Look, I'm a Celebrity Now!

Yet another action packed week!

Monday was yet another productive day at school, mostly consisting of expanding my culinary conaissance, and practicing my spanish. That is, looking at foodgawker recipes and talking to people.

A lovely selfie by Roberto and Fernando after they stole my phone in class

Mariana showing off the product of a focused English class

It was also the first and last day of school tthat I attended this week. That night, I went over to the house of a Rotex (Belgium 12/13) with Sarah and Mariana. Mariana taught us how to make brigadeiro, this Brazilian sweet consisting of caramel balls rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Absolutely delicious.

Tuesday there was the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly), a conference at the Best Western hotel with around 300 students from public schools throughout the city. There were three hour and a half sessions with three different inspirational speakers about youth leadership. Halfway through the session all the exchange students came up on the stage and introduced themselves. From that point on, every break we were like celebrities. As soon as people confirmed that we were indeed foreign students, EVERYONE wanted a photo with us. I'm a bit worried where all the photos ended up as I have not yet seen one (and I've never gotten so many friend requests on Facebook from strangers before).  It was both frightening and awesome to be a bit of a celebrity, you basically kept your arm outstretched and people rotated in, as cell phones flashed.  I think I got a face cramp from my photo-ready smile being applied for such a long period of time! I also got interviewed by the local radio station that was there, asking about my experience so far, how I liked Tepic, the usual. Well, it's nice being famous for the sole reason of being Canadian in another country!

The people without blazers were the interviewers for the radio station.
People with blazers... pretty explanatory I think!

Taking a breather from the presentations

One Thursday with flags and blazers on hand, all us exchange students boarded the public bus and headed out of the city to a nearby pueblo. We stopped at a public school called C8tis. This time, our audience was a much calmer set, about 30 high school kids in the tourism division. They seemed absolutely fascinated by us all, particularly by Bambi! We each gave a short presentation about our countries' culture and geography. All our pictures got some looks of awe, but Bambi was a hit. She showed a few pictures of the temples and Taiwanese lanterns with her and her parent's names written on them. Afterwards, not only did everyone want a picture with her, but they also wanted something   written out in Chinese. After the presentations, it was another spurt of celebrity (this time I actually got photo proof!), with more pictures being taken with random students and Facebook requests popping up like crazy. (The girls however, were much more enthusiastic about the German boy- I think he picked up quite a few schoolgirl admirers this week!)

Group picture! 

Bambi's name on the lantern! (Her real name,  i don't even know how to say it)

After taking an extremely cramped bus back into Tepic, most of us took another bus to the Centre and went to an 88 peso Chinese food buffet! It was so very delicious, and I ate way too much! Afterwards we walked around the centre a bit to walk off the food babies, and checked out the small market in the plaza.

Random street view. Check out Cerro de la Cruz!

Buffet view

My heaping plate of food

Inside the main cathedral of the city! 

After arriving back at my house, Bambi and I made some crispy (but still yummy) oatmeal craisin cookies! I finished off the busy day by driving to Guadalajara with my family, to stay at my host granddad's house for the weekend. 

Bambi's first ever baking experience! 

Om Nommm. My family was slightly peeved I gave some to Bambi,  as they ate them all on the drive down to Guadalajara. Guess they were a hit!



Nos Vemos!

Wendy