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.

:)