Can you take the heat?

(To view the picture album click on the picture above)

At the end of May we got the visit of some of my grad school friends: Ryan and Anna, who now live in Baltimore, and Steve and Teresa, who now live in Atlanta. We spent a couple of days exploring the city and went to Teotihuacán to see the pyramids, then over Memorial Day week-end we left Sebastian with his grandparents and went on a camping adventure to Chacahua National Park, in the state of Oaxaca.

Tony told me he wants to write up a blog entry on the trip so I'll let him tell our crazy stories there... but we had an amazing time!

After Chacahua we decided we needed a less "rough" experience so we got back to Puerto Escondido and stayed there for a day at the beautiful Villas Carrizalillo boutique hotel.

After coming back from the Oaxacan coast it was back to work for Tony but our friends stuck around for a few more days to see a little more of the city and sample some nice food.

Check out our album from the trip, I cannot wait for some of the comments, especially about the facilities in Chacahua (you know who you are, you know you'll make fun of it next time I see you!)

The posse in the sun.

(To view the picture album click on the picture above)

On the last week of February some friends from Raleigh and Fort Collins came to visit us. Dave and Jay came to Mexico City a few days before to tour the town, then we drove to Acapulco, where we were met by Alison, George and Dave to spend a week at the Mayan Palace resort and do some R&R under the sun.

In Mexico City, we visited the Anthropology Museum, the historic downtown district, the National University Campus, the Dolores Olmedo Museum, the ancient canals of Xochimilco and the historic district of Coyoacán.We also did a day trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacán.

In the Acapulco area we took a boat tour around the Coyuca Lagoon (where Rambo II was shot), enjoyed the sunset at Pie de la Cuesta, spent an afternoon at the island of Roqueta, saw the famous Cliff Divers, visited the San Diego Fort and had fresh seafood by the beach at Puerto Marquez.

Of course we also took time to hang out by the beach and play in the surf, float along the resort's pool (which they advertise as one of the world's longest ones) and enjoy everyone's company.

One of the days boys and girls split up: the boys played golf in the resort's 18 holes course while the girls had a blissful day at the spa. It was heavenly!

As always, food was amazing and we made sure to sample lots of seafood and try a variety of places ranging from little shacks to internationally acclaimed restaurants. Here's a sample of some of the food we ate! (Click on the picture to see a larger version.)


Once again, we had an amazing vacation and were very happy to share it with our friends. Check out the trip's pictures!

A walk in the park

After waiting for over two months for a new condo we're getting, we decided to move out of my parents's condo and find a temporary place to stay while we get the other place (I'm sure Tony will blog about this, see his blog!). My aunt Maggie found us an awesome furnished apartment in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city and we get to rent it month to month for as long as we need it! We moved in a week ago and Tony left for Raleigh the next day so I spend last week getting things organized, working and hanging out with my parents, so I didn't explore the surroundings much.

Tony got back over the week-end and as soon as we go home he suggested going for a walk in Chapultepec Park, of which the second section is only one block from our place.

The hill of Chapultepec and surrounding land are now Chapultepec Park, a popular spot both for locals and tourists.

The park covers 1,800 acres (7.3 km) of land, centuries old forest, several small lakes, and landscaped areas with outdoor cafes. Chapultepec Zoo is located here, as well as an amusement park, and the official residence of the President of Mexico, Los Pinos.

Chapultepec Castle atop the hill is the National Museum of History. The park also includes the National Auditorium, along with several other museums, including the Modern Art Museum, the Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Papalote Children's Museum and the large Museum of Anthropology with perhaps the world's finest collection of Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican art and artifacts.

We walked around the Great Lake (on the picture) at dusk, and it was incredible: great scenery, beautiful lake, perfect weather. This morning I went back for a walk just after sunrise and LOVED it again. I am hooked! I cannot believe I hadn't gone there before!!!