So I don't think I ever explained where I am exactly. I'm in a small town, Tenayuca, located in the city, Tlalnepantla, just outside Mexico City (or plain Mexico as they call it). It is an incredibly awesome place to be because it is so small! Norma's neighbors house up to ten families in their respective homes, the "trashman" rings a bell when he decides to come around, and absolutely everyone knows the magazine man who sets up shop every day on the corner. Norma is also one of few who actually have a doorbell- when visiting other homes it is necessary to literally scream the name of the person you are there to see.
I love walking down cobblestone roads in my bum clothes (unnoticed because apparently I pass for Mexican) to the local ice cream shop to buy my monumentally sized cup of horchata (rice drink flavored with sugar and cinnamon) for a buck. I love the fact that I haven't ever eaten this many tortillas and avocadoes in my life, and that the most satisfying tacos are a two minute stroll away. AND I love the fact that I just cut my own hair in front of the mirror, having no qualms with its evident unevenness (don't think I've done that since the fifth grade).
I started taking sumba exercise classes at an ever so quaint "gym", which consists of about six women in a small room who break it down to the latest Spanish beats. No surprise I asked the instructor for her music, which she kindly allowed me to copy. All I had to do was return her CDs to her home the next day, which of course, is down the street. How have I been doing with the whole Spanish thing? Still workin' on it. I'm doing a tad bit better with the family (Norma's oldest sister spent Sunday evening teaching me bad words), but I still feel like a fool when I speak to people in the town/city. I'm okay with asking questions when I need to; my problem is in understanding the answers! Needless to say, I'm confused A LOT.
What I've seen thus far:
Xochicalco- a hot day of wandering through ruins, flowers, and Pirámide de Quetzacóatl
Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa- The most remarkable natural caves I have ever seen. They were vast, stretching 2km. Upon entering, we traveled the caves with a tour guide, who stopped every five minutes to point out what the stalactites/stalagmites/twisted rock formations in that part of the cave looked like: "...and that over there is an arm; and on this side you can see what looks like a couple walking in the park; and over here notice a face that looks like a tiger..." (all in Spanish). I was overwhelmed with disbelief; this went on forever! This was seriously the whole point of the 2 hour tour and it seemed to be perfectly normal to everyone but me!! When I first realized this, I burst out laughing. I mean, seriously..."and that over there is an arm?" I mean...an arm?!! My laugh echoed alone through the tour guide's commentary, drawing the attention of a few hundred people my way. Oops. To top it off, there was a formation that UNDENIABLY looked like, lets just say, a part of the male genitalia; this, they called...asparagus.
Taxco- beautiful colonial town, known worldwide for its silver. The narrow, winding cobblestone roads made this place even more charming. Random: it was here that I had the best horchada yet; either that or I was just really thirsty.
Teotihuacán- the site of the infamous Piramide del Sol and Piramide de la Luna, and once the capital of an empire. The Piramide del Sol is the world's third largest pyramid, surpassed only by Cheops and the pyramid of Cholula in Egypt. Climbing it gave way to inspiring views- what I love most.
Interesting Fact: Much of Mexico City was built over ancient pyramids. In fact, this town has a small ancient pyramid of its own; I walk by it everyday. I was talking to a local butcher and he was explaining how many people could easily start to dig for artifacts within the confines of their home. According to him, many would probably find something, but this is illegal.
"Live in the trust that when it is appropriate, pieces will fall into place and you will see clearly."
-Gary Zukav
|  | 
|
