We're so close to everything.

We've been in Europe for a week.

And this trip is a lot weirder than any other of our trips.

Because it's jam-packed with adventure AND we're in the baby (meaning small) countries of Europe.

For instance, today we woke up in Strasbourg France, spent the whole day in Germany and I now going to sleep in the same bed as last night, in France.

The other day, we did Switzerland, Germany AND France.

And tomorrow we are doing France, (probably Germany to make the drove faster,) Luxembourg and Belgium.

It's so crazy.

I feel like this is how life would be if you lived on the East Coast (of the US). Like, as a Californian, leaving the state takes a lot of time. So it's strange to leave a country in an even shorter time.

Maybes I'll update more about this lovely trip.

Or you can follow along on instagram:
@danyelleeq

:)

Paradise.

This is where I lived the last two days. And I'll be returning to a beachy paradise again in just a few days.

Let me just say: sleeping in a hammock, in the afternoon, hearing the waves break and feeling the salty air is heaven on earth.

I took two naps in that lovely hammock outside my bungalow. And they werephenomenonal marvelous.

That's what I love about the beach: pure relaxation.

Viva Mexico.

Some blog critics of mine have been whining about my frequent mentions of Jerusalem. Especially while I'm here in Mexico.
Mexico is great.
BUT.

There is just something about Jerusalem that I feel so connected to.
I love the people and the places and it really was home.
I don't have those feelings for Mexico, nor have I ever before.

Sometimes you just feel a connection to a place just because.
It's not that this trip isn't great or isn't fun. It is.
But it's just a little different.

So I'll continue to compare and contrast my experiences between the two.
It doesn't mean that I don't like Mexico, I just have a stronger sense of belonging in another place.

Which we know from past experiences because I blog about Jerusalem Love in the States.

Anywho, today had been grand:
A nice 2+ hour nap on the bus,
Chichen Itza before the crowds,
Pina Colada snow cone,
Swimming in an cave (called a cenote),
And 2 hours of class.
Now that it's midnight and I've been up for 19 hours, I think we can call it a night.

Shalom & laila tov.
:)

(I used some of my super rusty Hebrew knowledge today when Dana said 'Shalom' to me. So great. I want to remember all I learned.)

Just your everyday event.

Yesterday, we had a busy day.

Which in retrospect, was a little ridiculous.

We left the hotel at 6am (just like good ol' field trips in Jru), drove for 3 hours, got on a boat for 40 minutes, walked around a ruin site, in the middle of the jungle in the sweltering heat for 2.5 hours, got back on the boats for 1.25 hours (against the current), ate lunch, got back on the bus and drove for 3 hours back.

Sounds silly. Right? Traveling for 8 hours to see some old rocks.

Well, the most fun part was hands down the boat rides. So nice and relaxing. And the breeze was marvelous as well. :)

The river that we were on also happened to be the international border between Guatemala and Mexico.

Did we land on the other side of the river and take pictures with the 'Welcome to Guatemala' sign? You bet we did.

Highlight of the day?
Yep.

I also go to sit next to Brother Stricklan on the bus for a little while, listening to him teach about the ice age and evolution to curious students. Made me realize I really like what I'm studying.

Tomorrow includes another 8 hour bus ride. Oh yeah.

Although, I'm not going to lie, I really miss Jerusalem bus rides: my favorite bus buddy, a Magnum bar and Dr. Steve's sleep-inducing voice.

Mexico is hot, humid and happy.

I'm excited for Belize in 6 days though.

And more excited than I should be about going home in less than two weeks:
My 21st.
Weekend in Holladay.
Charlotte's farewell.
Mini Jru reunion.
Mission call opening.
More variety of clothes.
Summer.

:)

Mexico Update.

This trip has been fun.

I've eaten Mexican food daily.
(And the mole in Puebla tasted exactly like La Costena. Winning.)
Seen ancient things.
Made some great friends.
(And most importantly, my twin.)
Slept in 3 hotels/hostels. And another one tomorrow.
Seen two LDS temples.
Met the Pathways kids.
Spoken Spanish.
Hung out with professors.
Done far too little homework.
Etc.

It's so great.

More updates to come soon. Hopefully. :)

Peace&blessings.

Foreign Living.

Being in Mexico, i've realized I've become quite comfortable living in a 3rd world country.

Which is weird.

Seeing the trash piles on the side of the road: doesn't phase me.
Creepy men whistling/staring/gawking at us: completely normal.
Crazy drivers: seems completely safe.
Random languages spoken: I appreciate it.

I love it. I can't wait until I can move back to Jerusalem.

Eventually.

I've realized that this trip is essentially the Jerusalem experience. Minus the living in the JC. But this is 25 days of fieldtrips. Which is almost the same as Jru.

Lovely.

Life is good. :)

T minus 8.

A week from tomorrow,

I fly out of Salt Lake City and onto my next adventure:

Mexico and Belize.

I don't know how much interwebs I'll have while I'm down there so this whole blogging thing might not work. Sadness.

But I'm sure I'll have some great stories to post once I get home.

Especially if this current sickness decides not to leave. :/

Bon voyage!

Next Adventure.

Hello friends,

I embark on my next voyage around the world in a little more than a month. Well, we'll say in like 6.5 weeks.

Leaving SLC on the 23 of April for Mexico & BELIZE.

It's going to be warm, wet and wonderful. :)