Vela Week

Velas are "candles" in Spanish, but 'round here that's what they call the local fiestas where the women get dressed in the Tehuana gear. (I've actually lost weight since the States, but it's difficult to see with a petticoat, an over-skirt, and a shapeless velvet tunic.) Beer, a band and lots of dancing with men and women (they're equal opportunity dance partners around here) equals a good time. I went to two this weekend and there are three more this week. I may plead vela-poisoning and opt out, though . . . assuming the locals don't find me and force me to go.

I do work, also, by the way.


Me and my friends, Elsa and Rocio, who are professors at the University with me. We all felt like idiots the first hour, but tequila covers a lot of social awkwardness.

Me dancing with my boss' wife.

I have no idea who these kids are, I just thought they were cute. Notice the dazed look of terror on the bigger one's face as the mutant-like blonde giantess (5'6 in my heels and towering over almost everyone) holds her hand. Good times.

Hey, Y’all,

I just got back from two weeks’ vacation (What? You didn’t? Well, that’s why you make the big bucks.) I was determined to be good and not go anywhere. Yeah. We all know how that turned out. I bobbed around the local beaches and entertained myself by buying a bed-stand. After nine days of this I broke like a wild horse: Stupid Salina Cruz! Stupid heat! Stupid ocean! Stupid girl who runs to my hammock when I need another beer!

It was time for a change.

I ran to the mountains of southern Chiapas (the state to the south of Oaxaca) to the region called Los Lagos de Montebello—The Lakes of Beautiful Mountain (again, mighty literal, these Spanish-speakers.) It is ridiculously beautiful there. I can only imagine the first reaction of the conquistadors that had hacked their way through miserable jungle to see cool, piney mountains, but I’m sure it involved fist-pumping and a conquistador happy dance. I stayed in the lovely, polite town of Comitán the first night and then in a cabin near the lakes for the rest of the time. I swam, hiked, and messed with the heads of some of the young men (all favorite pastimes) and generally had a fabulous time. I found that my blood has thinned to the point that anything under 25 C —uhhhh, around 77 F—gets me shivering.

I’m back at work now. Much to my surprise, I’ve taken another 6 month contract, so there’s still time to check flight prices to Mexico. For the first time in my adult life I’ve got a guest room! OK, it only has a hammock, but beds can be bought. Take care!

Love,

KCA

P.S. Speaking of hammocks, I’ve got a field trip with some friends to the local prison on Saturday. Apparently, the prisoners make really good, cheap hammocks and we’re going to buy some. Now we know how those rumors of “an American-incited prison riot” get started. Good times.

Beach, beer and a hammock: My first week and a half of vacation. Proof that even paradise can get tired.

Playa Azul, Oaxaca
You can't see it, but these guys are plotting my death after I harrassed them for an hour and a half to find the bed stand I wanted and then made them carry it up three flights of stairs.

Salina Cruz, Oaxaca

Donkey! Lagos de Montebello, Chiapas
I like to refer to these tennis shoes as my "4th grade on the Southside" pair. Those rocks are about nine feet under the water.
Lago Cañada, Chiapas

Sunset over the lake in front of the cabin I stayed at.

Lake Tsizcao, Chiapas

"Yankees get out of Latin America" . . . Yes, they would be talking to me.

Comitán, Chiapas

The Mayans after the great Classic Era didn't produce much wonderful art, but they did have an eye for real estate . . . they were like the Pre-Colombian Yuppies.

Chinkultic Ruins, Chiapas

Do I look like I'm freezing my ass off? 'Cuz I was.

Lago Tziscao, Chiapas

You can't believe how blue the water is. This photo doesn't do it justice.

Lago Cañada, Chiapas

This is Guatemala and my new best friend, Adriana. I thought about swimming to Guatemala, but I was afraid I'd get shot. Also, the water was really dirty.

Lago Internacional, Chiapas/Guatemala