The Mummy Museum

Wow, this was the coolest museum I've ever been to. It's so wrong, but it's so cool at the same time.

The guidebook sort of whizzes right by this one. Mentions that it's grotesque and that's about all there is to it. Other than the view from the El Pipila monument, this is certainly the highlight of Guanajuato for me. You'll just need to take a look at my pictures to see why this place is so crazy awesome.

I highly recommend seeing this place.





















A combination of the soil conditions and a dry climate of the mountainous area caused the bodies in the local cemetery to dry out naturally before they could decompose. The bodies were placed in tombs, seven rows high; apparently, those in the middle row were more likely to have been naturally mummified. However, only those who failed to pay the grave tax (approximately $17) were ever exhumed.

June 19, 2008

I got an early start this morning. I climbed up the winding pathways to visit El Pipila taking a few wrong turns along the way. But as long as I was going up, I knew I had to be going in the right direction.

I am on top of a mountain where there's a monument called El Pipila. El Pipila was a Mexican independence hero. The view from up here is breathtaking. I've been sitting here admiring it all morning. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE GUANAJUATO!!??

Emailed with some friends and with dad sitting here for hours. I feel at peace.

18:24

Just finished eating my first meal in Guanajuato. I had Chicken Enchiladas, but they were nothing like the food back home. Potatoes and carrots all over these. Pretty good and really cheap. Coke and enchiladas for only $5. :)

June 18, 2008 16:30

I've been sitting in the Jardin de la Union for about 15 minutes. It's beautiful, relaxing and makes for great people watching. There are mariachi bands playing at the restaurants along the Jardin.



I really can't wait to feel more comfortable talking to the locals. Even asking where something is is proving to be quite the challenge.

My hostel - Hostal Del Truco - is right next to the Jardin. While the hostel itself is pretty shabby the people who work there are really nice (even though they don't speak English) and you really can't beat this location!

There are some really cute guys around here!!

I wonder if I'm going to have a roommate at the hostel? Right now it's just me - would be nice if it stayed that way.

Feels weird writing in a journal...my handwriting is so bad and it's hard to make some of the letters because I haven't written anything in a LONG time!

Mexican Adventure Awaits

I booked a one-way ticket to Mexico leaving June 18! I couldn't be more excited. But I have to admit I'm a little scared at the same time.

My main reasons for going:

1. To learn Spanish. (Unfortunately, I'm a complete beginner and this scares me more than anything else!)

2. To get the TEFL certification so I can teach English as a foreign language. This certificate will allow me to pretty much go anywhere in the world and be able to support myself while doing it. If you know anything about me, you know I'm all about going anywhere in the world.

3. The adventure of a lifetime. Three months in a foreign country excites me to my core. I'm going to see so much and learn so much. I hope I'm able to meet some good people while I'm at it!

Primary reasons I'm scared...

1. I don't know Spanish and I hardly ever want to talk to anyone in a foreign country if I don't know their language. I feel stupid. I know I need to get over it, but I can't help the way I feel.

2. I'm traveling alone all over Mexico. At least I hope to. I fly into BJX which is close to the city of Guanajuato. I plan to stay in Guanajauto three or four days and then jump on a bus to head to Guadalajara which will be my home until at least August 3.

3. I'm not sure where I will go after August 3, but I am pretty sure I am going to stay in Mexico until the end of August when I will fly to San Francisco, CA to start a fantastic cross country adventure with Christy.

I'll keep you posted!