Sunday, March 23, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Semana Santa
Last Friday was Dia de los Flores, which is a holiday celebrated only in Guanajuato. Because it is the beginning of Semana Santa, a massive holiday week, Thursday night is spent celebrating the upcoming vacations and festivities. Although Guanajuato has a relatively early night life early, Thursday night was definitely an exception. I was told by everyone, including my host mother, that I should expect to be out all night and not to return until morning.
Around 9, I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends. From there, we went to several bars. Sometime around 3 a.m., we decided to watch the sunrise from El Pipila. Between bars, we wandered the streets, which were completely full with young people. Each inch of the sidewalks was lined with people selling different things, from very tacky plastic animals to beautiful flowers made out of corn. I’ve decided that so many things in Mexico border upon tacky and beautiful and it’s never exactly clear which one it is. I’ve had to ask a friend several times if something I’m about to buy is really as cool as I think, or just horrendous. By dawn, the vendors had made makeshift beds on the sidewalks, covering themselves from the cold until morning came. Around 5 a.m., as we became colder and colder, we realized the sun wouldn’t be rising for a while and decided to call it a night. I couldn’t find a cab, so I walked home, which was somewhat frightening. It’s interesting how in the midst of fear, you act by instinct and ignore your reason. For example, I knew it would probably be a lot safer to walk calmly home, but instead I chose to run every time I thought no one was around me. I must have looked hilarious.
At home, I slept and hour and half before I returned downtown around 8 a.m. Things were going strong and the streets were covered with people and flowers everywhere. I think most of the young people hadn’t returned home for the nights because they were all dressed in going out clothes and looked exhausted. The tradition is to stay up all night and then eat breakfast in the Jardin. It was a beautiful day and a great glimpse of Mexican festivities, but by eleven I was spent and returned home to sleep for a long, long time.
On Sunday morning, I boarded a bus with seven friends to Barra de Navidad. We took a first class bus, because it was only $5 more than the others. Turned out to be a great decision because we were on the bus for around nine hours. We first went to Guadalajara, where we had a 2-hour layover until our next bus to Barra de Navidad.
Because I arranged our trip, I picked Barra de Navidad because it is a small town with minimal tourists. Although it was Semana Santa, the busiest time for a beach, most of the tourists were Mexican so it didn’t feel as if we were somewhere like Cancun. Our hotel/hostal turned out to be a hellhole, with eight of us sleeping in one room. This would have been fine if it weren’t for the bathroom without a door (only a curtain) and the blankets on the bed that were thinner than sheets. I wish it had been nicer, but we made do and tried to spend as much time as possible away from the hotel.
The first two days at the beach were very windy, but that didn’t prevent me from getting a burn. On the second day, a friend and I rode bikes (the one thing included in the hotel) to a neighboring beach town. It ended up being much less windy and more beautiful, so the next day the entire group took a bus there. It was unquestionably the best day we had at the beach, topped off by a banana boat ride in which we were pulled far out from land and flew off our float twice to roughly smack the cold water. Definitely worth the $4 ride.
We spent every dinner eating out, which one is actually able to do here because the food is so cheap. We discovered a wonderful restaurant with enormous burritos for $3.50 and probably ate there five times.
It was a great trip in all, although by the end we were all somewhat sick of each other and ready to have our own rooms with private bathrooms. Although I have mixed feelings about being back, I’m glad for my house’s comfort and some much needed solitude. And best of all, my parents are coming this Thursday!
I have posted a lot of pictures of my picture site, so check them out.
Around 9, I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends. From there, we went to several bars. Sometime around 3 a.m., we decided to watch the sunrise from El Pipila. Between bars, we wandered the streets, which were completely full with young people. Each inch of the sidewalks was lined with people selling different things, from very tacky plastic animals to beautiful flowers made out of corn. I’ve decided that so many things in Mexico border upon tacky and beautiful and it’s never exactly clear which one it is. I’ve had to ask a friend several times if something I’m about to buy is really as cool as I think, or just horrendous. By dawn, the vendors had made makeshift beds on the sidewalks, covering themselves from the cold until morning came. Around 5 a.m., as we became colder and colder, we realized the sun wouldn’t be rising for a while and decided to call it a night. I couldn’t find a cab, so I walked home, which was somewhat frightening. It’s interesting how in the midst of fear, you act by instinct and ignore your reason. For example, I knew it would probably be a lot safer to walk calmly home, but instead I chose to run every time I thought no one was around me. I must have looked hilarious.
At home, I slept and hour and half before I returned downtown around 8 a.m. Things were going strong and the streets were covered with people and flowers everywhere. I think most of the young people hadn’t returned home for the nights because they were all dressed in going out clothes and looked exhausted. The tradition is to stay up all night and then eat breakfast in the Jardin. It was a beautiful day and a great glimpse of Mexican festivities, but by eleven I was spent and returned home to sleep for a long, long time.
On Sunday morning, I boarded a bus with seven friends to Barra de Navidad. We took a first class bus, because it was only $5 more than the others. Turned out to be a great decision because we were on the bus for around nine hours. We first went to Guadalajara, where we had a 2-hour layover until our next bus to Barra de Navidad.
Because I arranged our trip, I picked Barra de Navidad because it is a small town with minimal tourists. Although it was Semana Santa, the busiest time for a beach, most of the tourists were Mexican so it didn’t feel as if we were somewhere like Cancun. Our hotel/hostal turned out to be a hellhole, with eight of us sleeping in one room. This would have been fine if it weren’t for the bathroom without a door (only a curtain) and the blankets on the bed that were thinner than sheets. I wish it had been nicer, but we made do and tried to spend as much time as possible away from the hotel.
The first two days at the beach were very windy, but that didn’t prevent me from getting a burn. On the second day, a friend and I rode bikes (the one thing included in the hotel) to a neighboring beach town. It ended up being much less windy and more beautiful, so the next day the entire group took a bus there. It was unquestionably the best day we had at the beach, topped off by a banana boat ride in which we were pulled far out from land and flew off our float twice to roughly smack the cold water. Definitely worth the $4 ride.
We spent every dinner eating out, which one is actually able to do here because the food is so cheap. We discovered a wonderful restaurant with enormous burritos for $3.50 and probably ate there five times.
It was a great trip in all, although by the end we were all somewhat sick of each other and ready to have our own rooms with private bathrooms. Although I have mixed feelings about being back, I’m glad for my house’s comfort and some much needed solitude. And best of all, my parents are coming this Thursday!
I have posted a lot of pictures of my picture site, so check them out.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
small bits
I haven’t posted for little bit because I have been sick and out of it... A lot of people in my program have also come down with something, so I’m sure our very close contact allows for the easy transfer of germs. It seems just to be a common cold, so I’m hoping it will get better fast.
Tomorrow is my last day of class before a two-week long vacation. Next week is Semana Santa, and the following week is a continuation, to a lesser degree, of the festivities. This Sunday, I am going to the beach with a few friends. It’s called Barra de Navidad and it is supposed to be a relatively quiet, untouristy beach. I have made it my mission to make sure I go to the beach, so that meant having to make all the reservations and bus tickets, which has ended up taking hours upon hours. I’m sure it will pay off though and will be a nice respite from Guanajuato. When I get back, I will stick around the city for a few days and see all the Semana Santa happenings, and then the next week I will go out into the country to volunteer in a small pueblo with children. And then that Thursday, my parents are coming! I am very very excited.
There is a lot to post about what’s being going on here, but I have to go study for a test tomorrow. But I will leave you with two things.
One, religion has been surrounding me lately, in every crevice of life. In one day there was a mass outside my house, a lunch discussion about abortion and God, a movie about the end of the world and needing to believe, preparation for Semana Santa, and a sign on a door that said – “Catholics live here. Propaganda from any other religion will not be accepted.”
Second thing: two days ago right before I arrived at my house, I walked by a man holding a gigantic cow’s head on his shoulders.
Will post again soon, hope everyone is well.
Tomorrow is my last day of class before a two-week long vacation. Next week is Semana Santa, and the following week is a continuation, to a lesser degree, of the festivities. This Sunday, I am going to the beach with a few friends. It’s called Barra de Navidad and it is supposed to be a relatively quiet, untouristy beach. I have made it my mission to make sure I go to the beach, so that meant having to make all the reservations and bus tickets, which has ended up taking hours upon hours. I’m sure it will pay off though and will be a nice respite from Guanajuato. When I get back, I will stick around the city for a few days and see all the Semana Santa happenings, and then the next week I will go out into the country to volunteer in a small pueblo with children. And then that Thursday, my parents are coming! I am very very excited.
There is a lot to post about what’s being going on here, but I have to go study for a test tomorrow. But I will leave you with two things.
One, religion has been surrounding me lately, in every crevice of life. In one day there was a mass outside my house, a lunch discussion about abortion and God, a movie about the end of the world and needing to believe, preparation for Semana Santa, and a sign on a door that said – “Catholics live here. Propaganda from any other religion will not be accepted.”
Second thing: two days ago right before I arrived at my house, I walked by a man holding a gigantic cow’s head on his shoulders.
Will post again soon, hope everyone is well.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
car racing
On Thursday I went to rally for a car racing competition in Guanajuato. The rally was held at the Alhondiga, the building I have mentioned before (and recently posted a picture of on my photo page). The Alhondiga is the building in which the Spaniards grouped as Hidalgo led the march to Guanajuato to begin the war of independence. El Pipila burned down the door to the building and most of the Spaniards inside were killed, however four of the main leaders of the revolution, including Hidaldo, were beheaded. Their heads were hung outside of the Alhondiga for ten years to serve as a warning to future revolutionary movements.
The Alhondiga has a huge set of steps that lead to a square at the bottom, which during the day is occupied by playing school kids and Guanajuato residents. However, for the rally every inch of the steps, the streets, and any building and flat surface was covered by people craning their necks to see the cars. I think half of Guanajuato must have been there. In the square there were two sets of bleachers for press and a massive stage set up for the display of the cars. The night was filled with interviews with the drivers (who came from across the world), fireworks, and admiration of the cars (which I could barely see). It was an interesting experience, albeit a strange one. The rally was sponsord by Corona and Coke, so advertisements were everywhere. It´s amazing how different capitalism (or just general consumerism) looks from the outside. If this event had been held in the states, I probably would have been horrified at the amount of brand promotion (and everything it implies), but from my foreign position, it was just plain fascinating. When I was able to get to higher ground to get a good view, I took and few pictures and a video that I will have to upload sometime this week.
On another exciting note, my parents are coming in a month. I am extremely excited, as I´ve gotten a little homesick lately and am craving some family comfort.
The Alhondiga has a huge set of steps that lead to a square at the bottom, which during the day is occupied by playing school kids and Guanajuato residents. However, for the rally every inch of the steps, the streets, and any building and flat surface was covered by people craning their necks to see the cars. I think half of Guanajuato must have been there. In the square there were two sets of bleachers for press and a massive stage set up for the display of the cars. The night was filled with interviews with the drivers (who came from across the world), fireworks, and admiration of the cars (which I could barely see). It was an interesting experience, albeit a strange one. The rally was sponsord by Corona and Coke, so advertisements were everywhere. It´s amazing how different capitalism (or just general consumerism) looks from the outside. If this event had been held in the states, I probably would have been horrified at the amount of brand promotion (and everything it implies), but from my foreign position, it was just plain fascinating. When I was able to get to higher ground to get a good view, I took and few pictures and a video that I will have to upload sometime this week.
On another exciting note, my parents are coming in a month. I am extremely excited, as I´ve gotten a little homesick lately and am craving some family comfort.
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