Michoacan Day 1: Waterfalls

Things started off perfectly today: NO CLASS!!! On the downside, we had to meet at Jardín Cantador super early for the bus ride. After 4.5 hours, we finally made it to Uruapan. We didn't go to the hotel first though; we traveled directly to the waterfalls, Tzaracua and Tzaracuita. After waiting forever to let the girls change into their swimsuits (that included me...it took forever because we had to find a bathroom! And in Mexico, they have a habit of making you pay 3-4 pesos to use a public bathroom. After much debate, we just changed on the bus), we finally set off to the waterfalls.

It had started off as a pretty cool morning, but it quickly turned into a very hot day when the sun came out!!! We had to climb up and down hills and stairs the whole time, so when we arrived at the first waterfall, the mist felt so good on our face! This was the biggest waterfall called Tzaracua, and they didn't permit anyone to swim in it. It was really beautiful though, and we took plenty of pictures (of course!).

my friend noelle and i went across the water

After seeing Tzaracua, we continued hiking to get to the smaller waterfall we could swim in, Tzaracuita. We didn't know that we had to hike that far! By the time we got to the waterfall, we were exhausted and very sweaty. They told us the water in the waterfall would be freezing cold, so I was afraid to get in (if you know me, I really can't swim in freezing cold water! I'd rather have it be a little warmer...like how water feels after it's sat in the sun all day in 90-degree heat). This time, however, it didn't matter to me at all! We were soooo hot, so by the time we got in, the freezing cold water felt perfect! Swimming in the waterfall was one of the best things I've ever done, and it really was liberating.

yes, we swam in this waterfall

We really didn't want to leave the waterfalls. I could have spent my whole day there. By the time we got back on the bus, we were all exhausted! It was so amazing...