Sleeping in the streets

Let�s just say that this weekend was an experience. One of the members in ourward invited us to go with him and his family to the birthday party for hisgrandfather in a small village in Guerrero. We left a day earlier becausethey didn�t have room for us in their car. We first went to the bus stationand found out that we missed the first bus. We waited an hour for the secondand went to Chilpancingo. There we were supposed to take a taxi to adifferent village, however, there were only two taxi�s left and about 20people waiting in front of us. Also they wanted us to pay triple because ofthe night time. We figured that we probably missed the bus in the next townthat we had to take so we decided to stay the night in Chilpancingo. We atethere at a taco place, and talked to the missionaries. We then went to thebus station to find a place to sleep. I always bring a blanket on ouradventures luckily and use my back pack as a pillow. We were sleeping in thehallway when the security guard kicked us out. We then tried to find a churchto sleep on the grass. We looked around and finally when we were walking toone, we found a park that was next to a hospital and the red cross. It had anampitheater and we slept on the cement steps. The other parks that we foundsmelled like urine so we were happy about this one even though it was well litand there were a lot of people. It was hard for me to sleep literaly becausethe concrete was a little unforgiving, the lights and because I had slept onthe bus ride before. I also hid my money and my debit card in my shoe andtied my back pack around me just in case someone tried to rob us while we weresleeping. It was around 1:30 when I finally got to sleep, and we woke up at 4to get the first taxi in the morning. We then took the "bus" which was atruck bed with a roof on it to the next town. We then took a taxi to outdestination town.We got there and i crashed. We helped set up for the party. THe house wasincredible. I would like to have one like it one day because it had a hugefamily room where there were no protecting walls to the out side. They can dothat because it doesn�t get that cold. The town was nice too, but there wasgarbage all over the place and the cool river that cut through the rocks wasbrown with sewer. We shot sling shots at the pigs running wild all over theplace. It was good, but we ate so much that Chris and I got sick. We hadterrible gas so Chris suggested that we drank a glass of very concentratedwater with baking soda. I don�t know if you have every done that but it isdisgusting. We had a good time releasing our gases though. That nighthowever, we paid the price for our overeating. He was on the tolietdownstairs and i was on the toliet upstairs all night.The next day, we took it easy. We went to the ranch that the family owned.They rent out thier land to cattle ranchers so there were some cows out andabout. Also, on thier land they found some indian pottery and arrow heads.They had told some archeologists and they came took samples but never cameback. They gave us some shards that we found, nothing big but they areinteresting. I think the people at Mesa Verde would be angry but we didn�twant to offend our hosts.I am glad to be home for that reason. It is fun being a guest, but it feelsgood to be home. I like being able to eat what and when I like and do what Iwant and not feel obligated to anyone. Because I get sick when I am a guest.It was a good time and the parents drove us back in thier mini van. I had agood weekend. I hope you guys did to.

THis week in my life

just wanted to write a quick email telling you what is going on this week.They are having a farewell ceremony for all of the exchange students that isformal. They asked me and one of my friends to speak so we are making aspeach. Also, mom you will be so proud, but I am playing my harmonica toaccompany one of my classes in a song that we are singing for the ceremonytoo. We just got done practicing.I probably will be living with Paul next semester also. My friend Goph and Iare going to buy the contracts of two of his friends so they can go onmissions. However, I have my doubts because I have a 7:30 Organic CHem classevery mon wed and Fri. I then have biology, english, physics and institute.So I won�t be very happy with freshman that keep me up until 2 o�clock. But Ithink it will be good before Paul goes on the mission and I will also be ableto use his car.We didn�t have any cool adventure last weekend other than we went clubbing andon splits with the missionaries. It was quite a contrast. I also went to thebirthday of one of my friends. She is very well off and had a sit down dinnerfor 40 people. It was pretty impressive. Chris and I were the only gringos.Good luck everybody, and Mom if you could proofread that stuff that would begreat. Paul, I am also going to need you to some errands for me for ascholarship that i was nominated for. I send you the details later.Child #6 signing offScott

Day of the Dead

Mom, I am glad that you got my message on the machine. I am also glad thatyour birthday was such an adventure. I hope bubba got my Birthday email too.Well, it is probably about time to email you guys especially what happenedlast weekend. One of our friends from the organization that we work with inthe village invited us to go to his house for the day of the dead. It was inPatzcuaro Michoacan for all of you with Mexican Geography skills. Any ways weleft on Thursday night and we went in his truck. The bed of his truck wasfilled to the brim with flowers that they use to decorate thier houses forthe day of the dead. When we got to the village at about 3:30 in the morning,all of the kids were outside. Because they had to wait until 4 sharp to putup some altars for the dead. We got there and we slept on the floor by thefamily shrine to the dead. It wasn�t too bad. He has 7 kids, one of them ismarried and has a kid. All of them live in the house with them and they havefour rooms. They also had a dry latrine and took pales of water for showers.They had an electric stove but they also used a fire to cook. Nevertheless Ifelt I was camping. It was actually very comfortable. I didn�t shower orchange my clothes for the 4 days we were there though.The next day, Nov 1. we went to the cementary because it was the day peoplebrought bread and food and candels to the graves of the children who had died.They believe that the dead come back to the villages during these times soyou should bring them there favorite food. We also helped put up flowers onstrings that helped show the dead where the offerings in the houses were.We went to a birthday party of another lady from the organization, and shelived in a palace. It was beautiful. It was interesting to see the contrast.We had fish soup and the best fresh tortillas that I have ever had. Theycooked them over a fire that Chris and I made. I was proud of that.For the night of the dead, Nov. 1, we went to the capital of the Perepachaempire, tsintsuntsan, where there were tons of tourists because it is worldknown for its celebrations. We watched these cool traditional dances wherethe children put on masks of old people and wore wooden sandels that were loudagainst the wooden stage. We also went to a play at 11-2 o clock in themorning of Don Juan. It was in a church. We then went to the cementary wherethere were thousands of candels lighting the graves. People brought food forthe dead, Fresca, alcohol, breads, tomales, etc., kind of what we do when webuy the grandparents favorite candy for memorial day. They also sleep andhave parties in the graveyard to celebrate the arrival of their loved ones.They had huge altars of flowers. It was an experience I won�t forget.We also went to a village that is on an island in the middle of a lake. Youhave to take a ferry out. It was great and beautiful. That night we went toa dance with the young people in the village because they get married whenthey are 21 most of the kids were around 13 to 18. It was fun but it was sadto see kids of 13 drinking beer.We discovered another town the next day. There were tons of art shops. Dadyou should be glad mom wasn�t here. Chris and I bought wool sweaters for $10a piece. We bartered him down from $20. We drove home that night with 8people in this small truck. It was pretty uncomfortable, and we got home at 4in the morning on mon. I had to get up at 10 and do homework for my class.But hey, youre only a study abroad once. You have to live it up.Nevertheless my body broke down. I had the double edged sword on Wed. I wasthrowing up and had diarreah at the same time. It was pretty bad., but it wasgood to be able and to have to rest.I also had to register for my classes for next semester. It is going to be anawful opposite to this semester with my biology, organic chemistry, phyisicswith thier labs and recitations and an english class. I had my fun nextsemester is going to be death. However, this experience in Mexico isdefinitely worth it. I might come back very poor in money, but I am rich withlife. That is pretty stupid sounding but hey, that is how it is.I also have found my research project for next semester. I am going toanalyze the soil and environment of one of the villages here to find out whatvegetables will grow better so that they can have more variation in thierdiet. I have a couple of professors at USU that are going to help me. Also Iemailed the Engineering department at USU to find out if they would beinterested in finding a way to irigate this village so that when the raindoesn�t fall at the right times, the people will still be able to have cropsand not have to worry about surviving on the money from their relatives in theUS.