First full day in PV

This morning I woke up and went for a run. The humidity is so great here, it hurts to breathe. It was a nice 25 min run though. Lots of people were at the track. One guy was even doing a workout with his coach. I think I will have to ease back into the running though.

Later Greta took us to get a mobile phone. We also stopped at this great place called Las Gorditas Nortenas for lunch. I had 1 carne en mole, 1 frijoles con queso, and 1 quesadilla. The fijoles con queso was by far my fav. We also had a flower drink that tasted really nice.

After lunch, Greta took us around PV again and then dropped us off to walk arlund. Jon, Marilyn and I walked along the beachfront eating ice cream (helado). We took a bus back to the apartment. Now that I´ve done it once. I feel a bit better.

During the evening we sat down to watch a Woody Allen film (it was storming outside). It was Christina and Vikki take Barcelona and was really funny. I stayed up the rest of the night finishing my book and listening to the rain.

I MADE IT!

After 5 hours of sleep and one last panic attak about overpacking, I finally made it to PV. On the flight over I lucked out and had my own row, allowing me to stretch down and read my book until drifted off somewhere over Alabama. Greta met me at the airport and took me to the Outreach apartment where I am sharing a room with a girl named Claire from the UK. She seems very nice and adventurous and has enjoyed being in PV since May working with the deaf. She leaves this next Saturday (judging by Claire´s luggage I did indeed overpack). Then Greta and I walked down the street to a fbaulous cafe for lunch. I hand a mango, apple, and spinach salad with an amazing vinegarette dressing. We followed up with a smoothies that tasted like heaven. After lunch we headed back to the OI APT to do some paperwork. Unfortunately my other turtling buddies were delayed in Mexico City, due to their flight being cancelled, and did not arrive in PV until after 7 without their luggage :( However, Marilyn and Jonathan seem to go with the flow and will be nice to have aroun for the next 3 months. They are a charming couple out to explore the world and save turtles (my kind of people).

After finishing up with the docs, Greta droive me allaround PV and the neighboring town of Pitillal (spell check). She told me the best ways to get around, but honestly it was all so fast I had a hard time keeping track of what she was saying. All I know is that you must take a green bus to get pack to the OI Apt. There is a nice running track down about 1200 meters from the OI Apt so I am looking forward to doing a jog their in the morning.

I spent the evening relaxing and talking with Marilyn and Jon. NBow the rain has started and there seems to be a fiesta with festive music happening right outside :)

Tuesday I start Spanish and Sat I leave for the turtle camp! YAY!

Adios!

Hola!

Well the time has come for me to pack my bags and begin yet another adventure. I call it "Mission: Yoruga la Tortuga". Confused...let me give you a hand! It's Spanish for Yertle the Turtle! Creative...I think so. My idea...I think not. Kudos belong to my friend Kara :) Without her, it would have surely been something super lame.

Some background for those popping back into my life: I am leaving for 3 months to help protect different sea turtle species, meet lots of new people, improve my Spanish-speaking skills (this will be quite a feat), help teach English if time permits, and hopefully get back into tip-top shape for a half-marathon I plan on doing when I return stateside. I AM SO PUMPED!

As always, packing has been the biggest difficulty for me so far. Instead of 2 bags at a whopping 50 pounds each like I did for Kenya, I have limited it to 1 bag (oh and a backpack). This was SO TOUGH, but I think I succeeded quite nicely. You would not believe how much toiletries weigh, but after experiencing the "wonders" of Dr. Bronner's firsthand in Kenya I will gladly sacrifice for a bottle of Head 'n' Shoulders.

Well, I just wanted to give you all a brief update before heading out. This (or my e-mail) will probably be the best way to keep in touch with me throughout my journey.