So...

I returned from the August trip to Mexico and began school two days later.  Not a bad semester: two studio art classes, an online class (yuk) and a very interesting history (of Latin America) course with a teacher who loves travelling as much as I do. 

I have a new job that I absolutly adore... Bread and Bagel.  I can walk to it from my house and I don't have to wear a uniform (THAT is a HUGE deal... I love having the option, not that I do it, of rolling out of bed and going to work and having that be not only normal, but acceptable as well.

Anyway, school was movin right along and all of the sudden it is the last week in September.  I had been emailing a couple of my girl friends that I met in Mexico (but they are from the States) about a little reunion down in Guanajuato.  It, for some odd reason, seems more justifable and makes more sense to organize get-togethers in Mexico than right here in the US of A.  We are from all over, I am basically the only one from the south... I was told I have a southern accent... if they only knew.  But I guess to untrained Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota ears I could be mistaken for my Kentucky kin.  OK... back on track... we were all talking about how it would be great to see everyone and why it wouldn't make just as much sense for all of us to go back to where we met, back to Guanajuato, rather than another state when it would be the same price for the plane tickets.  So, the week before my fall break, my friend Katie B and I buy our tickets and plan our trip back to Never Never Land. 

I had fall break from school the first Thursday and Friday in October so I took off Tuesday and Wednesday from school.  This gave me more time to get there and enjoy my time in one of the most vibrant cities that I know.  I left after classes on the 3 and drove to Nashville... I arrived in Chicago (round-about, I know... but it was the cheapest way).  Katie B got in from Minneapolis and then we camped out on the O'Hare airport floor until our 5:00 boarding time.  We finally arrived in Leon after a short stop in Houston and it was as if we had never left.

My best guy friend, Kike, had come with Abraham and his fianceé, Christina, to pick us up... but then we turn around and see our friend Kitty, too.  He had come with our friends Aaron and Yarros!  So, Katie B went with Kitty (they were in this GREAT old VW van and it was SO hippy... no other word for it.  It had the flowers and designs painted all over it... I was a little, ok- alot, disappointed that I didn't get to ride in it, but I didn't want to hurt Kike's feelings.  We stayed with my friend Salvador who had just gotten back from six months studying and working in Germany.  He had a friend with him, Phuk, who didn't speak Spanish and spoke little English.  It was a little frustrating because I would try to talk to Salvador and Phuk at the same time and (Salvador learned more English than German during his time abroad, but speaks a little of both) it was so incredibly daunting to have a conversation with them; to clarify when we were going to go get lunch or meet back at the house could take a good 15 to 20 minutes.  And the worst was that they both chastized ME about my ENGLISH!  They said that I talk too fast, that I have a horrible pronunciation and that I don't speak very well.  I won't go there completly, but when I can converse in pure Spanish for a span of two weeks and they can't last two minutes, I think I should be the one correcting.

Anyway it was great being there again, especially for the Cervantino festival.  We got to see the fireworks and all of the goings on because the (sitting duck) President Vicente Fox came on the night of the inauguration.  It really was a great feel... so many people, the street food, the jewelry sellers and the artists along the street... so alive.

We had a great time and I got back to Bowling Green on Sunday night, the 8th, at about midnight... and even made it to work the next day!  I am a bit more sad coming home this time than the last... I knew I would have an opportunity in the near future to return, but now... because I will be graduating in May... I don't know if I will have the chance to go back for a long time. 

At least I take alot of pictures to transport myself back!

Hasta la proxima... xoxcr