Leaving for Colima Tomorrow

Tomorrow I leave for Colima, Mexico, to work at the Centre for Exchange and Research in Volcanology. This is a program that allows international students to help monitor and research Volcán de Colima. I will be in Colima for about two months, and I am using this blog as a way to keep my friends and family updated.

Volcano. Mexico. I can't wait. A list is needed.

Things I am looking forward to:

1. Volcán de Colima

This bad boy is the whole reason I'm doing this. Just look how handsome he is.

 

He has such a strong personality

 

 Tall, dark, and handsome

 There are actually two volcanoes near Colima, Volcán de Colima and Nevado de Colima. The former is shorter and more active. Volcán de Colima is the most active volcano in Mexico. 

2. Research

I'm very excited but a little nervous about researching the volcano, because I don't know exactly what I'm doing. I have no idea how much field work or lab work I'll be doing. I'm hoping to undertake a small, more independent project and learn a lot of research methods. Unfortunately, I haven't had experience studying the many volcanoes of Louisiana.

3. Living in Colima

This will be my first time spending more than two weeks in a foreign country, and Colima seems like the perfect place to do so. 

 

Colima is part of the tiny state Colima

The Universidad de Colima is in this city, which means that there will be other students there beyond the research program. Colima was also the American Capital of Culture for 2014. I don't quite know what this means, but I'm assuming it's a good sign.

 

 

La Campana, the nearby ruins

 

Nicknamed "City of Palms," Colima is apparently all about parks and plazas. 

 

 But, seriously, Dallas parks need to up their game.

4. Learning Spanish

I'm not going to walk off the plane proclaiming "Hoe-lah Ah-mee-goez" in a thick Texas accent, but, unfortunately, my Spanish isn't pretty. Or expansive. Or understandable to most native speakers on the first try. But I'm going to try, and I hope two months is enough time to improve.

5. Everything Else

There are so many little cultural things I am excited about. Like watching the World Cup in Mexico. Getting to know the other people in the lab. Tacos de chapulines? 

 

 I lurked some travel blogs. Fried grasshoppers are a thing here.

I'm super excited for this adventure and will send plenty of updates!

Arden