Cuetzalan del Progreso

After almost nine months in Mexico, I feel more independent, worldly, and spontaneous than ever.

Full disclosure, that last one is typically by accident. Last week I talked my friend Jazmin into taking a weekend trip to a pueblo mágico in the north of the state just because I'd heard it was beautiful. (As in it's heavily featured on all of the Puebla Instagram accounts I follow.)

Shockingly, quaint Cuetzalan does not show up on trusty hostelworld.com, so we set off on the 100 mile bus journey without having booked a place to stay. As far as I've come from my painfully timid and risk-avoiding middle school self, I admit that I was freaking out about that one. Luckily everything worked out perfectly, and despite being eaten alive by mosquitoes and sweating excessively for three days la pasamos muy bien. 

View from our (last-minute) hotel

This posada was worth the *gasp* 7 bucks a night 

Our spontaneity was short-lived. We immediately made our way to the tourist information booth where we got a handy map from a guy who said I speak Spanish with a French accent. This was not the first time I've been told that.  Je ne sais pas.

All churches should be this colorful 

Sunday tianguis 

Did you know true friendship is measured by how many solo shots someone's willing to take of you? La verdad. Also by one's willingness to scroll through all of them. Best of luck.

We spent our first afternoon just walking around the incredibly picturesque streets. These dogs were incredibly photogenic, but they also barked their heads off and almost jumped of the roof and killed me. "Almost" being the key word there, thankfully.

The result of 15 minutes and 4 different shopkeepers trying to figure out how to use my camera

You know you're in Mexico when most people don't even bat an eye at the existence of these stunning ruins. Not only did we bat many an eye, we took advantage of the lack of tourists by taking the most touristy photos possible!!

Our next destination was almost an hour from downtown, which wouldn't have been an issue except for the fact that we were in a minivan with approximately 30 people and had to stand up the entire ride. The sweat dripping from our bodies rivaled the waterfalls we were visiting.

Just when I'd become accustomed to the combi life, Cuetzalan switched it up with a collective camioneta transport system. As in everyone sits in the back of a pickup truck. Amazing.

We hit up another cool waterfall right afterwards, because we're outdoorsy like that. Apparently the mosquitos felt so drawn to my nature-loving aura that they feasted on my calves. 

Also worth mentioning, at this particular site there was some sort of topless/mummy-inspired photoshoot going on? Kinda ruined the family-friendly vibe.

And last but not least, the straw that broke the camel's back. Or, more literally, the molé that broke Malissa's digestive system. Worth it though.

it's a celebración

My ongoing mission throughout this year has been to get more involved in my local community (a goal that goes beyond being known as the gringa flaquita who turns bright red in Zumba class). I feel like in my other abroad experiences I spent too much time with other extranjeros and missed out on some cool ~cultural experiences~ typically reserved for close friends and family, so this time around I really wanted to get that insider's perspective. 

Thus, I am pleased to announce that after eight long months some poblanos took pity on the overeager weirdo and invited me to several events that have given me a glimpse into some of the most traditional Mexican celebrations. 

QUINCEAÑERA 

Buenas noticias for me and any other US Americans who find themselves in the middle of the dance floor at a stranger's 15th birthday blowout: YMCA is universal party tune. That's right, a few basic-but-enthusiastic arm motions were all I needed to feel in my element as I boogied along with hundreds of high schoolers and relatives.

I'm not sure how my student convinced her cousin to include me in her special day, but in all my excitement I didn't think to question it. Despite not meeting the quinceañera herself until the night of the fiesta, I was tearing up just as much as her parents and padrinos during sentimental moments like the slideshow and father-daughter waltz. At some point between the four-course meal, choreographed performances, and Mexican version of the "Cupid Shuffle," I decided that I will be hosting my XXV in 2019. Hashtag My Super Sweet Twenty Five!

PRIMERA COMUNIÓN 

A few short days after that party, I was part of a milestone occasion for two kids I've been tutoring all year. Unfortunately the Catholic liturgy isn't as easy to pick up as the quinceañera line dances, so for most of the mass I stood in silent confusion well everyone else crossed themselves and recited the appropriate phrases. Nonetheless, the end of the service was really moving as each child's godparents gave them a Bible and accompanied them to the communion table for the first time. More tearing up on my part, naturally. 

Día de la Madre

In the past I've complained that calendar holidays in Mexico are taken a bit too seriously (like please can we all agree Valentine's Day does not require that much hype?), but who can argue with making a huge deal out of Mother's Day?! I attended the elementary school's big show for las mamás yesterday, and I loved getting caught up in the festivities (which involved each class wearing adorable coordinated outfits and presenting a song/dance/poem).

CINCO DE MAYO

And for all my talk about doing my thing without foreign friends, I got my turista on last weekend to catch the 5 de Mayo parade in Puebla with some other Fulbrighters. Feel free to scroll past the low-quality pictures, but do me a favor and watch this video about the true significance of day. Spoiler alert: it's celebrated more in the US than in most parts of Mexico. 

One month from today I'll be back in los Estados Unidos. Let's see how much more culture I can swoop in on during my last weeks here!!