REBECA BRITNEY

*in this picture: the Rural side of Mexico City*

Hello!!! It’s been awhile. I graduated from High School and passed my nursing assistant class! Yay!

Anyway, I’m in Mexico! I’m going to be here for 3 weeks! Sounds like a long time right? I agree it is but I’m excited for this adventure. I’m in a small town, and everyone here knows each other. It’s really cute.

*in this picture: the statue of El Cristo Rey*

Everyone here in Jalisco really loves Jesus. There are so many pictures of him in every home. And a big statue of Him in La Plaza. They call him El Cristo Rey which in Spanish means King Jesus. It’s really inspiring because I love Jesus too. Can I get an Amen?

On Sunday we woke up early to go to church. Church started at 8:30 am which is way earlier than the one back home. My cousins and I took up an entire pew which I thought was funny. Mass was nice. We then walked back home and ate lunch at my great grandma’s house with all my cousins, uncles and aunts. The house was packed but there was room for everyone. It was then that we found out that we were going on a spontaneous trip to the beach!

Later in the evening I went to the plaza with my family and we got ice cream. Then all of a sudden candidates for government jobs started giving speeches. I was then handed a drink from one of the campaign team members. Then my aunt explained to me that the government uses the people’s tax money to fund candidates campaigns. Which is why they give out “free” stuff like drinks and food to the public. I found that interesting…

*in this picture: Jamaica drink*

On Monday we woke up at 4:30 am. The drive took 5 hours and we arrived to Puerto Vallarta around 10 am.

*in this picture: in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta was soooo pretty! The water was so warm and the weather was humid and amazing. Later, my grandparents decided that this other beach called Guayabitos would be better. Guayabitos is in a nearby state called Nayarit. Guayabitos is extremely beautiful.

When we finally settled into the hotel we went to the beach for the rest of the day.

*in this picture: Guayabitos at night*

On Tuesday we went to the beach again and later on a boat ride to a near by island called “Isla de los corales”

We took so many pictures. The water was super clear you could even see the little fishes in the water. At first the fish were nice to look at but then I started getting uncomfortable because I could feel them swimming past my legs!

After dinner the sunset was just stunning. So we stopped to take some more pictures again.

*in this picture: sunset*

Wednesday was our last day in Guayabitos. On our last day we watched the soccer match between Mexico and Sweden. Sadly, Mexico lost but we still qualified thanks to South Korea! I love watching the World Cup!

On our way back we stopped to see another statue of Jesus! This one was in a small Pueblo called Ixtlán del Rio, Nayarit.

*in this picture: El Cristo Rey*

On Thursday

We spent the day talking to my great grandma. She’s a pretty funny lady.

On Friday

I went to a nearby city called Cocula. Fun fact! Cocula is the city where Mariachi first started. Shout out to the French for bringing violins to Mexico!

*in this picture: the entrance to Cocula. It says “welcome to Cocula. The worldwide birthplace of Mariachi” in Spanish.

I sadly didn’t see a Mariachi band maybe next time! But I did see a lot of things for sale. Shoes, clothes, electronics, food and lots of other stuff.

Something I bought was a small tejuino.

*in this picture: my 5 pesos tejuino*

Tejuino is a cold drink made of fermented corn, piloncillo, lime juice and salt. It’s most popular in the state Jalisco. I thought it was cool to be able to try it in Cocula. My tejuino cost me 5 pesos which is super cheap. 5 pesos is roughly around 25 US cents. It was good and really refreshing.

On Saturday it was my great grandma’s birthday party. We ate tacos, drank horchata and listened to a Mariachi band. I thought it was a wonderful party. Good food and good music. What more can you ask for?

*in this picture: everyone having a good time dancing to the Mariachi.”

Before I left I said good bye to my Tio. He responded, “Okay Mija goodnight I’ll see you guys tomorrow for the recalentado ! ”

To be honest I got a little confused because I forgot what Recalentado meant but then I remembered. Recalentado is after a big party the next morning everyone comes back to eat heated up left overs for breakfast until it’s all gone.

Well that’s a wrap of my 1st week! Thank for reading!!!

-RC