el finale.

We have reached the end of my Mexico trip.
But just cause it was winding down, it did not disappoint.

We spend our final morning in Taxco, and just when I thought I couldn't love it more, I did.
We had breakfast in the courtyard of our hotel and loved that.

It was decorated so pretty and quaint. The food was pretty good (stinky cheese again!) but we loved our hot chocolate.

At the very top of Taxco was a statue of Christ and we really wanted to see it.
The hotel informed us that the only real way to get up there was by taxi.
This was because of the crazy streets of Taxco.
We piled into a taxi for a really great adventure.

I have never experienced such crazy and intricate driving. They were winding around these little narrow streets so fast. If another taxi was coming down the road, our taxi would need to back down the road to make room.
The crazy drive was so worth it. The view from the top of the mountain was so amazing.
The Christ statue was spectacular.

We then made our way back to Mexico City and all of the traffic.
We met Brian's family at Xochimilico, a very Venice-esque place for a little river cruise.

It was a lot better than I was expecting. We took off on our boat and the river was packed with other boats that provided legit entertainment

food

and good sights

 

and then just crazy drunk people on boats that felt very "great & spacious building"-esque.
Afterwards, we headed out for Korean karaoke for entertainment and then out to a really fancy five-star restaurant for a really late dinner.

So late that it was giving me anxiety about our 4:30 am wake up call for our flight the next morning.
Annie and I got about 2.5 hours of sleep our final night and were up and out for the airport.
Our flight was leaving at 7 and left the house about 5:25, but with it being so dark out we had some trouble getting to the airport. Then we couldn't find the right terminal and missed it about 3 times.
We got dropped off at about 6:20. And in true Leigh fashion, my anxiety started setting in.
We were running real tight for our departure.
We went to the wrong kiosk and then was informed we were even at the wrong airline. We were on a Delta flight out of the other terminal. The terminal we had past about 3 times  in the morning.
We rushed to the bus to switch to the other station and at this point my anxiety left and reality set in that we were missing our flight. We rushed through the terminal anyway. And alas, the airline was all closed up.
Brian came and met us (since he wasn't flying with us) and we sat and waited to figure out how we were gonna get up.
Annie and I sat and played games and resisted the urge to scratch our bug bits, which had gotten increasingly worse.

Bites as of the Sunday after.
 (which yes, I still have and then tend to itch every once in awhile)
Brian was nice enough to purchase us new tickets.
Redirecting our flight to Atlanta then to SLC.
I had a great trip. So much fun and saw so many great sights.
I am so thankful for Lourie and Brian for being so kind and generous on our trip together.
I felt like another daughter on a special family trip.
And although I loved Mexico,
it was the best going through customs and hearing "Welcome home"

the bug bites.

Today was our day to go to the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa. 

AKA some really cool caves. 

Before heading out we took the morning to walk around Taxco some more. 

Ate breakfast overlooking the town square,

came across the skeleton in the road to commemorate the men who died working on the church next door,

and went back to the church and explored the town. 

Then we hit the road for the caves and Annie and I took a nap. 

The caves were really, really fascinating and HUGE!

It was a slightly difficult tour since our guide only spoke in Spanish and Brian was unsure with a lot of the translations. I did understand the words calcium and minerals. 

The best part of the tour was that we would walk down and he would turn on the lights for up ahead and the caves became so illuminated and they were so beautiful. 

The caves were located in a much more jungle type atmosphere, so many trees and really warm weather. 

So, Annie and I decided to go change into shorts, which later would be the biggest mistake of the whole trip. 

We had lunch and had a gorgeous view of our surroundings. We played games while we waited for our food and it was really fun. 

We then went on to do some deportes extremos. 

Our first was a zip line across the extreme Mexican jungle.

It was actually a really far distance but really pretty. 

Now going back to the mistake of the shorts…by the time Annie and I got across she noticed bug bites on her calves and even the bus still there sucking blood. I looked down at my legs and realized I had a ton of bites too! And even a few drops of blood trickling down my leg as some after effect too. 

It was crazy that within like 30 minutes we were eaten alive! 

We then went to on to our next extreme sport, rappelling. 

Now this I was actually really terrified off. I had never done it before, and it was a short distance but I didn't like that fact that I couldn't really see where I was going. Or that it was such a drop off from the cliff. 

I had to go second just to get it over with. 

I realized afterwards that the worst part was just that I wasn't strong enough. My hands hurt from clutching the gear. 

By the time we got back to our hotel my legs were on fire they itched so bad. It was really bad pain. 

Annie and I showered and hoped the soap would give some relief but it didn't. These Mexican bugs were something different. And it was painful. 

We got ready for the evening and went out to dinner. 

Another nice night out with a view of the church. 

We were all a little disappointed in our meals because of the stinky cheese we kept encountering. 

And for once, I was getting pretty sick of Mexican food and didn't trust any other food on the menu. 

But our dessert was spectacular with a fire show and all. 

We came back to our hotel for a early evening in. 

My bug bites were killing. 

I got 25 bits on my right calf alone.

(This doesn't even do it justice, just wait for what it looked like on Sunday)

I settled in for the night to witness the Dodgers lose to the Cardinals in extra innings on Spanish ESPN. 

Really sad but grateful I could still watch thousands of miles away. 

Dancing in Taxco.

On our third day we went on a mini road trip to Taxco. 

I didn't know much about the city other that my co-worker said she was super jealous about it. 

Annie and I slept the whole drive there. Which is what we did any time we got in the car. 

We did wake up for lunch which we stopped in Cuernavaca. 

We happened to find a little market and wandered in there. It was one of the best finds in Mexico. 

It definitely reminded me of places in downtown LA.  

A market filled with different vendors and lots of food options. 

I loved all of the great {& cheap!!} things to buy. 

The man hand making pinatas.

And one of the best fruit stands I have ever seen. 

And really good food too. 

We got back on the road to Taxco and before I knew we were pulled off the road to admire the city in the distance. 

I was already in awe. 

It was a beautiful city, made in all white and overtaken the mountainside. 

Driving in the town was even better. The roads were all cobblestone. 

The streets were narrow and curvy. 

The taxis were all white slug bugs. Only because they had to be. Its the only type of car that can fit through the streets.

I instantly fell in love with the scenery and atmosphere of Taxco. 

So quaint and beautiful. 

We got checked into our hotel. Which was a monastery in the 1600s and now transformed to the coolest hotel I have ever seen. 

This was the outside courtyard. 

And me and Annie's room. So awesome. 

We explored the church of Taxco. 

One of the most ornate churches I have ever seen. 

It was phenomenal. 

 This cute little boy was following us to the church trying to get us to buy gum. He was so cute. I wish I would have bought some from him.

 We got there in the middle of a service

We had dinner up on the rooftop of a restaurant that overlooked the Zocalo {town square} and a perfect view of the church. We were up there for the sunset and the Zocalo coming alive at night. 

Again, the atmosphere was amazing! The waiter even brought us all blankets as the night was getting a bit chilly.

Annie and I both decided this was one of the most romantic dinners we had ever experienced. haha. 

As we were leaving our restaurant we noticed down below that there was music and dancing going on. The waiter explained that every Thursday was "Senior Night" and the "third generation" Taxco residents gather at the Zocalo for music and dancing. 

We made our way down there and were in awe of all of the local residents out for dancing in the town square. So many people were there and of all ages--youth, young adults, moms and dads and kids. The younger people were all just gathered and watching. It really brought everyone out. 

Before we knew it Annie and I were both asked to dance! 

We were a little nervous and hesitant but realized, why not!! 

We stayed out there for probably a half an hour, switching dance partners and trying our best to communicate. I wasn't a good dancer. Like at all. Salsa has never been my forte! But they put up with us anyway. 

Although Juan and Victor spoke no english. I did understand the words, sister, mom, dad, boyfriend and my name. Thank you three years of Spanish class. 

It was so fun and definitely one of the best highlights.