Saturday, June 7

The view of all that rain from my front door.

Since Gabriel is coming in a couple days, I have chosen to spend this weekend just relaxing as much as possible before I start having a couple very busy weeks with him.  So today I woke up and it was raining, again... and decided to spend the day inside watching TV.  I finished season 1 of Game of Thrones and started season 4 of Pretty Little Liars.  In between episodes I got caught up on my journal... I'm actually keeping 2 journals here in Mexico.  I started a detailed travel journal that I actually write down every detail of every day because I want to remember this amazing trip.... it's my first adventure I've ever taken alone.  My second journal is a 5yr happiness journal.  In this journal I write one to two sentences about important details of every day.  I do this journal no matter where I am, and it allows me to see how I grow, change, and evolve over the next 5years.

scribble scribble scribble

We all need a mental health day every now and then,

Maria Katerina

Friday, June 6

Today at work we had a VERY BUSY day.  There was a taxi accident from down the street and we got 4 of the victims brought in by ambulance.  Keep in mind that this hospital is only staffed by one doctor and one nurse, so I really got put to use.  I started IV's on 3 of the patients while the nurse administered medications and the doctor performed his assessment.  We worked as a good team... although when the nurse was asking me to pass a bag of IV Fluids, it took me like 3 times of her repeating it before I finally understood what I needed to go get... my Spanish still needs to work, but at least I'm getting great practice every day.

Me and Zelda before class starts.

I grabbed a lemonade at Cafe Brujula and picked up some bananas at the market on my walk to Solexico.  When I arrived at the school, the gate door was closed, but the chef told me to enter.  I then saw that there was a cute dog walking around.  She was drinking water from a puddle, and didn't have any tags on, but it was obvious that she belonged to someone by the way she acted.  She was dirty, but oh so cute, so I named her Zelda <3.  I wanted to keep her, but one of the other students made posters and hung them up.  Zelda's owner came to claim her later on that day... but we never learned her real name.

Today was my last conversation class for a couple weeks because Gabriel comes in 3 days!!!  We went to a park down the street and enjoyed some tacos, crepes, and nieve (like snow-cones mixed with italian ice).  I think this is my first time eating street food in Mexico... tacos here are NOTHING like the El Paso tacos I buy at Stop & Shop.  It's more like delicious chopped meat (not ground), with onions, cilantro, guacamole, pico de gallo, and fresh limes to squeeze on top in a soft fresh corn tortilla.

That night I started watching Game of Thrones for the first time.  It's a REALLY GOOD SHOW!  I feel an addiction starting.

Winter is coming,

Maria Katerina

Thursday, June 5

I started my morning as usual with volunteering for 4hrs at the Cruz Roja then heading to conversation class.  On my walk to Solexico I stopped by the market and picked up some fruits and veggies for the house.  I bought like 4lbs of strawberries because they looked so good!

For dinner that night, all the students and some teachers from Solexico met up to say goodbye to a couple students that were heading back to their home countries.  Noemi and I had to leave a little early because the people from the dance class were going to all go out to a Salsa Club that night.

Noemi and I enjoying some delicious dessert before dance class!

After dessert, Noemi and I headed to the park for a quick review lesson of salsa and then we walked to The Patio.  We grabbed a couple beers, helped move some tables aside, and started dancing all night.  I met a girl from California there and by midnight the DJ switched over to playing Top 40 hits from the States and it became so much more fun.

I decided to leave at 1am because I had a Skype date scheduled with Gabriel.  We talked for a few hours before I passed out from exhaustion... I'm not going to wake up for work tomorrow.

Dance like no one's watching,

Maria Katerina

Wednesday, June 4

Isn't this littler bird so cute!

Today at the Cruz Roja we weren't very busy.  The Dr. and I hung out in his office between patients and reviewed vocabulary flash cards I had made.  I taught him how to pronounce words in English and he helped with the Spanish words.  It was a good day where I got to learn a lot about his life and hobbies and it was great practice for my Medical Spanish.

I grabbed a lemonade at Cafe Brujula before going to conversation class.  In conversation class we did a fun activity that had us filling in the blanks of a story, and based on our responses, it could supposedly determine our subconscious thoughts.  I really enjoyed it and it was a different and fun approach to class.

On my way up to my apartment, I ran into Octavio (Mrs. Irma's, my house mom's, son)- he had caught a bird and put it in a cage.  A WILD BIRD!!!  He has so much patience to spend the day observing and catching birds.  It's so cute!

New workout clothes for Zumba Class

Ready for the Coffee Social

That afternoon, I changed into workout clothes and went to Zumba Class.  After Zumba I headed straight to Cumbia class and enjoyed a fun class in the park with Noemi and Myriam.  After Cumbia, Solexico students were meeting for a coffee social, so I went home changed and met up with Rocky and Crystal before we headed to the bar.  It was a fun and eventful day.

My dancing skills are definitely improving,

Maria Katerina

Tuesday, June 3

A sign hanging at the Cruz Roja.  It translates
to "How much love fits in your heart?"

I had a very eventful day at the Cruz Roja today.  Our first patient of the day had a huge abscess on their finger that needed to be drained.  The doctor told me to do it!  So I cleaned it up and poked it with a needle, but it wasn't really draining because the pus inside was too thick... so then I took a scalpel and made a small incision which finally allowed the pus to escape.  Quite a bit of pus came out and it was definitely great to perform hands on care.  The doctor stitched the patient's finger together because I have not done stitches yet.... I'm practicing with the medical students so I will be ready to stitch one of these days.

After the I&D, I went upstairs to the ophthalmology clinic.  I spent the last couple hours checking patient's blood pressure levels and discussing lifestyle changes for patient's who did have hypertension.

I grabbed a lemonade from Cafe Brujula before conversation class.  During class there was a lot of music that was getting louder and louder from outside.  When we went outside, we saw a marching band coming our way.  We took a pause from class to watch them play and parade down the rest of the street.

The Marching band as it's about to pass Solexico.

Cooking Class

Cooking Class started at 2pm.  I don't remember the name of what we made!  but it was spicy chicken with onions and peppers in a tomato based sauce wrapped in tortillas.  I didn't try it because spicy is NOT my favorite thing.

I went home and changed out of my ugly white scrubs.... I can't believe they wear white every day all day in an Emergency Department.... they just get so dirty!  That night I went with Crystal to Bachata Class.... which is by far my favorite dance!  It's very sexxy and fun!!!

Bachata... Our instructor is the guy in green.

Crystal chose not to dance, and instead she watched and was eaten alive by mosquitoes!

 Dance with me,

Maria Katerina

Monday, June 2

Breakfast to go on my first day of work....
I don't think these scrubs could get
more ugly!!!!

Today was my first day of volunteering with the Cruz Roja.... I LOVE IT THERE!!!!  When I was first deciding where I wanted to go, I was worried I wouldn't get this position because they prefer volunteers with Advanced Spanish.  My Spanish is by no means advanced... but I try hard and I think that counts for something.... apparently they did too because they accepted me!  It took me about 35minutes to walk to the hospital and then I met with the Dr. that would be showing me around.  On a typical day, there is 1 nurse and 1 doctor and 0-3 medical students... ooooh and ME :D

I don't really remember what I did at work my first day, but I do remember being overwhelmed by the Spanish.  I think having no other option than speaking in Spanish was EXTREMELY beneficial to my Spanish education.  When I got out of work, I walked to Solexico for my first conversation class.  I stopped for a lemonade at Cafe Brujula, which I got a frequent member card for, and then grabbed a torta before class.  In class everyone thought my Spanish was much better.... I don't think it was much better, I just think that after a day of ONLY speaking in Spanish, I was more comfortable with speaking it.

One day I will stop looking at my feet and actually look up while dancing with confidence.

After class I went home and changed out of my all white scrubs..... which were already dirty!  and put on some workout clothes so I could go to zumba class.  After Zumba, I went straight to the park for Cumbia Class.  I think I'm getting better at this dancing thing.  A few of the newer students from Solexico joined me and we had a ton of fun.

Even though I'm not smiling, I do really like these dancing classes and all the people I get to meet here.

la cerveza ya tequila y tu boca con la mia... ya no puedo mas,

Maria Katerina

Sunday, June 1

Do you want to know how interesting my life is?  Today I made French Toast.  I ate it in bed SMOTHERED in syrup.  I then Skyped with Gabriel for literally the rest of my day!  Like more than 8hrs I was talking with him.  And then I went to bed. ....Probably the most relaxing day of my life.

"Jarabe" means syrup in Spanish... Gabriel thinks I say it wrong... I think I sounds exactly like him when I say it,

Maria Katerina

Saturday, May 31

Today was a full day of excursions!  I'm just going to attach a ton of photos and let them speak mostly for themselves!

Destination 1: Monte Alban- ancient ruins and now archaeological site from the Zapotec and Mixtec Cultures.

All these stones have carvings in them to depict different part of the ancient routine of life.
This stone is depicting a woman in labor.

Look at this BEAUTIFUL view!

 Destination 2: Wood Carving- the men were outside carving figures out of wood and the women were sitting inside painting the figures.  Inside the shop I bought a porcupine figurine to give to my sister when I returned home.

Some of the wooden animals that are ready and waiting to be painted.

 Destination 3: Traditional Buffet- I am still intimidated by the new foods around me.  But the other tourists that were with Rocky and I convinced me to try some new foods.  I'm starting to realize that everything you eat in Oaxaca is served with tortillas.

There was a woman continuously smoking meats and another cooking fresh corn tortillas.

 Destination 4: An Old Church-  I honestly don't remember the names or the dates, but this was my FAVORITE destination of my entire trip to Mexico.  I want to get married here!  It's absolutely gorgeous!  Inside there are many gardens and small rooms with delicate and beautiful paintings on the walls.  I wanted to spend a few more hours here... It was such a calm and elegantly beautiful old church.

From the roof top!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your long hair!

 Destination 5: Bakery- We took a quick stop down a little side road in a tiny town and got to pick out whatever typed of baked goods we wanted to eat.  There were a ton of options.  I chose a chocolate filled croissant and a corn muffin.

Rocky and I chowing down on our freshly baked treats on the way to our final destination.

 Destination 6: Barro Negro- which means Black Clay.  This is a very popular craft to purchase in Oaxaca.  We learned how it was made and then got to shop around for souvenirs.  I purchased a beautiful Clay Boot which I mailed to my dad for Father's Day (unfortunately it arrived crumbled to pieces because I didn't use FedEx, I used EstaFeta... if you send ANYTHING HOME, use FedEx or DHL if you want to get it there in one piece).

This was a full day of excursions and a great way to learn about the state of Oaxaca.  When Rocky and I got home we met our new roommate, Crystal.  We quickly changed and then headed out to meet everyone from Solexico for a fun night out.  This was also Crystal's first time meeting everyone.

Clay Skulls are a surprisingly popular design,

Maria Katerina

Friday, May 30th

Today marks the end of two weeks of Spanish Classes at Solexico.  With the Adelante program, 2 weeks of Spanish classes are included, but at the end of these weeks, I don't want to stop.  After class today I signed up for Conversation Classes that will start Monday.  This is 2 hours of a class that focuses on conversation skills instead of grammar and vocab.  I'm sad to say goodbye to my original classmates, but it was a great 2 weeks, that's technically going to continue next week.

Our original Solexico Class: Glen, Rocky, Jackson, Me, and Adrian

Frying up a storm in our kitchen

Back at home I had a job application I needed to complete and send in.  When I leave Mexico, I'm hoping to accept a coop position at University of Colorado Hospital in their Emergency Room.  The application is very detailed and it took me most of the day to finish the application.  I took a break half way through and cooked a delicious dinner.  I fried Pork Chops and Potatoes and made a salad with the veggies I bought at the market.  I had a lot of extras, so Rocky and I were eating Pork Chops for a couple days.

mmmmmmm.... the salad makes this healthy, right?

The beautiful street lit up at night across from Santo Domingo

That night we met up at one of the bars around 8pm for drinks and hanging out.  The road across from Santo Domingo has all these trees that have lights shining on them that change colors.  It's really pretty.  This has become the place where we meet to start every night or every activity.  I hadn't finished my job application yet, so after a couple drinks I returned home to finish the last essay question, but everyone else went out and enjoyed a Friday Night like you're supposed too!

Wish me luck,

Maria Katerina

Thursday, May 29th

Look at how many ants it takes to move this bug!

Today at Solexico I learned Spanish, but I also realized that ants are kinda wicked awesome.  As we were entering class, there was a GIANT dead grasshopper with it's wings wide open on the ground and there were a lot of ants huddled around it.  During our half time break, the ants had managed to move the grasshopper almost 5 feet to  the bottom of a wall.  It looked like they had no where to go.  BUT THEN, we got out of class they had managed to carry the grasshopper more than halfway up the wall.  There was a huge cluster of ants carrying the grasshopper and a few other stragglers going up and down the wall around it... I have never been so amazed by ants in my life.  At the same time I was too afraid to get close, so I had to zoom on my camera to get a good photo.

I'm sure ants do the same thing back here in the States, but being in Oaxaca has given me the time and peace of mind to observe the world around me and take 10 minutes to stop and smell the roses.... or in this case, watch the ants.

Welcome to the Theater

While at school, we all created plans to meet up later in the afternoon back at the school to go see a movie at  the local movie theater "Cinepolis".  We managed to pile 10ppl into Edith's tiny car... no seat belts... totally unsafe... I was squished on the floor trying not to cut off the circulation to Jackson's feet... But it was a fun drive!  When we finally arrived at the theater and started piling out of the car, people were gawking at the amount of people that we had fit in there.... it was like a clown car in a circus.

And what movie would you like to see today?

Going to a movie in Mexico is very different than what I'm used to back home.  First, when you buy your ticket, you have to be aware of which showing you go to. Usually I just choose between 3D or normal, but here you also have to choose just in Spanish or in English with Spanish Subtitles, and some theater have in Spanish with English Subtitles.  Second, you get to pick what seat you want to sit in BEFORE you go in to the theater.  I'm unsure if this is a normal thing, but back home in Boston and Connecticut, it's free-for-all.  You buy your ticket, then you hope you can have some seats together when you walk into the theater and in a good spot.  Lastly, you have OPTIONS for popcorn ("palomitas"- one of my favorite words in Spanish).  You can get mantequilla, which is normal butter, although it tastes a little different, or you can get caramelo, which is like caramelcorn, or you can get hot sauce or lime juice to put on your popcorn.  I only tried mantequilla, but I was surprised that I had options!  They did not sell Sour Patch Watermelon :( which is by far one of my favorite movie time snacks.

After we watched X-Men, we piled back into the car and with our full tummies... I think it was harder to fit the second time.  That night I went to Cumbia Dance Class in the park before going to bed.

10 more days until Gabriel comes to visit!,

Maria Katerina

Wednesday, May 28

I need to start this blogpost by apologizing for not keeping up with my blog.  It is currently Tuesday, September 23 and I have been back in the States for almost 3 months!  I already have the bug to travel again and I was reading my journal from Oaxaca.  Although I stopped blogging, I never stopped journaling.  I have recently gotten 3 requests from people about sending my blog to other students looking to travel, and I decided I need to go back and finish this thing up.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to remember all the fun little things from the day to day life, but I took lots of photos and wrote a paragraph a day, so I'll do my best.  I expect these posts to be shorter with more photos, but I loved Oaxaca so much so I think it's important to finish this project I started 5 months ago!

Caprese Salad

Middle Eastern Pasta with "camarones"

This Wednesday started like all my other Wednesdays, with Spanish class at Solexico.  It also was Day 3 of torrential downpours.  I am so happy I packed rain boots and an umbrella.  I decided I didn't want to cook today, so I went to a little restaurant that has Italian food close to Solexico.  I ordered their Caprese Salad and MiddleEastern Pasta.  The menu was in Spanish, and as you know, my Spanish is lacking.... so my pasta had shrimp in it, even though I HATE seafood.  When reading the Menu I didn't know what "camarones" meant.... I had taken Spanish in High School and I thought "gambas" meant shrimp... apparently that is Spain Spanish not Latin American Spanish.

The movie is about to begin!

That night Rocky and I went to the Coffee Social with the other students and professors at Solexico.  This week was a little different because we went to see a movie screening at a local bar.  The movie was "Her", it was in English with Spanish Subtitles.  We ordered drinks and they passed around small bowls of popcorn.  The theater was very intimate with only like 30ppl maximum.  It was right next door to a Domino's Pizza and the smell of pizza was very enticing.  Unfortunately, the thunder made it hard to hear some parts of the movie, but it was more of a reason to read the subtitles and practice all the skills I was learning in class.



When I returned home that night, I skyped Gabriel per our usual routine.  I did something totally  crazy!  He asked me to be his girlfriend,.. and I said yes!  How many dates have I been on with this kid?! Not many!  Fun fact... we're still dating 4 months later.... I actually just got back from a week in Mexico to visit him.

Smile at the Unexpected and Be Adventurous!,

Maria Katerina