San Miguel De Allende

Wow what a trip this has already been. We have been here for almost two weeks, but it feels SO much longer! This week we started teaching the kids, and they are the cutest! On the first day of school we surprised them and they all came up and hugged us. It is kind of weird not being able to understand anything they say, but they talk to everyone in Spanish anyways. They are so sweet. Teaching will definitely be something to get used to, but I am already feeling more confident and am learning how to have patience hah. 

For our first weekend we were able to travel we decided to stay close, but it did not disappoint! Did you know Mexico looks like Italy? I sure didn't! One of the biggest tourists city here in Mexico is only a 2 hour bus ride for us. This weekend we went to San Miguel De Allende. We walked the cobblestone streets, wandered around the colorful city, went to a creepy doll museum, toured many cathedrals, drank aqua frescas around the city, and ate super cheap so we could splurge on treats! The food here is so cheap, but we are cheaper hah. For our dinner the first night Greyson and I split a pb & j and a Clif Bar. Do not worry though, we splurged on churros on hot chocolate. It felt like we were in Disney Land. 

For this trip we came with the girls in our group, and one of the activities we did together was go to a spa. It was not an ordinary spa. The swimming pool was a manmade gruta, but had real hot spring water. If you do not know what a great is, look it up! We were able to hang out in the warm water and swim in a underwater cave. IT WAS SWEET. 

There you have it, our half pb & j and Clif Bars. We eat like royalty. 

By far my favorite part of this trip was being with Greyson. We spent most of our time wandering the streets of San Miguel together, taking in all the views that we could. We walked throughout the city, to an overlook, and watched the sunset from a bench at a park. 

The many many cathedrals of San Miguel. Who knew there could be so many in one city?

The creepy toy museum. That's legit the name, well translated from Spanish. This store contained some of the coolest toys I have ever seen. Many of the toys were day of the dead themed. My favorite part of the museum however was the view at the top! We were able to see all of San Miguel. 

I had to end on this glorious picture of my husband. He sure makes me happy. I love exploring new places with him, and I can't wait to see what more Mexico has in store for us. 

One trip down, and many to go! We plan on going somewhere every week, let's see how we do. 

Adios!

- Lex

WELCOME TO MEXICO

WE MADE IT TO MEXICO!

Wow we are so incredibly happy to be here. We already love it the short time we have been here.

We left August 21st and arrived to our small city of San Jose Iturbide 3AM the next night. It was a long trip. We arrived in the Guadalajara airport at 8PM on the 21st where we were greeted by our host family. The cutest Mexican couple Sergio and Lulu were so excited to see us all. They greeted us with kisses, pictures, and treats. It was a 4 hour drive to our city, but we got stuck in traffic for 3 hours, so that is why we arrived so so late. 

When we got to their cute house it was decorated with a huge welcome sign, american flags, and red white and blue flowers. We instantly fell in love with our new little family. 

The next morning Greyson and I explored our city. We found out we were not allowed to leave the house yet without an official tour, but nobody knew so OH WELL! It was fun. There were so many people roaming the streets and there were food vendors on every block. There are restaurants and stores in every house. We will definitely never go hungry. 

Here is our new home. We live in a cute little neighborhood near the center of town. Our house is covered with ivy and flowers all over the walls. Thank goodness Greyson and I have our own room, but we share a bathroom and the other 6 girls sleep in the next room! We all our living in the same house and it has actually been super fun. The walls are SO THIN so you can hear everything going on, so that will take getting used to hah. 

THE GIRLS!! We have been lucky to get a fun group of girls. Greyson is getting used to living with 7 girls hah. 

Funny story.. when Koralee my friend from Ghana (picture above) came to my wedding she told me she had signed up for ILP to go to Mexico... so as soon as we got a call that we were going to Mexico and I instantly texted her. WE GOT PUT IN THE SAME GROUP! What are the odds. 

On our second day here we were given a tour of the entire city. Our hosts son, Armando, speaks perfect English so he took us around the plaza, the cathedral, around the streets, and to the school. It will be weird not being able to speak to most people. Greyson loves that he gets to use his Spanish daily now, I am so glad at least one of us can communicate hah. 

After our tour of the school we all went and toured the city. We found this cute alley way. MEXICO IS SO PRETTY!

Every night Greyson and I go for a walk around the city. We cannot get enough of this cute city. In Mexico EVERY SINGLE CITY has a plaza where there are so many food vendors, parks, and a cathedral. We have come here every night to get a snack, look at the cathedral lights, and listen to the music. It is so fun!

We have been here for just over a week and we have gone to this taco shop three times. Tacos are so much better in Mexico. On our second night here are host family took us to a taqueria called "Los Primos." He said all the Gringos love it and pretty much all of San Jose. We instantly fell in love. We all got 3-5 tacos and a liter of horchata hah. Sergio and Lulu are THE BEST! Our favorite taco is hands down the Gringa with pastor. I am going to miss pastor so much at home. 

One of our many walks to the plaza. Everyone was eating this corn and mayo stuff so we had to give it a try. It is called elote and it is AMAZING! It is corn, mayo, cheese, and chili. We constantly crave it. 

OUR SCHOOL! When we went to the school the first day Lulu and Sergio wanted us to surprise the kids. The kids were all in a semi-circle and when we came in they all ran to us and trampled us with hugs! THEY ARE SO CUTE. 

We really just wanted to go to watch the talent show when in 2 minutes it went from sunny to pouring rain. We had walked just three blocks but we got soaked! When it rains, it pours here. Literally.

The first week and a half have been so fun. Greyson and I love the culture here so much. The food is also amazing. Everyone here is so accepting and kind, when they welcome us into their homes they always say it is now our home too.

Teaching is way more work and harder than I ever imagined. The first couple of days I really enjoyed teaching the older kids, which has gone really good. Greyson and I team teach the older kids and they love us and we love them. They always give me their arts and crafts after. However, the young kids we teacher later in the day are a different story. I am still figuring out how to handle them and teach them. It has been super frustrating, but each day gets a little better. WISH ME LUCK!

WE ARE SO HAPPY WE ARE IN MEXICO

Way more entries to come from now on

Adios

- Lex