I can't believe that September is over. This month flew by. It seems like the time here goes by so much faster than it did in the states. I'm worried that the time is going to go by so fast that I won't be able to do everything that I want to do - which happens to be a lot.
Places I want to travel to:
1. Mazatlán: Mazatlán is a city on the Pacific coast. It is a tourist destination for many Mexicans as well as Americans. It is supposed to be absolutely beautiful and it is the closest resort to Torreón. Also, there is a hotel there which is called el Cid that has a Spanish theme! (I still love Spain more than anywhere else)
2. Guanajuato: Guanajuato is in central Mexico just north of Mexico City. There is a lot of history there and many things to see. The bus ride is about 10 hours from Torreón, but it is not very expensive. It is supposed to be a very pretty city with many plazas.
3. Mexico City: D.F. is the capital of Mexico and it is located in center of Mexico. There are a lot of museums, monuments, and shopping. I also want to see the Templo Mayor which was the spiritual temple of the Aztecs.
4. Zacatecas: Zacatecas is in the state directly south of Coahuila (where I am). It is another close place to visit. There is a historic downtown area where you can buy artesanias and also a mountain and cathedral in the city center which is supposed to be very interesting.
5. Yucatan: The peninsula has beautiful beaches and many historic cities that go back to ancient Mexico. Merida is one city in the Yucatan that I especially want to visit.
Things I want to do:
1. Go to a Santos game
2. See a rodeo
3. Go to a bullfight
4. Go to a concert (Ricardo Arjona is coming in November!)
5. Learn to cook Mexican food
6. Learn to dance
7. Speak SPANISH!!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Getting Around
A lot of people have been asking me how I get around the city. I am very lucky because, for the most part, I can walk everywhere. My house is about a block away from the school. There is a gas station right across the street where I can buy phone minutes, water, and little snacks. There is a grocery store about a ten minute walk from home. The pool I go to is maybe 15 minutes away. There is a gym that is about 15 minutes away as well. There is even a mall that is only 5 minutes from the house which has some stores, a bar, places to eat, and a movie theater. There are many little restaurants around everywhere we go, so food is never a problem. The only downside to walking is the heat. The heat is not so bad when you are in the shade, but walking down the street feels so much hotter! Also, we have to be careful not to get hit by cars. Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way and cars won't stop for you to cross.
Anywhere else that I go in Torreón is just a cheap taxi ride away. There is a larger mall that costs about 35 pesos to get to, the soccer stadium which is about 50 pesos, Walmart is about 15 pesos (way more expensive than the local shops though, so I don't go there), and several fun bars that cost around 20 pesos to get to. Taxis can be a little tricky. They drive down the street and honk their horns if they are available. It is never difficult to find a taxi. However, a lot of the "taxis" are old cars with people who are not official taxi drivers or painted cars to look like taxis. These people aren't necessarily dangerous, but they will try to charge you an outrageous amount because they don't have meters in their cars. It is a good idea to know about how much it will cost to get places before you take a cab. I have had a couple of drivers try and rip me off. Once I tell them that their price is not a fair price, they will accept a better offer.
I have not taken the city buses anywhere. Most people I have talked to have said they are a hassle and very confusing. One day I will try to take the bus, just to see what it is like. The best and most convenient way to get around is, of course, make friends with Mexicans who have cars. Most of the friends I have made will drive us anywhere we need to go as long as they have time. They will take us out at night, drive us to the bus station, or help us find where we need to go. It is nice to be friends with the locals because they have our backs and make sure we don't go anywhere dangerous. Plus, it is the best way to practice Spanish!
Anywhere else that I go in Torreón is just a cheap taxi ride away. There is a larger mall that costs about 35 pesos to get to, the soccer stadium which is about 50 pesos, Walmart is about 15 pesos (way more expensive than the local shops though, so I don't go there), and several fun bars that cost around 20 pesos to get to. Taxis can be a little tricky. They drive down the street and honk their horns if they are available. It is never difficult to find a taxi. However, a lot of the "taxis" are old cars with people who are not official taxi drivers or painted cars to look like taxis. These people aren't necessarily dangerous, but they will try to charge you an outrageous amount because they don't have meters in their cars. It is a good idea to know about how much it will cost to get places before you take a cab. I have had a couple of drivers try and rip me off. Once I tell them that their price is not a fair price, they will accept a better offer.
I have not taken the city buses anywhere. Most people I have talked to have said they are a hassle and very confusing. One day I will try to take the bus, just to see what it is like. The best and most convenient way to get around is, of course, make friends with Mexicans who have cars. Most of the friends I have made will drive us anywhere we need to go as long as they have time. They will take us out at night, drive us to the bus station, or help us find where we need to go. It is nice to be friends with the locals because they have our backs and make sure we don't go anywhere dangerous. Plus, it is the best way to practice Spanish!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Mexican or Not
Piñatas - yes, they actually do have piñatas at parties!
Tacos - not (at least not the tacos we eat)
Mexican tacos = corn tortilla, some sort of meat, and sometimes cheese or pico + hot sauce
Sombreros - not, cowboy hats, yes
Corona - YES
Machismo - yes
Short dresses & High heels - yes
Dirt cheap prices on everything - no (clothes and school supplies are way more expensive!!)
Dark skinned - no, a lot of Mexicans are fair skinned.
Güey - yes, every other word is güey
Mariachi - yes, there are mariachi bands for hire all over and they do come to restaurants
Not everything you think about when you think of Mexico is true. I came here with no expectations, and I have been pleasantly surprised. After almost a month here, I have yet to miss Minnesota and I have yet to be bored. I love learning new words and meeting new people. So far, so good!
Tacos - not (at least not the tacos we eat)
Mexican tacos = corn tortilla, some sort of meat, and sometimes cheese or pico + hot sauce
Sombreros - not, cowboy hats, yes
Corona - YES
Machismo - yes
Short dresses & High heels - yes
Dirt cheap prices on everything - no (clothes and school supplies are way more expensive!!)
Dark skinned - no, a lot of Mexicans are fair skinned.
Güey - yes, every other word is güey
Mariachi - yes, there are mariachi bands for hire all over and they do come to restaurants
Not everything you think about when you think of Mexico is true. I came here with no expectations, and I have been pleasantly surprised. After almost a month here, I have yet to miss Minnesota and I have yet to be bored. I love learning new words and meeting new people. So far, so good!
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