El Cristo Rey

Today we visited El Cristo Rey, which is basically one huge statue of Jesus Christ. It is, however, one of the more important ones for 2 reasons:

1. It is located in the geographic center of Mexico
2. It is the second tallest statue of Jesus Christ after the one in Brazil

To get to El Cristo Rey, you have to drive all the way up the mountain on the winding roads. The roads aren't paved though; it's really an uneven stone road. Some people got motion sickness as we drove up the mountain, but I just got annoyed with the constant bumping up and down due to the unevenness of the road! Finally, we arrived.

Luck was on our side--it had been raining all day and all afternoon, but as soon as we got to El Cristo Rey, it stopped! The pictures aren't as pretty as they could have been, considering that the sky was just full of shades of grey. Even so, it was amazing to see the statue, and the pictures turned out great!

Stress changed to happiness

Ok, I'm settled in my home now! Guanajuato is amazing...and so much has happened in the last 5 hours. I've felt a good variety of emotions; more than anything, I've been stressed.

My flight from Mexico City to Guanajuato left an hour LATER than it was supposed to leave, so I arrived an hour late to Guanajuato. I started stressing over getting a ride to Guanajuato because I didn't think the resident director, Alma, would be there to pick me up (I landed close to 7 pm, and ISA had specified that we had to be at the airport before 7 to be picked up). As a result, I rushed to get off the plane and rushed to find my luggage, only to find that my luggage was lost.

I started crying. Yes, I admit it, I cried. Everything was supposed to go smoothly today (well, I wanted it to go smoothly at least), and I felt like so many things had gone wrong. I was so upset and choked up that they had to speak to me in English (again) and they tried to make me feel better. Also, Alma was there, so she helped me with everything from that point. Of course, we had to file a report for my lost luggage, and we found out that it was still in Chicago at the time. That wasn't encouraging at all...

Guanajuato International Airport!

The mountain of the statue, El Cristo Rey. You can see it at the very top. (click the picture to make it larger, and you'll see the statue)

Alma and I left the airport to head to mi casa in the city. I felt much better after filing the report and finding out where my luggage was, so I was more talkative in the car with Alma. Everything came out smoothly (FINALLY! Where had that been all day?), and she told me that I spoke Spanish very well. That really helped me feel better.

Well, the city is gorgeous. My senora is so kind and generous, and she really does cook some amazing food!!! We went downtown to walk around for a little bit tonight, and I absolutely fell in LOVE with Gto. Everyone was out in the streets with their families, just walking, sitting, standing, talking...just relaxing outside. The callejones are so pretty and I just love the atmosphere. Because of the way the city is structured, it's going to take me awhile to find my way around, but it's soooo beautiful.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato

El Teatro Juarez

I can't wait to walk through the city during the day to take pictures! I love it so much. Well, I have my orientation and first day of class tomorrow. I'm glad everything has been great tonight. I already know I'm going to love everything about being here.