Something that I didn’t really know about here was that the city essentially shuts down during holy week. I was off from classes and most schools usually give two weeks off for break. Nothing really is expected to get done. On Monday, I didn’t really have a plan in mind. I had thought of going to the anthropology museum. I let myself sleep in and then I head to the gym. Since it was one of the first days that I could take my time with my workout, I did. I love when I can take my time on my workouts. It was good because I was still incredibly sore from the week before. My legs needed to stretch out the tightness that were my thighs.
I like my gym because there are a lot of machines and since I go when there are no classes going on, the classrooms are open as well. That means I can do my pathetic bodyweight workouts in peace and out of the line of sight of others. The classrooms are always empty when I go. I don’t really understand why no one uses them. Probably because they want everyone to see their intense workouts and show off haha. Seriously, there are no normal looking people there. Almost all of the women workout in their sports bras and the majority of men are meatheads grunting and flexing in the mirrors. But I just do my thing and not get in anyone’s way since I am a mere mortal.
I didn’t end up going to the museum of anthropology because they are closed on Monday. Then on Tuesday I worked out (after sleeping in again. Hey! It was a given vacation!) and then headed up north to stay with Yo and S. I had a plan of heading to the museum from there, but then I ended up tagging along with them to the different errands. It was a chill evening and Yo and S worked while I too “worked” (ok, I tried reading for a bit and then fell asleep on their new couch).
On Wednesday, we went around town for another round of errands. Yo needed to pay the water bill, electricity bill, and internet, also she needed to go to At&t and complain about her brand new service. She just changed to a new mexican number and is not able to do all the things she should be able to, such as make calls, receive calls, receive text messages etc. Granted the service is only $350 pesos a month which right now is about $19.00 USD which is incredible! But of course it is only incredible if the service actually works. Paying the internet was fine - I mean nothing is online or automated. You can pay your bills at any corner/convenient store. The internet bill went through, but then the system couldn’t process the water or electricity bills. Luckily there was an office for the electricity just around the corner, but the water bill couldn’t go through. I don’t know what they ended up doing about that. I headed out back to my apartment because we had conveniently come upon the metrobus that would take me directly home.
On Thursday, I totally forgot that the cleaning lady was going to show up early. I woke up terrified, because someone was in the apartment (it was her, surprise!). I got ready and went to a coffeeshop in the local market for some breakfast and some work time. Since it was the start of the holidays, this place was one of the few open so it was really busy. It was a lovely time just working and I enjoyed some french press coffee and chilaquiles. I then walked to the Metrobus and went up north to Roma (a very cutesy part of town) to another coffeeshop. The one I intended to go to was closed and I ended up at a very nice spot called Delisa. Yo and I had walked by before and had wanted to go. I sat outside and enjoyed a mocha for a few hours. I actually got a lot done. I now have a complete outline for my novel! Right now it’s looking like it will be about 31 chapters long. But now I feel like I can really dive into the story because I see where it will end.
Then I stopped by Yo and S’s apartment to pick up my bag and things from the day before. The day was super lovely and I enjoyed the long walk. Marisa arrived from Puebla that night and we left for Morelia on Friday morning. We picked up my uncle Luis on the way. We picked up my abuelitos and then went to my aunt Lili’s house where we had lunch and just hung out the afternoon and evening. She and Jorge made the MOST delicious carne asada I have ever eaten. We had that with fresh quesadilla’s off the grill. Everyone ate too much and was content. My cousins brought out a volleyball and we played different games in the backyard for quite a few hours. We played mostly a game that if you dropped the ball, then you got a punishment. At first the punishment was that you had to stand against the wall and stay still while someone tried to kick or throw the ball at you. But then it ended up being a shot of tequila, cocacola, or water with chili powder in it. You can imagine most took the shot of tequila.
I was so tired that night that I slept very soundly. We had a slow morning on Saturday. Luis and Chata went to play golf (she won by A lot haha) while Marisa and I went to the mall because she needed some new shoes. We then went to the golf club restaurant for lunch and sat outside for a nice meal to continue celebrating my abuelo’s birthday. We then returned to the house and played probably 20 rounds of Rummy. It took me about 12 rounds to remember that I actually like that game. I never think, “You know what would be really fun!? Rummy!” but now I might say that. Granted that was about the same time I started winning and went on to win the consecutive 7 rounds.
Luis, Marisa, and I headed out of Morelia around 10 this morning. We made wonderful time to Mexico City. The drive only took us three hours when it normally takes four. Luis is a very aggressive driver and he was averaging the curves of the mountains around 80 MPH. I had my eyes on the road the whole drive as a notorious carsick back seat passenger. We made it and then immediately took the car to the wash to take off the layer of dead bugs. Everyone else had the same idea and while Marisa waited I went to the grocery store, walked back and still waited another fifteen minutes. We finally made it to the apartment safe and sound and hungry. I now should do real work for my classes. Nothing like leaving it all to the last minute on Sunday.
