H2O

What is it about water that is so peaceful? Sitting among the rocks, listening to the water trickle through, watching the light glisten and bend off the surface was the most relaxing moment I have had thus far in Mexico.
The availability of water is the reason we are on this planet. Of all the molecules that make up our amazing human bodies, 50-80% of us is water.
Behind the waterfall, I watched water drip down onto the rocks below and I could tell how that constant drip had over time changed the shape of the rocks. They were smooth and curved and had a path for the water to continue on its course downstream. Think of all the breath-taking canyons and caves that have been formed by flowing water.

Water can be one of the most powerful forces on earth--destructive and devastating, but my mind never wanders to these thoughts when I'm observing a cascading waterfall, a serene pond, or a peacefully flowing river. I can only see the beauty.

Cuetzalan

Today we went took a 4 hour, car sick evoking, bus ride to Cuetzalan, Puebla. The city itself is an old, cobblestoned, windy roaded place with traditional Mexican people walking around barefoot.

It just happened to be the Day of the Virgins, and there were lots of festivities. Various dancing groups of men in ornate clothing and hats danced to drums and flutes in the streets. These voladroes climb up this huge pole right infront of a big, old cathedral and do some ritualistic movements on top of the pole. After a parade came through of the dancers and musicians, they started swinging from the pole by their feet. They just go around in circles upside down until their rope unravels and they end up on the ground. It was awesome to watch, and it looked like lots of fun.
Our favorite part about the day, however, were the awesome waterfalls we went to, and especially the one we swam around in. It was something I thought I would never get the chance to do, and there we were, swimming around in this awesome little cove and river. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.







It was absolutely worth sleeping on the floor, waking up at 3 am, a 300 peso bus ride, feeling car sick and weird for most of the day, and being wet on the bus afterwards. Totally amazing.

A Crazy Hike and An Even Crazier Zoo

On Saturday, Jacque´s host brother offered to take us on a hike up a mountain where there is a giant cross. We woke up early, took a taxi to Jacque´s, and started out at 8 am. It was great because it had rained the night before, so we didn't melt in any blazing sun. The mountains were beautiful and I couldn't stop thinking that this must be where Dr. Seuss got a lot of his inspiration for landscapes and trees. Two hours later, we got to the top of Cerro Colorado, sweating, but extremely satisfied. After a little rest, we had to climb the cross, of course! And do some Yoga, and take awesome jumping shots.










When we got back down to the city, we met up with the other teachers and went to the Club de Animales. It is the most make-shift looking zoo with the most ridiculous animals. Tigers, orange and white, lions, cougars, bears, leopards, pumas, panthers, zebra, emu, ostrich, ugly dogs, howler monkeys, camels...it was crazy. And, it was also feeding time. All the huge cats were just pacing, back and forth in their cages, eyeing the wheelbarrow full of dead chickens. The white tiger was sitting their roaring at anyone who got too close to his cage, maybe afraid we might take his food. And when I say getting close, I mean close. This wasn't like an American zoo where eating time means all the animals are hiding. You could touch them...and we did, some of them. Oh, and the first picture is my "Hey Mom! I'm getting swine flu!" shot. But not really, I feel fine. And the last one is us demonstrating our BYU pride. Yes, we touched the cougars and heard them growl, just like when we score a first down.

Finally...Pictures!

Okay, I figured out the picture problem, so I thought I should catch you up on some of the adventures I've been writing about.

Teetor-Totters may have been deemed dangerous for American children to play on, but Mexico is a whole different story.

We went and did Zumba one morning. It´s basically dance aerobics. We felt pretty silly, but it was worth the laughs.

After Zumba, we found this area, on the median between two busy roads, that was full of these structures for people to work-out on. It seemed really strange to us, but there were people using them seriosuly.

Cholula, Puebla where we went in an ancient pyramid.

Puebla City...there were clowns wandering around outside of this huge cathedral, making fun of us Americans.

These are two of the cutest girls. They are the daughters of the regional coordinators at ILP and Joce and I got to carry them all the way to the church on day to play soccer! Kind of hurt our necks.

Oaxaca Temple

Arbol del Tule in Oaxaca. Really Big Tree.

Mitla, Oaxaca
Monte Alban, Oaxaca. These are the amazing ruins.

It was a beautiful drive home from Oaxaca to Tehuacan and Jacque took loads of pictures from the bus. Can you really ever capture a sunset, though?