This week was our first big academic week with our first papers and first physics test. This meant much of our free time was spent, of course, studying. However, as supplement to our medical rotations, we take a pre-med lecture course. Each week we learn about something different; the Mexican healthcare system, healthcare practices, practical skills related to healthcare. This week was very exciting, as we learned how to put in IVs! When the topic of class was announced, Emily and I looked at each other in horror, as there was no way we were going to be using each other as practice. Luckily, we had a practice dummy to use, and it was much harder than we all expected! I gained a new level of sympathy for all of my nurses throughout the years!
This week was also a short week (sort of)! Lisette planned for us to skip class on Thursday and go to a two day Neuropsychology congress Thursday and Friday. While some of the talks were interesting, we all agreed this was not our favorite activity. Still, it was nice to see another university campus and talk to more people!
At Notre Dame, Lewis Hall hosted their signature event LHOP (Lewis House of Pancakes) in which each floor makes a different breakfast food and serves that food all night long. As we have a Lewis resident with us here in Puebla, we decided to eat dinner at the local IHOP to celebrate from afar. We all enjoyed the delicious pancakes and time to relax with each other after two full days at the congress.
Saturday was GAMEDAY! We made sure to be at McCarthy’s Irish Pub wearing our Blue, Gold, and Green in time for kickoff. Unfortunately for us, none of the Mexican sports bars have NBC, which means we will have to stream every home game on someone’s computer. Fortunately for us, Notre Dame beat New Mexico 66-14!! We want Georgia!!
Sunday started with mass at our beautiful church in Estrella del Sur (our neighborhood). During the day, Rocío treated us to a big lunch of Pozole, which is a type of soup traditionally eaten to celebrate Independence Day (September 16). It had a pork broth base and included all sorts of ingredients: corn, pork, garlic, lettuce, onion, radish, oregano, lime, and chili powder, if you like. It is also typically eaten with a tostada on the side. Muy rico!
Michael, Brendan, and I decided to take a quick trip to the smallest volcano in the world, Cuexcomate. It was formed in just 1604 during a massive erruption of Popocatépetl (our big, active volcano) and now contains a natural waterfall inside. We were able to enter the volcano and see the natural spring inside, which was very strange, but very cool. It’s also located just 15 minutes from our house!
After a quick turn around, we headed to our fiesta for La Noche Mexicana with all the students and host moms! La Noche Mexicana is celebrated the night before Independence Day, and usually involves lots of food, music, and Red, White, and Green! Rocío gave me a red, white, and green hair bow to wear and gave Brendan a similar one to tie around his neck. Katie and I also got our nails painted with colors to celebrate the occasion. We then enjoyed Tacos Árabes and Tacos al Pastor for dinner. For dessert, we had Arroz y Leche (Rice and Milk) and Tres Leche Cake.
After the meal, one of the host brothers started playing guitar and singing, which turned into a huge singalong trading back and forth between Mexican and American songs.
After La Noche Mexicana, we enjoyed hanging around playing the piano, guitar, ukulele, and singing. We finished the night by listening to Mexican music and playing lots of cards. Monday, Independence Day, was a day of rest and preparing for the short week of school ahead.
Looking ahead, this week should be a relatively calm week of school, ending with a trip to Teotihuacan to visit the famous pyramids of the Aztecs! More to come 🙂
En Puebla Bailan Así 