Cueztalan, Piedras Encimadas, y el Fin de 3 meses

Hola Senores y Senoras!

Sorry for the lento updates here- tenia michisisisimo flojera, lo siento. Anyway, bilingual apologies aside, I'd like to update ya'll on mi vida aqui en el gran estado de Puebla. Hace 2 semanas o algo asi, yo fui con los otros intercambios a un lugar se dicen "Cuetzalan". (About two weeks ago, I went with the other people in my group to a pueblo outside of Puebla city called well...you can read). It was SO amazing! Oh my goodness, it was definitely one of the best (if not the best hands down) trip I've taken here in Mexico.

Ok, so day one, we leave from the University at about 10-11:00. Mexicans are always late so it was probably 11:30 or so. We drove for a couple hours until we hit the middle of this BEAUTIFUL rainforest-type area. Oh my goodness, guys, you have no idea. This place was mountains upon mountains with green like I have never before seen in my life. The air was thick and heavy and made you feel like you were in the middle of a steamy shower you couldn't turn off. The sun was beautiful and made the hills and fields upon fields of coffee plants shine like emeralds.
The first night we were there, we went to this little family restaurant. It was nothing special from the outside, you could hear the chickens we were about to eat from inside and the entire place was made of wood and smelled like a mixture of mexican comida and humid wood. The view from our table was just incredible, though. I mean really, all the windows were open and we could smell the green from inside the restaurant. Es mas, cuando terminamos, everyone in the restaurant (everyone but the big group of gringos basically) got up to dance. After a few minutes, they dispersed only to grab us gringos sitting and watching them from afar. One guy took me by the hand and threw me into the center of the dancing circle, expecting me to pull a move. I pulled him in with me and we danced cumbia for a few minutes. Everyone just danced and danced, with complete strangers no less. It was one of those experiences where you get to see how happy and inviting the Mexican culture really is. I couldn't decide whether I felt more accepted or more estranged, considering I come from a culture that is generally the exact opposite. You'd never see strangers dancing in the middle of a restaurant after dinner in the United States....its something I know I will miss so much about this place.

Anyway, that night we went to our hotel. This hotel was equally amazing. It was an old house built 200 years ago before the revolution. I talked to the owner who was this really nice (but severely alcoholic) woman who gave me the lowdown. Her grandfather, father, and she were born in that house. I'm pretty sure someone must have died in it at some point because I'd bet you every dollar I've got that the place is haunted. I mean seriously, definitely got that vibe from the room I stayed in. It was really cool. The whole house smelled of old and had this feeling of anticipation to it; like you were going to turn the corner of a long, dark hall furnished with antique artifacts from 100 years before only to see a ghost of someone from the past. Really a cool feeling. Really.

The second day we hiked to these incredible cascades. I mean, probably 100 feet high or so, not too too big. But the scenery was just to die for. I'm definitely posting pictures of all the cascades we went to. We went to a little one first and then hiked to another one after. The second cascade was SO cool. There were these really gorgeous mexican guys who had a belay down the side of the cascades set up. They asked us if we wanted to try and, damnitt, my parents will be so proud to know that I was the first to raise my hand and yell "Chinga, si!" Haha. I'm definitely getting into the whole 'adventure' scene down here in Mexico.

Anyway, belaying down the side of a cascade was wonderful! I mean, I think after bungie jumping it wasn't too scary. But we had to drop off the line about 4 feet above the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. PINCHE CARAJO it was cold! But totally worth it. Some friends and I later swam under the cascades and sat on the rocks underneath the waterfall. We all hunched into a hidden cave behind the falls and had such a wonderful spiritual awakening. I sat there with goosebumps all over my body, looking through the white crashing water at the beautiful vibrant green vines, trees, and moss that surrounded the pool. Paradise doesn't even touch it, guys. At that moment in time for the first time in a long time, I didn't care what happened that day, what grade I got on my last paper, how shitty my roommate is, how I look, money, my family, my friends, my body. None of it mattered. I stayed that way for a good few minutes. Finally, the moment subsided and I looked to my left and right where Matteo and Austin sat beside me. I could tell they were drinking in the same experience as I was. To say that this experienced took my breath away is to put it lightly; I forgot myself under those rapids, at least for a few moments. That's more time to forget yourself than most people ever get their whole lives.

Anyway, back to the story. The third day we went to some other cascades. Although prettier, they weren't nearly as cool. I have some beautiful pictures but I just didn't connect to that place the same way. I guess you can't expect to have a connection like that again. Those cascades were pretty on paper but when I think of Cueztalan I know I'm going to remember sitting under that waterfall the day before.

Continuing on the theme of recent trips, I went to La Valle de Piedras Encimadas (the valley of closed rocks). It was pretty cool. It was this gorgeous valley with all of this open plane. The rocks there had these weird formations and my dad here says they are from extraterrestrials from outer space. I think the real story is that this area was once part of the ocean, but hey, what do I know. I wish I had a camera so I could show you guys the rock formations, but eh- c'est la vie. We actually ended up staying the night there which was a DUMB ASS idea. It was SO FUCKING cold, I think Seattle realistically was warmer. It was probably 20*F o menos durante la noche. And with three blankets for 5 people (I went with Matteo, Austin, Becca, and Austin's friend Quique) it was definitely a cold night. I woke up and couldn't feel the majority of my body. Who knew Mexico had cold parts too...

Anyway, that kinda brings me to present. I guess I'm just reflecting on some of the experiences I've had here over the past three months. I can't believe that if I hadn't have chosen to stay longer, this would be the end of my journey here. Thank GOD I'm staying. I mean, I'm really excited to see everyone in the next two weeks. I miss all of you guys so much. Sometimes it kills me when I think of all of you before I fall asleep at night. I know all of you are living your lives without me in it. It makes me feel so alone sometimes. But I know that this time in Mexico is so precious- words just don't say it.

I guess I just can't believe that nearly 3 months have already passed. I feel like I just got here. I still feel like a child who can barely express herself and what she feels or thinks en cualquier momento. I feel like there's so much to learn, I just can't imagine leaving for good. I feel like I'm still just starting my life here- I'm just starting to get it. I can't even tell that my spanish has improved. I talked to Alex on the phone and he heard me talking to my family as they handed me the phone or something. I'll never forget what he said; "Wow, Carrie- you sound just like them." that really made my jaw absolutely drop. I do? I sound like they do? Its almost like I forgot what it's like to sit at the dinner table with my family here and not understand a WORD of the conversation. Now, its rare that I don't get what they're explaining to me. I mean sure, I ask what a word means every time someone talks to me, but the idea is there. I understand what they communicate to me even if I can't speak to the same degree. It's amazing, really. Absolutely amazing.

Just to wrap it up, I'm still here in Mexico. I'm alive. I'm traveling. I'm staying. I'm coming home. I'm learning. I'm living. I'm missing. I'm gaining.

I'll see you soon. Todo mi corazon a todos,
Por siempre,
<3 C

Mexico, Winter Quarter 2008

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