More bloggin'

Hahaha.  That is the sound of me laughing contemptuously at all of you sad sorry Minnesotans.  I see that there is snow in your forecast for tomorrow.  We're looking at a 92 degree day tomorrow.  I actually don't know which is worse.

I know it's been a while...where to begin?  A couple weekends ago we visited a gorgeous little town called Xico about 30 minutes outside of Xalapa.  It was so beautiful, I don't know if I can do it justice.  We had to walk for about 45 minutes on a little stone path to get to las cascadas (the waterfalls).  It was such a jungle - very lush and green, and we found a smaller waterfall down a little hidden path called El Cascada de Monja (The Nun's Waterfall).  Apparently a nun died swimming in it, and in true Mexico style, it was open for swimming (at your own risk of course).  There were forboding crosses nailed to trees remembering others who died, but this just made the swim all the more dangerously appealing to me, so I was the only one of the group who jumped in and swam in a waterfall.  It was freezing and a little creepy (I actually had the feeling that the ghost of the nun was going to grab my ankles and pull me under to the bottom of the 30 foot lagoon).

In other news, Connor got a $2 haircut, we found the world's best cantina (bar) right around the corner where we have started giving the mariachi band english lessons - we even bring worksheets for them!  The bar is full of old Mexican men - we visit every Wednesday for lunch, and I always leave with a full belly and a huge ego from all the compliments that are showered on me - one old man named Antonio even gave me his ring!  

We also found a very hip little place called the Muerta Chicita where Connor and I dance the night away.

In other news, Con and I met with the director of the program today to discuss making a short documentary about Travel to Teach.  We showed her my other work, which she seemed to like, so we're starting a script and should begin shooting soon if we can get our hands on some equipment (Con and I have been making contacts around town trying to find someone who will loan us a camera and mikes.  Xalapa is a very artsy town so there are plenty of film makers, and yesterday we met with a very intimidating woman who seems to think the world revolves around her - she didn't speak a word of english and I had a very strong feeling that she hated me, but she was very nice Con, so we'll see).

Working here gets better every day.  We love the city and the people, and the kids are learning so much.  They take off two weeks for Holy Week(s), so we're leaving for Oaxaca tomorrow and will be back on Friday to catch a Mexican wrestling match - Lucha Libre.  In the second week we'll be busy painting a school.  Then it's back to work.

Connor and I saw a really beautiful thing today after our meeting with Adriana: the streets were filled with literally hundreds of people led by priests.  They were all waving palms and singing Hosana.  There were guitars and drums and people of all ages filling the streets celebrating Palm Sunday a day early.  Not sure why, but it gave me goosebumps.  Must be all those years of churchin' in my blood.  So I'm definitely going to mass tomorrow to see what the celebration will be like.

Oh, one last thing.  We have two more girls (One came and left - Heather, from Washington state, was here for two weeks.  We'll miss you Wala Wala.)  The others are Bethan from Wales and Maria from Sweden, two very lovely ladies.