Hello All!!!

It seems that Sundays are the best days for summing up the week. Firstly, I am discovering that Culture Shock  is definately a real experience. (trust me I just got online and read a journal on it, checking off my symptoms as I read them) I came here with much less experience in Spanish than many of the other students. In fact most every European student speaks at least two languages! Most speak Spanish, French and German as well as many speaking English. I admit to being slightly intimidated. While those of you that know me would not label me as shy, with my lower Spanish level I became very quiet. So I have created a lifestyle perfect for contemplation and reflection but I really I just need to keep biting the bullet and going out. Speaking of hitting the town...

We did have a fantastic Fiesta last Wednesday night. The day is called Día de Nostalgia. Essentially it is an excuse to go out and have an incredible party night!! The next day is a National Independance Day I think but that was never much concern. Well all the girls came over around 11Pm and we were lying around watching movies and I feel asleep...but not for long!! I was awoken at 1:30AM being told to get ready. We primped and hit the door at 2AM. We all went to a club along the Rambler. The Rambler is a long walking path that circles the city all along the ocean!! It is incredibly beautiful and I love running there on slightly cold days when the wind creates a turbulent ocean. The spray hits the wall and often sends sparkling droplets on me. Well the club had entirely glass walls overlooking the sea, but the place was sooo packed we never got close to admiring the view. Although my friend Ximana and I did run out at about 7AM to see the sunrise. The music here is entirely different from in the US. The music is often old US songs, I have heard Madonna "Like a Virgin" twice! Also they played the song from Grease - "You better shap up..." The dancing does not contain the obvious sexual overtones as in the states. The guys are very funny. As soon as they learn I am from the US they know one saying, "Give me a kiss."

We danced until 6AM when the club closed but since my friend is dating one of the guys in charge we stayed longer chatting. Then all seven girls piled into the boyfriend's car and he took us to McDonald's for breakfast. How impressive eh? There are three McDonald's in the city. The other major brand name that is here is Nike. They are very pricey! Clothing that I could buy in the states for $20 - $30 dollars is 2,000 pesos here = $80US! So that was a fantastic night. We used the entire day to stay in bed and watch movies and visit.

Last night my friend Stacy and I were leaving to see an independent film when we happened to walk right into Carnival de Niños!! Carnival is a huge celebration that happens every spring but it often involves lots of drinking and sex so this is the toned down version for the Kiddies. It would still be X rated at home. The entire street for 12 blocks was filled with dancers, clowns, drummers, mock protestors (b/c the politics here are very important they are often protests that shut down major roads - I took a very scenic tour of the city once when my bus was rerouted due to a march). Often the woman dancers were in nothing but a bikini type top and a tiny skirt or a thong. This was particularly humorous to me because it is winter. I was wearing a jacket and gloves, so the ladies must of been a bit cold. Well I was also delighted by the music and the crowds of people. Two clowns that were about my age took Stacy and I into the center of a drum circle. We were all dancing, laughing. One of the guys ran back to his friends and brought us the communal bottle of wine. We all had a sip. He raved about how the alcohol here is so much better than anywhere else! The dance groups were incredible, they had everything Salsa, Brazillian Dance, Tango.

Just thought I should give a little Latin Flavor to the sight since this country definately knows how to party!!