well today is the last day in mexico city. i leave for morellia in the morning and cant wait. i have enjoyed the city but am ready for the quaintness of a small town. let see what i have been up to????we had a few days off and i went to the modern art museum. it was great. i got to see my favorite of all the frida kahlo paintings the two fridas. we also had our big shindig at the four seasons, starring maiestro carlos prieto and our special guests. our big special guest was jeb bushes wife, columba bush, and her 10 secret service agents. i was way more impressed with the maiestro. dad i got one of his cds and it has your name written all over it.i guess im just not into political brown noseing. today went to casa azul... fridas house where she was born, lived, painted, and died. it was magical to get to enter her studio and where she created. to see her books, and feel her creative energy. i cant wait to get home and start painting. we also went to a museum dedicated to her husband diego rivera. not as impressive to me, but what do i know. this trip has been a life changing experience. an incredible opportunity, and one that will change my life forever. i feel more connected to me than i ever have, and feel as though i have grown up so much. i no longer have the need to party every night and drink like crazy, although a good beer sure does hit the spot. i feel good with being alone and like the time that i have to myself. i am looking forward to the beach and working on my tan. getting to read my book , which i havent even opened. i will get back to you from morellia. big hugs and kisses and love to all. thanks for the comments, and mom and dad, thanks for all the love and support. i wouldnt be here if it werent for you two. i love you....LA

the fort worth crew tamara, john and i

this is the temple of the sun, that i climbed!!! (below) the ceiling of the bella de artes (left)

the whole group in front of temple mayor me on top of the temple of the sun!!!!!

well... in mexico city. it has been crazy, but lots of fun. the first day we visited the temple mayor. it is an aztec ruin that is under the city of mexico city. we got a tour from the man who was responsible for finding it. it was awesome. then we went to the national palce and saw some of the diego rivera murals. it was the bomb. then the next day we went to the national anthropolgy museum. it was awesome. the thought that the aztecs were building their temples the same time the italian renissance was going on. two completely different cultures existing at the same time with no knowledge of the other. then in the evening we got to go see a play at namu. the biggest university in mexico city. the play was called skin. and let me tell you we saw lots of it. full frontal male nudity. it was about the way people dont feel comfortable in their skin. it was awesome. the next day we went to teotihuacan. it is the largest set of ruins in mexico city. not much is know about the civilization itsself but the ruins were huge. 7 levels and we climbed to the top. i am staying in good shape due to all the stairs and the walking. then it was home to rest and get ready for a night on the town. we went to the bells de artes, and saw the balletforloricko. it is the most established in the city. the colors and the costumes were amazing. today is the first for down time, hence the email. i am tired but loving and soaking in every moment. this is the trip of a lifetime. get back tomorrow for dirt on the crew i have been habging with. love to all. la

IM BACK! WHAT A DAY. I FEEL KIND OF OVERWELMED BY MEXICO CITY. IT IS A CRAZY PLACE. IM GOING TO GO BACKWARDS AND TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OAXACA. THE ARTS IN OAXACA WERE AMAZING. WE SAW A POTTERY AND WEAVING DEMONSTRATION THAT MADE MY HEAD SPIN. OH HOW I WANT TO GO BACK TO GRADUATE SCHOOL. WE ALSO SAW ANOTHER SET OF RUINS. THE PLACE (MITLA) IS THE INDIAN RUINS THAT ALL THE INDIAN PATTERNS COME FROM. YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT YOU WOULD SEE ON AN INDIAN BLANKET. VERY GEOMETRIC. IT WAS WELL PRESERVED AND VERY BEAUTIFUL. I WENT IN TWO OF THE KINGS TOMBS. VERY SCARY TO GO UNDER GROUND IN CATACOMBS, BUT WORTH IT. WE ALSO AS GROUP WENT TO GO SEE A RECREATION OF THE GALAGATZCA. IT IS A DANCE AND CULTURE FESTIVAL HELD IN OAXACA EVERY JULY. IT WAS COOL. I HAVE ALSO BOUGHT LOTS OF ART PIECES. A SMALL WEAVING AND OF COURSE SOME OF THE BLACK POTTERY, AN ANIMALITA THAT LOOKS HALF HORSE HALF DRAGON(THOSE ARE THE WOODEN FIGURES WITH ALL THE COLORFUL PAINT), AND OF CORSE SOME DAY OF THE DEAD FIGURINES. IM HAVIN A BLAST. PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT SO I FEEL LOVED. IM OUT!! LA

well im finally at a computer and starting to write about my wonderful experiences. we have been so busy i havent had time to write. i have met some cool people and am having a blast. we have seen so much in the last 4 days that i feel like i could come home now and i would have had a great trip. oaxaca was very charged with all the uprising that has been going on. if you dont know the situation i will let you in on it. the teachers 20,000 of them have been holding a protest in the main square. it was peaceful until 2 days before we arrived, but on the 14th the police pushed the teachers out of the city and tear gassed them and killed 11 of them. the teachers came back into the city and were calling for a revolution to over throw the govenor. it was crazy. people chanting in the streets, graffitti every where calling for anarchy, a charged environment. it was cool. they really stand up for their rights. no pay for a month, living in the streets. i also had the pleasure of meeting an artistic genius, francisco toledo. look him up if you dont know who he is. but he is a master artist-printmaker, known all over the world. i was in awe. we also went to mont alban. ruins from the 13th century. we went after it had closed and as we were there a large rain storm came in. while i was climbing to the top of this massive formation the rain started. the drops were huge. you could feel the heat comming off of the stones and smell the rain was incredible. i felt like i was so close to god. it was amazing. well im off for another day and will get back with more tonight. today we are off to the basillica of the virgin of guadalupe, and to the us embassy. adios. i miss everyone!i will keep up the writing and will download some pics. much love LA