**I forgot to mention that during orientation I met Brett who is the UC student here in Queretaro. We were both looking at the extra curricular courses board and he said hey and we found out we are the 2 students from UC (he's originally from northern Kentucky). He told me was enrolled in Intermediate Spanish and next thing I know in the middle of last week he switched to Basic Spanish because he didn't remember anything he took a couple years ago. Small world I suppose.
After being told she was going to leave, Friday night Adriana and I went out to the centro with Rachael so she could buy souvenirs for her family and friends in preparation for her trip back home Saturday. We headed out to the centro for the evening of shopping the vendor stands. To end our long night of walking half way to the centro then taking a taxi and trekking all around downtown we indulged in a new frozen yogurt place before going home.
Of course mine is at the bottom with mango, strawberry, and granola!
Adriana, Rachael, and Me! Yes they are tiny because I'm not that tall.
Traditional dancing in Plaza de Armas in the centro
Saturday Adriana and I headed to San Miguel de Allende with my old roomie Itziar and some of her acquaintances. The drive from Queretaro is maybe and hour/hour and a half...didn't really pay attention to the time, but I know the way (a.k.a. follow the signs) :D. Saturday evening we ate at the rooftop lounge/bar/restaurant at a new, super swanky hotel called the Rosewood. Later that night the other girls went out to dance but Adriana and I stayed behind. We ventured to the biggest Starbucks I have ever seen! We split a bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam. Sunday morning we ate breakfast, witnessed some religious ceremony that involved deafening sounds and some dancing, then we bought churros from a bakery owned by an old actress whose name I did not get, but she was there chatting it up with customers.
Entrance of hotel
Adriana and my room
courtyard
I also saw a large poinsetta tree/bush. I'm not sure if it is native to Mexico but it flourishes here both in the ground and in potted plant form.
Rooftop restaurant and the view from it
Me walking in town/delicious chocolate filled churro/church in the town center
Church Saturday/Church during the day where the parade ended. The set up is for fireworks.
Festival for a saint
Later Sunday evening Jorge and Blanca invited me out to the movies! We attended the 6pm showing of Sherlock Holmes 2 at a theater close to the house...It was in English with Spanish subtitles! After dinner I asked Jorge if they always go see movies in English. He replied that they usually do because the translated Spanish versions can get a bit annoying with the different voices/dubbing, but at the theaters you have the choice between going to the English or Spanish show so I thought that was interesting...Oh and the movie was $50pesos ~ $3.75USD! Can't argue with that.
Today after school I talked to Blanca in about 90% Spanish! We had lunch together and sat in the kitchen after that just talking. I struggled and she corrected me, but we agreed that my Spanish is awesome and that I've only been here 2 weeks and I've progressed rapidly. I'm really excited about that because it gives me hope for continuing with the language after I leave Mexico. She asked if I have someone to practice with when I go home and I said no, but I will do my best to continue practicing Spanish in graduate school and formally learning Arabic.
Oh this week starts extra curricular courses. I have Spanish and Salsa! Guitar class went well today despite the fact the man didn't speak a lick of English. So now I know the Spanish words for parts of the guitar. Oy!
