Zihuatane-who?what?

We are currently in Zihuatanejo, a coastal town in the state of Guerrero. Both Kari and I have never been to Guerrero before, so we were actually really excited to go to the museum (yes, I know...I'm not usually into museums) but it was closed! How sad. Soooo...we just spent the day on the beach. The day was not without its high points though, a beautiful walk to the beach and most notably...Kari being serenaded by fishermen on the bus back for being a stunningly beautiful guerra. Gotta love Mexico.

Off to some lagunas and then Puerto Escondido!

Maruata

Yeah! We're in Maruata! On the side of the road!

The lovely beach in Maruata

After that amazing week in Vallarta, it was time to move on. With all intentions to leave Friday morning, inevitably it ended up being Friday afternoon. We were headed towards Maruata, a beach recommended to us by friends and touted as being one of the most beautiful beaches on the Michoacan coast. With that in mind we headed towards Maruata.

Unfortunately, we were unable to get the bus directly there that day, and ended up staying over in Manzanillo. Also unfortunately, it was deathly hot, we were hungover and we ended up being on a second class bus with no air-conditioning. Pobrecitas. Anyway, we finally end up in Maruata on Saturday morning.

Surprise! The bus drops you off on the side of a freeway! No town in sight! But we were near the sign that said 'Maruata' on it so we knew we were headed the right way. A nice little girl pointed us along the right direction (she laughed because we asked where the hotels were and she said 'there are only cabañas here'...now I know to just ask where the accommodation is). We were definitely a freak show in the small town, a guerra (white girl) and a morena (dark girl) in a place I would hardly characterize as a town. Our friends didn't lie though, it was amazingly beautiful. Surrounded by lush mountains, blue water, not too many tourists...perfect!

Kari and I walked around, lazed around etc, and the next day it was time for us to go. (The schedule is a bit tight because we left late and Kari has a plane to catch sooner than me). We had been informed that the bus comes by every hour...well...yeah no. Two hours and 45 minutes later of waiting on the side of the highway like hookers, we finally got on the bus. But hey, it's all part of the experience!

Spanglish Lesson

Spring Breakear (verb)- to behave in the manner of a person characterized as a "Spring Breaker.

example usage: Vamos a springbreakear (Let's springbreakear).

Now you ask, how can you recognize a true Spring Breaker? My fine friends here in Vallarta have taught me the following--

Signs of a True/Extreme Spring Breaker. (In no particular order)
-true-will dance on the bar
-extreme- will strip on the bar

-true-will make out with someone and forget their name
-extreme- will sleep with someone and forget their name

-true-will take shots at some point of the night
-extreme- body shots

-will stumble home but be smart enough to stop for tacos
-will fall asleep fully clothed
-will visit at least 3 bars in one night
-will never buy their own drinks
-will go for a night swim in the ocean or a pool
-will wake up wasted
-will have a constant dance mix from the previous night playing in their head regardless of the time of day
-will wake up and do it all over again!

The girls and I were definitely Spring Breakeando this past week in Vallarta! A huevoooo!

Guadalajara Businessman Hunting

I know there's no such thing as a free lunch. But there is such a thing as a free drink. Especially in Puerto Vallarta if you're a girl. Kari and her roommates Annie and Julia often pass their time doing the following--

Guadalajara Businessman Hunting

1. Establish whether or not the guy is actually from Guadalajara. Usually can be determined by whether or not they are wearing a long-sleeved dress shirt. Many times it is a striped shirt.
2. They should be men in the age range of 25-40 standing around a table with at least 3 other guys that look exactly like them.
3. The table should have bottles of alcohol on it. More times than less it will be a bottle of Bacardi or whiskey.

If they meet all of these qualifications you have at least a 95% chance of getting a free drink. Not just what is on the table, anything you want. Don’t be shy.

Why Guadalajara Businessmen?
-They have a lot of money and don't mind spending it
-Locals are cheap
-Travellers are cheap
-Free drinks are good!

Vallarta

Finally! Reunited with my Pareja-- Miss Kari Lynn Bornhoft. When we lived in Guadalajara Kari and I spent mucho tiempo together. She even lived with me the last month when her host family kicked her out. Kari once made the very astute observation about Morritas (a gummy like candy) that "son super ricos" (very good)! Julian wanted in on the picture too so we decided to be nice and let him.

My sister was nice enough to lend me her camera for the trip, and we discovered that you can take these cheesy pictures with a heart around them. Kari and I have decided to try and take such pictures in the most romantic locations possible.

I don't know why I am constantly surprised by how little things change. I always expect things to change and generally, they don't change that much. Walking around Vallarta now is like walking around 2 years ago. I still remember where stuff is. (I guess it's not that hard to find the beach)

Kari lives with 3 loco roommates about 3 blocks from the beach and in the area I always used to stay in when I came here. They are bundles of fun-- 2 American girls and 1 Mexican guy. We've made it our mission to echar desmadre and yesterday we did just that. After we travel through Mexico Kari has to go back to Lee's Summit, Missouri so this trip is going to be her "Spring Break". I'm feeling pretty good about that. A huevo guey!!!

Guadalajara, Guadalajaraaaaaaaaaaa

There's a mariachi song about Guadalajara that we always used to hear but the only words we knew were "Guadalajara, Guadalajaraaaaaaaaaa". Somehow never got around to learning the rest of it.








It was like coming home again. It's been two years since I left Guadalajara, and despite a few cosmetic changes it's pretty much the same. I hung out with my friend Julian who is doing some research there (he was on exchange with me too) and we went around to the touristy shit and reminisced (gossiped) about the good old days.

A trip to San Juan de Dios (Latin America's largest indoor marketplace) and many a michelada later made my return to Guadalajara a good one.

Some things I had forgotten about Mexico that I quickly remembered:
-Guys give up their seats to let you sit down
-Nothing is ever on time
-People make out in public everywhere (excessively)

A Wedding Story

I love weddings. I cry when I watch '"A Wedding Story"(a show on tv that shows people and tells how they got together and follows them through the preparations for and during the wedding). Noopur and Neil's wedding was fabulous. Very well done and they looked so happy. Pictures are worth more than words at the moment. Aw, I'm getting teary just thinking about it. Aren't they just the cutest thing ever?

Me looking like a nice Indian girl in a sari.

A bunch of us with the bride and groom.

Now that the wedding's over, I'm off to Mexico on Tuesday!!