built on a lake and had canals instead of streets like in Venice. Only Tenochtitlan was reported to be more beautiful. The Spanish drained most of the lake and only a few canals are left. We had to take the Light Train to the last stop and get off. The light train was a two cared above ground Metro that went about 20 mph. We got to the second to last stop only to be kicked off and finding out the line was being renovated after that. We found a dock to rent a boat, but were told in an hour more people should be there so we could split a boat. After exploring this former suburb we went back to find no one else to split the cost with. We bargained and took an hour ride. The canals are filled with mariachi bands and marimba players on boats, along with food venders, and flower sellers. The sides are lined with small houses, greenhouses, and flower shops. We stopped at the most well know shop where they have seas of flowers of all types. It was then back to the shore. We got back and headed toward a former hacienda of friends of Frida and Diego which is now a museum. We took a mini bus there and got in free as students. The grounds were riddled with peacock, which I have now discovered are a status symbol in Mexico. The museum was short, but had some good pieces. It was then off to Leon Trotsky’s house. On the light train I looked at my watch and realized it was 3:50 and we had two things left to do before 6. We pretty much ran the mile to Trotsky’s house and I said we need to leave by 4:55 to make it Frida’s Blue House with time to see it. Upon saying this Mary looked at her watch and said, “Um, Matt my watch says it is only 3:05.” I realized I had forgotten how to read a watch. We walked through his house and I got to take unlimited pictures for $1. We walked through the photo gallery of his exiles, saw his grave, the bullet holes from the first murder attempt, and the room he was murdered in we swore we still saw blood on the wall. It was then time for Frida’s Blue House, just up the street. It started raining on us, but we made it and stayed pretty dry. We got to see some more of her art, and how parts of the house were set up when they lived there. We saw her bed and the mirror over it. After that we saw the average sized courtyard and headed to the Diego Museum in the Alameda. We got soaked and finally made it. The museum was free for students, except the 50 cents for my camera. Here all they housed is Diego Rivera’s masterpiece Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central, A Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central. It was then to the Basilica again to see the shroud. We got there during a Quinceañera. We sat and waiting thinking the moving sidewalk was on the altar. We started walking around and found the sidewalks were actually under the altar and you looked up through a hole in the floor. After that we decided to check out the other lively night areas south of Zona Rosa. On the way we stopped at the subway station where while building they found an Aztec Pyramid. We couldn’t find any hopping spots and decided to return to Zona Rosa. We found a Vip’s on the way there only for it to be closed. We then found another one in Zona Rosa. This night there we went to bed early planning to get up early.
Sunday started with a trip to the palace. It turned out that the protesters were back and due to them the palace was closed. We went to the post office to check out the museum, to find out it opened at 10, the same was true at the Fine Art’s Palace; so much for the early start. We looked through the gift shop and afterwards saw the museum. They had a large exhibit on Mexican Cinema, and then we saw the famous murals inside. It was then off to the giant park on one end of town. The park is named Bosque de Chapultapec, meaning the forest on grasshopper hill. We entered and walked past the Monumento a los Niños Heroes, where six teenage cadets are buried. The cadets who despite being told to retreat and let the US army take the castle held strong all dying until the last one took the Mexican flag, wrapped himself in it, and jumped from the Castle. This park has some museums, the former Presidential Castle, and the current Presidential house. We walked through the Castle, which now houses a history museum. From the Castle we got a great view of the city and the Financial District next to the park full of skyscrapers. We then stopped in another history museum which was made up of XXXXX. We walked to the Modern Art Museum to see Frida’s Masterpiece, Las Dos Fridas, but it was on lend. We left and headed toward the Anthropology Museum. We walked through every exhibit, and looked at everything. After a few exhibits, we stopped reading ever single sign and decided to just skim. We found beaded bowls like the ones we made in Real de Catorce. Three and a half hours later we finally made it to the finally of the Aztec Sun Stone. This is an Aztec Calendar, which was used as an altar. After that we tried to explore the zoo and park some more, but it had closed. We walked toward the metro, and not being able to find the Presidential House on maps decided to skip it. We headed home for a nap, and then back to the center for dinner. We planned to eat at the restaurant in the Torre Latinoamericana, but it closed at eight. We walked around the gift shop we thought was the top, but found out we needed the bands to stay up there. We headed down and walked past the Tile House again, and decided why not eat at the Sanbourns inside. It was very cool inside and we wondered why we hadn’t stopped there yet. It was then time to get one last look at the Zocalo. We then headed home, and on the way realized we meant to see the monument of the Revolution. We headed that way and looked around. This building is a giant dome that was going to be the Senate building but during the Revolution for some reason they stopped building and made a monument.
We woke up Monday, packed, and headed for the airport at 8:20. The hostel called us a cab, it got there and was just a car no markings. The hostel workers assured us it was okay. We got in and made it to the airport. We got breakfast, and noticed that the prices at 7-11 were way marked up. We got to the terminal and started summarizing our trip. It was time to board and we all got on a weird bus thing to take us to the plane. It was then time to head home. Again we got an exit row. Before we knew it we were home. It was such a great trip, we saw a lot and still didn’t get to do it all. Mexico City is a fun place, but one downfall was restaurants were hard to come by. Well be sure to check out the pictures. Sorry there are so many. Until next time.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
ready to go
So like I promised I would blog before heading off for Mexico City. Nothing exciting really happened since Sunday. Just same old school. I did however enter three pictures into an International Student Photo Contest. We will see how that goes. Then there is the fact I am running for an office in my Fraternity from afar which elections are Sunday. Let's see what else I can write about. I signed up to talk to 3-5 year olds about the USA, and play games with them. That is going to be next Monday. Then there is also the bad habit I have now reverted to of not going to bed at midnight like I was since I got here, but instead opting to stay up until 2. I am not any more tired, but it can't be good. Well hope all is well with everyone, and I know I didn't say much, probobly a relief to you guys, but I want my next blog to just be my trip to DF. The flight leaves at 5:30 and I leave the house at 3. Until Monday.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
there was "nun fun" to be had
Sorry for this being a long one, but I meant to write after going out Sunday, but decided to wait until mid week. I got busy and forgot to write until Friday when I forgot to post the blog I wrote, now after another weekend there is a lot to write about. (The posts title will make sense when you read about yesterday.)
First let me start with last Sunday. I went with 4 friends to the Planetarium. They have an IMAX and some other stuff. We took the bus to a park downtown which had a free shuttle to the Planetarium. We got there and started eating our Subway, a worker told us we couldn’t have outside food so we walked out the front gate and out our sandwiches on the sidewalk. We went back in and had a half hour until our show. We walked through the first level of the museum. It was a short little Children’s Science Museum. It was then on to the movie. We watched one on the Tour de France and the mind of a winner. It was a pretty interesting movie, and really cool videos. We then walked around the rest of the museum. All the floors had a different theme and were short. The second floor was on space, the third on the environment, the forth on the senses and brain, mainly optical illusions. There we were also greeted, by a girl who would tell you a story and shock you at the exciting/scary parts. The top floor was on Pre-Colombian Indians. Next we went outside and played in the outdoor science garden, walked through a botanical garden, and then watched a presentation on stars. Last we explored the bird sanctuary. They had lots of parrots in aviaries, ones you walked underneath. There were also a bunch of geese, swans, and peacocks running around. Unlike at school they had peahens. One was even an albino peahen. Too bad it wasn’t a male albino, they are really cool. There was also a black swan. It was then back home to eat with my roommates.
The school week went by fast, a little too fast I feel. Nothing exciting happened except I bought the tickets and hotel for Mexico City. It turns out just one other friend and I are going. The other two backed out. The flights were $130 round trip and we are staying at the YWCA ¾ mile from the central square for $9.30 a person a night each having a private room. So expect a really exciting blog on the 14th. Then Friday I went with a few friends to see a show called Raices, meaning roots (cultural) in Spanish. We got front and center seat since another friend was in the show. The first half was all Traditional dances from Arabian countries, this year’s theme. The other half was a Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. This part was much more exciting and had 3 dances each from 15 of the States. I really enjoyed it and always love the Ballet Folklorico.
Now for yesterday’s. I have wanted to go to this Safari Park/Zoo, Bioparque Estrella, an hour away for a while now, and finally picked a day to go. Three friends and I meet at school and headed to the same park as last weekend to board the bus. It was $150 pesos for the bus ride, park entrance, the safari, and lunch. We got there and arriving at the same time was a bus full of Nuns most in full habit. It made me laugh and I took some pictures for Suzanne. The four of us headed in and decided to do the Safari first. One friend and I bought food; yes you can feed the animals. We loaded the bus and it was the four of us and the Nuns. The bus started and we all got real excited. We headed toward the entrance. On the other side of the gate was a flock (this is the correct collective noun) of camels. There were both Dromedary and Bactrian too. I thought how nice we get see some stuff right away, but in the back of mind I thought they know we have food. We pulled in the gates and the carnage started. The camels being the perfect height to stick their heads in the bus and then some started looking for food at the front of the bus, and slowly worked their way toward us in the back corner. The flock of 15 had soon surrounded the stopped bus and were coming in the bus from every angle. With their dirty spilt dripping faces and smelly breath. My friend and I were in particular danger having food. All you could hear was screams and grunts from the camels. I watched as Nuns screamed, threw their cups of food at the camels and made the sign of the cross. I was trying to take pictures of the carnage and hide my food at the same time. Meanwhile my friend has a camel eating out of her cup. She lets go with one hand and while taking a picture the camel steals the cup, throws back his neck, drinks the food, and proceeds to eat the cup. The bus’ engine starts back up and we are all relieved to finally escape, but the camels chase the bus, until they hear the gate open for a new bus with new victims and fresh food. I then turn to my friends and say, “I don’t really like camels anymore.” After the attack the rest of the safari seemed tame, I having successfully guarded my food had some for all the rest of the animals. We saw zebras, giraffes, buffalo, bison, dear, gazelles, monkeys, hippos, ostriches, and other birds. The Giraffes unfortunately didn’t come near to eat and show off their blue tongues. The zebras came close and I got to touch and feed one, but they were short and hard to feed from the bus. The ostriches came close and didn’t attack but ate out of my cup. The monkeys were on islands so not to come on the bus, and the hippos were in the water. Then there were other birds all over. After the Safari we headed back to the gate, a few camels returned, but most were busy ransacking another bus. We got off and I found out the sisters were Augustinians, and the ones I talked to were all real nice. It was then time to explore. We walked passed a bunch of areas were you could take pictures with animals: snakes, monkeys, lions, goats, parrots, etc. We went to the bat exhibit, which was 5 pesos extra to help save bats in Mexico. It was then off to the free Paddle Boats. We paddled around saw koi and another black swan. We then decided to cross a lake on raised platforms, some rotating trying not to fall. I then crossed back using the two rope bridge, one for your hands, one for your feet. No falls for any of us. We then walked to the back of the park and saw a small pen with birds, turtles and prairie dogs. Next to that was a pen, we were expecting alligators, but it turned out to be raccoon. Who would have guessed a zoo would have raccoons? There was a bug exhibit, a medical garden and a desert plant garden. All really cool, we saw a hike to waterfalls and decided to save it for later if there was time. It was then off to the Zip Line. I was the only one to get to go down, since you needed shoes, and surprisingly I was the only one with shoes. So I then lent my shoes out to the three girls and we laughed and how big they were on everyone else. Next was a really late lunch. Our included lunch, that made the ticked 150 pesos instead of 130. Was a hot dog, chips, and a bottle of Pepsi. Two of us bought that and the other two decided to find something else and we soon found out that nothing could beat our lunch pricewise. Next stop was the grass slide. Here is where the Nun Fun really picked up. We were walking toward the grass slide and stopped in the play ground, while in there we watched Nuns cross the lake, go down the Zip Line, and play on the play ground with us, all in full habit. The play ground had a rolling log, which we joined two Nuns on. We finally made it to the slide and again the Nuns were there too. The grass slide was about 150 yards long and had sprinklers all down the sides. The nuns didn’t care and were just there to have fun. Two were racing and one was going so fast she lost her veil. After this I got a snow cone, I told them to give me the best flavor, which was Mango Loco: A combo of mango and chamoy juices, topped with a heaping spoonful of chili powder. I spooned out the chili, and none of us could remember what chamoy was. It was okay, but a really weird flavor. Once I got home I found out chamoy is plum and apricot pickled with chilies, salt and chili powder. This is a prime example of how much Mexicans love chili. So much it is in all their sweets. Back to the day’s events, we then went to the bird show, and finished the day looking at a gray whale skeleton, and mammoth tusks. We now had 20 minutes until the bus left not enough time to walk the 2 km path to the waterfalls and decided instead to check out the gift store. We all got glasses with a camel on the front to memorialize the cup lost in the mugging. It was then back home after a great day.
Again sorry for the length. Pictures will be up real soon from both weekends. I will try to post before I leave on Thursday, and will defiantly post after the trip. Hope all is going well with everyone at home. Today we had to spring forward and are now once again even with Kansas City. Until next time.
First let me start with last Sunday. I went with 4 friends to the Planetarium. They have an IMAX and some other stuff. We took the bus to a park downtown which had a free shuttle to the Planetarium. We got there and started eating our Subway, a worker told us we couldn’t have outside food so we walked out the front gate and out our sandwiches on the sidewalk. We went back in and had a half hour until our show. We walked through the first level of the museum. It was a short little Children’s Science Museum. It was then on to the movie. We watched one on the Tour de France and the mind of a winner. It was a pretty interesting movie, and really cool videos. We then walked around the rest of the museum. All the floors had a different theme and were short. The second floor was on space, the third on the environment, the forth on the senses and brain, mainly optical illusions. There we were also greeted, by a girl who would tell you a story and shock you at the exciting/scary parts. The top floor was on Pre-Colombian Indians. Next we went outside and played in the outdoor science garden, walked through a botanical garden, and then watched a presentation on stars. Last we explored the bird sanctuary. They had lots of parrots in aviaries, ones you walked underneath. There were also a bunch of geese, swans, and peacocks running around. Unlike at school they had peahens. One was even an albino peahen. Too bad it wasn’t a male albino, they are really cool. There was also a black swan. It was then back home to eat with my roommates.
The school week went by fast, a little too fast I feel. Nothing exciting happened except I bought the tickets and hotel for Mexico City. It turns out just one other friend and I are going. The other two backed out. The flights were $130 round trip and we are staying at the YWCA ¾ mile from the central square for $9.30 a person a night each having a private room. So expect a really exciting blog on the 14th. Then Friday I went with a few friends to see a show called Raices, meaning roots (cultural) in Spanish. We got front and center seat since another friend was in the show. The first half was all Traditional dances from Arabian countries, this year’s theme. The other half was a Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. This part was much more exciting and had 3 dances each from 15 of the States. I really enjoyed it and always love the Ballet Folklorico.
Now for yesterday’s. I have wanted to go to this Safari Park/Zoo, Bioparque Estrella, an hour away for a while now, and finally picked a day to go. Three friends and I meet at school and headed to the same park as last weekend to board the bus. It was $150 pesos for the bus ride, park entrance, the safari, and lunch. We got there and arriving at the same time was a bus full of Nuns most in full habit. It made me laugh and I took some pictures for Suzanne. The four of us headed in and decided to do the Safari first. One friend and I bought food; yes you can feed the animals. We loaded the bus and it was the four of us and the Nuns. The bus started and we all got real excited. We headed toward the entrance. On the other side of the gate was a flock (this is the correct collective noun) of camels. There were both Dromedary and Bactrian too. I thought how nice we get see some stuff right away, but in the back of mind I thought they know we have food. We pulled in the gates and the carnage started. The camels being the perfect height to stick their heads in the bus and then some started looking for food at the front of the bus, and slowly worked their way toward us in the back corner. The flock of 15 had soon surrounded the stopped bus and were coming in the bus from every angle. With their dirty spilt dripping faces and smelly breath. My friend and I were in particular danger having food. All you could hear was screams and grunts from the camels. I watched as Nuns screamed, threw their cups of food at the camels and made the sign of the cross. I was trying to take pictures of the carnage and hide my food at the same time. Meanwhile my friend has a camel eating out of her cup. She lets go with one hand and while taking a picture the camel steals the cup, throws back his neck, drinks the food, and proceeds to eat the cup. The bus’ engine starts back up and we are all relieved to finally escape, but the camels chase the bus, until they hear the gate open for a new bus with new victims and fresh food. I then turn to my friends and say, “I don’t really like camels anymore.” After the attack the rest of the safari seemed tame, I having successfully guarded my food had some for all the rest of the animals. We saw zebras, giraffes, buffalo, bison, dear, gazelles, monkeys, hippos, ostriches, and other birds. The Giraffes unfortunately didn’t come near to eat and show off their blue tongues. The zebras came close and I got to touch and feed one, but they were short and hard to feed from the bus. The ostriches came close and didn’t attack but ate out of my cup. The monkeys were on islands so not to come on the bus, and the hippos were in the water. Then there were other birds all over. After the Safari we headed back to the gate, a few camels returned, but most were busy ransacking another bus. We got off and I found out the sisters were Augustinians, and the ones I talked to were all real nice. It was then time to explore. We walked passed a bunch of areas were you could take pictures with animals: snakes, monkeys, lions, goats, parrots, etc. We went to the bat exhibit, which was 5 pesos extra to help save bats in Mexico. It was then off to the free Paddle Boats. We paddled around saw koi and another black swan. We then decided to cross a lake on raised platforms, some rotating trying not to fall. I then crossed back using the two rope bridge, one for your hands, one for your feet. No falls for any of us. We then walked to the back of the park and saw a small pen with birds, turtles and prairie dogs. Next to that was a pen, we were expecting alligators, but it turned out to be raccoon. Who would have guessed a zoo would have raccoons? There was a bug exhibit, a medical garden and a desert plant garden. All really cool, we saw a hike to waterfalls and decided to save it for later if there was time. It was then off to the Zip Line. I was the only one to get to go down, since you needed shoes, and surprisingly I was the only one with shoes. So I then lent my shoes out to the three girls and we laughed and how big they were on everyone else. Next was a really late lunch. Our included lunch, that made the ticked 150 pesos instead of 130. Was a hot dog, chips, and a bottle of Pepsi. Two of us bought that and the other two decided to find something else and we soon found out that nothing could beat our lunch pricewise. Next stop was the grass slide. Here is where the Nun Fun really picked up. We were walking toward the grass slide and stopped in the play ground, while in there we watched Nuns cross the lake, go down the Zip Line, and play on the play ground with us, all in full habit. The play ground had a rolling log, which we joined two Nuns on. We finally made it to the slide and again the Nuns were there too. The grass slide was about 150 yards long and had sprinklers all down the sides. The nuns didn’t care and were just there to have fun. Two were racing and one was going so fast she lost her veil. After this I got a snow cone, I told them to give me the best flavor, which was Mango Loco: A combo of mango and chamoy juices, topped with a heaping spoonful of chili powder. I spooned out the chili, and none of us could remember what chamoy was. It was okay, but a really weird flavor. Once I got home I found out chamoy is plum and apricot pickled with chilies, salt and chili powder. This is a prime example of how much Mexicans love chili. So much it is in all their sweets. Back to the day’s events, we then went to the bird show, and finished the day looking at a gray whale skeleton, and mammoth tusks. We now had 20 minutes until the bus left not enough time to walk the 2 km path to the waterfalls and decided instead to check out the gift store. We all got glasses with a camel on the front to memorialize the cup lost in the mugging. It was then back home after a great day.
Again sorry for the length. Pictures will be up real soon from both weekends. I will try to post before I leave on Thursday, and will defiantly post after the trip. Hope all is going well with everyone at home. Today we had to spring forward and are now once again even with Kansas City. Until next time.
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