Best Bday present ever!

I arrived back in gto around 11 pm, and went to bed shortly after chatting briefly with my host mom, Margarita, and her daughter, Valeria. I was overcome with excitement because my best friend was coming to visit me the next day, which happened to also be my birthday. Thankfully, I was also exhausted enough that I slept that night.

I was confused about the arrival of the flight, so Margarita and I arrived (thanks to her son, Dante, letting us borrow his car) an hour early. We took the time to buy a coffee and tea and chat together. We watched Ryan’s flight come in, but I was unable to see him walking through the plexi-glass tunnel. But finally, to my great relief, we met him by the exit of the airport. Margarita read my mind and told me to sit in the back seat with Ryan. Thanks, Margarita. We chatted about Guanajuato and the surrounding area on our way back, and it was interesting to hear Ryan’s Spanish since my ear for it had improved since being here.

(I promise I didn't know that you could see the Ryan's hostal from my house--it's the one with the red roof and I took the pic from my patio. My host mother told me after I made the reservations! haha!)

Margarita dropped us off at the hostal, and we took the next while unpacking his things and then ventured over to my house. We gave the gifts to my host father that my mom sent (a mug with a Georgia peach, some St. Ives’ coffee, some lotions, and some good ole’ country grits), and then headed up to my room. Ryan suggested I open up my birthday gift from him on our own. He gave me an iPod!!!! Yay! (He didn’t want us to be flaunting in front of them…) Then I showed Ryan my pictures from Puerto Vallarta while telling him all about the fun. We had planned to get dressed up and go out, too, for my birthday, but soon, Señor Luis called us to comida (the biggest meal of the day eaten around 3-4 pm. By the way, that’s how all times are given here: eg. The dinner starts 7-8, the party starts 9-10. The only things that start at a specific time here are mass, theater, and class.) Margarita cooked a great meal of consume (a chicken broth vegetable soup that I love), and cilantro rice and chicken. Ryan and I both love cilantro, so we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ryan and I spent the rest of the evening walking around town, chatting with various people that we ran into that I know, and basking in each other’s company. We were so thrilled to be together and couldn’t help telling saying it over and over again! One of the more humorous sights we saw was this sign that has a picture of the Virgin de Guadalupe on it, which says, “Favor de no tirar basura; Propiedad Privada,” meaning, “Please don't throw trash here; Private Property.” Umm, somebody can’t read Spanish…haha, just kidding, and um, why the saint’s picture?

Around 8 pm, I realized I completely forgot my Bible study I go to every Thursday. I had even told everyone Ryan was coming. I called Yadira, and she asked me told me they waited for me a while, but figured I was with Ryan somewhere…haha. Later Ry and I went up to the Pipila, a historical statue at the top of Guanajuato that represents this town’s role in the war for independence. Ryan took some nice pics of the town, too.

I had a more difficult time with the camera, as you can see…

Later, I opened up a gift Mom sent with Ry, a beautiful photo album. That will be useful! Thanks, Mom. We went to bed early, though, both exhausted--sad to say goodnight, but so happy that'd we'd be together the next day. (And I was even more happy, knowing I got the best birthday present ever; Ryan came to visit me!!!)