Mexico- Last Full Week of Pure Paradise

Since the last time I wrote, I was getting ready to go on another weekend trip with my classmates to Jalcomulco. It was a new trip for the program that I am studying with, because usually the students that study in Mexico go to Puebla, like we did, and then Veracruz. But last weekend, a big storm was going to hit Veracruz, and since the only thing to do there is go to the beach, our plans changed. Jalcomulco is a town about 3 hours away from Orizaba that specializes in ecotourism. It is the main income of the town, and for a good reason too. Jalcomulco is surrounded by beautiful mountains and landscapes, and a large river called Rio Antigua passes right through it. Countless businesses in the town offer ATV trips, white water rafting, rock climbing, canyoning, horseback riding, cliff jumping, zip lining, and more!

We arrived at a beautiful resort on Sunday, complete with individual cabanas, hammocks, a pool and of course a plethora of ripe mangoes that were constantly falling from the many mango trees scattering the resort grounds. We all decided to use the pool there for a little while, and then a few of us went into town and decided to go on an ATV trip. For two and a half hours, we drove all around the mountains and backroads of Jalcomulco, smashing mangoes on the ground and getting to see beautiful views. It was truly an experience of a life time. We then went back to the hotel and were informed that at the hotel, they also had this thing called a Temazcal. A temazcal is basically an ancient sweat lodge that indigenous groups of Meso America used to use for cleaning and purifying the body. It was very small, it only fit around six people at a time, and so five of us at a time and the Shaman climbed into the hut, and he placed hot volcanic rock in the center, threw the thick wall blanket over the opening of the hut, and then began the session. For what felt like 20 minutes, but was actually an hour and a half, we talked about our spirit animals, or reasons for coming on this trip, and our confidence and trust levels in ourselves, others, and the world. It was an enlightening time, and throughout the session the Shaman would pour cold water onto the hot stones to create a hot steam. At first, I felt a bit nervous. It is a lot harder to breath in temazcals, and it takes time for your lungs to adjust, but once they did, I was completely relaxed and sweating from places I didn't even know I could sweat. Mixed in with the volcanic rocks was some kind of herb or incense that smelled absolutely amazing. Then, apparently after an hour and a half, (I still don't believe it), The Shaman had each of us lie down and pour cold water on us very strategically and we were all instructed to then take ice cold showers, and drink this special herbal tea afterwords. And I've got to hand it to that temazcal and that Shaman, I felt like a new person after that. I need to build one of those in my backyard. I was feeling healthier, stronger, clear-headed, my lungs felt three times bigger. It was amazing. After that, we got served dinner and were treated to a drum show, where we danced and danced and danced so hard that we sweat even more, and got bit by 1 million mosquitos!!! We then ended the night with a bonfire and some marshmallows, and of course, more mangoes.

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The next day we woke up early for breakfast and then set out on our next and last adventure of the weekend. White water rafting. Sound harmless, right? It's a pretty common activity, but in Mexico, everything is different. First of all, normally this river is a level 4 or 5 when the water is high, but luckily this day it was ONLY a level 3. This system is based upon the amounts of rapids, difficult routes, waves, and likeliness of tipping over. Needless to say, it was an excitement filled adventure. We had to navigate and communicate with our guide in only Spanish, and that made it all the more challenging. They let us jump out every now and swim to rocks to jump off of, but each time we would jump out of the rafts, the guides starting getting a little crazier and more rambunctious. At first, we jumped out at our own will. But then the second time, the guides started dragging people out. By the end, the guides were instigating us to jump on the other boat and attack them with our paddles. Shoes were stolen, paddles were thrown, helmets were ripped off, we were attacked and dragged by our feet out of the boat, and then the guides of opposing rafts started unscrewing the air caps from one another's rafts. In the middle... of the river. I was actually very content, because I knew I wouldn't die, but there were some moment when I thought either the guides were going to kill each other, or my teacher was going to die because they kept accidentally landing on her mid air whilst trying to attack one another. Regardless of how dangerous it might have been, it was the most fun I have ever had. Thats the thing about Mexico... people do things differently here. We still signed safety wavers in the beginning and wore life vests and helmets, but people aren't afraid to have a little fun, push a few buttons, and just live a little. Things are safe, but people live their lives on the edge, and I appreciate that.

The rest of the week was fairly low-key. Class was pretty easy and we made buñuelos one day in the school kitchen. Buñuelos are a dessert here in Mexico that people make and dip in this sugar and fennel sauce. They are like fried crepes and are very easy to make. I was surprised because I have had Colombian buñuelos in the past, but the Colombian ones are more like donut balls. Personally, I like the Colombian buñuelos better, but it was still a fun activity.

My host family also took me to a place nearby called "Los qunientos escalones" this week. It is a natural area with lots of stone stairs and waterfalls. I was a beautiful time, and I got to see a lot of wildlife and dip my feet in a natural spring pool.

Overall, my last week in Mexico has been very relaxing. I have been doing a bit more city exploring after school, and went out for breakfast yesterday with my class to celebrate our last day. We had greta conversations with our teacher, Dante, about politics in Mexico and the United States. I truly feel that because I reached out to people and engaged in conversations of all kinds during this trip, I am able to converse about anything in Spanish now. Is it still difficult? Yes, most definitely, but I will continue to grow in these last few days as I prepare for my final class presentation on Monday and get ready to return to the United States. See you all soon!

-ECM