Bacterial Infections, Travels, and Spring Break

I remember before I came to Mexico our study abroad adviser told us not to eat any of the food from the street. This is because many times street vendors don't store their food correctly, and sometimes don't cook food thoroughly which can lead to serious sickness for those who consume. While all of my other friends have spent the semester eating street food (and not getting sick) I have not consume such food. However, out of the two groups of people I'm the one who gets a bacterial infection?? The first and seconds weeks of April where absolutely awful. Somehow I caught a nasty bacterial infection that made me very ill. The doctor said that you can get bacterial infections from a variety of sources even from our campus cafeteria where supposedly some health codes are being followed. After numerous doses of a variety of pills, a weeks worth of shots in the butt, and lots of rest I was feeling better. I was really worried for a little bit because my temperature at one point had reached 103.5 (F) and the doctor was talking about transferring me to the hospital...glad that didn't have to happen! 

I just returned from travels over Spring Break which marks the end of three weeks of traveling in the month of April! I had SO much fun. We spent three days in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas and another four days on the lovely beaches of the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. It was such a pleasant, relaxing, and educational experiences. We couldn't have asked for better weather (which the exception of heat and humidity), and had amazing hotels at a great price. The only thing that would have made it perfect was nicer buses, but we are college students so we travel in "luxury." 

My return from Spring Break also marks my final trip during my semester abroad. If money allows I'm planning on going to Mexico City a day before I fly home to do some sightseeing, but we will have to see what happens with that plan. I have had the opportunity to see some absolutely amazing, breathtaking, beautiful places in this country. The landscape and climate of Mexico is nothing like the average person can ever imagine, and it takes a trip (not just to Cancún, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, etc.) to see the true beauty of the country. I'm happy to say that I have seen the TRUE MEXICO over the last five months. 

I have such mixed feelings about going back to the U.S. I'm going to miss this country so very much. More importantly I will miss all of my friends from across the world, and here in Mexico. I hope that God will grant me the opportunity to return to Mexico very soon. This experience has changed my view on life, the world, and has made me excited about everything that is going on outside of Mexico. That being said I'm also really excited to return to the U.S. and see all those people whom I love and miss so much. Mexico has also made me realize how blessed I am to have the people I have in my life, and the only way I could ever live here would be if they were here with me. 

 

April Fools and the Water Bottle

First of all I would like to start out this April 1st by saying that I absolutely hate this day...by that I mean April fool's day. Just for a second consider how ridiculous this "holiday" really is. You go around all day playing jokes on people, lying to them, or making up stories about things that have happened that really have not. Why? In an attempt to make people laugh? We can't tell jokes the other 364 days of the year? I don't need a day in the year where I have to question literally everything I hear, or that someone tells me because I don't know if they are telling me the truth or not. I hate April fool's in the U.S., and now I also hate it in Mexico too.

Ever since my arrival in Mexico I have been playing a "game." I have this water bottle that I came to Mexico with that I literally carry around everywhere with me. Unlike in the U.S., when your thirsty in Mexico you can't just go to a water fountain and take a drink. The water here is not purified, cleaned, etc. It is very dangerous for natives of the country to even drink the water. Also, buying water from the stores can get very expensive. So I carry a reusable water bottle with me, and refill it wherever there is a safe water station. This water bottle has been through hell. It has been left in offices, classrooms, houses, etc. Every time that I have lost it however, it always makes its way back to me. So my goal for the next 5 weeks is to make sure this water bottle makes it back to the U.S. with me. From that point forward it will forever be know as: "THE water bottle of Mexico."