Today was my last full day in the beautiful city of Merida! This last week has been a busy blast of buffoonery! There were two day-trip excursions, a zoo trip, a good bye party, a beach trip, and two nights of Carnaval (the Mexican equivalent of Mardi Gras). I say two nights with every intention of enjoying a second night in a matter of minutes.

But this last week has been an amazing time. Incredibly busy with very little sleeping, but full of activity. Thank God I didn't spend my last week locked up in my room reading about Maya history (which was my course of action last week). I have had a wonderful time in Merida. It is a gorgeous and safe city that I will miss. It's tough moving on after spending so much time adjusting and finally getting the hang of city life (like navigating the bus routes, however vague they may be, and finally comprehending the repeating grid layout of the city). But at the same time, I am ready to move on to Kiuic. Sure, it's a facility run solely on solar power with no hot water and hammocks for beds, but it's time for a new scene! I'm ready to hit the jungle and finally dive into the biology portion of the semester. Plus, I'm tired of sitting in a classroom from 8:30 to 2:30 every day; I need to escape to the jungle.

It will be sad leaving my host family though. Our Merida mother is one of the kindest, sweetest women I have every encountered. I am eternally thankful for her hospitality and warmth. I will also miss Sal, our gecko roommate. He has been our constant companion here on calle 18a either darting across the floor of our bathroom and freaking us out, or creeping in the indents of the walls right before bed. Oh Sal, it was truly wonderful to make your acquaintance.

But now it's time for me to enjoy the endless beer, marquesitas, and free promotional items that is Carnaval in Merida. Though, I do to some extent fear the free gifts, because sometimes they are individual CDs in square, plastic cases. To me, it seems a little reckless to throw these items like ninja stars into a crowd of drunk, screaming people. But that's just me. Maybe I'm biased because yesterday one hit me in the shoulder while my back was turned and I thought I had been shot. But that's neither here nor there, they certainly won't get me again tonight! Unless they lure me close with candy - I do love their free candy and peanuts...

Adios Merida! Now on to Kiuic!!!