San Miguel Allende

So we were lucky enough to have a puente this weekend so off we went to San Miguel Allende, which is apparently a very popular destination for US retirees... There was more English spoken there than Spanish...
Nonetheless. It was beautiful with the most amazing church I think I have ever seen. The weather was perfect, warm during the day and cool at night (alright, maybe it was cold at night). And there were fireworks at the church, I'm guessing to celebrate Dia de Guadalupe (the reason for our puente). We enjoyed relaxing away from the city, good friends and good food, both together quickly becoming our favorite pasttimes...

A Surprise Visit, A Birthday Present and a Mexican Christmas Tree

SO it has been awhile, and nothing new has really been going on. Jake and I did sneak home for Florida (dont be mad, ya'll) to surprise my parents, no one knew we were coming except us. A quick 3 hour flight and we came from Mexico City to Florida... An easy flight for any prospective visitors...
We are going away this weekend, so look for a more exciting post and then we are on our way home for Christmas. Can you believe we are working on our 5th month already? Time flies when you are having fun...

More pictures

Just wanted to share a few more pictures of our trip to Acapulco....So beautiful, the pictures pale in comparison to the reality, but still worth sharing. :)

Most spoiled dogs ever.

So we found a hotel in Acapulco that would allow us to bring the dogs. So Marlie and Daisy spent the weekend on a small beach outside of Acapulco called Pie de la Cuesta. The beach we stayed at was about 10km outside of the main area of Acapulco. Our hotel was right on the beach. You walk out on to the beach and there were these hand made palapas with hammocks. Pretty much all we did was each, drink, and run the dogs on the beach.

It was a beautiful weekend, with warm ocean Pacific breezes and the sounds of waves crashing. Its amazing how the ocean feels like home. Sipping coconut milk right from the shell, eating fresh seafood and enjoying good company...what more could you ever want. We love and miss you all, but somehow days like these make it bearable...

Taxco (pronounced tasco)

This weekend we spent two days in a small town called Taxco. Again walking through this town was like walking through a painting. The architecture of the entire town is in an old colonial style. All the streets are made out of cobble stone. The town is full of silver dealers (yea silver). At one point in time the town actually mined silver but now they only craft it.

As you can imagine I had a great time shoppping, and Jake was a great sport. I loved it there and can't wait to go back and spend more money :). The weather was perfect, our stomachs were full (as usual great food!) and our hearts were happy.


PS Mexico City hearts Michael Bolton!

Zocalo

Today we spent the morning and the afternoon in Mexico City's Zocalo. Zocalo is the Mexican name for the center of the city. In every city Mexico there is a square where there is a Cathedral, a government building, and a gazebo. Today there was a big festival for Dia de Muerto (day of the dead). There were tons of stands, offerings (tables of food and drinks for returing spirits), shows, traditional dances and venders. We ate at this resturaunt that looks over the entire square.

Tepotzotlan

So, we found a charger for my old digital camera so the pictures are back on... We celebrated Dia de Muerte, or as we affectionately call it, Day of the Dead. We went to this little town a little less than an hour outside of the city. The idea, as we have come to believe, is that all of the Mexican's deceased loved one's spirits return on this day, and all the things they used to enjoy are left as an offering so they can find their way home. It was an incredible celebration to be a part of.
Jake says "word".

The camera is gone...

So you will just have to imagine it versus seeing it. :) We have been to a couple markets ad getting ready for Day of the Dead coming up next weekend. There are so many unique decorations, I want them all. We also went to Oktoberfest (yes, in Mexico) last weekend. It was a cool festival, but took about a 45 minute drive outside of the city. And, no we didn't drive. It seems there was not a single reason for us to bring our car, soooo we have decided to drive it back home (oh, that drive) during Christmas break and will fly back to Mexico. So, watch out, here we come! Would love to get together with anyone who will be around! Will write again when I have more to say. We miss you all! Love, Shannon and Jake and Daisy and Marlie

Mole' (Pronounced Moe-Lay) Festival

We spent the afternoon in San Pedro Atocpan at the 80th Annual Mole Festival. Mole is a chile based sauce that usually covers chicken or turkey. There are many different flavors and just completely different than anything we have ever had! We brought some of the homemade powder home to make our own mole, when you come visit, we will be happy to make it for you!

The festivals here are completely different than the ones back home, for starters, it goes until 3 am. (But we did not). I bartered for the first time with the help of a friend.. a funny experience. Remind me to tell it sometime. The landscape was beautiful, the food amazing, and the company was best of all. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Coyoacan

We spent the afternoon in Coyoacan with friends yesterday...very hippie and relaxed. Surrounded by peaceful protests, markets with everything from peace signs to guys putting dreadlocks in people's hair, we found a place within the city that seems like an escape. We spent the afternoon eating (what else do we do here), shopping the markets, and lounging at a local coffee shop for hours. The architecture was beautiful, that is what a couple of the pictures are, and Jake with a gum tree. Apparently you stick your disgusting used gum on a tree and make a wish, we decided we would wish it wasn't there :) Now we are getting ready to go back to work...Anytime someone wants to come and see these things for themselves, we still have that extra room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Week Down and...

not a single picture to post. That's not to say we aren't having a great time, I guess we just created memories vs. digital photos. We took our first salsa dance lesson on Friday, what a blast! And will continue to salsa on Friday nights...and our first salsa field trip to a club will be in 3 weeks, we'll let you know how many people we hurt. :) We have spent the rest of the weekend lounging around with friends and now we are getting ready for the upcoming week. Keep in touch and watch for more. Buenos noches!

The best town ever

We just got back from the most relaxing 4 day weekend ever. We went to a small town near the east coast near Vera Cruz called Tlocotalpan . Walking around the town is like walking into a painting. The food there is amazing. We celebrated Mexican Independence Day, ate authentic Vera Cruz cuisine and fresh seafood, drank some of the best tequila ever, and watched traditional dances. (There were some informal lessons in the middle of the street too) I think this is where I might stay forever! :)

We haven't done anything lately

Is anybody out there???????? I thought this blog thing was supposed tobe interactive. By the way this is Jake. Since I haven't given any of my friends or family this address yet ...hi Shannon's friends and family. We have both been working getting used to the private school system down here. At least for me the students are great, my co-workers are great, the school system itself is a little screwy. We recently walked down to this park we possed with statues. We might be going to a small town near Vera Cruz which is located in the middle of a river near the coast. I love Mexican Independence Day! (4 day weekend). I will put up some pics from the trip when we get back. Adios amigos and amigas.

Jake, Shannon, Daisy, and Marlie. :)