The YMCA and A Whole Lot of Spanish.

On Friday, all of the teachers from our group went to a YSA dance in Puebla. AMAZING!!!!!! Everyone dances. And I mean really dances. Not just jumping around pretending, but actually dancing. It so much fun. I danced the whole night with the same boy. He was major crushing on me. He was shorter then me and had longer hair then me. He was really patient with me and tried to teach me some simple steps even though we couldn't really communicate. At the end of the night, in broken English, he asked for my number. Lucky my ride home graped at the right time. We met someother Americans there too! Not going to lie--When I find someone who speaks English I get really excited. I also met someother cool people who spoke English. I have never been so happy to hear the YMCA in my life. First: Its was in English. Second: I got to teach the dance to everyone. The funnest part about the dance was that it was held in the chapel. They just pushed the pews to the side. In Mexico every room has a double duty. Being at the dance forced me to speak Spanish. I understand most of what is being said, but I'm not confident speaking. When I'm with the Carlys, I rely on them instead of stepping out side of my comfort zone and speaking.

Saturday morning all of the teachers got together to decorate our school. We painted a garden on one wall, a world on another, clouds and teachers on another. The school looks awesome!

My Masterpiece!

ILP World with the Teachers' Hands

I'm on the Top Left

My other Masterpiece!

On Saturday night, the Carlys and I went to the movies with Carly Laga's host family. We saw a kid movie so it was doubbed in Spanish. I was so proud that I understood most of what was happening. Then on Sunday, I got 75% of what was going on. The missionaries gave me a Spanish Book of Mormon. I started reading them side by side and its really cool to see how much I've been picking up. Everyday I'm learning more and building more confidence in the language.

Pics from Mexico!

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Mexcio So Far

So I have been here two weeks and have completely falling in love with the country. It’s so gorgeous. The food is amazing and the people are even better.

Here is the rundown of the past 14 days in Mexico.

August 13th-I left Detroit for an adventure of a lifetime. I had a four hour layover in Dallas where I met the other teachers going to Mexico. There were two groups-Mine (Puebla and Tehuacan. We then flew into Mexico City. Someone said that the airport was the nicest in Mexico, but it was kind of ghetto. After customs we where greeted by the directors of International Language Program. We then waited for four hours for the bus to come and pick us up. Driving through Mexico City was a trip. I was amazed how big the city was. It goes on for miles and everything is packed in. All of the mediums between the streets are parks or soccer fields. The drivers are super aggressive. It was so packed with cars. It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive. We got in to the Tehuacan around four in the morning. We all slept at the Head teacher’s apartment. I was so tired. We didn't all have beds. I slept on the hard wood floor and a yoga mat. I didn't really care...I was so tired.

August 14th- Slept in till 11 am. It was wonderful! We had lunch at Juan Paul’s. It was my first true taste of Mexican food. SOOOO GOOD! After we went to the bank to exchange money. That evening we toured around the city and met up with the rest of the teachers. One of the teachers we met up with--Carly--we immediately clicked and have been best Mexican friends since then. We then headed home and packed for our weeklong trip to Chiapas. We all pulled our money and rented a bus. BEST DECISION EVER! We set off for our adventure at 11 pm that night.

August 15th-We drove thought the night and arrived at the Veracruz Temple. I forgot my temple recommend so I sat outside and read my scriptures. I met these super cute girls there. They loved my hair. One asked if I was looking for boys to marry. I told her no...She then replied that she knew some men. Once they left a cute old women came and sat next to me. With her broken English and my awful Spanish we tried to communicate...but it didn’t happen. So she just laughed at me and shared her lunch with me. The Mexican people are the most generous people you have ever met. They share everything! After the Temple we when to Tabasco to see the Olmec heads. They are these huge heads craved out of stone that made an appreance in Night at the Museum 2. We then walked around the market and ate some yummy mangos. They put limon and salt on them and it AMAZING! Seriously try it. We then found a hostel with a pool and AC. It was so fun. We spent most of the night swimming under the stars. We then ended up at this amazing taco stand for dinner. Carly and I named our AC, Jimmy. He is my boyfriend...occasionally I write him.

August 16th- We got up early and drove to Palenque. They are these awesome Mayan ruins. We got to explore inside the palace and tombs. After spending most of the day there we head off to Agua Azul. It is a lagoon with tons of gorgeous waterfalls. The water has a high mineral count. Where it falls on rocks or fallen trees it encases them in a thick shell-like coating of limestone. We swam in, climbed and jumped off of the falls. I was at the top of the fall and I noticed two men struggling to stay above water. Another girl in my group got there first and was helping them to stay above water. I was about 30 yards away on a fall. I jumped in and swam out to them. I started to pull them in old school...without a tube, when two park guards jumped in with lifejackets and intertubes and brought them in the rest of the way. As we where leaving a group of little Mexican girls gathered around our bus. We sang with them and braided there hair. That night we decided to pull over and sleep on the bus. It was terrible. Chiapas is extremely humid and hot. We were basically swimming in our sweat.

August 17th-We arrived at the Usumacinta River that morning and piled on to boats to go to the Yaxchilin ruins. Supposedly it was where Zerahemla was in the Book of Mormon. It was spectral. You got to wonder through the dark passages of the building. Everything was covered in green moss. We even got to experience a rainstorm in the rain forest. So cool. There was also a traditional ball court. Legend as it that the winning team got to sacrifice the losing team to the gods. We then drove through a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I think that 20 American girls showing up was the most exciting thing to happen in years. We ate at a little taco stand on the side of the rode. We ended up finding a hotel there too. The only problem was that in the morning we woke up with tons of bite. I guess that there were bedbugs.

August 18th-We left super early in the morning to drive to the Lagos de Montebello. It was kind of cold and rainy so we didn't get in. We ended up playing and singing with the kids for a good three hours. They were so precious. We then ended up in San Cristobal de las Casas. It is this absolutely gorgeous city up in the mountains. It was COLD! The streets are cobblestone and all of the buildings are super old. It’s known for its political unrest. We spend the evening exploring the city. We ended up eating at this pizzeria...which was gross. We where all excited to have some American food, but it just didn't compare. We then went to the bakery and got some churros. Mexican pastries are so GOOD! They are just the right about of sweet. We stay in this super nice hotel with AC and warm showers.

August 19th- We got up early and got mangos from a street vender for breakfast. We then when to the market and did some amazing shopping. We also hit up the bakery one more time before heading off to Tuxtla. There we took a boat ride through this amazing canyon. Legend has it that the Mayans jumped off of 1/2 mile high cliffs instead of becoming slaves to the Spanish. On the boat ride we met the Tuxtla Temple President and two AV guys of the church. 75% of the boat was Mormon and 50% of the boat was from Utah. Small world. We then stopped by the Temple to take pictures.

August 20th-We arrived back in Tehuacan. There we worked it out that Carly was going to come to Puebla with me instead of staying in Tehuacan. We had some training with the whole group about how to stay safe in Mexico. We then had lunch. Teo, the Director of ILP in Mexico, then took us to the bus station. We arrived in Puebla at 9 pm. There we met the principal of the Puebla school, Monica and her family, along with my host family. Carly Tai and I are staying with the same family.
August 21st-We finally got to see our school and unpack our stuff. We then headed into downtown Puebla with Monica. There I had the best Mexican food I have had since I have been here. We spent the rest of the day getting the school ready for the kids.
August 22nd-Lauren and Emily's host families invited all of the teacher up to their ranch for the afternoon. I ATE CAUTUS. It was ok. It was kind of slimy like a pickle, the spices on it where good. We then headed back to the school for more prep and training.
August 23rd-Going to church was an experience. I understood most of what was happening in Sacrament Meeting and in Sunday School. Relief Society was a different story. The best part was the boys. They were all over us. Six cute American girls to win over. One boy hugged each one of us for a good ten seconds and gave us a double kiss. That’s a no-no. For lunch we had the missionaries over. It was kind of awkward. They are both surprised to see two white girls in the kitchen. One was from Utah. He laughed at our Spanish. That night we went on a walk with our host family. We walked to a cathedral that over looks the whole city of Puebla. It was absolutely gorgeous. It’s HUGE! We ended up at our "Aunt and Uncle's" house (They are also hosting two teacher.) It was so fun. We took pictures, played hand games and volleyball. It reminder me of when all of the Johansson's get together.
August 24th-First day of school! We teach at two different schools. An ILP after-school program from 5-7pm and Galileo, a private school. We arrived a Galileo two hours early for our Spanish class, instead we where met by the crazy principal who gave us a child development class in Spanish. The first day teaching there was crazy. They didn't understand the program and there were alot of miscommunications. In the end everything worked out. When the taught at ILP. I absolutely love teaching. I'm so glad that I have taught swim lessons before. It totally prepared me for teaching. I broke out in nasty hives. Carly Tai and I went to Wal-Mart to get medicine. A nice lady that spoke English helped us find it after broken attempts at Spanish.
August 25th-We didn't teach at Galileo because some points of the contract had to be worked out. We went to the market instead. You could buy anything that you wanted there. Chickens, Soccer Jersey, fruits, etc. I bought some awesome presents for my family.
August 26th-Teo and Rachel, the ILP Mexico Directors came to help us figure out the situation at Galileo. They are amazing people. Carly Laga and I had ice cream and eat it on the bed at ILP. His name is Jorge. We love him.
August 27th-Taught at both school. Carly L and I hung a hammock on the roof of the school. Starting to fall into a routine. I love my host family and my roomie Carly Tai.
In the end I LOVE MEXICO!!!!!

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Check out my flippin' cute family! Thanks to E'lisa for making us look beautiful!

encantar

Funny story about the language...I was introducing my friend Carli to my host family and I ment to say "this is my good friend Carli" but i accidentally said "this is my girlfriend Carli." My Mimi had a look of seer terror on her face.
I'm finally moved into my host family there is a 15 year old boy, a 7,9 and 12 year old girls. The family is wonderful. They are making great sacrifices for me and Carli (a different one...there are two in my group) to stay here. All six of them are sharing two beds so that we can have our own room. the Father owns a paper store beneath the apartment. We live about 5 minutes walk away from the school that I will be teaching at. I start on teaching on Monday. I'm so excited. The city that I'm living in (Puebla) is absolutely beautiful. All of the streets are paved with cobblestone. Everyone is so friendly and kind. The center is gorgeous. There are old churches everywhere. But what really makes Mexico wonderful is the people. They are the kindest most genorgous people you have ever met. They love so quickly. The people of this wonderful city have embraced me and the other teachers with open arms and hearts. A Mexican would give the shirt off of his back to better your situation. The only thing that I want to learn while I'm down here is to me as kind and loving as them.

Viva La Mexico!

I don´t have time to write a true post...so I will post two emails that I sent home. When I get home from vacation I´ll fill you all in on the adventure and post some pics!

To Will:

I LOVE it. its the most gorgous place i have ever been. its sooo green and has beautiful mountains. right after i got into the airport, i left on a week long tour of chipas to see a ton of ruins and waterfalls. right now we are in a little mountain village that looks like it is from the 16th century. its so amazing. i start teaching next monday. im really lucky and one of my friends in my group is fluent in spanish and she has helped me so much. its amazing how much my spanish has improved in the last four days. the mexican people are truly amazing. i love them. they are so caring and loving.

To My Family:

im in the middle of mexico at this tiny town. I think that 20 american girls showing up in a bus is the most exciting thing to happen in years. I´m still aweful at using a spanish keyboard. We have spent the last three days touring ruins and going to waterfalls. We still have three more days. I absoultly gourgous. Its so green. Today we when on a river boat to Guatamula to see some more ruins. They are amazing. I have never mean so nasty in my life, we have been sleeping on the bus and no showers. It doesn´t really matter. I love it here. I made a really good friend Carly (she is at the other school)...she goes to byu and we are thinking about rooming together. Traveling with a ton of girls has been super hard. I´m going to be excited to get to Puebla and get a routine. I save two mexican mens lives yesterday at the waterfall. One got a leg cramp and called for help. Another man that was by him and grapped him. He coulded support both of them in the water so he called out for help. I was about 30 yards away on a fall. I jumped in and swam out to them. I started to pull them in old school...without a tube, when two park guards jumped in with lifejackets and intertubes and brought them in the rest of the way.