The Fat Saw (La Sierra Gorda)

 

What I Have Done with the Last 9 Days of my Life 

First, on Labor Day, we had four classes... FOUR! I felt very unpatriotic, but I guess I lived up to the whole 'labor' part. Then again, I don't think Mexicans really celebrate this holiday anyways. 

Anyways, this has been an awesome week, filled with events ranging from playing soccer with some ninos in the Plaza to chatting away with the owners of our favorite taco shop to visiting the Sierra Gorda (more on that later). Ben and I played volleyball with some guys from our church and I think we'll be spending a lot of time with them. 

All this is great, but rather  redbrick, and so now I digress (actually the opposite, but I really like using that word, it makes me feel smart) to reach a subject far more fascinating. On Friday, we left for the Sierra Gorda, a large mountain range in northeast Queretaro. We visited 3 of the 5 missions founded by Fray Junipero Serra.

 Sierra Gorda

First, we went to some ancient ruins, where they played Juego de Pelota (a ritual/ sport in which the winning team was sacrificed). Then we went to a HUGE waterfall (90 meters and rushing mightily). It was awesome to worship God, singing "Cuan Grande es Dios" under a flood of rushing water. His creation is beautiful, but the best thing is He still cares about a messed up piece of work like me. For me, this is a very humbling thought, and I've been reminded of it constantly on this trip.

 
The next day we hiked to Puente de Dios (God's bridge), another rushing rapid with a naturally formed bridge with water flowing underneath. That night was Karoake night, and let's just say I went a little wild.

Anywho, our third day we got to take part in a Prehispanic sauna and it was MAGICAL. We crammed 22 people into a large rock, where we sang worship songs for 45 minutes in sweltering heat. It dawned on me that we can worship God wherever we may be, EVEN in a place that feels like hell. But seriously, no matter what the situation may be, we have a God that is always with us (no matter how distant we may feel). 

The final day we got to swim in a 78 degree river with a rope swing. It was an enjoyable time for all. Shortly after, we got to ride a 100 meter zipline across a canyon of 700 meters depth. It was not as scary as it sounds, but still a good time. 

Overall, this was a great weekend trip. I learned a lot about God's love for us and how artistic He was/is with His creation. Also, the team got to bond through real talks on the bus and pillow talk too. The group is so honest with each other, and I think that will put us on a good track for the next three months!

Pictures!

 Laura pondering something while looking over ancient ruins.

You can't really see how tall (90 meters) or powerful (very) the waterfall is from this picture, but it was pretty crazy, just trust me. 

 The "Puente de Dios"

 

Cristiano with a waterfall in the background.

 

Here is the Mission of Conca, the smallest but also my favorite. 

La Mision de Conca, mi favorito. 

 I'm back in Cali!

 Inside the mission of Jalpan, with Erin and one of my new friends right behind her.

A Prehispanic tree turned cell tower. 

Some Fun Facts

1) I'm on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awVcS6G2H64
 Check out minutes 1:08 for the serious stuff, 1:34 for a shaka, 1:52 for some dancing, and 2:53 for some more dancing with Benjamin
 2) Four of my fellow Westmonsters and I watched the US-Mexico soccer game in an Irish pub. The US won 2-0! Kinda awkward when we started to cheer after an American goal but we walked away unharmed :)