Guachimontones, Gran Noche Internacional, and the RAIN

Saturday we went to the Guachimontones pyramids. I was really hoping we were going to get to see some ruins. We were originally spend Saturday in Tapulpa but with the talent show and everything being Saturday night, we didn’t think we would have enough time. The pyramids were amazing. They are the only circular ones around and really the whole tribe is sort of a mystery. We watched a movie about them in “English” but the Spanish accent was so strong and I was so tired that I really didn’t understand too much of the movie. We had so much fun taking pictures and exploring the ruins.

We were in a bit of a time crunch and everyone was starving. We decided to eat – but did not get our food until 2:30. Mind you, we wanted to be home by 3. Everyone was stressing - but we did get to eat some good food. The chips were flakey and delicious. Everything else was mostly fish so a bunch of us just got a hamburger and 4 good sized quesadillas. All that food for a high price of $4.50. Can’t beat that!

When we hadn’t left by 3:15, the tension was overwhelming. Luckily, we made it home with just enough time for me to shower and get ready and be at the chapel by 6. People were running around, setting things up, and trying to get in last minute practices. Before long we had probably about 200 people watching our “Gran Noche Internacional.” We had everything from piano playing, ballet, Polynesian dancing, and juggling. We opened with Color Esperanza – a favorite song amongst our group. I participated in the opening song, a group performance of THRILLER, the talking heads (you know, faces on the chins, singing upside down) we sang la cucaracha, and then we closed the entire show with Joseph Smith’s First Prayer in Spanish. It went very well. Yolanda came and I think she was very impressed. Natalie did a beautiful ballet piece and I am so very proud of her!

After the show I had some time to mix and mingle with a few of the elders and of course all our friends who came to support us. Then the boys wanted to take us to do something. Of course we left with a plan, salsa dancing, and ended up doing - not that. Half the group sat at Burger King waiting to hear plans from us, the 11 girls and 5 boys in a big red truck. First, we came back to our house to change and drop everything off. We then drove around for about forever and decided we would try the cherry lobby…bad idea, a few of us didn’t have id’s and they were trying to charge us, when I know girls get in free on Saturdays. So we decided to get some food and ended up at some concert. Another interesting event. We finally ended up at a park – trying to play games in a gazebo. The game didn’t work and before we knew it, it was pouring. Wow, can it rain. The thunder and lightening was magnificent but we got stuck under this gazebo for a good solid amount of time. The wind blew the rain into the gazebo and we all ended up wet. We waited for a little break in the downpour and ran back to the truck where 9 people had to sit in the back. A night I will never forget. Within no time, the streets were flooded. That night there was one thunder that shook the entire house. You could here everything rattling. It actually scared me – but I was so tired that before long, I was asleep…until about 2 hours before I had to get up for church. I was asleep and moved my leg and BAM – a charlie horse. HORRIBLE. I couldn’t move and I just yelled for Natalie. I didn’t know what to do. Haha Later she told me our whole conversation was in Spanish. I said, “Natalie! Natalie! Tengo un charlie horse. Me duele! Me duele!” hahaha and she said, “Lo siento. Tu necesitas un platano…” Then she was asleep again.

Tlaquepaque and the Church Dance

So – It is pouring outside, which means the internet does not work. I am writing this now and hoping to copy and paste it in the morning.

What a weekend. Friday we went to Tlaquepaque with all the other exchange students studying Spanish at Autonoma. That was a lot of fun. We visited a museum and then a ceramic like shop. The shop was beautiful and the owner, Paco Padilla, was quite possibly the coolest man around. First, he makes these amazing ceramic pieces of art and then he tells us he is a composer and sings us a few songs. His voice was so soothing and no one really wanted to get up after he sang. We could have sat there and listened all day. He then took us to where all the artwork is done. He even began the painting of a plate, right there in front of us. He made it look so unbelievably easy, just the swish of a brush. Every piece is so unique that I could have spent hours in there looking at it all.

After Paco’s place, we headed to El Patio for lunch. Both Guillermo and Yolanda had told us that it was something you have to go to while you are in Tlaquepaque. They were right. Normally there is a mariachi of mujeres there but we were a little early. Still, it was the cutest restaurant. It was pretty much a huge patio. The horchata there was pink and had some yummy coconut flavor to it. I ordered sopes and they were fantastic. 4 sopes for 5 dollars – not too bad, considering how great they were. The waiters there were amazing as well. We only had about 30 minutes to get the ordering and eating done and they helped us do it. It was very nice.

For dinner Natalie and I hit up the Argentine Restaurant muy cerca to our house...I can't say I was that impressed. First they gave me a menu in english and instead of having the name of the food, it was some description that wasn't very helpful. They had no empanadas or gnochis - the 2 things I was craving. I ended up with another milanesa (this time with french fries - still craving the pure de papas con mis milanesas.) Nat got canalones with cheese and spinach filling. Really - the Argentine feel just came from the tango music playing in the background. We were also eating a little early, so no one was there - allowing our waiter to watch us like a hawk. That became a little uncomfortable.

Friday night was the 8 stake dance. Every single adult in Guadalajara was invited. We got there a little before the fiesta started – and we thought we were showing up fashionably late. It is always fun traveling in huge groups. I don’t know if the bus drivers love us or hate us. We took about an hour bus ride to the chapel and we were already an hour and a half late…Manuel was the dj and put on what I think he thought was American dance music. A lot of it was techno. Of course that is not what we were used to but we went out there and danced anyway. The single adults must have thought we were crazy and for a while we even scared them of the floor. Oh I wish you could have seen our performance of thriller at the dance. I wish I could have seen the faces on the members. All of the sudden we are breaking out crazy moves…it turned out pretty exciting.

the Gospel, saying ciao, horses, and basketball

Yesterday was probably our biggest day yet. I had to say goodbye to my little girls...
We were a little late getting to service, but it was for the best reason. We sat down for what we learned today, is not almuerzo, but comida. haha It was really delicious yesterday, but as we were talking with Yolanda she mentioned she had a friend whose mother had just passed away. She then asked us what we do when some one passes away. So we talked about how we believe in eternal life (mind you this was the most difficult thing i have ever had to do in Spanish and there is just so much I want to tell her!). We believe in the Resurrection which turned into talk of Christ. Once again, she was surprised to see we believe in Christ. This turned into him visiting the Americas and the Book of Mormon and then she was very interested in the temple. We tried to explain baptisms for the dead and sealings. It was a very good thing Nat and I were together because while one was speaking the other was thinking of what to say next. Neither of us could have done that alone.
Then I got to service like 20 minutes late and as I was walking down the hall I could hear the girls asking where I was. Normally they don't sit in the kitchen so I was confused but the moment they saw me...they rushed me, held hands over my eyes and walked me the forever long distance down stairs and through turns, to their room. When they uncovered my eyes the room was full of balloons and they had written us letters on the chalkboard. It was adorable. We danced and took pictures. Although, the little girls couldn't come over so I had to go visit them. I just love them so much. At 4:15 we put on a little show for them - had no idea we were going to. We closed by singing I Am a Child of God in English. When it was time to say goodbye, girls were crying. I was hugging two of the older girls and a little one, Violetta, came and buried her face in my legs. When the older ones left I knelt down to look at her and she was so distraught. She was sobbing and had tears all over. That was all I needed to see before I was right there crying with them. We said goodbye for over half an hour and I just couldn't stop crying. I pretty much had to run out of there because every time I tried to leave, another one would call my name. They are amazing girls and I really hope they find the best in life.
Then it was off to horseback riding. We of course were close to an hour late...it was a good thing Hermana Stallings was with us. So we get there and they pretty much saddled all 30 of us in not even 10 minutes and we were off. I think my horse's name was Maromas...not completely sure though. My horse had this thing for kicking and trying to bite. No joke, he kicked both Marc and Mindy when they rode by me. Then who knows how many horses he got. I could feel him when he was kicking too...he would move like we were going to fall forward. After we road for about 30 minutes they let us take off in an open field. Ashley's horse had a thing for mine and followed us everywhere. It was convenient for me and Ashley. Anytime I could get mine to move faster than slow - ashley and her horse would be there running next to me. Tons of fun but I don't know that I have ever had so much dirt stuck to my body.
We finished this fun activity around 7:30, giving us just enough time to make it to applebees to watch the Lakers and the Celtics...sadly, after more than half an hour of trying, we were informed they didn't have ABC. I was a little distraught. So excited to watch basketball...but the american food was sort of nice.

Mis Niñas

So today I found out Thursday is our last day at Casa Hogar. We have been doing service there this whole time and thought we were going to be going through to next Thursday. Turns out the girls don't have school next week. I really am going to miss their adorable faces. I have just started playing with las niñas - the younger half of the girls. They are so much more fun - we can play more than we need to talk, which is easier on me. Plus their homework is quite a bit easier. Those word problems in Spanish are ridiculous. But teaching English is a lot harder than I thought it would be - especially since it isn't like I am fluent in Spanish.
I have gotten really close to the youngest group of girls. Ages 5 to 7. There is Andrea, Jazmin, Violetta, Mili, y Sofia. Mili is the cutest girl in the world. I noticed her the first day but spent more time with the older girls. Today she ran right up to me and dame un beso muy grande. It was so cute. It has really made me miss my students back in Utah.
Tomorrow we are taking them to a park - a 20 minute walk. 4 byu students and 25 girls. Fun. haha But this is our goodbye fiesta so we have bought water balloons, balls, and dulces. It should be wonderful and I am sure I will have tons of pictures.

small small world

It is amazing how the Church brings everything and everyone together. Saturday after Tonala we had the adult session of stake conference. President Watkins (mission president) was of course there along with President Sorenson (temple president). Their wives bore their testimonies and I followed every little thing they said. That was great! Then President Watkins spoke. No joke - I thought of Jim Bird the entire time they spoke but I didn't think anything of it. He said something about how they had previously been serving in Argentina so of course I ran up to him and his wife after. I was mostly talking to his wife and she asked where I was from. When I said San Diego she got very excited and told me they were from Poway. President Watkins got whisked off somewhere talking to someone but then came back to our group and asked if any of us were from San Diego. I said that I was from San Marcos and he asked if I knew Jim Bird. I just smiled. I informed him that Jim was one of my favorite people in the world. I grew up best friends with his daughter and then President told me that him and Jim had worked together for more than 20 years and were good friends. I laughed and told him that he reminded me of Jim the entire time he was speaking. President said that he had just talked to Jim a few weeks earlier - then realized it was because Jim had a friend flying into Guadalajara without anyone to pick her up. That was me!
Then Sunday I met sweet Hermana Keller. When President Watkins heard about us he gave Jim the Keller's number because if we were stuck, we could call them and they would help us. We told her that when we met and she was shocked. She hadn't even heard about us. haha But then she asked if there was anyone in our group from California. I told her there were a few of us but I was from California. She then told me she had a daughter-in-law from Laguna Niguel. I couldn't help but laugh. What were the chances. I told her I grew up in Laguna Niguel. She asked if I knew the Rodriguez family. Of course I did! haha We talked about them for a while and she even got teary eyed. She really loves them. She then told me that she felt like she was talking to a Rodriguez just talking to me. What a sweet sweet lady.
After all of my connections we had a picnic with the group outside of the chapel. What a great, fun filled weekend!

tonala and my milanesa

Saturday we spent the morning/afternoon in the little town of Tonala. Supposedly, this is where you find all the best and cheapest buys. I think that was right...I came away with quite a bit. We only had 3 hours but that was plenty of time. It has been extremely hot here so as great as the shopping can be, we get worn out quick.
The best part of this trip for me was the lunch. Nat and I were set on just eating some street tacos because we had yet to do that. But then we ran into some other girls from our group and together we searched for a nicer sit down place. We found El Jardin. We looked over the menu to see whether or not this was the place to eat (and if it fell in our budget). I saw milanesas and that was it - that is where we had lunch. Oh the milanesa was great...I mean, I had to eat it with rice and beans (not nearly as yummy as mashed potatoes) but it was wonderful. To eat something familiar and not super spicy. Perfect day. [please note that in the picture it might look like I am about to cry. I was THAT happy :) ]

zoologico guadalajara, pizza hut, banda dancing

Friday after school we went to the Zoo. I have heard so many things about the zoo here - mostly about the vista it has. It took us at least 2 hours to get there, a very long ride. It was really a ton of fun though. We took a train ride through all the animals pretty quick and then we got to take a safari ride. No joke, we were really off-roading and had ostriches and giraffes coming right up to the car. Definitely something you don't get to experience often in the states. Then we had about an hour to run around the zoo. We never made it to look at the view, sad, but I did catch a glimpse of it before our safari ride. What we did catch was a pair of rhinos going at it. That was pretty intense. You could hear them knock against each other.
After the zoo Nat and I had to get pizza. We had been craving it so much. Funny how all of the sudden I want things here that I would never normally eat in the states. I actually enjoy McDonald's here - one place I never happily go...and Pizza Hut? I never eat pizza unless it is homemade or costco. haha But oh did it taste good. We ate like pigs...and it was definitely satisfying.
Laura - our roommate for 2 weeks - had her 2oth birthday. So after the pizza we ran home for a little fiesta and cake with her. It was very tradicional with all the singing and what not, but very small. I got a few pictures and now have some new traditions when birthdays come around!
Then the boys took us to experience Banda dancing. Of course we brought the birthday girl with us. An experience that, as fun as it was, is only needed once. It was interesting - the only way I could put it. A little on the dirty side but sometimes interesting to watch? I don't even know. The Mexicans at this club were definitely a lot gutsier than at the other clubs we have been to. They weren't afraid to ask us to dance. I got followed around by a few of the boys and dancing with boys who weren't from church - made me very grateful for our member friends here. We didn't make it home until 3...