On the Road Again...

Sooo, when I returned to Alaska more than a month ago, I really thought that I had finished my rambling ways and would be ready to settle in, find a car (my Honda is now my Mom´s Honda) and a job.  I was excited to enjoy summer in Alaska and that I did.  I went fishing for salmon, hiking with Meaghan, Erica and Erica´s friends from Australia, kayaking with my lawyer buddies and spent time having lunch with friends and doing some summer grilling.  All in all it felt like a great vacation and obviously, I was not ready to stop there...

I stopped back in Colorado for some bear-free hiking and for a reunion with a few of the runners from the Coastal Challenge. 

Of all the people that I have met in these last 11 or so months, I still feel the strongest connection with the runners from the one week I spent running, walking, and suffering in Costa Rica. 

I didn´t participate, but instead decided to watch the Pikes Peak Marathon and cheer-on the Coastal Challengers running the 13.1 miles up to 14,000 feet and then back down the same slippery, rocky trail.  Famous trail runner Kilian Jornet decided to show up and blow away the field.  It was fun to watch someone run so fast and on really challenging terrain.  Sadly though, I have to admit, it was hard just to watch! 

I did manage to have some time to hike up the famous "Incline" in Manitou Springs before the runners returned from their journeys to the top of Pikes Peak.  Apparently, "Incline" is infamous among the Olympic Athletes that call Colorado Springs home. 

And, apparently I wasn´t ready to resume "normal life" just yet...I hopped on a plane to Querétaro, México after hearing rumors about this lovely, sunny and warm city not far from Mexico City.  For the past week I have been taking Spanish lessons, exploring the city and the area around the city and taking cooking lessons.  There have been a couple of days that I thought my head was going to explode from trying to think in Spanish and orient myself in the city, but all in all this trip has been fantastic. 

My buddy Oscar has been an extraordinary guide.  He organized the Spanish and cooking lessons, printed schedules and maps and armed me with tourist brochures and a phone for those times I found myself completely lost (okay, I´ve maybe had to use it at once for this purpose...).

On Sunday we visited La Peña de Bernal in the pueblo of Bernal and 2 wineries in the area.  We toured the first winery, Freienet, with about 100 other people from Bosnia to Mexico City to Ecuador to Barcelona.  At the second winery, La Redonda, I tried tasted the wine and local cheeses.  Finally, we visited the quaint pueblo of Tequisquiapan. 

I have been eating at some amazing restaurants on Oscar´s recommendations as well!  I am keeping a list so I can share this vast gastronomical knowledge with any of you future visitors.  I wouldn´t be surprised if I return to Alaska double my current size.  The food is that amazing.

Querétaro is unlike any other place I have visited in Mexico.  I´ve only spent time in the touristy beach towns, like Cabo, Cozumél, Manzanillo, Todos Santos and the like.  Querétaro seems like a city where business is done and normal people are living their lives.  It is clean, modern and bustling. 

I am staying near the historic district and the area is beautiful.  Most of the churches and other structures in the historic district were built during the 1500-1600s and have been kept in mint-condition.  I usually spend a least an hour or so every day wandering around after my Spanish classes just taking it all in.  All in all, this past week has been an educational and relaxing one.  I am confident the remainder of my time here will be equally interesting.