Museum of Anthropology / D.F.

I've been exploring Mexico City for a few days and I got the chance to go to the famous Museum of Anthropology. I got to Mexico City of Saturday evening, but I was way too tired to do anything but visit the monument by my hostel and explore the area around my hostel.

So I decided Sunday was the day to visit the museum (most things are closed on Mondays). The bus stop was really close to the hostel, but it was a sort of "bike / roller skate day" so some of the streets were closed off to cars. I had to walk a few blocks, but I eventually found the bus I needed to take. 

The museum is located in the first section of Chapultepec, which is one of the largest city parks on this side of the hemisphere. I explored the museum for probably 3 hours! There's a lot to see in there. There are so many interesting and amazing artifacts from the Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs and so many more natives North and Central America.

Here are just a few pictures that I took:

The Sun Stone

The Aztecs played "The Ball Game"

A sculpture by the Aztecs of a drunkard. 

Mayan Architecture 

Olmec Stone Head 

Oaxaca City

A few weeks ago I took a trip down to Oaxaca with my roommates. Three of us got the ADO bus at 3am (which actually showed up closer to 4am -__-) and got to Oaxaca by 7:30am. It was great to see a new place in Mexico. Oaxaca is a major destination for tourists. For this reason, I was a little put off, but I can see exactly what all the tourists and expats see in it. Oaxaca is beautiful and it has a great nightlife.

We were there during the weekend of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the dead) and it was amazing. Every night before dusk the parades started. Bands would walk the street and people (come in costumes) would follow the band and cheer them on while they played throughout the streets. We followed a band one of the nights and were led to a church which had a video being projected on the outside of it.

All in all, Oaxaca is a wonderful place. It's sort of an artsy place full of tourists and expats. I would definitely go again because it's the sort of city that inspires you :)

Santo Domingo Church - It has real gold inside!

Most of the books were in English but I bought "El Principito" 

 The view from the Cerro del Fortin 

Online Interviews

This year I received my TEFL certificate through International TEFL Academy. I've been featured on the website 'Go Overseas' reviewing my program. If you want to check it out scroll down and click on alumni interviews. :)


http://www.gooverseas.com/teach-abroad/multiple-countries/international-tefl-academy/29139

A Walk Around Puebla

I had been thinking of going to the city of Puebla since it's less than 2 hours from where I currently live, so I made an impromptu trip on Saturday evening. On Saturday mornings I teach the lovely Marilu German and she teaches me Spanish (and sometimes Portuguese and Italian!) After our lesson I booked a hostel, packed my backpack with the essentials and headed off to the ADO station to buy my bus ticket. 

When I arrived in Puebla it was dark and I was seriously considering taking a taxi but I saw the bus the hostel said to take so I jumped on it (before asking the driver if he went to the street I needed to get to...I wanted to be super sure I was on the right bus!). I was able to get a seat and after three stops the bus was packed with people. In Mexico (or at least in the state of Puebla) buses don't announce the names of upcoming stops and the street signs are too small to see so I wasn't exactly sure if my stop was coming up. I knew that the hostel was in the Zocalo (city center) so a few stops after I saw the Zocalo I pushed my way out of the bus. I got off on the wrong stop! So I asked a lady where the street 9 oriente was and she said "Ohhhhh it's so far!" and then she gave me directions. I followed her directions and let me tell you...it was not far! It was maybe 6 or 7 blocks from where she was. Maybe I'm just used to walking? 

I arrived at Hostel Casona Poblana which is really nice! Since I was by myself I stayed in the all girls dorm which wasn't even full (plus it has its own shower!!). The hostel was very neat and clean which I loved. It's right in the city center but luckily my room wasn't loud at all. I met a German girl who was making her way through Mexico to eventually go to Peru. I was able to give her tips for her future trip to Chiapas. There was also a polish woman who has been living in the Yucatan for the last four years. Both of them were really nice to talk to. 

Once I dropped my stuff off I went exploring Puebla at night and loved it. There were so many people out at night and colorful lights highlighting churches and buildings. All of the streets were paved which is a big plus! I bought some dinner and postcards and eventually went to sleep. The next morning I wrote my postcards and explored Puebla during the daytime which was also beautiful. I would love to go back to Puebla and explore more of the city. 

 This guy made those so quick! He also used fire!!

 A very nice confession box

 One of the entrances to the cathedral 

 The architecture in Puebla is beautiful and colorful.