EHpiritual

One of the reasons why I chose Xalapa is that its up north..ish..... and actually because of the interesting places around it... in the state of Veracruz.

Thursday morning... I catch a bus... and I go to CATEMACO.... which is a 5-hour bus ride from Xalapa... known for its lagunas, beaches, and "spiritual" side... Catemaco is a village that believes in witch doctors... and is full of "brujos" .... witches performing ceremonies and stuff like that!!!!!

Its SUCH a pretty village... its a small town filled with colors (AGAIN) and shares a lake called "Catemaco Lake".

My hotel is in the middle of it all... it has TV and Internet!

I watched TV after almost 2 months of being absolutely cut off from the Television Industry!

I caught a boat tour around the Catemaco lake and that was beauuutifulllll. I saw Iguanas, Monkey, a crocodile, and many many colors.

Here is the interesting part...... On my arrival here, The hotel people recommended a "SENYORA" that is a Brujo and is willing to perform a spiritual cleaning..... on ME.

I go to the senyora's house, and I spend 10 minutes talking to her and FREAKING OUT... the woman has decorated her whole house with statues of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ .... but SKULLS of them... holding a hammer!!! Its just sooooo weird.... and scary!

Its all about skeletons and hammers and dark and black and WOHOWWWW. I told her I will come back tomorrow... and I FLED!!!!

The next day, as I was having breakfast... someone else comes to me and asks me if I want to do a Spiritual Cleaning!!! So I said yes... and we went to the "senyor's" house... THIS was different... his house was decorated in real Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary statues... I felt better!

I did the Spiritual Cleaning.... he basically prayed on me... while holding an egg... and some parsley.... and spraying something on me.... thats minty! I felt no difference whatsoever! Im just happy I tried it:))))))

On my way back.... I met this 17-year old girl... shes sooooo cute!!! we talked and talked... and met at night for some dinner.... She wanted to go party... but I decided I need to be the mature one and Go SLEEPPPPP.....

My bus leaves at 1:00 today.... and I go back to Jasmine, the cleaning lady, who wants to take me out and show me Xalapa!!!! WOHOWWWW, I have a friend!!!!!!!

HA- la- pa

I packed my Rice, my Pasta, my Vegetables, my toilet paper, my Ketchup, my Oil, my EVERYTHING I own in San Cristobal. With 2 luggages, one for the food and one for my clothes, my yoga mat and my laptop , I was ready to go!

The bus ride was very cool, for once I fell asleep all throughout the 11 hours!

I get to Xalapa Bus Station, and it was all smooth. I get to my Hostal and they were expecting me..... So I have to carry my 2 HUUUGE luggages up to the SECOND floor, with no elevators of course!!!

I check in.... and ask for my "free" breakfast.... it looks like its Beans with some Tortillas! I look at her, Jasmine, and I tell her,... THANKS but you know?? I think Im gonna go out get some breakfast.... Im not sure how my Yoga-full body would take beans for breakfast....
So I walk to Chedraui... the Carrefoure-wannabe in Mexico.... and I buy all my food for lunch and breakfast....

Anyhow... I walk around the city and THIS is what Im thinking.....
This is HUUUGE, for me, coming from the cozy village of San Cristobal.... there are cars!! TWO lanes of cars kamain.... a Traffic police controlling the cars, people on the sidewalks, people with guitars singing on the streets , vendors selling all kinds of food, Music IN MY EARS constantly.... Theyre just so creative with the instruments they use....

Personally, I found it SO MUCH like Montreal... Its beauuutifullllll.. and it turns out my Hostal is RIGHT in the middle of it all!
I cook my lunch, eat, have a siesta,,,, and head back out....


**** I would like to note something!!! After lunch, I MADE A FRIEND!!! Its Jasmine, the cleaner of the Hostal!!! She asked me if I'd like to go out with her tomorrow , her day-off, to the movies... I said YES...

I finally met one man... who is very Mexican, and maybe maybe maybe GAY (I saw a lottt of gays here).....
His name is Charlie, I had coffee with him, and talked about his passion for Italy!!! He is learning Italian now, and he dreams of going to Italy.... Very nice guy... Who had to leave and see his parents....coz he had missed them!


I walk some more.......and .....
They have an alley..... SO jimmayzeh-style..... full of pubs... so I sat there ... and had a glass of wine!!!!
I felt a bit weird, and maybe alone? ..... and was suddenly hit by the feeling of SLEEEPPPYYY, LINA YOURE SLEEPYYYYYY... GO HOMEEEEEEEE.

Thats what I did.... I went home.... Slept like a baby.... and thought of my "date" tomorrow with Jasmine! I would like to see Xalapa from the eyes of a real Xalapenyo!

Come with Me

Here... Come....... walk with me.... throughout my day today...


I started off from my house in 'Flavio Paniagua 74', and walked to 'Real de Guadalupe' down towards the centre, here I slightly smiled at the Cinema that I went to three times to watch a documentary about the Zapatistas. I got to the Centro, and to the ATM Machine and withdrew my smile knowing that Im being charged 20 AED for each transaction...

I walk to 'Cristobal Colon' to pick up my ID Card from Marta the owner of the DVD store! I had to pay her 30 pesos because I was late one day!!!!! I was actually angry with her... because I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS.... you cant just charge me like that!!! I told her!!! But at the end of the day.... business is business I guess.... Im still a bit weird about Marta!!!

Then I walk to 'Francesco Madero' to Claudia.. the woman of the Mobile store that I bought my shitty Samsung from (the one that doesnt have a Calender) .... Ola Claudia!!!! I needed Units!! You never know... I just need to know that I can call!

As I am walking back, almost done with what I have to do.. I see Enrique!!!!! (The Enrique, the American Maria's boyfriend) So, he was really happy to see me because they wanted to get in touch with me and didnt have my number!!! SAME HERE! So apparently its Helen;s birthday and theyre going out to the Wine Bar at 8... and I was invited!!! So also they can drop me to the Bus Station! GREAT!

I leave 'Francesco Madero'... and go to Diego Dugelay to buy Headphones... for 100 Pesos.. like 10 USD... Because mine dont work anymore and Im gonna need sleepy music for the bus ride!

DONE!!! Im ready to go home, to catch my bags and laptop and "check out"...


so I get to 'Flavio Paniagua 74', and the landlord is there, cleaning the house..... OLAAAA ESTERRRRR.... so we sit...and talk for like 20 minutes IN SPANISH about her kids and the lack of business here in July and August .....
Anyhow, 21 minutes later.. the NEW tenant walks in... and so Hes Mexican and we talk about how PERFECT this house is... I LOVE IT, I ADORE IT.... its huge, internet, your kitchen, your bathroom, your space!
The guy is from Morelia, but is now working on his USA Visa to go to San FRancisco! He's a Graphic Designer ... very nice man.... We exchanged emails... and IF he comes to his town in November 1 for the "Day of the Dead", he will email me!


They got me a cab, and helped me with my luggage... and OFF I went ...... to my Yoga Centre, for my last class at 5:30....

You have now walked with me step by step for today, the 21st September!

I hope you enjoyed your walk.

Last weekend

Saturday and Sunday night... in San Cristobal for the last weekend... and gettin THE REAL SC flavor...
Becks, my friend from the Yoga Centre came to my house and stayed with me..... I would have NEVER imagined meeting an ENGLISH woman in Mexico and spending practically three whole days with her.
Becks is a REAL soul. Becks is self made, self taught. Becks doesnt believe in shoes... she walks barefoot to feel the energy of the earth. We spent our time walking and walking and chilling at the Plazas and streets of SC.
We met 3 sets of friends , 3 groups of travellers.... WHILE sitting on a bench... and thats when I realized that THATS what usually happens. People just come up to you and talk. Theyre friendly... and theyre travellers.. like us.... seeking good company and a good time!
2 French guys were lost... so I was their tour guide... I gave them 11 things to do in San Cristobal with the names and locations! ... 4 Mexican guys who were out on Saturday night and told us about an African night happening in Las Bellas club...so we all went and it was my first time in a Mexican Nightclub.... and then 2 German girls with a Mexican friend who invited us to their house//... but we didnt!!


Its just sooo easy to meet people, so I need to break that fear that I have about "NOT" making friends... because the way I see it.. Im doing okay!

My bus leaves tonight to Xalapa, Veracruz... its 11 hours and I will be staying in a Posada...

Im exited.... One month in San Cristobal is now its time to see something else!

Im exited , Im exited, Im curious, Im looking forward, Im nervous but Im positive! VAMOS A VER! Lets see........................................................................................................................................

One VIVA and one Finale

YES... the day the Mexicans were finally freed from the Spanish conquistadores is TODAY. The whole town was fully prepared for the fiestas ... they really cherish this day and THIS I am LUCKY to have witnessed.

I started noticing Mexican Flags all over since last week, every shop, every house, every place... they were decorating and decorating UNTILLLLL.... Last night... September 15.... Of course, its a day off, so ALLLL houses suddendly became empty and EVERYONE was out on the streets... The main location.... The Catedral... or the Zocalo.... They all walk there, and stand.... and at 11:00 pm.. they start SCREAMINGGGG VIVAAA MEXICOOOOO, Viva La Independencia, VIVAAA VIVAAAAA.

Needless to say, the whole area is covered with colors, flags, balloons, markets, games, fireworks... and ITS VIBRANT.

I went out with my friends from the school.. to this pub, Perfidia, and drank and drank, until it was time.... so we all walked there where I witnessed the Passionate Mexicans.

Today , this morning too.... the roads were all blocked... and the was a HUGE parade of the Military, the Army, singing and Marching, and then the KIDS, dressed in a certain uniform, marching and also singing.... People were gathered on the left and right side of the sidewalk.

*** MAY I please add a note here..... and THIS , I was told from my teachers... that basically, the parade was so much shorter than usual... and people are really LESS than all the years... LETS ALL GUESS..... Its our Dear Friend... THE SWINE FLU!

Its sad to know, but its the truth.

Now, to the second point Id like to share.... This is my last week here in San Cristobal. I have completed 4 weeks of Spanish Studying and Living in this gorgeous place..... and NOW, its time to continue my journey.... I have gathered what I need to gather and I feel very very very ready to head out. I can TALK, I can communicate, I can ask for things, I can speak about things, and I can understand what people are telling me.

Today, My teacher told me that I am a VERY VERY EXCELLENT student, and hes very proud of me.. and he thinks.... that in one month... I can't learn more... Ive used all my resources and have grasped it all... OF COURSE, I am yet to learn SO MUCH more about the language... but he says that in one month... Ive used it all and used it wisely.

This makes me happy, and more confident about my travel.... I guess I have accomplished my goal... El Espanol....

Whats next??? I will be going to the state of Veracruz, which is the east side of the coutry, and its where we have our EL GOLFO DE MEXICO Sea. I want to stay in Xalapa, its basically up on a mountain... because I hear its waaaayyyy to Humid there.. and I am not her friend... the humidity!

SO.... I am currently living the final days of San Cristobal and I am fulfilled.

Civilization

One week of full and intense Yoga and Beach and Heat and Mosquitos.... and Im back!
Back in Chiapas, Bcak in San Cristobal.... with the most beautiful "IM HOME" feeling....

Im so proud of myself, I really went in the program ALL the WAY. Four hours of Yoga , plus one lecture per day... A lecture about the philosophies behind Yoga , and the real meaning of Yoga... I made 2 great girlfriends.... and met another dimension of the Spiritual World!

The majority of the conversations went something like this.... "Feed the Manipura Chakra... Go into the Bujangasana.... Stetch the arm and note the energy climbing..... Today, My energy is stronger....The chakra of my heart is aroused....."

Ohhhhh, and one more thing.... The food!!!!! They can NOTTTT begin eating without praying/meditating on the food!!! So they carry the bowl of lunch, smell it, smile, close their eyes, meditate, and then EAT,... when Im halfway through my meal!!!

On my last day.,....This girl comes to the centre with a man... Her name is Sonia.... and she starts talking to me.... and basically she is here with her ex-boyfriend.... and she doesnt feel "the vibe" is right... So when I told her Im leaving tomorrow.. she asked whether she could join me.... and SO YES!!! Her I am... with Sonia... having breakfast in my house in San Cristobal!


It my weekend... before I go back to my Spanish on MOnday and Im planning on enjoying EVERY single minute of it!!!!
Im happy Im back.... The mosquitos are SUCHHHH hungry creatures... I understand when they bite you once, twice.. BUT SIXX times in one area!!!! before attacking the other leg??????


Im happy Im back... Im happy Im back... Im happy Im back!

Im gonna be posting all the picture that I took of Mazunte... the Pacific Coat of Oaxaca... the beauuutiful house I was staying in... the beaaauuutiful beaches... and the beaaaauutiful "chakras" in the air of Mazunte.

Reminders .....

A couple of points that really raised my eyebrow... that really made me THINK... and THINK about the way I have been living in the UAE... just THINK and Observe....

1) As I briefly described earlier... Ariana lives on a mountain... with FIFTY steps that you have to climb before getting to her hut/house!
On the way up, you see alllll kinds of things.... Ducks, chicken, cats, dogs, lizards, birds, mosquitos, many many mosquitos, iguanas, stuff that Ive never ever seen before!
Well, well, Ariana and I woke up yesterday and discovered that the chicken layed her eggs!
The first batch cotained 8 eggs, and the other batch containes another 7 eggs!!!!
REAL fresh eggs!!!!! THAT, mi amor, is gonna be our omelette for Friday morning!

2) Ariana, Becks, and I had spend alllllll day at the beach...after our 1st Yoga class and before our 2nd Yoga class... I got burnt!!!! Although I was sitting under the [Palappa].... We took a truck back home... and as we got there.... and as I was complaing ¨OHHH, I really got buuurnntttt¨... Becks shouts out ¨do you want some aloa vera??¨I was like OH YEAAHHHHHH I would looove some lotion now....
Becks walks out, carrying a plant!!!! with a knife!!!!
She cuts the plant in half... and tells me that THIS is the Aleo Vera she meant!!! I had never seen this before!
Yes I did.............. I applied the slimy insides of the plant onto my body!

3) There are no Telephone lines in this whooooole city! Even if you have a mobile... forget about it,... no signal will catch... there is no Telcel and no Moviestar!!!
Theres no Internet. No television. No cable. The cars all look alike. Its just one brand....


4) Mexicans will remain Mexicans......Just the fact that as you walk down the road, you are BOUND to get a Buenos Dias, or an HOLA.... this just gives them Mexican SUCHHHH a great Characteristic!!!!! A real Flavor! You can feel it everywhere, you can smell it and live it everywhere ........ Here in Mexico!

The Beach

Ariana and I wake up and have breakfast.. its Sunday so its our weekend... no Yoga today , so we think of going to the beach! She knows a calm one, so we head out there.

I need to state something here..... NEVER EVERRR EVER did I give 2 minutes of thought towards the concept of a beach! The beach was the beach to me! And THIS, HERE, NOW is teaching me and showing me the difference between a beach and another!
You see, This whole coast is on the Pacific Side of Mexico... Its a bunch of little towns close to each other ( inno walking-distance-close) that share the beach! HOWEVERRRRR, the beach is monstreous... the waves are HUUUGE, and so violent, and they just do NOT let you swim! You cant even get in the water... youll get pushed in and out and left and right! the waves are scarrryyyyyyy.

Anyhow, Ariana and I get to the ¨calm¨ beach she knows and the waves are just GOING CRAAZYYYYYY. theres no calmness around! We tried... but it was like a work-out... you get it, you get pushed to the left, you try to stand but it pulls you down and right... its crazy!
So we decide to leave and go to another beach!
Except...... we decide to do that internally.... theres a ROCK... or like three ROCKS.. and were like LETS climb them, and we would get to the other side!
Here we are, two girls, HIKING a rock amidst crazy waves!
FOUAD JOSEPH KARAM was on my mind with every step of the way.... Left leg here, right hand there, stop, wait for the huge wave to splash, now right left here, go down, go up, left hand here.......now JUMP!!! 30 minutes later... SUCCESSSSSSS!!!!
We are on the other side of the beach.... Calm???? NO WAYYYYYY! Its the same thing!!!

We ended up going home, cooking food, and having a siesta on the hammocks!

FiRsT... San Augustinillo

I walk out of the cab, and I know where Im going... so I tell the taxi to take me to ¨Ägama Yoga por favor¨. I got there at 8:00 am... Im sweartin like a pooch, Im all red, and Im sooooo tired! the Centre is on a hill... so I had to climb it while carrying my bag! Not very calm!
I get there and the German couple running it, Sophia and Andy, kind-of adopt me!!! They tell me to have a shower... so I DID! and then realized that my phone is not working! It looks like there is no Tel Signal is the WHOOOLE town! NICE!
At 8:30 am, I do my Yoga Class... and I feel CALM!!! I fell asleep in the last 10 Meditation Minutes... Im serious... FELL ASLEEP... And woke up feeling like :OH SHITTTT, WHERES EVERYONE?? WHAT HAPPENED??... hahahaha
So I wake up and see this girl.... this Mexican Girl infront of me... talking to another English girl.... so Hello, Hello, My name is Lina.... Where are you staying Lina??? Well I have no place to stay ... I just got here,and Im gonna go look for a place........ OH, okay, Im taking care of this house for a couple who are in France and its huge... The rooms are rentable... for 10 dollars a night... if you want.....
I was like:.. okay, Let me see it first!

So Ariana and I walk from the Centre to her house... which is a 10-minute walk PLUS 50 steps upwards to the house! The house is ADOOOOORABLE! Its facing the beach, on a hill, all in wood!!!! Like ALLLL made of wood!!!

I walk back to the centre... Up the hill again.... and Becks (the other girl) tells me she would like to go to the beach with me... I was like DEFINITELLLLY, LETS GOOOO! i need water!!
We walk to the beach.... Becks and I.... and have lunch and talk and talk and talk!!!!

We walk back to the Centre for the second Yoga class we have at 4.... I do that!!

I enrolled in this Yoga Centre for the whole week.... 2 classes per day... each class is 2 hours... I have 2 amaaaazing girl-friends. The group consists of a Lebanese, a Mexican, and an English.
We are INSEPERABLE. We are always together, either at the Centre, or at some beach watching the sunset.... or cooking dinners at home!
Ariana and Becks play the guitar, so after the food, we usually chill and they play the guitar!
The beach is constantly in my ear! The hammocks are LOVELY. Life is good! Life is Health!

Change of Plans

ChAnge of Plans errrbody......

I will be leaving San Cristobal tomorrow night, and Ill be taking a night bus for 12 hours leaving the state of Chiapas, and heading towards the state of Oaxaca,
Since I have alrealy been to the City of Oaxaca with the one and only RIDE THE IGUANA GANG in 2008; I will not go to the City..... Instead, Im going to the Pacific Coast for some SUN , sun , beach, sea turtles, dolphins, and more sun.

Im planning on visiting Puerto Angel, and then several Playas around Puerto Angel.... like the Mazunte and the Zipolite.... Puerto Angel is known for its fishing and seafood, and clear beaches and turtles (theres the Museum of Turtles there)....
MMMMMMaybe, Im not sure, but If I feel like it , I will then go to Puerto Escondido...... Thats another city with more beaches, But the difference is that this is very well known for surfers coz the Waves are huuuuuge and there are so many people that have drowned kamain!... yeah, Im not sure about this one............ maybe not!...........

I will have no access to Internet... the bugalows and hotels there barely have Electricity!!! Im serious.... some of them proudly announce "we now have electricity".....


Around the 13th or 14th of September , I should be back to San Cristobal to continue my 2 weeks of classes in school!
I just felt like I needed to change a bit, and take a break... just me and myself... under the sun... reading allllll my notes of Spanish... and since Im going ALLLLLL alone..... who knows... maybe meeting Mexicans and practicing my Spanish????? I hope so!!! I really really hope so!

Dont know exactly where Ill be staying.... what hotel, what playa excatly.... but I know whats gonna happen.... Im gonna get there, fall in love with a beach, and decide to stay at their hotel!!!


Ill talk to you in 10 days!!
I love every Set of Eyes reading this post!!! Every set!!!!!!!

One day.....

I was walking around Mighel Hidalgo, and I discovered something.... thats..... prrrrrobably the most interesting concept Ive heard!!!!
A bookshop.... that just DOES NOT deal with money!!!
So I walked in, I gave them one book I had in my bag, and I chose a LONELY PLANET book that I want from their massive collection!
DONE! Thats it. I walked out of the store, and suddenly started walking faster and faster, in case someone comes out and tells me "Listen Miss, you still need to pay...." I am just NOT used to this at ALLL.

Next, I kept walking.... to my school! It was 5:00 pm and I had an "appointment" at my school!
They had organized an "intercambio" with me.... which is:
a one-hour meeting with a Mexican person... JUST ME and him..... and JUST us talking
The hour passed like it was 4 seconds!!!! I met Errrik, and talked and talked an talked and I just couldnt stop talking!! I got introduced to him, to his religion, to how his family is, to the traditions of his country....AND I WAS SMILING alllllllll throughouttttt!! I AM DOING IT!! I AM SPEAKING!!!!!

6:20PM, WE realized that we crossed our time, and we scheduled another appointment kamain!!!

So I walk some more.... and I decide to sit in MYYYY PLACE (I have found THE place in San Cristobal)..
Casa Luz..... is a centre, that has Yoga, acupunture, massage, a restaurant, movie screenings , and a nutrition centre!!!!!! I read for 2 hours and then went to a bar to meet my "group" of friends//./...
Megan and Brian leave today, so its their farewell--ish.... They are just the cuuuuuuuutest couple ever! Theyre one of the couples that just LOOOK sooo good together... Shes gorgeous, and soooo simple, and sooo delicate... and you look at her and you instantly get the urge to tell her your problems!!! Megan and Brian and going away for THREE months to Spain and (listen to this) and theyre gonna WALK throughout the state!!!! WALK from state to state!!! Just the two of them!!!! walking!!!!! (I will leave NO comments, coz I cant even find the words to describe that)

Megan , Brian, Pete, Beth, Enrique y Maria, Helen and I ...... Talk and talk, and share moments and experiences, and share stories about our past and I just DONT want this moment to end!!!!


One day in San Cristobal........ teaches me the meaning of "Satisfaction".