Toluca, Mexico

Monday we went to Teotihuacán and it was amazing! It is basically this whole road of pyramids from the ancient times and it’s translated to Avenue of the Dead.  But all the pyramids are empty because they(Mayans or Aztecs) believed that every 52 years, things start over.  If you were in jail for 52 years, you would be released, pyramids would be emptied, debts would be forgotten, so on.  Anyways, we got to hike them, and most of us did the Sun pyramid which was the tallest one there.  And I hiked it! I was so proud of myself because I didn’t think I would be able to.  It was a beautiful sight of all the ruins, and there were a ton of pictures taken.  Going back down I went with Anna (Italy) and Giselle (Mexico) and then we went to the little market to pick up some souvenirs.  I got this typical Mexican backpack which is a colorful sac.

The Sun Pyramid

Jumping on top of the Sun Pyramid next to the Moon Pyramid

Meeting of the families was really great this week because it was more like a party.  For about an hour or so, we just mingled with all the host families because they didn’t have their signs up to match us yet.  That was done on purpose because it’s what the sponsors wanted.  There was also a Mariachi band which made it so fun! A bunch of us started dancing which was wonderful.  I finally met my family and was greeted by a big hug and kiss from my 13 year old sister and kiss from my 6year old brother.  I’m alone this week again, but I still feel like the week will be good.  Right away my dad was asking all about me and my host mom listened because she doesn’t speak English, just understand.  They decided they wanted to show me around the city so we drove around and got food and saw some amazing churches.  It was a great start. 

Host Code:Pescador (Fisherman)

Did I mention how beautiful the churches were?

Tuesday was a Culture fair for the students of the school that was sponsoring us.  It was an interesting experience because most of the kids didn’t speak English, so all the Spanish speaking students were translating.  I offered to help Mia from Australia because she didn’t have a translator or a partner.  Little did I know I was going to have to act as translator with what little I knew.  Then Mia started to feel very sick, so I took over Australia.  Eventually Katy from WY came over to help because she spoke more than I did, but neither of us knew much about Australia.  It was quite the challenge talking in a language that wasn’t our native about a country that we didn’t come from.  We still had fun trying!

Saturday was such a great day! Our show was in this huge square outdoors which already made for a unique experience.  The whole day was had a new energy because it was a new experience.  During the show we had close to 5000 people there, but it was still one of the calmest crowds we’ve had which was strange, but that didn’t bring our energy down.  At intermission, we looked into the sky and saw floating lanterns and it was such a peaceful moment for all of us, and I think that came at a perfect time. Performing outside was such a unique experience!

Sunday we drove 2 hours to go swimming at a small waterpark.  It was fun, and for a while we were teaching each other animal words (my favorites were giraffe and ant).  I’m not ready to leave this family, but I believe I will see them again I hope. 

Viva Mexico! Naulcapan, Mexico

This week was a whirlwind of a country transition! The week started with a 5hr bus ride to Germany to catch our flight to Mexico! Everything went off without a hitch, but the flight was long! 12 hrs.  We met our host families at 10 30pm.  Mine is a family with 3 daughters (5, 11, 12) and their house is like a princess home! The two older girls speak English pretty well too, so that makes interacting a bit easier.  I am getting to practice some Spanish with the family too!  Everything in expico is so different from Europe! The houses are all colorful and even the way they put out their garbage is different! And there are stray dogs everywhere, and the driving is rather..... well I feel like I belong in a Fast and Furious movie.

Tuesday we hit the ground running.  We did class projects at the Catholic school that is our sponsor.   There were 45 UWP students doing those.   The classes I had were very receptive which made it great.  We did things on diversity for the younger ones, and one on bullying for the older girls.  The kids would swarm us every time we weren’t in a classroom for autographs or photos.  UWP, or Viva La Gente, is famous here, which is a little hard to get used to.  The guys have it worse though, because the girls are crazy about them.  We have one boy who looks like he belongs in One Direction, and he gets swarmed. It was still such a fun day interacting with all the kids and sharing our message with such eager students.  

Wednesday we had class at our other sponsor’s office which was great! Her name is Lupita and she was the first Mexican to travel in UWP.  She was so kind and kept checking on us and got us drinks and snacks and is just a wonderful woman.  I think she is the first sponsor I have met.  In the afternoon we had a great workshop that put hunger and conservation into perspective very well

Friday was a double show day.  We also had to come in early at 7 30 to do rehearsal for our first show as Viva La Gente.  The first show was for the school and it was a whole new type of audience.  They were screaming all the time and got so into the show and always taking pictures.  We got swarmed at intermission and after the show for pictures and autographs, and even after we were changed and in the area to eat, they still came to do that.  Then that evening was a show for the general public, and there was still the same atmosphere.  I felt like I was at a Just Bieber concert or something.  By the end of the show, all our heads were pounding and we just couldn’t wait to get home.  But then we had strike, and the only way to get everything out was by 2 flights of stairs because there were no lifts for the heavy things.  So the girls put on their big boy shoes and helped carry down a large portion of the equipment (myself included!)  We finally got to leave at 1am after an 18 hr day.  

Saturday was wonderful.  I spent the night at another host family's house because my family was busy on Saturday.  They were hosting Erin from VA and in the morning we went to the country club they belong to and had breakfast and then laid out by the pool and swam a little bit.  It was very relaxing.  I also got to practice my Spanish because the youngest would try and talk to us, so I had to translate.  I discovered I know a lot more than I thought.  Then we went to the movies.  But it was a special VIP theater with big reclining couches and servers with real food.  We had crepes and sandwiches as well as a popcorn.  The movie was great too, Star Trek 2 and all for less than what we would pay for a normal movie in the states! It felt like a real treat  

My host sister Becky, Erin, their friend and Erin's HS Sara

                                                                          Erin and I at the movies

Sunday was another double show day which was really hard on the cast.  After the first show around 15 students went home sick.  Did I mention that Mexico City is even higher in elevation than Denver, CO?  But those of us still standing managed to pull through and put on some pretty good shows! 

week 1 down and only 3 more to go!