Monday, September 14, 2009

What a month...August!

So I have had a lot going on this summer and have totally left my blog on the sidelines. So I will do my best to update you all on what’s been going on in our life…it's been alot!

August was a really big month for us, we went to Mexico to visit the in-laws, our best bud and fellow Leo, Jeromy turned 30 (palm springs trip), Jose turned 30 (had a big party) and I snuck in turning 27…and I can’t believe we are already half way through September. Check out the posts below for all the details!!!

ENJOY!

The Birthday Parties –

Two guys turning 30…seems like the end of the world from what I hear. Jeromy and Jose both turned 30 within a 4 day period. So we celebrated for two weekends; one weekend we went to Palm Springs for Jeromy and the following weekend we had an MLB (Dodger) theme party for Jose. Check out the pics from the parties.

My family Fuertez - Hernandez side

The Diaz brothers

Did I mention we had a 35 foot obstacle course, it was so fun.


My birthday boy and his cake

The Keromy's and I

The taco stand...it was a hit!

The cake I did not make :)

Jose photos from when he was a kid.


The center pieces that I did make.
Now...the Palm Springs celebration for Jeromy!!

Us girls after a few to drinks...just a few, really.
Hanging out at the pool


The birthday boy "Jeromy" blowing out the cake :)

My best friend...Ms. Kerry!
Hope you enjoyed the photos!!!


Our Trip down South-

Every August we travel south to Mexico to a small town called Cenotillo, Yucatan which is about 3 hours inland from Cancun, Quintana Roo to celebrate the annual “Fiesta” for the town’s Saint and to visit his parents. The normal population for the town estimates less than 1,500 during the Fiesta there could be anywhere from 3,000 to 4,500 populating Cenotillo.

Going back to the town every year is like stepping into a different world, no one worries about time, you work for what you need and spend most of your time with family and friends. Cenotillo is a very rural area with no general store or restaurants that you would normally see in Cancun or Ensenada but a small store similar to what you find at a gas station, small food places that are ran out of people’s homes. You would not know it but they have best Chinese food ever, the biggest avocados (the size of footballs) and the best cheese. Most of the shopping done is in the capital Merida or Cancun but either way it’s over an hour’s drive. Some of the locals live in huts made of trees and palm fauns with dirt floors and with hammocks hanging inside for beds; it’s to hot and humid to sleep on a bed. Many do have small homes built of cinder blacks, concrete and wood. The food, I think it’s one of my favorite parts of visiting the town.

The food isn’t what many would consider to be Mexican food; it is a style of its own with influences from the local Mayan culture, as well as Caribbean, Mexican, European (French) and Middle Eastern cultures. Throughout the two week long fiesta; many who visit enjoy the corrida (bullfights), the bailes (dances), the harrana (traditional Mayan dance) and a carnival. Most of the fiesta takes place during the late afternoon till early morning, 4:00pm – 4:00am, usually the cooler hours of the day. All the dances are held in the center of the town known as the palacio, big band groups and DJ’s travel to each of the towns in the Yacatan to play. Each group brings its own stage, sound system and audio guy. Much of the entertainment starts at 12:00am or 1:00am and will end between the hours of 4:00am – 6:00am depending if the crowd is still dancing away.

The corridas also known in English as bullfights begin at 4:00pm (or when the sun is lower) every day throughout the fiesta. The corridas takes place in a temporary stadium, at first sight one may not want to enter especially knowing that it is only constructed for the fiesta and taken down after the party is over. The stadium is built of wood, palm fauns, rope, tarps and lattice and holds over 2,000 people, a few bulls, a lot of horse and a local band.

For most of the time spent in the town you never really pay to much attention to clock rather the sun…I love going every year, I enjoy my new extended family and how relaxed I feel when we come home. Plus it’s always nice to head down to Cancun when we want. I feel fortunate that I can visit such a place that not many get to experience.


Jose and I in Cancun


One of the houses on the same street as his parents

Band night

The Welcome sign