Zombie Tired

I am running off of 9 hours of sleep for the entire weekend. Disney World + Princess Half Marathon + short amount of time = Complete. Utter. Exhaustion.  It was probably the most epic and eventful weekend ever, but it came at a high price of delirium induced by sleep deprivation. The things we do for Magic Kingdom.

Assault by Hail.

I decided this morning when I walked outside to a surprising 60 degree weather morning in the middle of February that I would run outside. Thought process: It's beautiful!-->You are running a half marathon this weekend in Orlando.-->Tomorrow will be spent frolicking around Disney World-->You probably won't run tomorrow.-->You should run a good run outside today-->Ok.

So I run outside and on my way back at around mile 3, TORRENTIAL RAINS. I had my phone playing Pandora so I could hear epic classic rock while battling the massive hills on the return trip, so that was the first negative thought that crossed my mind. But, then again, running in the rain feels great because it cools you off. Then, it gets better. Lightning is ripping through the air and the winds pick up and soon I find myself being assaulted by dime sized hail balls that are shredding my skin! I definitely picked up my pace and darted from tree to tree while people looked at me through their nice, warm, protective car windows. Yes. Geographical difference here. Ready?

In Texas, someone would have helped me.

In the D.C. area, everyone watches you get ripped apart by a hail storm.

Anyway, it's a funny story now that I'm safely in my apartment. Watch out for flash t-storms, they'll get ya.  On the bright side - fastest 5 miles of my life! 40 minutes.. PR. :)

Independence - Summer 2005

I finally learned how to use a camera and embarked on this three week study-abroad immersion trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico. The first time I traveled without my parents! Exciting. My brain almost exploded from trying to comprehend so much Spanish around me, but the places we visited were amazing.

Taxco - City of Silver

 Fun times in the town where silver rules. They used to mine it in a big way, but now it's mostly a tourist attraction. They still sell really great silver jewelry and silverware. Plus there are these guys everywhere selling hats - makes it worth the trip:

We were able to take a nice little trip through an underground mine - or what touristy remnants there were. Plus, we got to take in all of the nice jewelry and silverware for sale. I thought the most interesting part of this city is their Holy Week, where processions and ceremonies have gained international fame for the self-penitence a select number of groups still practice very openly. Chained, some group members stay bent at a 90 degree angle for the entire time, carrying small crosses on their backs. Others carry about 100 pounds of thorny blackberry canes on their backs. Still others carry a 100 pound cross and a whip with metal hooks that tear holes into their backs.


Moving to cheerier topics, however!

The Ballet Folklórico in the Palacio de Bellas Artes is a festive must-see in Mexico City. Formed by Amalia Hernández in 1952, the ballet has a repertoire of traditionally costumed dances that reflect the history and culture of Mexico.

I was sneaky and got a shot inside the theater - no flash photography. I can't recall now if they actually allowed any photography.

We did some good work while we were there learning about the culture. We visited a local orphanage around the Cuernavaca area and spent the better part of a day with the children there after we had brought them clothing and other items. They tried to get me to speak Spanish to them, but I'm sure they couldn't understand anything I tried to say.

The Robert Brady Museum in Cuernavaca is an interesting place to visit - a collection of art gathered by Robert Brady, an Iowa native who collected art for a good part of his life. The colorful rooms are exactly as he left them, and are filled to the brim with really interesting artifacts.

Wild colors.

He was into crucifixes.

After the Robert Brady Museum, we visited several other fun spots around the general area. We visited Teotihuacan, Xochicalco, and Tenochtitlan. At least that's what I can remember off the top of my head.

Sun or moon? I don't even remember. By the size of the people at the top, I say sun. 

Visiting a panadería is a great adventure. The bread is so delicious, and you can see how it's made right there in front of you. I wanted to eat so much bread. By the way, bread is my favorite. Along with cheese. 

Xo

chicalco

 So, despite my inaccurate descriptions due to my cloudy memory 6 years later, I do have good memories of the amazing people I traveled with as well as the fantastic times I had while visiting my first foreign country - on my own.

My First Serious Adventure

So, my first serious travel adventure was really when I was six years old. I went with my mom to Austria to visit friends for the summer. I remember picking strawberries on the Austrian hillsides, watching strange men milk huge, angry cows. I remember picking on other six-year-olds as we ran mostly naked through the streets during the heat waves (apparently that's what you do when it's hot). I also remember despising the bread they fed me - rye. Terrible bread. I still hate that bread today. One thing I don't remember is taking pictures. That's probably because six-year-olds don't take pictures yet. Oh well. I suppose this first adventure is left up to my memories and your imagination.