Veracruz and MTY

This weekend we went to Veracruz, which is a costal city on the gulf to join the Carnaval celebrations.  It was an interesting trip to say the least.  I felt like we were getting real Mexican culture there, because there were lots of tourists, but they were all from D.F. (Mexico City/Districto Federal) or other parts of Mexico.  We went to this restaurant that a taxi driver took us to, and it was really good.  With two drinks an appetizer, and seafood for everyone, it only cost us about $50 USD for four of us!  We had no idea what anything was because it was all different types of fish/styles that we had never heard of, so we all just ordered.  I ended up with a whole fish, head, eyes and all (see picture)! It was absolutely delicious!  It had a chili/lime sauce on it.  I think it was a type of trout, but I am not sure.

The festivities for Carnaval (Mardi Gras) were fun, basically just a lot of drinking in the street (1.5 liter of beer for $1.5 USD) and music.  It was however a little scary, and seemed dangerous, so we made sure to keep alert the whole time.  We had several people ask us if we wanted to buy drugs, and several fights broke out, at which point everyone starts running, so we ran!  There was also a whole lot of military/police presence, which here in Mexico could be good or bad.   We also went to the beach, which wasn't the best beach I had been to, but it was still fun.  The sand was almost black, and they had restaurants/ tables and people serving you right on the beach!  Overall it was fun but definitely a learning experience!

For Semana Santa (Spring Break) I think we are planning on flying to Puerto Vallarta or Acapulco, and renting a car to drive all the way down the coast to Oaxaca and Chiapas.  I am really excited to see those two states, because they are supposed to be beautiful, and very 'Mexican'  We will see how this pans out, but I think it sounds like a good plan!

Remember to see my pictures at gallery.me.com/grantpduncan

Love everyone!

Updates and Cancún

My classes have been pretty easy, except for one: International Negotiations.  I think this one is much more difficult because it is in Spanish (like my other classes), but it is also with all the regular Mexican students;  I am also the only person from the US in that class!  It has been an interesting time because we are learning a lot about how Americans do business and how it differs from how the rest of the world does things.  Here in Mexico, a business deal may take a whole week, because there is a lot involved. First you become friends, and learn about each other, and then slowly you start talking about business, where as in the US we simply get down to business.  Much of what we have learned are stereotypes, so its just interesting to hear all of them.

I have also learned that it is not correct to describe someone from the US as American, North American, or even from the United States.  My professor made the point that they are Americans too, also North Americans, and they are also from the United States (of Mexico).  Very interesting!  So in class we have adopted the friendly term "gringo" to describe people like me.  They insist that it is not derogatory!

This weekend we are going to Cancún!  I'm very excited to escape the 70 degree weather here in Monterrey!  We are flying out on Thursday night, going to stay in a hostel, and then play it by ear from there.  We plan on seeing some of the famous ruins in the Yucatan like Chichten Itza, which has been declared one of the 7 new world wonders, Tulum, an ancient city on the Caribbean, and various others.  I'm very excited!  We will return on Monday (it is a national holiday here).

Another thing that I have had a hard time adapting to is the metric system.  There are many foreign people here from all over: France, Germany, Australia, Latin American countries, Asia, etc. and every one with exception to the US uses the metric system.  I tell people I live about 2 miles from campus, and they always say they don't know how far that is!  The metric system actually makes a lot of sense, and it is easier to use, but since I didn't grow up around it, I don't know how far a kilometer is or exactly how hot 30 degrees is with out converting it!  Someone told me it was going to be 30 the other day, and at first I was really surprised.  After, I realized that its about 86 degrees F.

Lots to get accustomed to here, but I really enjoy that aspect of being here.  I have learned so much, not even from my classes, but just being somewhere so different (although so close to home)!  I hope everyone is doing well!

My First Trip

So we decided that we wanted to take a trip this weekend, but not a big one; a trip just to figure out how to take the bus, get a hotel room, etc.  We decided to go to Saltillo, which is about 1.5 hours away.  There was a group of six of us, and we all took a taxi to the bus station (taxis cost anywhere from 50 cents to 3 dollars).  We get out of the cab and get pounded with sales people trying to sell us tickets, so we just go up to a booth and purchase six tickets at 45 pesos each (which is about $3).  The bus was very nice, with full recline seats, A/C, and they even played a movie, which was dubbed in Spanish.  

When we arrived in Saltillo it was rainy, so we took a cab to the central plaza, and looked for a hotel.  We ended up finding a really quaint hotel with all colonial architecture and a central courtyard that all the rooms face.  It was pretty nice, although no 5 star!  It only cost us $32 for three beds, and it was right in the city center.  

There really wasn't much to do in Saltillo, it is a big city of about 900,000, but definately not a tourist center!  That night we ate some very regional food (cabrito, which is roasted baby goat), and went to a small bar which ended up being quite all night.  The next day we visited the Mexican bird museum and the desert museum, which were cool but nothing special!

At least we figured out how to travel around, and it was an adventure!  In two weeks we are going to Puerto Vallarta, to the beach!  Which I'm so excited about! Other travel plans that are coming up:  In march the school is sponsoring a trip to the salt desert and the oasis where many of the wineries are located, and then March 20th I want to visit the pyramid Chichen Itza, because on that day only every year (the equinox) a shadow of one of the indigenous gods appears on the pyramid.

Everything is going pretty well so far, and I am really enjoying everything!  I hope all is well with everyone back home!

To see my pictures visit gallery.me.com/grantpduncan

MEXICO!!

So I am now in Mexico for the next six months...I can already tell I am really going to like it!  I have a wonderful host family (Fortino and Estella Leal) and two great roommates (Dylan and Dylan)  I have been making friends and enjoying my self thus far, but today is the first day of classes!  I have International Business at 4:00, and I am very nervous.  We will see how it goes!

So let me tell you a little bit about my experience so far.  I was just so surprised how beautiful it is here.  There are mountains surrounding the entire city, so no matter where you are, you see beautiful scenery, although power lines are always in the way.  Where I live, I have a huge porch, where you can see the famous Cerro de la Silla (Sattle Mountain), and then very interesting houses stacked on top of each other on a hill.  At night it is a little hard to sleep because all you hear is dogs barking, people yelling, and traditional northern mexican music.

I have gotten the opportunity to explore some of the nightlife, and I have already developed some favorite spots!  The residence hall had a party at a nightclub in the Old Neighborhood, and it was very fun.  We got VIP somehow, I think because we bought two bottles of alcohol for our group.  There aren't any dance floors at the night clubs here, which I thought was strange.  I asked someone who worked there why, and he said they make more money with tables, and if you don't have room to dance, you get on the table and dance!

This week is going to be very busy because I have a lot to do.  I have to get so many documents to get my student visa, they say its almost impossible with out a lawyer! I also have to get my school ID (you can't get on campus with out it!), and make sure all my classes are in line!

I'll try to keep everyone updated!  Keep reading!

To view my pictures go to gallery.me.com/grantpduncan  I will post all of my pictures there!