Fiesta

So Monday night was the big fiesta to celebrate Independence. As in Mexico fashion, everything starts late, so around 10pm we got to the big dowtown square. The mayor (i think thats who he was) was standing on top of one of the buildings and made this big speech. Then the crowd sang their national anthem and then started a constant chant of Viva Mexico! It was unreal, with the thousands of people all squshed together it sounded like I was in a big football arena.

All the blocks surrounding the square were full of food and beer tents. All the tents had tables infront of them for people to sit down and eat. Mexicans dont like to eat on the run, thats to hurried for them. They like to sit and slowly eat, enjoying conversation and time with their families.

After all the speeches the firework show began. First, it was the "Tower of Terror" as we called it. It was this rickety bamboo structure that had firworks taped to it. The fireworks were on there so all the differnt parts of it spun in circles. Very unsafe. THe top said viva mexico, it not only spun in a cirle but it also made of wood and fireworks so eventually burned out too. There was so much smoke and the whole structure was shaking back and forth. They had the area roped off around it but we were still so close that sparks were flying at us. Very scary. After the tower had burned out they shot fireworks off all the roofs in downtown. We were all pretty impresses with this show. After the show ended we walked around, I saw one of my students. We were very dissapointed that we could not find a churro man.

At about midnight we decided that we needed dinner and a drink. SO kara, Jeanne and I went to this cute outside place and ordered. Right after we ordered we got a call from Jeanne's husband saying they had just arrived (for the past week he has been driving from Minnesota, he stopped in Phoenix and picked up a friend on the way). So I literally got up, and RAN 6 blocks to our apartment. I met the two men and brought them to the restaurant just as the food was arriving. We all ate and drank and finally left around 1:30am. When we got home, we found out the power was out. Apparently, the carnival was taking all the power of the city. So we went to bed in a very hot and humid apartment. A cold shower in the dark, with candles, did not help. The next day, yesterday, I took Jeanne and her husband and friend to the beach. We were having a lot of fun till I stepped on a sea urchine. Jeanne was near by and swam to me and pulled them out quickly. I think the fact she got the 2 spikes out so quickly and that they didnt break inside me kept me from getting the pain. Instead I jsut had a numb foot all day, I am happy to report this morning I can feel my foot again so no permanent damage. Later that day, we went to the Baja Brewery for a few beers and then to our favorite restaurant Guacamais (not sure on spelling...it means parrot in spanish). The 4 of us ate and drank margaritas. It was a lot of fun. Harry, Jeannes husband, is real nice. He is from Northern England and he is a retired french professor. He has already told me twice to slow down my speech because I talk to fastfor him to understand...special. His friend flys out tomorrow, so tonight after work and my tutoring job, we are all having one final big dinner. I cannot wait!