Tiempo con Juanny: Parte Dos

Having a Feliz (and sad when he leaves) Time

On Monday, we went to the Peña de Bernal, the world's third largest monolith. As you can see, it's pretty big and sometimes dangerous:

#valelapeña (that's for you, Laura)

We lifted weights on Tuesday. Pretty serious stuff.

Today (Wednesday), we played volleyball in the park with church friends. Real sweaty time. It had to be 75 out there. 

Then it rained really hard. Sometimes the weather can't make up its mind. Then we went to Templo de Santa Rosa:

Overall, it was good to have something from home (my brother and all the goodies he brought me). I don't doubt that he had a great time hear and made a good impression on Gisela (pretty sure she likes him more than me, #notbitter). Here's him with his best friend, Luis:

Anywho, that's all I got. No feelings, no deep thoughts, only half a week and some pictures. Have a great weekend everyone. Off to Oaxaca for some cheese, chocolate, and grasshopper tacos!

Tiempo con Juan Parte 1

Intro

Who is Juan? Good question, that's Spanish shorthand for Jonny, my 22 year old brother. He showed up on Thursday at 330, and then went to dance class with us at 430 and History shortly later. That night, we went to dance (salsa, cumbia, swing, you name it unless you're looking for that grinding crap because that didn't happen). Talk about a bienvenido!

Schedule of Good Stuff

On Friday, we went to la casa de Gerardo (a friend from church) for tortillas de harina. The best things ever, quality fellowship, and a good view too!

That night, we went to La Corrida de Toros (a bullfight). WOW. Lots of blood and suffering, but it was also a nice display of grace and talent by the matadores. One of them got thrown up in the air by the bull (I honestly thought he was gonna die but he rubbed some dirt on it and kept at it). Here's a pic of the action:

On Saturday, we went to Lluvia de Hamburguesas 2 (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) for $3.59. Then we went to church and Jonny got to meet mis amigos mexicanos.
Around 11, we headed off for a Mexican Halloween mansion fiesta. It was nuts. Way different than I was expecting. No fights or tension, but just a good time for everyone. I practice my Spanish with some amigos and Jonny definitely practiced his dance moves. The Best Costume award went to 4 grown men dressed as women (that Paz guy was right). We ended up leaving at 5:30 in the morning. Welcome to Mexico, Jonny! Haha, anywho, here is me, Gisela (mi mama), and the owner of the mansion we went to. She actually stayed with Gisela 10 years ago and ended up staying down here after meeting her now husband.

Here's Jonny with Santa (classic Halloween costume):

Surprise, surprise, we've been to Haga Su Taco 3 times already. Here's a picture of us and the owners' cute kids:

Side Notes

At the beginning of this week, I figured out my schedule for the Spring and it looks like it's gonna be my last semester at the 'Mont :( but all great things must come to an end. 

 Other than that, just painting in Art class (pics to come) and enjoying the good life.

Chicken Soup for the Mind

This week has been full of deep questions (thanks Besty and Shebs). Topics such as God in the Old Testament, the role of women (in life and in the church), and the will of God vs. the desire for our own safety have been discussed at length. To be honest, I'm not the guy who sits in his room and thinks about this kinda stuff so it was good to process what I think out loud. It also reminded me that we should "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). Just some food for thought...

Sabatical

Dearest loyal followers (mom, dad, Alisa... maybe the Pihls and Han every once in a while),

Due to the lack of thoughts/pictures/events this week, I have decided to forgo (sp?) a blog and rather write my 5 page essay on Social Classes in Mexico (riveting). See you all next Sunday!

brad

p.s. don't take this personally Queretaro, la culpa es mia ;)

A rather mundane blog ;)

No, this blog will not have any pictures (okay, maybe a few Randies). In fact, besides satisfying those who so forcefully begged me to write a blog for last week, I don't know why I'm doing this. Enough about me, let's talk about those I love/like So here goes something:

So my parents left for Rwanda the other day. Ya, that's mainly been the biggest thing this week. So if you want to pray for God to use them there (and keep them safe if it's His will), that'd be totally spectacular. Kinda weird that my family is separated in 3 countries right now. 

Speaking of family, it's my sister's birthday today. Her name is Julia, and she's a really nice future dental hygeinest. You should get to know her should you have the chance. 

Moreover, my brother visits Queretaro en T-minus ten days. Speaking of surfing, he actually got to surf with Rob Machado (look him up, he's eh alright). 

I got to talk to my buddy David Han on Wednesday. He's doing swell. Also I talked with my friend from high school, Luke. He's studying in Dublin, Ireland. He likes to golf. Check out his blog:

http://shippinguptodublin.blogspot.ie/

One day, after working out, I tried to take a shower and the water shut off 10 seconds after entering. On the bright side, I hadn't applied shampoo at that point. 

I watched beach v-ball on the TV and it made me miss the playa (shout out to Spencer).

On a serious note, like I have mentioned before, Betel Baptist has been a huge blessing in my life. I've gone to their houses, eaten their tortillas, and helped them translate sermons into English. Quality people, for real. 

Oh yeah, before I forget, yesterday marked the half-way point of our trip. WEIRD! 

 Some Goodies (a walk down memory lane)

 I sing, he plays the aguila.

 A beautiful moment.

La Ciudad de Mexico

WHAT DO I DO?

Sounds like a deep question, but it's pretty straightforward. Thanks for asking. Well last Tuesday, after a day full of sunshine, it started to rain con fuerza and even hailed a bit. I would say the weather here is how I am when I am asked if I want enchiladas or tacos. Very tough decisions.

We went to the house of Diego (friend from church) on Wednesday to make pancakes and oatmeal. It was quite ironic that he and I were cooking in the kitchen for the ladies, but I guess you gotta mix it up every once in a while (pun).

It wasn't a crazy week, but the weekend was a different animal.

On Friday, we left for el D.F., or Mexico City. I woke up 10 min before we were supposed to meet, so I forgot to bring money and turn off my insect repellant wall plug-in (what a waste).

Here's a somewhat chronological photo tour of this weekend:

1) Teotihuacan

 A group of concheros (remember them?) in front of the ruins of Teotihaucan.

 The Mexican flag interests me, so I try to get it in as many of my pics as possible. Pyramid of the Sun (Piramide del Sol) in the background.

 

These are seven of my closest friends on the top of the Piramide del Sol, with the Piramide de la Luna in the background.

 

 View of the Piramide del Sol from the Piramide de la Luna. Piramide del Sol is bigger than de la Luna. It has the same base size as that of the pyramids in Egypt (only half as tall, though).

2) Palacio de Belles Artes/ Torre Latinoamericano

After Teotihuacan, where Ben and I bought eagle-sound makers for only 20 pesos, the group traveled to the heart of Mexico City (sounds like the start of a movie where someone gets kidnapped or something). 

 Here is the front of the Palacio de Belles artes, where we critiqued (ya I’m pretty artsy these days) some murals by Diego Rivera. Really talented man but included too much

We went to the top of this. Built in 1956, it has withstood many large earthquakes.

Here is the view from the top! Welcome to beautiful Mexico City, Mexico. Sorry for the sarcasm, I’m just not a huge fan of big cities, smog, car horns, and the such.

3) Museos

Here is what they call a “Chacmool”. These guys fascinate me. See that bowl he's holding? That's where the Aztecs would put the hearts of the sacrificed humans. A real life Davey Jones.

Me and my pal, Scotty. Speaking of, Wildlife Wednesdays has been changed to Lobo Lunes. 

4) Chapultepec 

We went to the Castle of Chapultepec. Well-done arquitecture but better views. Biggest park in Mexico, the Americas, or the world. I can’t quite remember.

Not quite the size of Lake Michigan, but a lake nevertheless.

Here are some Mayan ruins, my friend and me. Photo props to mi mama, Melissa.

Ben’s ready for some Juego de Pelota, a sport kinda like soccer. The winners were also sacrificed to the gods. 

5) Plaza de Tres Culturas/Tlatelolco

Here is the church of Tlatelolco, or Plaza de Tres Culturas. It has ancient ruins, a colonial church, and a modern apartment building. In 1968, more than 300 students (officials say 20 or 30) were assassinated during a riot. The government of Mexico does not recognize that this event actually happened. Sad story that still brings anger to many Mexicans.

6) Xochimilco

On Monday, our last day, we took a boat around the floating gardens of Xochimilco to celebrate Besty’s birthday and to buy cool things for loved ones (be excited, Jonny). 

Not a spelling bee, okay? Speaking of animals, take a gander at my right bicep, where you will find a henna tattoo of a dolphin. Miss you Donna. Nice photobomb, Laura!

 

8) Basilica de Some Saint

Last stop, I promise. Supposedly the second most visited Basilica in the world after that of Saint Peter. Since Mexico City was built over a lake, you can see it sinking. Also the real (or is it?) image of the Virgin Mary. 

 

Conclusion (Finally)

Well that’s it. You’re welcome for so many pics. Overall, it was a fun and very busy trip. As I said, I’m not a big fan of big cities, so I missed Queretaro. Enjoyed my time, but great to be back!