Circles

Este mes para el reto fotográfico de "La vuelta al mundo"*, Jackie nos propuso buscar circulos en todas partes, en la calle, en la casa, en la naturaleza. La verdad este mes ha sido un ajetreo, aunque uno muy esperado y que hemos disfrutado mucho (ya les contare) y solo pude encontrar estos circulos. Como siempre aqui está el link a Casi en Serio para ver los circulos que se cerraron por el globo.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This month for " La vuelta al mundo*",  Jackie challenged us to look for circles everywhere: in an urban environment, at home, in nature. This month has been crazy, and cycles are closing because it is coming to an end, with renewed energy and ideas. We enjoyed a lot this busy time of  relax (if that makes any sense) with family and friends. I will keep you posted on all the things we have been up to.For now here are the circles I found. And as always, here is the link to Casi en Serio to look at all the circles found elsewhere in the globe.

Impresive nature: Grutas de Cacahuamilpa national park.

 Yesterday we went off on a day trip to Cacahuamilpa caverns. It is an underground cave system, still active (which means water still filters through) that was formed 85 million years ago. It is home for bats (though we didn't see any) and lays 450 m. "inside" a mountain. The highest "hall" is 81 meters tall. It really was an impressive sight, after all it is the 2nd largest cave system in Latin America. (If you are wondering, the World's biggest is Son Doong, in Vietnam). The national park and cave was discovered in the mid 1800's, though, interestingly, it had been used for religious rites by the Olmecs and Chontals and diverse pottery objects were found. If you are ever around and enjoy adventures don't miss it.

Of sand castles and raccoons.

Hello there. First of all, apologies for the radio silence this week... we were away at the beach, yeah, don't feel sorry for us. I was thinking of you guys though.
It had been a while since we got to spend a whole week chilling, and there is something about the sea, that calms me down. I love to play in the water, the sand and enjoy the sun. Speaking of the sun, do not ever forget your sunblock, as I recklessly and purposedly did one day because I wanted a tan. Yes, I should have known, but that's what I did when I was 14 and nothing happened. Well not anymore, not only did I not get the brown tan I wanted, I ended up with red, uneven stains in my belly and legs. That will teach me.

Anyway, the boy tends to get bored in this kind of getaway, I guess it is a cultural thing, since for me vacations=beach, and he just didn't get the fun of it all. Until now. I guess it has to do with the fact that we were rather active: we took archery lessons, played basketball, went kayaking in the sea, took salsa lessons, trained and went for long walks (me) / runs (the boy) early in the morning, which I truly enjoyed. Specially spotting the local fauna in action. We are back in land now and I hope I will be able to write more often these days.

So... lil' sister's wedding.

 It came and went. It was amazing to see so many friends and family members together at the same time, some of whom I hadn't seen together in a long, long time. It was a hectic day, setting up the dessert table and photobooth, then heading to the hairdresser, getting ready and dressing up my sister, and then rushing to the church to organize the flower girls and boys, make sure everybody knew what they had to do in the ceremony (though it was in fact chaotic) and then letting it all go and enjoying the reception.  So much fun. Here are a few pics, I will show you moreas soon as I can, so stay posted :)

A special day

Today is kind of our anniversary. On a day like this, 4 years ago, the boy came to see me in Barcelona for the first time after our meeting in the airplane. And 2 years ago, he proposed. On a Wednesday morning, during our morning cuddles.

So yes, it is a special day. And it is gonna be a crazy day: laundry, packing  for the beach next week (oh yeah), cleaning the crystal containers for the dessert table, delivering the last "welcome packs" for our out-of-town guests, and making sure my sister is relaxed, all the last minute errands are taken care of.

Shots from the highway

Recently, my new obsession is to take pictures on the road. The boy always says that I shouldn't just take pictures at random, but I like to take pictures in the heat of the moment. So without further ado here are a few of my "random" snapshots.

Oh, and by the way, yesterday we had one of those engagement photoshoots, in the middle of the fields and in an old "hacienda", so as soon as we have those pics I'll show them to you.

Colourful Guanajuato

How have you been doing? I hope you are all having a nice February. I am back to show you a very pretty city in the lowlands, in central Mexico, in the geographical area known as the Bajio.

 Guanajuato is a city full of history, and it has been declared common heritage of mankind by the UNESCO.While you are there, you should absolutely not miss Teatro Juarez an Art-Nouveau building inaugurated in 1903 and beautifully decorated with intricate moorish patterns made of stucco and painted wood. It is still being used,  and has a remarkable acoustics .

 In Guanajuato, you should also see Diego Rivera's childhood home. He was one of Mexico's most acclaimed muralists (along with Orozco and Siqueiros) and Frida Kahlo's "unfaithful but loyal" husband (in his own words).

 The university is also beautiful, for some reason it reminds me of Girona and Tarragona, in Catalunya.
We loved how the city is so colourful and how it has its own Romeo and Juliet kind of legend: at a street called "Callejon del Beso" the space between balconies was so narrow that lovers could kiss. It is said that a rich Spanish girl fell in love with a miner of a different social class, and the story ended up tragically with her death.

 Such a happy and vibrant city, I went there once when I was around 10, then again in high school but I did not remember that aspect of the city. Very joyful!

Snippets of Mexico

So, I am still a little bit jet lagged, but overjoyed for being close to my family and friends. We have been running errands, catching up with delicious Mexican food and so on. But I think of you and I thought I would let you get a glimpse of what we've been up to.

Delicious Sweet bread, I ate a "concha", the white round ones.

The boy pretending to be a cute Panda :p

Blue hair and Strawberry shortcake dreams come true. Yay more photobooth props.

A view of my lovely city.

This is the line for the tamales, on the 2 of February, Candelaria, national tamale eating day...

It is a holiday that represents the day Baby Jesus was brought to the temple. Oh and that is a tamale. Green are better but they sold out...

I love airports

Can you guess? All the excitement, everyone ready for new adventures, going away, coming back home, lovers reuniting.
But oh how I hate going through security. This was my first time going through a body scanner and I can't believe how humiliating it felt. Already the fact that I had to strip off my boots, belt, coat, jackets, watch... as is usual nowadays. Then you have to go in the stupid machine that is more like a capsule, put your feet in a designated place and raise your hands. I felt in a cowboy movie. Oh and after that, the security staff still physically search you (read touch you) all over.  I wonder if all of these rules are actually helping anything, it is just annoying.
The good part is now I am home, jet lagged, feeling like a zombie, and unable to make some sense, but oh so happy to be with my family and friends, and to see the sun and feel the warmth. As we left, it had started to snow and we are missing it. But I won't complain about it, oh no.