A Todo el Mundo

We headed out of Edmonton on a cold and grey day. We got to Seattle and it was also a cold and grey.. well, night. Seattle felt ok, then we headed to L.A. It was INSANE. It was exactly like being in Latin America. There were people speaking Spanish EVERYWHERE. We both knew that there were lots of Latins in Los Angeles, but we never imagined how intense it would be. It was awesome.

We finally got to Guadalajara. Unfortunately... our luggage didn't. It's funny because before that, we discussed how that has never happened to us before, except on the trip home. Well, I suppose that's all it takes. So we filed a report and left the airport empty handed. Now, this may seem sucky. But it was WONDERFUL. We just hopped on the local bus for 40 cents instead of having to take an expensive taxi. We were comfortable and mobile.

We spent the entire morning (we arrived downtown Guadalajara at about 8:00) wandering around and looking at pretty buildings and just enjoying our return to Latin culture. We took about a thousand pictures. Then we spent a couple of hours just sitting in the plaza watching the pigeons and the children chasing said pigeons.

Eventually... there was a PROTEST. We both love being part of such action. Although this one was fairly tame. Then we wandered to find some food. We had Pain de Muerto (which is "bread of death") leftover from the Day of the Dead celebrations... so we got two for one! Nathan also found some delicious fruits. Everything is sooo cheap.

Now we have just arrived at our hotel and settled into our room. Our luggage arrived here before us... which is so FREAKING AMAZING. We didn't even have to haul it 37 blocks on our backs!! The hotel is the nicest we have ever stayed in. It's an old colonial building and is amazingly beautiful. At this point, we haven't slept since Tuesday night, so we are going to sleep then head out for some more Guadalajara.

Hasta Luego!

Kristy y Nate (Y bubba oso también)

So, we will be arriving in Guadalajara at about 6am on Thursday morning. We plan to spend two days in Guadalajara and then head to a city called Morelia. Morelia is about half way to Mexico City. Then on Sunday we will head to Mexico City and spend some time there. The first few days we will spend in a hostel, and then the last couple of days with some of Nate's "extended" family.

Right now is an interesting time to be in Mexico. Since the state of Tabasco flooded and was declared in a state of emergency, things have gotten slightly chaotic. People are starving and without homes and have turned to looting. The Mexican government has asked for help from other nations, but so far only NGOs have assisted. About 9,000,000 people have been directly affected and they are now concerned that there will be outbreaks of cholera, hepatitis, and dengue fever. I only bring this up because no body else seems to. When I talk to people about it, they seem to have heard absolutely nothing about it. It's interesting how when things happen here (or in the US ie. Katrina) they are automatically devastating, but when it happens in Latin America, no one really cares or even bothers to mention it.

*end of rant*