México y Música

Since I've been updating you with a few of my daily exploits, I thought that I'd let you in on my listening habits as well.

If you want an exhaustive record of my listening habits from the last three years you can go here, but they have changed a little bit since I've been here.

First off, I don't listen to nearly as much Spanish music on my iPod because I am surrounded by it everywhere and I just think my brain gets a little too tired to take it on endlessly.

I've been listening to my iPod mostly at night before I go to sleep, so most of the songs that I've been favoring are lower tempo and more chill-esque. On Saturday and Sunday nights I usually listen to worship music to prepare my heart for God before I go to church on Sundays.

Anyways, here are a few songs that have been keeping me company this last month here in Puebla Mexico:












And here are the three songs that I cannot escape; buses, tienditas and regular street corners are inudated with these pop songs. Too bad only 'No Speak Americano' is the only good one. :/

Enrique Inglesia's song makes me want to smash car windshields and pour bleach down storm drains... He's so whiny...

TEPOZTLAN CONTINUED & POPOCATEPETL

DILE 'HOLA' AL POPO

¡Hola amigos y bienvendios otra vez a mi blog!

I am continuing with my Tepoztlán blog post because I had so much to say but so little time and concentration; I realized after posting that I had neglected to mention so many things, including the giant volcano within close proximity of Puebla which we passed on the way to Tepoztlán and of the cool town itself and the ex-convent in Tepoztlán.

I've also come to the realization that I am 4 weeks behind in blog life, so I need to due a bit of catching up so I can tell you lovely people about the bicenntenial celebration of Mexico's independence and my weekend trip to Mexico City which I just got back from.

Entonces (my new favorite Spanish word), let's begin, why don't we?

On the way to Tepoztlán in the state of Morelos from Puebla (in the state of Puebla [ha]), we had to drive about 2 hours southwest, and in our cumbersome journey to the promised land of pyramid topped cliffs, we passed the majestic (and almost impossible to pronounce) volcano of Popocatepetl. ITS GIANT and hard to miss unless its shrouded in clouds, which happens a lot due to the fact that it rains here all the time and because its so GIANT.

It was crazy how far away we were and yet how prominently it loomed in the not-too-far distance. There's actually a small town that winds it way up at the base of the volcano. I would be a little freaked out to reside in the presence of such a giant.

I love Mexico, and I love volcanoes, what a perfect combination! Feast your eyes on these:

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After summiting the aforementioned cliff/peak/mountain thing with the temple on top, nos bajamos (we climbed down) to the village of Tepoztlán, ate, and then ventured into the ex-convento de la Navidad, basically a place where early settlers and catholic members lived and studied. It was also an imposing sight to behold, a giant building adorned with dozens of frescos and ginormous bell towers to boot.

The city itself of Tepoztlán was a modern patchwork quilt of ancient and modern, colonial and crunk; as observed in their awesome street art and the various hippies that wander the streets banging drums.

All in all, it was an awesome day trip and memories abound.

TEPOZTLAN

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile! I've encountered some difficulties trying to upload my pictures due to the fact that I do not have a personal computer and thus must depend on the 'salones de computuación' here at Ibero.

This is only one of many blog posts to come.

I've had many exciting things happening in my life in the last 3 weeks, which included going to Tepoztlán (which is included in today's post), experiencing history in the making by observing Mexico's bicentennial of independence and a smattering of other experiences (more Cholula, Atlixco and everyday happenings of Poblano life).

Entonces (thus), I present to you my epic post about the magical land of Tepoztlán!

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The students enrolled in the USAC program all got to take part in our little excursion to the small town of Tepoztlán, which is about 2 hours southwest of Puebla in the state of Morelos. The colonial town is nestled in a small valley flanked by towering cliffs, one of which has an ancient pyramid on top of it.


The cliff and pyramid are both called Tepozteco, and its not exactly EASY to find; you have to hike about an hour up the steep, winding path to the summit of the cliff and along the entire trail, you're surrounding by a lush, rainforest-like vegetation all around you. I even saw some freakin' Tarzan vines from which one could swing upon:

Anyway, the hike was beautiful (and grueling), full of lush greenness, wildflowers and small waterfalls. And after about an hour, I finally reached the summit and beheld my eyes on one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.

There, in all of its faded glory stood a structure I most certainly would have thought to be impossible; an effin' pyramid on top of a mountain.

I was in awe and even felt a bit of catharsis, as I was standing where the indigenous forefathers of this great nation once stood and worshiped their gods. I was also amazed that these people could build something like this 600 or 700 years ago with their prehispanic tools and bare hands and have a living monument that bares witness to their existence.

After we subimos (climbed) the mountain/cliff thingy, we ventured into the city itself of Tepoztlán where they were having a big market where the indigenous people sell their artisenal crafts.

¡UN BLOG POST SUPER GIGANTE!

¡Hola y bienvenidos desde méxico!

I have now been in Mexico for 2 weeks and am about to embark on my third week in the beautiful city of Puebla, Mexico!

If you don't know why I'm here, let me fill you in real fast:

I am studying abroad at la universidad de iberamericana through the USAC international studies program to help fufill some of the credits that I need for my Spanish major, Latin American Studies minor at UNLV. I am also here because I LOVE traveling and I had never been to Mexico before. So... I thought why not. :)

I've opted to do the homestay where I'm staying with a real life Mexican family that cooks for me and does my laundry (awesome, right?). I didn't choose this option just for the aforementioned luxuries, but also for the immersion aspect of it. I talk with my family at each meal and also when there's downtime in between the craziness of life. As of right now, there are 10 people living in the house!!! Not only is my (homestay) family living with me (two parents and their two adult sons) but also their older daughter and her two young children because of the crazy flooding that is going on all around in Mexico. She had to relocate from Villahermosa because of the waters, and now I get to enjoy the company of her two daughters Sophia (2 years old) and Ximena (1 month).

Besides the family, there's three students living at the house; me, Martita (from San Potosí, MX) and Deborah who is also from the United States. We're all studying language, which makes it really cool. Martita is studying German and English while Deborah and I are studying Spanish!

I live really close to the historic center of town where the zócalo is located, which is another word for the main plaza of the town where religion, politics, food and culture all converge into a beautiful chaos. The old cathedral is there, as are the main governmental and municipal court buildings. There's also TONS of FOOD.

Lemme just touch on the food... YUM.

I am in love with Mexican cooking. Even though I eat fairly large meals, I ONLY eat three meals a day, there really isn't time (or need) for snacking. I've been trying all types of new things, like tuna (not the fish), which is a fruit from cactus. I've also been eating the most amazing papaya every morning with breakfast. And the cheese, oh the cheese... I'm getting hungry just thinking about the food...

Speaking of food, I got to try chapulines, which are fried grasshoppers on my day trip to Cholula; another colonial town which happens to border Puebla. In Cholula is the ruins of an old pyramid which the catholics built a church on top of after the conquistadors slaughtered all of the Cholultecas that worshiped there. The church, la iglesia de la virgen de los remedios is gorgeous, and gives one a perfect view of Cholula, Puebla and the nearby volcano Popocatepetl.

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All of my clases are in Spanish as are my books and course readings... I am about to go out of my mind, but I still love it, no matter how terrifying and stressful it is; I know I'll catch up eventually.

The college, la universidad de iberamericana is awesome, there's other students from from around the world! Just in my program, there's a student from Okinawa City, Japan. I've also met students from Sweden, Germany, Venezuela and France. Well all actually went to a nightclub our first friday to celebrate... Let's just say it was interesting... Ha.

Before I leave you, I have to tell you that now is a very exciting time in Mexico. It is the centennial of the Mexican Revolution and the Bicentennial of Mexican Independence on the 16th of September. In anticipation of the momentous occasion, Mexico is preparing to celebrate in a BIG way. All around town, workers are restoring and renovating the older buildings to help give Puebla a little for gleam for the holiday.

Puebla is where the battle of Cinco de Mayo was fought against the French, and is also supposedly the birthplace of the Mexican Revolution as well. With all this said, I'm Puebla will be happening place on the 16th. I'll make sure to take LOTS of pictures.