130 days here and gone

WOW! Time sure does fly, not only this week but this entire semester. Let me start with Tuesday. I had nothing to do all day, having finished my project and no final. Like I had planned I needed to see the Riverwalk. After lunch I got my camera and headed for the bus. I my host dad told me the two places to get off at. I missed the first, but then decided to get off a little before the second and walk through the bar neighborhood for one last time and get pictures of it. This neighborhood is next to the Macro Plaza. After exploring the plaza one last time I stopped in the Governor’s Palace to look through the free museum. Then it was on to the Riverwalk. It was pretty empty being a Tuesday, but was very pretty and relaxing. I walked all the way to the end where it emptied into Parque Fundidora. I walked around there a bit and then went to the old iron smelting oven to see the Steal Museum. After the museum I took the old coal elevator up to the observation deck. From there you got a great view of the city. I then descended and headed for the lakes. On the way there I ran into a group of 1o girls, the 4th one I had seen, and they were so excited to meet someone from the US. They were all wore yellow shirts, except for one had a green one. They said it was her Birthday and asked if I would wish her, “Happy Birthday!” then kiss her on the cheek for the camera. I did so and then asked how old she was. I soon found out it was her Quince (15th) and May is Quince season, with the new fad being videos of you at the party. We parted ways and I headed to the lakes. After a rest there I headed back down the Riverwalk to the midway point where you can easily catch busses home. I got home and decided to see how far I walked. I discovered first off it had been .3 miles to the bus stop every morning, then I found out I walked a total of 6.3 miles and keep in mind it was 41 C / 105 F. After that I ate dinner and started packing. My host dad helped me, after finding a cockroach hiding in the back of my closet, lots of folding, and insulating of souvenirs I was practically done.

Yesterday marked my last full day here. It was bittersweet. I had my presentation in the morning that went great. Then after lunch I met with the last of my friends here and said goodbye over smoothies. I headed home, but stopped at Soriana and the Mall to take some last pictures. My camera set off the alarm at Soriana, so I had to explain how it was my camera etc. One last trip in the mall, but I know nothing more would fit in my bags. I got home to watch my daily TV one last time, too bad I kept dosing off. It was then time for my “Last Supper” as my host dad put it. I was guilt fed twice what I should have eaten for the last time. The last plan of the day was to see Iron Man with my roommate Paul. It was a good movie.

I am now here after naturally getting up at 6:59 (my alarm was for 7), showering, and packing the last of it all I decided to blog one last time while in Monterrey. I am very glad I came here; I have met tons of great people, learned a lot, and saw a lot. I am sad to leave, but real excited to get home. I can’t believe it is day 130 here, and when I say that I remember like yesterday getting off the plane and thinking 130 days that is forever. My host parents keep telling me how sad they are I am leaving, how much they will miss me, and that I am always welcome. Well look for pictures of my last adventure and for one last entry about my trip home and reunion with my family. Thanks for reading all my adventures and until next time.