Right. update. Bueno, where to start...!

While I am not yet officially working, I have been keeping so extremely busy I haven't even begun to unpack my bags yet. Granted I was away for 4 days in Veracrz, but since coming back to Puebla I have been runing all over the place...and loving it.

Veracruz: So I spent the weekend at the beach in veracruz...close to Tajin actually. We chose Tajin becasue March 21 is a national holiday here--it is the first day of Spring and a large tradition in Aztec/indigenous cultre. Anyways, Tajin has some of the best Aztec ruins in Mexico and there was an incredible festival at night on the 20th. This festival involved traditional dancers from various indigenous communities including the "ancient Aztec." The array of costumes and colors and sounds absolutely blew my mind away...and all of this was performed right in the ruins themselves--we were sitting on the grass surrounded by three of the largest pyramids. There were also traditional Mexican dances from various regions of the country...and of course, los mariachis. I have lots of pictures, they are all on Abrahams camera so once he sends them my way I'll put them up.

This weekend is looking like its going to be intersting as well. On saturday I am going to climb this mountain about two hours from here...I was invited to go along with Martin's mother and all of the students from the Smith Program. I'm looking forward to it...though I'm told we each have to bring along a pack of lemons because the altitude is so high that we use them to help us breath....or something....I'm not entirely sure. But its really high. It should be great...
And then! On Sunday I am going with Abraham and Co. into Mexico City to see Manu Chao!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!! Well, he's playing in the Zocalo whichis HUGE and there are going to be thousands of people, but I'm quite excited...I think we may stay in the city at a friends house and then head back on Monday morning.

But its been good to be back in Puebla. I am completely in love with this city. Its georgous...there is a church every other block, two enormous snow caped volcanoes, cobble stone streest, and a very colonial look. I couldn't be happier.

Each day here has proven to be quite interesting, I can only imagine what to expect eveytime I venture out. This morning I began my day as I have been...to the sound of the neighborhood gas truck that passes my house at 7, 8, and 9 every morning. An obnoxious little jingle with a funny little techno beat and then a voice that shouts out: "El gaaaaaaaaaasss" through a loud microphone to let you know that they are passing through. Well, like most homes here, all we have is a gas stove so we have to buy gas for the tank on a regular basis. Well it was my job to fill the gas tank this morning...but by the time I jumped out of bed and put on some shoes the truck had turned the corner and I ended up chasing it for several blocks before catching up with it. Crazy gringa. Not my favorite chore. Rather, I prefer getting water... Now this involves carrying this big empty water bucket to this little store three blocks down and having it exchanged for a full one...and then lugging the damn thing all the way home. Its HEAVY. I have to haul it on my back as I can't quite lift it otherwise. Anyways, after doing this I went to the market to pick up some things I have been lazy to get...fruit and vegies, eggs...blah blah. I'm not used to thinking in kilos however, and ended up with a ridiculous amount of chiles...and like 30 eggs. Oh well. Eggs are cheap and will keep me going a while. What else was on my list? Fresh mangos, avacados, tomatoes, papaya, coconuts, sugar cane, and fresh made tortillas. And finally, on my way home I picked up some sweet tamales, cheese bread, and horchata for breakfast from this old lady that sells them infront of my apartment. After breakfast I went to pick up my laundry from this woman around the corner from my apartment who does it for me for $1 a kilo....folds it and everything. The rest of my laundry I hand wash in these big buckets on my roof whcih is yet another adventure entirely. But not a bad start to my day really...

So I am now at this really amazing cafe that is inside this restored colonial house downtown that has wireless (yes!) but is also incredibly beautiful inside...water fountain and tropical flowers...sofas and couches for lounging--all inside this courtyard of this gigantic mansion. Hmm...think I've found my new favorite spot. Anyways, I'm here waiting for Abraham to come and then we are going to an art exhibition where some of his photos are being showed...
Thursday night here is the big "party night" for some reason so Ambrahm and I are meeting a bunch of friends including my roomate Ana in Chulula to see some DJ thats playing.

Speaking of which, the girl that I am living with is great. Shes really helped me learn the ropes and we get along great. She has taken this semester off from teaching becasue she is also somewhat of an artisan and spends much of her day with local artists learning new things and making jewlery from broken class she finds on the street, beads and wire...she also works with leather and wood. Anyways, her work is beautiful and she sells some of what she makes. She plans on teaching again come Fall semester as she is going home for the month of July and coming back in August.

Ok. I have officially wirtten too much and and to anybody who has read all the way through to this point, well bravo.....

So. Um. I am creating a blog. I'm taking Ryan's lead on this one...but she made some good points and ah...well yeah. This is my blog.

So I might as well begin by saying that the reason I am creating this blog is simply becasue I have reloctaed to Mexico. Relocated sounds odd. I moved to Mexico...I live here now! Hmmm.. That sounds funny too. I LIVE IN MEXICO!!! Woo hooo!!!

Ok. I am living in Puebla. It's a little less than two hours east of Mexico City. I love it here...big "University town" which means lots of things going on and of course lots of young people around. Its actually quite big-1 million people, so it feels like a big city but not so big that you feel lost in the midst of things--though for the time being I am content at being lost a good portion of the time. It comes with the territory. Though I must say I am proud of myself for having navigated the metro in the DF without any "significant" problems.

So at the moment I am living with another girl from the States who has been teaching English here in Puebla since last May. We seem a good match because we each have this unexplainable love for Mexico and are pretty much in the same life situation for the moment. We are living in a decent apartment about 10 minutes from the center of the city. Very mexican...no oven only a gas burner...cement everything but it keeps things cool, and a vew to dies for on the roof. Its a cute neighborhood...we are the only "gringas" in the area which makes for some interesting interactions each day, but I like the place a lot.

I have about a month before I start working officially. I will begin teaching after Semana Santa as the whole country pretty much shuts down until then. Aha! This means time for playing and traveling?? As it is, I am heading down to Veracruz with some friends form the university this weekend. My first ever Mexican Road trip!!!!!!! So exciting. I have had the great fortune of falling into a very interesting group of people here and already feel like I am fitting in. Hmm..which brings me to another topic. I am sort of ...well, not sort of...I am dating this guy that I like a lot and so I am very excited about the situation. His name is Abraham and he is a graphic arts designer. He's a lot of fun...quirky at best and equally as random as I am. One of the funniest people I have ever met. Haha..and he lets me drive is car which is so much fun cause here in Mexico driving might as well be bumper cars at Disney land.

But mostly, I am just thrilled to be here. I don't feel the need to rush things the way I do when I am on vacation--trying to eat everything possible...seeing a million sights in one day...taking a million pictures instead of internalizing one great view. Rather, I am taking it slowly. Learning my way around, taking it all in. Everytime I rememer that I do in fact live here now, that I don't have to get on a plane in a week or two and return to another life...that THIS is in fact my life...well...its an undescribable feeling...