Day 16: Churning

I can't make my lips vibrate like a horse. I've been trying all trip. I might give up soon. Andrea says if I don't believe I can, then I never will. But I really can't. hmmmph.

I got a tattoo today, and the pain was nowhere near the pain I felt last night when my stomach was churning inside itself. By far the worst stomach pain I have ever felt, and I know stomach pain. The cause? No idea. Probably an overdose of dairy, luckily this OD didn't kill me. The good news? I made it back to Paulo's house while his Mom was still awake. She made me tea and toast (which comes as toast in a bag) and her motherly concern. When I woke up the pain had spread to my chest, nothing some stretches and papaya couldn't calm.

(Don't worry Mom, I'll be fine, and the tattoo shop was very sanitary and they explained the procedure very well)

Day 14: Sunday in the center

Today Queretaro smells like corn tortillas.

I see more happy families in the town center today than I have ever seen at an American zoo, theme park, or parade. Reasoning? I don't know. Maybe it's the size of homes, the dependency or tradition of living with parents until your 27, or simply the culture. Whatever it is, it's beautiful. The children are another beautiful thing. From my observation, they whine less, cry less, and are cute for far longer. Also beautiful? Public transport. Everyone rides the bus, not just those who can't afford to drive. The longest I have had to wait for a bus is 5-10 minutes.

We finished the night watching "the little princess," one of both mine and Paulo's favorites. how wonderful!!!

Day 13: Mi Luna

A sharp pain in my abdomen, cold sweats and shaking, a desire to throw up from the pain. I rehydrate, drink tequila with potato chips (and hot sauce), take deep breaths, and watch Apocalypto. Soon five people turn into twenty, my head is spinning, I am eating delicious food, and surrounded by the most beautiful, generous family I have ever witnessed.

What happened? A mixture of recovering from a night of partying, having cramps, and hanging out with Paulo's family on a Saturday afternoon. The remainder of the night involved walking around the city center, hearing beautiful music, seeing radiant colors, and trying to breathe enough to take it all in without letting the pain envelope me.

Day 11: Micheladas in Bernal

We stepped on the city bus with the expectation of arriving at another monument made from rocks in about 25 minutes. Two hours later we arrived at Bernal, not just a monument but an entire city. (I guess I need to pay more attention to all the plans we make...in Spanish?) I never did read or hear to story behind the giant rock in the city of Bernal, but it was pretty sweet. We spent a couple hours walking through the town, eating juicy mango, and beginning to climb up the ginormous rock. However, views of storm clouds nearby sent us back down the rock, through the village, and into a tiny mart for Micheladas. The storm never came, but damn those Micheladas were delicious: Beer with salt, lime, salsa, tomato juice, worchestire, and soy sauce, with chile around the rim. It was an enjoyable day and a slightly ridiculous bus ride home.

Day 9: Absorption

It is so nice to simply be in the company of such beautiful individuals. Reading stories over coffee, speaking of ideas, goals, and life, and just simply being is enough for me. Whether it be a cafe, a park bench, a mountain; over tea, grass, or dreams and aspirations...It doesn't even matter. The culture here feels so gracious. The colors so full of life. The architecture filled with character and history.

We spent the day looking over the arches, loving company over coffee, learning to make jewelry from Mexican hippies, and celebrating Andrea's existence over wine and cake.

Day 7: El Campo

After a ten hour bus ride Monterrey to Guanajuato, delicioso Chile Quiles, two and a half hours to Queretaro and 4 shots of tequila, we found Amolia. However, 4 shots turned into 6, water turned into beer, and hugs turned into dancing. Y ahora mi duele en el estomacho.

But today was the most beautiful yet. Fresh fruit y mas Chiles Quiles for breakfast. Music, walking through the cornfield, eating fried chicken y maiz, drinking Pulque y cerveza, watching the sunset behind the mountains. Can't ask for much more.

Day 5: Mexas (mexico or texas)?

We are leaving Monterrey tonight and headed to Guanajuato (for andreas bag) and Queretaro to see Amolia. I'm really excited. Its been since July, and that girl just lights up my soul.

Our stay here has been good. The city is too big for our style, but the culture is fun. It almost doesn't feel like we're in Mexico. We went to the market today and it was beautiful. Fruit and veggies everywhere! And sellers offering us tastes of cantaloupe. So loud, so exciting. I just stood there glowing. We also went to see the Frieda exhibit, which was...intense.

Day 3: Monterrey

We arrived at Irais' casa around 8pm on the third day of traveling. It feels good to know we'll be here for a couple days. Fixing a home cooked meal to music which reminds me of intoxicating dance parties with Amo and Andrea. The familiarity feels nice. Also, the taste of food with a temperature is a nice change from the crackers, cookies, and trail mix consumed over 35 hours on a train + 8 hours on a bus.

Irais lives in a house with 4 other recent graduates. It is spacious, and beautiful, with an enormous roof that looks over a football field. Our previous couch surfing host, Marc of San Antonio, Texas, lived in a 1 bedroom apartment which was also beautiful. After the train ride from Chicago to Texas, we took a long exhausted stroll along the River walk, while we waited for Johannas bus to arrive. We spent the rest of the night celebrating with tequila.

I understand more espanol than I had expected. Irais and her roommates speak in spanish because they understand the purpose of our trip. When I start to look too overwhelmed or confused they quickly switch to english on my behalf.