Buenas

This week we did lots of lab work and spent a day in the field getting S02 measurements in a small village right on the volcano. It has been interesting talking to the locals about the Volcano because for the most part they do not have any clue about the hazards that loom over their villages. Some think the volcano erupts when the weather is hot, others think that it erupts snow sometimes, others think that the volcano is controlled by the Gods. On our way home we stopped in all the little villages and walked around. Without question we are starred at wherever we go, especially in these small villages on the slopes of the volcano where you don’t often see tourists. Each village without fail, has a central plaza with a fountain, benches and trees, a catholic church with a sweet bell tower, and cobblestone streets.

Last night an annual Colima party called Patetera started. It’s crazy. It started off with a parade which lasted from 9 pm to well past midnight. To name just a few of the things I saw last night: Horses, cowboys, trumpets, guitars, large sombreros, lots of alcohol, dancing, mayhem, drunk fights, thousands of people, people starring at me, police, machine guns, drunk drivers, tacos, the list goes on. It was crazy.