It is difficult to say what I would expect out of the study abroad experience in Mexico.  The reason being is because I do not know what to expect when I go down there.  I have been told bits and pieces about what it’s like and the experience that we will have while there.  However, I am just unsure of what to expect.  I know one thing that I want to do is go see ruins.  That is one thing I think this trip should have if it already does not because the ancient tribes of Mexico (Mayans, Incans, etc.) played a big role in the Mexican society of today. I also expect the families to be really excited and happy to have us there.  I also hope that they will play a big role in the assistance of furthering our knowledge and the speaking perfection of the Spanish language. I expect that there be a lot ofinteresting and wondrous experiences that we will have in Mexico that few people get to see because they do not really travel far enough to see them or know where these things really are.  The best part of the experience is going on the excursions throughout the country to see the wonder and mystery there is involved in the history of Mexico and the history of the culture.

I have heard a lot of stereotypes about Mexicans and Mexico in my life.  Mostly because my family is racist to a certain degree.  Therefore, there have been a lot of stereotypes that I have heard, but never believed.  I highly doubt any of the stereotypes I have heard of are anywhere near what Mexicans and Mexico are really like. The first I have heard is that Mexico has a huge drug cartel and a lot of violence.  Which, I know, to a certain degree, there is a large drug cartel and violence, but mostly near the border and not where we will be. The second is that Mexicans are lazy. I highly doubt that they are because of what I have heard in class.

The third is that Mexicans are thieves.  Because of this, my grandfather told me that I need to keep my wallet in my front pocket when I go down there.  However, I highly doubt that as well because every society has an equal amount of thieves in it, I would assume.Another that I have heard is that if you go out by yourself at night, and you are American, you will probably get beaten up, killed, and/or robbed simply because they believe we are richer than they are.  I do not know to what degree this is true, so I will play it by ear.I have racked my brain for others but I have no idea what other stereotypes I have heard in my life…though I am sure there are more.

I would have to say all of my expectations were met for me even though I had some rough patches along the way.  My family treated me like family and all the people here were very nice to me!  I was even told that more or less I have an accent (although from DF instead of the Yucatecan one) and a couple people told me that I’m Mexican because I speak their language and at least attempt an accent.  This experience was FABULOUS!!  I got way more than I expected. 

From the beginning, I personally tried not to have any stereotypes because I knew in my heart all the ones I’ve heard were wrong.  After being here even a short amount of time I have been able o clearly see that every stereotype I’ve ever heard was wrong.  They may have a different culture and different customs but they’re more or less the same as the rest of us.  Now I can set my stereotype-minded family straight.

Visitamos Lol Tun, Labná, y Uxmal este fin de semana. Aprendí mucho sobre la cultura maya y la arquitectura de los mayas. En Lol Tun, visitamos una cueva muy importante a los mayas. En Labná y Uxmal contramos muchas ruinas famosas.

La cueva en Lol Tun era importante porque los mayas tenían un lugar donde vivir, protegerse, y practicar su religión. Acerca de la entrada es donde los mayas vivían. Pero en la otra entrada, hay trincheras que ellos usaban para protección en contra de los españoles. Más interna en la cueva, hay una catedral en donde los mayas practicaban su religión. Parte de eso fue las piedras que usaban para tambores en su religión. Esas piedras hacen los sonidos “lol” y “tun”. Por eso, el lugar se llama Lol Tun (que significa “flor de piedra”).

Labná tenía el camino hasta Uxmal que se llama “sac be” en maya. En español significa “calle blanca”. Esta calle es muy importante porque era para comunicarse con otras ciudades mayas. Esta ciudad es la más antigua en Yucatán. Aquí encontramos el primer ejemplo de la arquitectura. La arquitectura allá contiene muchos detalles. Hay mascarones del dios Chaak (dios de la lluvia) y el dios Kukulkan, el enemigo de Chaak, que aparece como una serpiente. Esta ciudad es importante porque era la más antigua que contenía arte en la arquitectura.

Uxmal fue uuna maravilla. Las pirámides son muy altas y difíciles para subir. Aquí teníamos un ejemplo de una pirámide con cuatro escaleras. No pudimos subir esta, pero pudimos subir la otra que tenía una escalera. El paisaje en la parte de arriba de la pirámide es una vista maravillosa. En el cuadrángulo de las monjas había muchos mascarones de Chaak y Kukulkan. El palacio del gobernador tenía el mascarón más grande de todos los edificios.

Hay muchas cosas interesantes en Uxmal pero Luz y Sonido fue la más padre y mi favorito. Las luces encendieron todas las partes de los mascarones, todos los detalles, y todos los edificios más importantes durante las leyendas mayas. Para oír las leyendas con luces te hace entender más sobre la cultura and porque los edificios están allá.

Esta excursion fue muy interesante. Ahora entiendo mas sobre la cultura y los edificios mayas. Primero pienso que entendere mas depues de visitar mas ruinas y oir mas leyendas. Fue una experienciaa de una vez en una vida.