Tepotzlan, Mexico

I recently visited the precious city of Tepotzlan. It is a quaint city about two hours from Mexico City. I went with Taylor (the other "intern") and his mom who was visiting for a week. Tepotzlan is known for it's typical small-town Mexican market and for a Aztec Temple that remains at the top of a mountain. We ate in the market and then climbed the mountain to see the temple and the most amazing view ever!

The climb was straight-up and rocky and took us about an hour and fifteen minutes. Needless to say, I got sweaty (see below).

The old Aztec Temple where they did sacrifices and worshiped.

The view of the city from the Temple was breathtaking.

There were also some sort of animal from the raccoon family that lives up there.

The Market of Tepotzlan.

The chicharron (fried pig skin) was HUGE and the food was delicious!

Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a huge celebration here in Mexico in which the dead are remembered and honored. The festivities began on Friday, October 29th and lasted until Tuesday, November 2nd. Monday and Tuesday were the official holidays, and there was no school. At the UNAM there was a display of "ofrendas" (offerings). During Dia de los Muertos, Mexicans put ofrendas in their houses specifically to honor or remember a loved one that has passed away. So, for example, if their deceased grandfather loved chocolate, they would most likely put chocolate in the oferenda. Every year, the ofrendas at the UNAM have a theme. This year's theme was the Revolution and Independence (because Mexico just celebrated their 200 year anniversary) and so all of the ofrendas were created to honor or remember heroes of the Mexican Revolution or Independence.

The beliefs of Dia de los Muertos come from Indigious practices and are therefore not related to any current day religious beliefs. Dia de los Muertos has become a very important tradition among the Mexican peoples and the entire city was decorated with skeletons, flowers, candies, and papel picado (paper decorations). There are also many parties, bands, games, and performances to celebrate the holiday.

Visiting some of the ofrendas at the UNAM.

Monse and me dancing along with some dancers doing Indigenous dances.

One of the ofrendas at night, with the UNAM's library in the background.

Taylor (the other "intern" from California) and me eating hot dogs Mexican-style (ketchup, mayonnaise, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, onion)

Some of the English Club students during our "tour" of the ofrendas at the UNAM.

Me with Alitzel.

There were Belly-Dancers for the occasion.

I tried my very first "Pan de Muertos" (the special bread made for the holiday).

By the end of the night we just couldn't have taking some silly pictures too!

Taylor and his new friend. :)

Day-Light Savings

So, unbeknown to me, day-light savings exists in Mexico....and it existed TODAY. I showed up to church this morning at "9 am" for the 9 am service. Well, the ONLY other people there were 3 other AMERICANS and a sweet lady sweeping the patio. She kept repeating in her sweet manner "church starts at 9am"....

So that "extra" hour of sleep....yeah, I did NOT get it!

Why didn't anyone think to tell the AMERICANS about day-light savings???

O Blueberries, Where Art Thou?

Fun fact: Blueberries do not seem to exist in Latin America. In fact, there is not even a word in the Spanish language for blueberries. Most Mexicans know what you are referring to when you describe blueberries as the "small, round, sweet, blue fruit", but they simply respond "No tenemos mora aca". (Meaning: "We don't have blackberries here.")

I answer to "Lucy"

So apparently I have Lucille Ball tendencies and mannerisms. I have NEVER before been told this in my whole life; until now. Several RUF members, and even Peter, have commented on how similar my mannerisms and facial expressions are to those of Lucille Ball in "I Love Lucy". They have even made me watch the show to prove their point. I'm not sure I totally agree, but until further notice I will continue answering to "Lucy", as that is what I am called here more often than "Lara". Who knows, maybe one day I'll star in "I Love Lara"!!

"El Clasico"

On Sunday I attended "El Clasico" between El America de Mexico City and Las Chivas de Guadalajara. The two teams play each other twice a year and when they play the game is considered a "classic" because they are huge rivals. I knew I just couldn't miss my opportunity to see Mexican soccer at it finest...so I waited in line for about an hour to get tickets. The atmosphere was incredible and the Mexicans' passion for soccer was very apparent!

So the stadium seats 120,000 people!

The mascot of El America is the "eagle" and at halftime they brought a live eagle onto the field and it chased a soccer ball.

Haircut...Mexican Style

Ok...so my hair really doesn't look that different than before. I just needed a "shape-up" since my last haircut was a "bob" and it was cute short, but not so cute as it was growing-out. I cut about an inch off the front, a centimeter off the back, and added layers....well, actually the hairdresser did it for me. The most exciting thing about getting a haircut in another country is simply accomplishing the task. It's scary wondering as they take scissors to your hair if you expressed your desired outcome well in your FOREIGN LANGUAGE!