Viva Mexico!

First of all-I have officially been in Mexico for a Month. Where the FLIP did all the time go? Its crazy how fast time flies. I still love living in Mexico! Second, WE went to a Dinosaur museum! As to the Selfie with the Dino. It was freaking awesome. I have a new love for Dino's, I mean I feel Like I just re-lived Jurassic Park! Every Dinosaur was life sized and it was super legit.

Enough about the Dinosaurs... I did other awesome things this last week. I discovered Chokis' and Emperador's- They are the BEST cookies and I am now determined to bring a whole suitcase of them home.

NEXT adventure took place in El Centro. Let me tell you- it was crazy, I mean I have never before seen so many different shops FULL of people. I thought I got lost in American shops, Nope. Mexico has tiny shops wherever they find space- so basically its possible to get lost every turn you take.

Its almost like Black Friday shopping- You have to Literally squeeze your way through people. Also, Everything is Super cheap here- So Unfortunately it makes it really easy to just buy EVERYTHING. Not that I would buy everything but its just factual that everything here is super incredibly cheap compared to what you see in the States.

We also had the awesome privilege to Celebrate Mananita Mexicana with all the kids at school. Its basically just a big Fiesta the day before the Day of Independence day. So we went to school early all dressed up like the Mexican flag, the Skirt, the Shirt, the cute little bow- We went the whole 9 yards of celebrating. The school then put on a cute little show, they danced and sang, they even had the kids act out parts of how they gained their independence. It was really interesting to celebrate and be part of a difference culture. After the cute little show, Everyone pulled out tables and all the sudden there was more food on those tables than I have ever seen on Thanksgiving. No Joke. These

people KNOW how to throw a Party. And the thing is, all the food was technically breakfast for them. Okay yeah cool- I'll take a taco for breakfast ANY DAY.

On September 15, the day before Mexico's Independence day, we all took another trip to El Centro that night to be part of the Grito. Which is basically just another way to celebrate their Independence. They have the governor come out and sway their their flag and he says "Viva Mexico! Viva This! Viva That!" and everyone repeats "VIVA!" Then after all that happens, the fireworks begin. I will tell you what- I have never seen a country so dedicated to celebrating their independence. Yes America has fireworks and everyone wears Red, White, and Blue, and then that night they watch fireworks and BAM its over. But in Mexico they Celebrate Two days before,

the night of, and even then some are still celebrating the next day. Basically the whole week is dedicated to celebrating their independence. It was a really neat experience to just be in that culture for a moment and be in Awe.

After all the fireworks there was this really famous Band that started playing, and EVERY person knew EVERY word to EVERY song that was played. So if you don't know all the words to EVERY song that is played you are not a true Mexican. Haha. It was a blast to just listen to EVERY one sing with the band. That and EVERYONE knows how to dance, Everyone but this white girl. But needless to say, some Mexican asked me to dance during one of the songs and it was a BLAST. I have never had so much fun just letting things go and dancing to my hearts content.

Also, did I mention I was on TV that night? Cool huh. Well we went to this cool Grito thing with some Native-Mexican friends. They were teaching all of us how to dance and how to act like a Mexican. It was pretty awesome. And literally out of no where came the TV reporter and he asked if he could record us saying "Viva Mexico". So we did. We all got in a line and we all said VIVA MEXICO!! That was the end.

There were also a million and a half people. Never before have I been surrounded by SO MANY people. To just walk out of the crowd we had to all hold hands so none of us would get lost as we had to squeeze through all the people. I swear the whole country of Mexico was there, just casually squished together. This was definitely a night to remember and I loved EVERY moment of it.

The very next day after all the crazy Fiesta's that took place, we had the day off from school, so we all took a little trip to Real de Monte- which is just the outskirts of Pachuca- And we explored the little town. This cute little town is known for mining, SO they sell a BUNCH of  REAL silver for really cheap. It is actually super awesome! ALSO they have really, really good Pastes. Actually anywhere you go, you will get really good food. But if you are in a mood for a really good Paste, you know where to go now.

The following Friday we all went to the Lovely Hot springs in Tephe. We camped out and everything. Now I don't know how it is everywhere else, but when you camp in Idaho you're usually surround by trees. Well in Mexico you are surrounded by grass, and it is the ONLY grass you will ever see. So we camped in a field. I also saw my first live armadillo! It was really cute and made me not want to use the bathroom (because that is where it was hiding.)
The water was like a warm bath- It was also really blue water. This place had the Coolest water Slides I have ever experienced- they were so big you had to be on an inner-tube! This place is also the biggest water park I have ever been to so there were so many things to do without getting bored. At one point we were just throwing a football, passing it to one another as we swam in the pool. By the end of the day our fingers were all prune-y and we were all crispy from the lovely sun. I was lucky, my burn turned into a lovely tan by the next day- I'm not sure how that happened but in no way am I complaining about it.

This last week was quite the Adventure. I loved EVERY moment of it and I can't wait for next week! #vivamexico #vivapastes #vivamexicanfood #vivatephe #vivaadventures #VIVAMEXICO

Culture Shock.

I think after 3 weeks of living in Mexico it finally hit me. I am not in the U.S. anymore. LET me insight you on the past week.

First of all I have the coolest tan line on my feet. Yes. On my feet. I like to wear my chacos everyday so instead of having a sock line and my feet being really white, they are really tan. So if anything I'll come home with Tan Feet. Cool right?

Recently we discover the roof of the little Mexican house we live in. I mean we finally figured out that there is a difference between the street view and the roof view. Both very beautiful but both very different. Its like a really big picture- When you step back you can see the whole picture, but you can't really see the detail. So the street view is when you step closer, the closer you get the more detail you will see. BTW. We aren't allowed up there anymore...

Another thing, Walmart. There is a Walmart in PACHUCA and unlike any other Walmart in the U.S., this Walmart has a WHOLE aisle dedicated to Rice and Beans. No Joke. I mean in the U.S. we have a whole aisle dedicated to Potato Chips, so I guess that's the same thing? Different countries just have different priorities?

Every day of my life I have done my hair down, its ALWAYS down, until I started teaching English in Mexico- So going back to the first day of class I wore my hair down- that was the first and probably last day that will ever happen. The little kids played with my hair, I mean I don't blame them, they probably have never seen blonde before. Anyway, after that first day I decided I would wear my hair up everyday. So with that really long introduction I will tell you the story I was actually trying to get at. The other day in class, the older kids asked if they could talk in English the whole class time instead of doing the activity. I'm kind of a sucker, If they ask me things in English I can't help but say yes, so for a solid 25 minutes they asked me questions and talked the whole time. One of the things they asked was to see a picture of me in the U.S. I pulled out my phone and showed them a picture and they couldn't believe the picture I showed them was me! They literally lost it! "Teacher that's not you!" Yes kids. I used to wear my hair down before I met you all. After 10 minutes of trying to convince them that,

they still didn't believe me. In fact I still don't think they actually believed me. Haha. Maybe I might have to wear my hair down just for that class.. Maybe. 

We adventured up to the Statue of Christ, IN MEXICO. Yes. Who knew there was an Awesome Statue right in Mexico. Yeah its no Rio de Janeiro, but it will do for now. The view was AMAZING. We were able to see the Big picture again, it is just so inspiring to be on the top and see everything below. The more of the City I see, the more I want to stay here forever. 

So I don't think there are actual car laws - I mean all 5 of us ride in a Taxi... I'm usually sitting on someones lap, yeah. Instead of using blinkers, they either have their hazards on the whole time or just honk. If someone wants to turn where someone else is turning, NO BIG DEAL, they just turn with them. It actually amazes me that I haven't seen one wreck since I've been here. I'm dead serious, people drive everywhere, wherever, and however. So I will forever be convinced that there are no laws in Mexico. 

FYI. If you ever get the chance to go to the Mexico City Temple, please do. It is by far the Largest Temple I have ever stepped foot into, and So Beautiful- inside and out. There are hand knit doilies and hand crafted pottery inside. Each Temple is so very special. Also, the Spirit speaks ALL languages. I don't understand a lot of Spanish, so I didn't think I was going to get much out of the trip, but the Gospel is True and the Spirit has the gift of tongues. I was blown away when I realized I understood everything that had the gospel incorporated into it. It inspired me to learn Spanish and read the Book of Mormon in Spanish. One day I will have the gift of tongues.

Speaking of Mexico City... That is one city I will never forget. It was the first time for a lot of things. lets just say I saw A LOT of Big City Culture. I saw my first Sky Scraper, and other things....ALSO I learned that people really know how to party here. The night we got back from Mexico City, the big House just down the Street was having a Fiesta until 6 am. Mexican Life= Party.

Fun Fact: Mexico City is the 2nd most populated city in the WORLD. You know China is the first, you don't need a fun fact for that one. 

So Teaching English? I LOVE IT. It was really rough at first, but look at these cute little faces! Instead of actually listening they just put a million of my stickers on their faces. If they get anything out of my lessons they know how to put stickers on their faces because the kid next to them went free style on the stickers instead of listening to the ABC song. Do I blame them? All I have to say is, Good things stickers are cheap. Now that I am the teacher, I finally understand why I was never put in the same group as my friends in school. But hey despite all the craziness, they really are learning the Language. Even in the past three weeks I have seen Impeccable Improvements from ALL of them. Its absolutely CRAZY to think about kids and their ability to soak everything in. 

Well. There you go. There are my ramblings from this last week and a half. One last Also, I have been writing this blog post for three days now... Its about time I post this already. #enjoy. 

Lime, Coconuts, and Grapes

The First Full week in Pachuca was AMAZING! I finally

saw the sun, so despite how much it rains, it all balanced out. The food is still Super Incredible! So thank the Heavens Above.

Also, have you ever wondered why Mexicans put lime on EVERYTHING? Well I will tell you why- IT'S AMAZING and it brings out the flavor. So don't be surprised when I come home and pull out a lime for every meal. It is bound to happen, lime on everything is freaking amazing and my taste buds have never been happier.

First day of Teaching was rough- not going to lie, but by day two I walk into the school and hear "Teacher! Teacher!", As I turn around I am bombarded with Hugs. :) These little kids are the cutest little Spanish speakers and only speak English when we look them in the eye. One day they will understand, one day.
With one week down, it is so much easier to say I love teaching. I mean you know little kids, sometimes they can be complete terrors! Not to mention Sassy. They are the sassiest, cutest little kids I have ever met. In fact, there was once or twice where I will openly admit that I wanted to go home and just cry. Because they are little Native Spanish Speakers they have it in their mind that they don't have to listen to English. To be honest it is frustrating and it is hard- Its a good day when only one or two run away instead of the whole class.....I have to keep reminding myself that in the end it will be rewarding. Don't worry, by day Four we all had them whipped into what we wanted them to do. Its only a matter of time where they start sassing us in English. Haha. Again I love teaching, and I have grown to love these little kids- Everyday is getting better and better, so I can only imagine what the end of the semester will bring!

Thursday I had a life changing Experience. I ate Street tacos. They were literally the BEST TACOS I have ever eaten. You always here people say to not get street tacos

because your stomach literally can't handle it and you will be sitting on the porcelain throne for 4 days straight. While that happened to my poor roommates, I never got sick. Cross my fingers, knock on wood, scratch on black, HECK I'll even break my leg! Haha Honestly I think if I were to get sick it would have already hit me. Anyway, the Tacos were more than Amazing, I was literally blown away- SO GOOD. 

Now that I have had REAL tacos and REAL Mexican food I vow to never eat Taco Bell again. There is no comparison. End of story. 

On top of all the chaos that happened through the week, I survived. It was a long but a very good week. I am SO ready for the next 15 weeks to come! 

Also we got to take a tour of our little city Pachuca- It was Incredible! The place is so Beautiful! Words cannot even begin to describe how pretty the city is. 

I mean even the clouds are perfect. Its completely breath taking and I absolutely LOVE living here. Anyway. Enjoy my rants about the city, the food, and school. All of it is just great. More to come Next Week!! :)