Carnaval Tepoztlan 2009 (and some grutas)

ROCK ON!!!


























In Tepoztlan we survived our first Carnaval experience, and it was so amazing, we self-created a long weekend to enjoy it a little more. We learned about the art of jumping (yea, we didn't know there was an art to it either) and after some liquid courage, we joined in. We were surrounded by music pounding, fireworks shooting and people laughing and enjoying all Carnaval had to offer. We met great people (and went with some pretty great people too) and shopped as we went sight seeing through this "magical town". There is a great energy in this town, and people seem to be really living there. The hustle of the city seems a world away and people have resumed to the life of hanging out with their friends and families and working to live, not living to work.

The grutas, which should be short for alotta rocks for a really LONG time, were impressive at first sight. We went through the cave which was more than 80 meters high in some parts (or for those who don't want to do the conversion, don't worry Jake did it for me, that's mas o menos 240 feet). The best part was that we ziplined across this canyon from one side to the other that was a couple hundred feet deep. (SORRY Mom!) As we toured through we learned some interesting facts and avoided bats. Mother nature is incredible.





















Try saying this 3 times fast, ok, one time.

Zitacuaro and the Monarch Butterflies...Part 2 (Part 1 is underneath) :-0

Sierra Chincua 2.15.09

We visited the state of Michoacon and one of the Monarch Butterfly Reserves there. I could never have imagined so many butterflies in one space, it felt like a dream. They migrate yearly to these areas from November to February. Hiking and horseback riding through tranquil forests are something so foreign to us in the city, it was beyond a welcoming experience. I could never imagine being surrounded by thousands of butterflies, and how the silence of one turns into a rustling murmur when thousands of them descend from one tree to another. It was an experience like no other and unable to describe because my words would never do it justice. The wonder of nature never ceases to amaze me.

Xochimilco

Try to say that! We spent the day in 'The Venice of Mexico City'. It was a beautiful day and the weather s finally warming up. There were vibrant flowers blooming all along the canals, and boats filled with people... We were on our own private boat-ooh-la-la. There were boats full of Mariachis playing along the canals, and if the price was right, they would attach their boats to yours and play for you. Its funny how different things are in a society where they aren't 'sue crazy'. Boats bumped, kids dangled their arms and legs overboard, and random chairs were scattered on the boat as the gondolier paddled us around. Its amazing how big this city is and how much there is to see. I think you could live your life in its entirety here and never see all the amazing things Mexico has to see.

"Peligrosa" de la Cuesta-We feared for our lives! :)

Between the humpback whales breaching (very cool, the first time I have ever seen whales in the wild), stingrays jumping, colts galloping on the beach, clear water and warm weather, it was an average weekend. We returned to Pie de la Cuesta for a second trip. The worst part about going is coming back home. The beach was more or less empty and we spent the days snorkeling, sunbathing, and swaying in hammocks. We went to see the famous cliffdivers in Acapulco. It was impressive to see, but difficult to photograph. And although there is so much to see here in Mexico, I have a feeling there will be another visit one of these days back to Pie de la Cuesta for some much needed rest and relaxation.

Peligrosa=Dangerous=An inside joke... We promise to share it sometime...