The Tropic of Cancer

Did you know that if you stand on the Tropic of Cancer, on the first day of summer at noon, you have virtually no shadow? That is because the suns main rays are directly above you. Now if you have a little meat on your bones, you might have a slight one, but it is the shortest shadow you will ever have. This has been brought to you, by useless facts of America. Also, the Tropic smells horrible, at least the p´lace we were standing in. But, you can find marble just laying on the ground.

The Grandson of the great muralist Orozco

The New Project in Guadalajara

The Opera

Tonight we went to the opera...and we left early. The performance was not very spectacular and I was a little disappointed as this was my first opera experience. The opera, entitled Don Giovanni was composed by the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Yesterday, Bob gave us the run down on what the opera was about, which was very helpful. If you ever go to the opera, please read some sort of comprehensive synopsis. Your head will hurt a little less and you will be able to follow along better. It was a great experience, I do not mean to take anything away from it. I do believe that I will continue to go to the opera. Bob DeSimmone, our resident famous opera composer, who I am posed with is internationally famous in the opera circuit. The way in which he explains the opera makes one want to see it and appreciate it. However, his assessment of the performance was less than glowing.A sentiment that was echoed by the group, which explains, why we left early.

Parasailing

I did it! I did it! I parasailed, well actually I parascended. It was the most peaceful thing ever in life. At first, there was screaming...things being said that should not appear in print and then the parasail took off. Too late to do anything, but enjoy the ride and hope for the best. As I ascended into the air...and stopped screaming, I was overcome with a strong sense of peace. Just me and the water and the air...and the boat...and the beach, but it was still peaceful. "Watch for the flag," the man said before I went up. From the time I reached the air, I frantically looked for that American flag to wave we home. From where I was, I could see all the people anxiously watching the World Cup in huddles, children playing on the beach and the top of the mountain. The sunlight glistened on the waves below, and then reality hit me. There was nothing keeping me from hitting that water if the line broke. I did not panic though. I kept enjoying the most peaceful ride, I had ever had. When it was all over, I kept screaming, "I did it! I did it!" and my very patient friends in their teacher voices said, "Yes you did, good job." Condescending or not, I took it. It was one of my highlights of this trip.

The Boat Ride of A Lifetime

To end our time in Mazatlan, we all went on a boat cruise. The weather was great, we all got dolled up...well some of us did, we went out for the time of our lives. We sailed around Mazatlan, just as the sun was setting over the horizon. The sky was orange and pink. It was surreal. Libations were free flowing and though the music was a compilation of 80's tunes, which included yes the YMCA song, we had a great time.

Beautiful Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a beautiful place. For those of you that can remember, it was actually a stopon the show Love Boat. That little tidbit came from my father. Last night,I had the great experienceof climbing to the topof the lighthouse. As I sit here suffering from that excursion, I do believe that it was worth it. I walked from the hotel to the lighthouse at sunset and snapped some pictures along the way. A sunset over the Pacific Ocean is truly beautiful. It is hard because pictures never truly capture the beauty that the eye beholds. The lighthouse is the same height as the one in the Strait of Gibraltar, however it is the highest lighthouse in use. Stumbling over rocks in my flip flops, I pressed on because I knew this was another one of those once in a lifetime exeriences. For future reference, don´t climb anything in the dark in flip flop, especially with things crawling around that you are not sure of what they are. A lesson learned and duly noted. The view from the top was breathtaking and I would probably have more pictures if my battery didn´t die half way up. Another lesson, bring extra batteries always. I still managed to geta view of Mazatlan lit up and sparkly.

The Skin

We saw this wonderful play called Piel.The premise of the play is that people should feel comfortable in their skin. There was a lot of skin shown during the play and I doubt strongly that it would be allowed to show in the United States in its entirety. After the play, we had the opportunity to eat with the performers and discuss their craft over tacos. They were extremely down to Earth and very approachable. In a discussion with the company director, he relayed that the performers based on something within and not their acting ability. No prior acting experience needed to be a star. Who knew? Who knows, next year I might have come down and try out some acting for the summer. Needless to say, I will not be showing any skin. Pictured separately are Claudio and Fabrina, who are the two main members of the company. Fabrina is from Gudalupe, which is an island in the Carribbean and Claudio is of Lebanese and Spanish decent. For each country in which the play isperformed, the actors do an intensive language study. They were also at the Four Seasons sharing in our celebration. Though the play was in Spanish, the idea came through, love the skin you are in.

Pre Hispanic...No More Please

The National Museum of Anthropology was more of what we had been seeing pre hispanic artifacts. From Monte Alban, to Mitla, to Tenochtitlan we were inundated with stone and artifacts. The neat part about it was that the artifacts were separated by regions. As you turned the corner of each room, a little more of history was revealed. The amazing culures and civilizations that predated the Spanish told their story. Prior to my trip, I never knew the complexity of the Aztec civilization and their government, social stystem and economy. Colonizing does not equate to civilizing. We all need to appreciate the societies of antiquity pre oppression. However, I will say pace yourself. Too many artifacts in a small amount of time can make you a little crazy. As a matter of fact, hearing the words, pre Hispanic, causes one of my colleagues to get this glazed look over her face. Where her mind goes, I do not dare to ask, nor do I dare to mention pre Hispanic anything any longer, especially if she is in ear shot.

Churches and More Churches

Who knew there were so many orders of churches is Mexico? Well I do now. And I do believe we visited all of them. Catholicism is the national religion of Mexico and it plays an integral role in the life all Mexicans, both religiously and culurally. Ii have learned that one can tell a Franciscan Church, by the sun and moon symbols. Churches are important symbols in many places and are often very ornate and are dedicated to patron saint. Here are some pictures to show a glimpse of the beauty of the churches.

Lost in Mexico

The blind leading the blind was the scene in Mexico City. We were attempting to locate a cemetery where many famous deceased Mexicans are buried, but for what ever reason we never got there. We took a van, walked and several trains and we ended up right back where we began ...at the hotel. The subways in Mexico City are just like the ones in New York City only there are murals on the walls. They are just as crowded and have the same "lived in" look. To tell you the truth, there is little difference between NYC and Mexico City. With any big city, one has to be careful and make wise decisions. Now, I will say that Mexico City is polluted, by air, noise and light. So it does have interesting smells and the like, but so does any other major city in the United States or the world for that matter. There was a Popeye´s and Mc Donalds, and several Wal-Marts I might add. Just another city. They did have good deals on silver. So if you are ever in the Zona Rosa and want silver, just go to the market to booth 138. Mc Donald´s is a very safe bet, if you get hungry and are a little leary of drinking beverages. Popeye´s is a little greasy, so think hard about eating there. Sanborn´s will do, if you are desperate. Don´t eat the breakfast, I don´t know what that hash brown really is. However, culturally Mexico Cuty has a lot to offer. Many museums, parks and I think we even saw a Six Flag´s.

Hardships and Sacrifices

I begrudgingly awoke this morning to this view. The hardship was great, but I had to endure for the greater good. As you go to work this week, I want you to keep me in your thoughts, as I have to suffer at a beachside hotel. there is not much beach here as it is industrial, but water is beautiful anywhere it is. The current is forceful, so we will just have to settle with the rooftop pool.

This morning for the first time in a long while, I opted to go swimming. At the top of the hotel, there is a beautiful wading pool. The view is wonderful as well. You can see the whole city of Mazatlan,which we are about to tour.

Anomalies

This trip has been filled with anomolies. For the first time, in a while,I have been able to let down my guard and do things that I would otherwise not do.I have caution to the wind and have seized the moment...Carpe Diem and stuff. For example, eating worms has never been on the top of my to do list, but low and behold I ate one. Tequila has never been something that I have just ahd to have, but now I can at least drink it without gagging. It took some practice, but anything worth doing takes some practice. And now, I have done something else, that has not been done in a while. I have adorned a bathing suit, and a two piece at that. The amazement does not stop there, I have proof... I HAVE A PICTURE. As we have a pool at the top of the hotel,I took advantage and tried to swim. Now the pool comes just above my hips, so it is not what you call deep. But in this humid place, any release is welcomed.

Arriving in Mazatlan

We have finally arrived in Mazatlan. Now,I knowI have a tendency to exaggerated a little, but the trip took literally nine hours. It is eight o'clock Pacific time and we left at nine o´clock central time. I have not had anything to eat since breakfast and really am a little afraid to do so. People keep getting sick and I have tried never to be a follower. Arriving into Mazatlan was a little unsettling, we had just left one of the most beautiful places in the world...or maybe just in Mexico, and it seemed as though we were regressing. the closer and closer we got to the hotel,the more the scenery changed. There was slighty less graffitti on the buildings and the house seemed more modern. We reached the hotel and from the lobby, for the first time I ever, I saw my first sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I have seen surises over the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but never the Pacific.I can not wait to actually touch the water. From my room, on the eighth floor,I can see the strip and the horizon. I can see the waves and foam crashing on the shore and I can smell the sea air. Tomorrow I will actually be able to see the sun sink down over the ocean, while listening to the waves playing a relaxing lullaby on the rocks. I am very excited about ournext adventures in this town. As the humidity is horrendous, just note there will be few if any pictures of me as I know my hair will be having issues for the next week.