Finally made it!

Unfortunately I did not get into Queretaro until very late last night.  Due to the Arctic Freeze that the majority of the US seemed to be under my first flight from Detroit was delayed, then cancelled after an hour and a half.  But within about 20 minutes of calling I was able to book the next flight...which also ended up being delayed another hour and half.  This made me miss my connection in Dallas to Queretaro, but they reassigned me to the next flight that left about 5 hours later.  Then when it was finally time to board that plane, but it also had a delay (mechanical issues) for another 2 hours.   I was supposed to be in Queretaro at 3:30 in the afternoon.  Instead I got to my hotel at about 1:45am.  I was exhausted (had been awake and barely slept since 2am yesterday) and frustrated.  My luggage should be here this afternoon in which they said they would deliver it, which is awesome, but that causes a problem for me because I meeting my host family today and don't know their address.  They insist on delivering it, even though it would be best if we just picked it up.

So despite that headache which the weather from home is 100% to blame, I am here!  I can't wait to meet my host family.  That will make my travel stresses from yesterday go away.

Four Days until Mexico!!!

Up until now, I have been very anxious about going to Mexico.  I have no idea why, but right now I'm excited to go because my first night I will be staying in a hostel called Kuku Rukú.  It is gorgeous and in the heart of Querétaro.  (This was suggested to me by one of the advisers since a lot of the international students stay there)  Then I'll be able to meet my host family the next day at orientation!

Photo taken from the Kuku Rukú website
Click above link for more photos in "Galería"

So I still have some last minute shopping/errands and stuff to do before I leave but other wise I'm feeling pretty prepared.  Which is very unlike me, but I think it's because I'm going to a different country and need to make sure I have everything I need.

One Week!

I will be leaving for Mexico in 1 week.  Currently I'm working on getting all of my ducks in a row with giant lists of things I need to do.

I haven't started packing yet, but that is because I am writing my packing list first, then I can decide from there what is a necessity and what isn't.  Some advice given to me that I will be using while packing: 

1. Pack half what I think I need for clothes
2. Bringing a second bag for the return home for souvenirs/extra stuff
3. Rolling clothes makes more room than folded. 
4. OR using plastic zip-lock bags and pushing out the excess air.  

Other stuff: Luckily my prescriptions were pretty easy to get, just expensive for a lump-sum.  I'm trying to find a site that has them translated into Spanish in hopes that would make the customs process easier.  

I'm still having a lot of anxiety about leaving for so long, but I know once I get settled I'll be ok.  However I can't wait to get out of this snowy, cold mess.  Granted Queretaro won't be hot, but it will be warmer.  (I'm just complaining because it was 10 degrees out today and only going to get colder lol)

Less than 3 weeks!

In a short amount of time, I will be leaving for Mexico for roughly 5 months from January 7th, to May 21st.  This is the biggest thing I have done in my adult life.  It is also something I've had on my bucket list: to live in another country.

At the moment I'm having some mixed feelings because it's so huge.  There are so many floating around in my head: excitement, anxiety, joy, apprehension, etc.  No matter what I will go, it just might be harder to leave than I thought it would be.  One of my big motivations is that every person who I've spoken with that has done study abroad has said it was worth it.  I've had friends go all over from Spain, Ecuador, Japan, Ghana, China, Australia, France, Mexico, and I know there are more however I can't remember them all.  Everyone said that they had some hiccups here and there in their programs--which is to be expected because that is how life is anyways.  Despite these hiccups, they all said that they had great experiences.

So lots and lots of feelings going on.

I should probably start packing, or at least figuring out what I need.