A day at the Zoo

So it has been a little over a week that I have been living in Mexico. Many new beginnings!! I have a new home, school has started, a new language and new surroundings. My stay here has filled me with excitement and a new sense of comfort. The culture and the city has connected with all my senses. Whistles blowing, unidentified smells that change with each new block, and vivid colors paint the streets, cars, buildings, etc.
Last Sunday I went to the ZOO. It is free to all visitors (although there is a cost to see the reptiles?). The self guided tour began with small rodents (often referred to as road kill to some and cute little furry animals to others). The Zoo tour ended with elephants and large animals. I had a pleasant time.
On Saturday we visited the Museum of anthropology and viewed many original and replicated artifacts. This museum takes many days to see in everything. So I will definitely be back again.
Reforma is a street that is the main artery in the city. This is the street that has been camped and blocked due to protest regarding the election. We walked through the reforma and there is a picture of the action. The protest is very well organized and involves thousands of families.
I miss everyone and I am very happy here. Until next post take care!!

A good day to get out of bed

Honestly I am just a little overwhelmed. Things are moving so fast here and my ability to understand people is wanting. Even though I speak as an infant with my hands and single word phrases, I am excited to be here. Being overwhelmed and all of the rain has not dampened my spirits. Everything is blooming and unfolding like nature naturally wants it to. My hotel room was very comfortable and quiet. My apartment is quaint and peaceful with a little royal kitty named papagena. My new housemate is very pleasant and mature. He is a professional opera singer and a wonderful conversationalist. So I have nothing to complain about. Even the blisters on my feet from new shoes are not a bother. So all I have to post so far are pics of my hotel room (oh so exciting). Later I will post photos of the beautiful fountain across from my apartment and maybe one of me smiling. So for now I am living one day at a time.
Oh yah, do not stand so close to the road during a rainstorm that passing cars soak you with muddy puddles of water. I learned this one the hard way!
Adios!

WBR What a Beautiful Race

It is one of those adventures that can't be fully explained in words.I remember going to Burning Man for the first time, I thought it would be like a Dead concert and it turned out to be soo much more.
I just completed the Wasatch Back Relay with 11 other great runners and two fantastic van drivers. Team "I PITY THE FOOL" RULES! I signed up thinking it would be like any other half marathon. It was soo much more. The team becomes your support line. Everything you need for the 2 day, non-stop relay is in your vehicle and provided by the team. Everybody on the team contributed and we had an incredible experience!
Making new friends, getting to know old friends better and having fun is the goal and we definitely achieved it. Befriending the fantastic women in my van and being inspired by their courage and heart was the best part of the rave, oh I mean race (easy mistake since we never slept). I pity the foo that pities the ladies of I pity the fool.
Watching Kalli (I hope I spelled your name correctly but it was not on the back of the shirt- you will need to sign mine at the BBQ) maintain a steady pace and keep going and going and going up Ragnar pass was moving. I was doing fine keeping the peace with my tears until Tara and I locked gazes and we both started to cry.
Our van was a party on wheels. Everyone meshed well together and we had a great time. I was grateful for every moment, the condo that Robin's parents donated for a good three hour sleep, the great organization by our team captain DALL, meeting great people, cheerleaders when the running was tough, bikes with bells, yogurt for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, mambas at the end of a run, water, water, water, muddy canals, a mini van, a mini van driver (Robin), having a #1 vehicle so that we could sleep, running at night (what a rush), laughter (there was plenty of this good medicine distributed throughout our team), beautiful Utah scenery, Mr. T, family, garden hoses and most of all my brother who saved my brass on the last two miles of my final leg. He ran with me in his sandals and kept me going. Hal I love you for being my Hero!!
Count me in for next year. I have a great idea for costumes!!