¡Bienvenidos Colombia!

On september 20th we met in Houston and were ready to live it up down south along Colombias coast. We didnt know what to expect or exactly were to go, but being here for 5 days has taught us that exact plans are not important, nor is time. We flew into Barranquilla and found it to be a very chaotic and bustling place...with no street signs. when we were dropped off by taxi we thought we could navigate and find an appropriate hotel, but we soon realized (by everyones incredulous looks) that we were the only tourists in the whole city. the streets are full of make shift shacks where vendors sell everything from shoes to cellphone chargers. Special to Barranquilla are the monsoon rains that come everyday around noon. During these rain storms the streets (with no sewer system) fill with water and flow like rivers, taking street liter and cars along with it. everyone stops where they are on the streets and waits for clear skies, if you want to carry on with your day, men set up wooden cartons and planks which you can cross for a small price. we were caught off guard -and soaked- both days there. On the day we planned to leave we were again inhibited by the rain, we planned to go to Santa Marta but ended up talking with other rain-waiters in the hotel and followed our new friend Darwin to Cartagena.
Cartagena is an old beautiful colonial city. A common theme so far: the people are friendly and lively, they speak quickly, streets are full of activity, loud music pours out of open doors and windows, and if you don´t understand the menu... ask for clarification or don´t order it. So far we have we have walked along the moira wall that encircals the historical center of the city, spent time at the beach, swam in the Caribean, danced in clubs, celebrated Festival November (in september!), and made many new friends. We are getting fewer looks from locals here because Cartagena is a tourist city for travellers and colombians alike. We have been well guided through the city during our stay, but yesterday felt sick of eating just chicken and rice and decided to branch out at a new restaurant. we ordered a stiff carne asada and sopa de cow-intestines. completely by accident, of course. actually we couldnt even make a dent in the bowl. we have eaten lots of good things too, like fresh crab and shrimp, fresh squeezed juice, soups, lots of meats, coconut sweets and rum, aguila beer and agaurdiente.
We have easily adapted to the calm and carefree life that the beach ensues in everyone here. men and women walk around in flip flops 24/7 and wear small clothing, or just pull their shirts up when the heat is too much to handle. Early tomorrow we are leaving this tropical paradise for a new sunspot... yes we are getting a lot of sun. When we arrive in Santa Marta - if nothing stops us before then- we plan to visit the city and Taganga, a nearby fishing/beach village and see the lost city of the Tayrona people in the national park there! Sun, forests and new sights are on our frontier. Behind us we leave the what we already now of this countries beautiful cities, sights and people. All systems (and senses) go!
Besos y abrazos,
Emilia y Chia

Guanajuato weekend

This last weekend my class visited the city Guanajuato. The first stop was desending 90 meters into an old silver and gold mine. Next, we vistited a few museums. My favorite site was the Mummy Museum! The corpes were from the 1860´s. Here is a website you can check out, if you are iterested in Guanajuato mummies too (http://www.momiasdeguanajuato.gob.mx/english/galeria.html). Around 5 p.m. there was a serious rain storm. The streets literally turned into rivers! And evernone in the streets ran into stores and buildings to wait out the rain. Overall, I loved this city and would definately love to come back to visit again.









Templo de la Valencia

The inside of the church is adorned in gold from the local mines



Have you ever seen an aloe vera plant this big? It was taller than me!

Bienvenidos de Queretaro

Downtown Queretaro you will always find street venders with hand made crafts and inticing foods like tamales and fresh cut fruit. There is also lots of live music, wheather it be a child playing the accordian for spare change, school childeren in uniform pracicing mariachi, a profeshional band, or (earlier today i passed by) a couple boys who were playing the trumpet and drums while wondering the alleys.

This past weekend I went to a ranch, outside of Queretaro, for a family fiesta. It was a celebration Ana´s 90th birthday. It was a time. Delicious tacos, tequilla, charros, music and of course dancing! The after party took place at my family´s house. For hours we sang karaokee (mostly spanish love songs and a little Shikira) and danced till three in the moring! Turns out this is a great method to learning another language. Always full of people, food, and high spirits, our house is a congrigating place for the extended family and many close friends. They make me feel very welcomed and at home.

Primero dia en Mexico

¡Hola amigos and familia! Its been something like 15 hours of travels and i finally made it to beautiful Queretaro, Mexico! My host family is huge. I have accually met so many family members today (ages ranging from 0-90) I still don´t know who all lives here. I have met four genterations of this tigh knit family. Queretaro is a old historical city with cobble stone narrow alleys and elaborate cathedrals. The cars rule the steets. Pedestrians have no right of way. Calles, or blocks, are packed with multicolred houses. I tried to snag a couple pictures today of the river that runs through the city. By the second shot, i looked down to find a horrifying supprise. Red fire ants all over my bare feet and chacos, and they had crawled up to the knee of my pants instintaneously! Ayyyye!!! Ouch! Eww. I did a classic ants in my pants dance. I got them all off, no worries.