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January 16, 2007
Celestun, UADY, and the Prolongacion Montejo
So, over the past few days, a lot has happened...Im definitely feeling more and more comfortable in the city as the days go on, and I see my Spanish improving...Although, its been hard to speak Spanish on a constant basis because when im with the Rutgers group, they prefer speaking English....whatever...
One thing is for sure: Ive definitely been a lot hungrier here in Mexico...but thats okay, because I like trying out the new foods every day...I usually go to a Panaderia before my night classes to get something to eat and usually I have something in the cafe at school as well....
Classes have been going well at UADY and Ive finally learned how to take the bus system... One of my professors, Dr. Shrimpton, is from Cambridge University and it really amazes me just how well she speaks Spanish...Im taking 2 lit. courses, 1 international relations course, and 1 Anthro course at the university, and of course I have my classes at night with Rutgers....they days are long here, but I dont find that Im ever bored...which is a good sign...
Over the weekend, I went with the Rutgers group out the Prolongacion Montejo to a rock-club. There was a live band there which was really cool. The drive was long, but Im glad I went because there are a lot of restaurants and things to do a bit beyond the city, which I was never aware of....It was funny how most of the music they played was American...I dont know if thats just a sign of the times, a sign of that particular place, or whatever... but Ive noticed that this part of Mexico seems to be largely influenced by American culture....although VERY VERY few people speak English...
Saturday I went to Progreso, the local beach here in Merida for some swimming and relaxation... The beach was ëh¨--- nothing special about it, but Im sure it will be a necessity as the days get warmer here...and they are....
And Sunday, we went to Celestun, the resevoir/beach front area... We got to see flamingos up close as well as many other species of birds and animals...it was a lot of fun, especially swimming in the Ojo del Agua....And the food was great, I ordered Ceviche (raw seafood patter with chips and guacamole) and stuffed fish with garlic...
When we returned, I went to the Merida en Domingo festival in the Parque de las Americas to see what was going on...They had a show for children, but I stayed a bit, content with my churro, watching the festivities...the park happens to be real close to my house....
And other then that, nothing much else is new...Ive discovered that I really DONT have to do ALL the reading for my classes, because most of them are lectures, and simply by going to lectures, listening and copying down the notes on the board, I can get the gist of whats going on. I think that for me, anyway, speaking Spanish is more difficult than reading or listening to it...So thats particularly what I need to work on, while Im here...
On my next post, Ill try to put up some of the pictures from Celestun and the weekend....
Friday, Im supposed to be getting a hammock for my room...and Saturday we are heading to Chichen Itza!
Saludos...
Posted by jlsumich at January 16, 2007 01:05 PM
Comments
I'm glad that you've learned to be lazy, and have realized that reading is for chumps.
Posted by: stvdwtt at January 16, 2007 06:14 PM
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