Mazunte and the bedbugs

We had 9 days to travel Mexico. With a vague idea of where we were headed, we flew into Mexico City, took the 6 hour bus to Acapulco, got the hell out of the clusterfuck known as Acapulco, and worked our way down to the Oaxacan province, inching our way toward a gloriously remote beach of no more than 400 inhabitants-Mazunte.

Our 10 hour bus ride from Acapulco dropped us off in the middle of a road in a town called Pochutla at around midnight. No bus station, no lights, just us and the dirt road. Pochutla, a town of about 18,000, looks like a ghost town at midnight, and here we were, trying to make our way to an even more remote beach town in the off-season. We found a cab easily enough, and soon we were speeding down a dark and windy road into the forests of nothingness.

A Half hour later, we're dropped off, again at the side of the road, this time in Mazunte. With no lights or signs of life in sight, the only bit of comfort is the starlit sparkle of a clear midnight sky and the sound of the roaring waves somewhere nearby. We walked down the main road for a bit, desperately hoping for one of the 400 people living hear to be awake...With the eerie sounds of birds and insects and everything else in the great unknown, we had no choice but to make our way down the dark dirt path towards the roaring beach, in hopes of finding an open cabana. Feeling our way through the closed-restaurants on the beach, we headed toward the only dim light we could see, and could make out two figures in the distance. Someone was awake! Rushing toward them, I asked if they had any free cabanas, and for 100 pesos, we were lead to our sleeping quarters for the night.

The next 8 hours consisted of many strange and obscure noises, including hissing, pounding, and a very confused rooster who started his dawn calling at 3 in the AM.

Waking up to the beautiful beach of Mazunte made the last 12 hours worth it. We found a beatiful little hostel where we had a gorgeous beach view, and 5 consecutive days of basking in the sun, dabbling in the waves of the pacific, and eating fresh seafood.

Flying back from NYC this Saturday night, I was greeted by some of my favorite faces. Unfortunatly, come bedtime, I was welcomed by some not so friendly faces...bedbugs! Ya, that's right, I was attacked by bedbugs in the JC, and I am conveniently hyper-allergic to their bites. So now, I sit in the JC with a hand that is twice as swollen as it should be, and an arm three times as swollen as it should be.

Can I rewind to last week when my arms were a normal non-itchy size and I was sunbathing on the remote beaches of Mazunte?

ROAR

Sometimes you just need to roar.

Between Generations

I keep trying to start this blog and have to start over. I can't find the words to talk about yesterday. It's so surreal to see so many of those who've defined AIESEC Madison for me in the past few years leave the organization. Spending the night before last keeping Katy company as she put finishing touches to the senior banquet video, I saw the word "Alumni" used to describe the seniors, and it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. hard. I knew it was coming, but it finally hit me that it was actually happening.

They are leaving.

I can't imagine the last three years without those who've been there as my mentors, peers, and friends. And I can't imagine next year without you. Looking out over our entire LC yesterday was so powerful; one AIESEC generation leaving, and another ready to step up and build upon the solid foundation that has been left for them. Those graduating took the time to leave their parting messages and advice, while the new generation listened attentively with respect and admiration, knowing they have big shoes to fill, and hearing from the old that they are more than capable of taking on the task of driving AIESEC Madison forward.

So, with that, I want to say thank you. To the generation leaving, thank you for making AIESEC what it is today. To the new generation: thanks for taking on the task of building the AIESEC Madison of tomorrow.

And me? I sort of feel between generations...like I came a year too late, or a few too early, like I'm watching AIESEC generations around me leaving, and watching other ones forming, and I'm one of the few still standing that's a link between old and new. One more semester and it's my turn to say goodbyes.

Until then, a new semester is around the corner. Madison, let's blow shit up.

And the Clarali Says...

Let's burp each other tomorrow.