Día Seis

Last full day in the city was great. We stopped to see Templo Mayor which was an ancient temple built by the Aztecs, then covered by the Spanish, then uncovered by the modern Mexican people. Very impressive.

After visiting the Zocolo and Templo Mayor, we stopped at a permanent flea market. It has a name, but I can't remember the name right now. This place reminded me of my grandparents. I saw so many things at the market that I found in their home. I bought a doll that reminded me of the doll my grandparents brought my two sisters thirty years ago.

Then we finished the day doing a session in the Mexican temple. I liked to think that my grandparents were there with us as they had served there as missionaries almost 30+ years ago when it first opened. Spending time in the temple with my parents was the best way to finish this vacation.

Día Cinco

Day five in Mexico turned out to be my favorite day. We got up at the crack of dawn to meet up with the other missionaries in the area and head to a remote area to see the monarch butterflies. Every year they migrate north and stop in different areas here in Mexico.

My ears did not like the changes in altitude but I had three doses of antibiotics by the time we left and the throbbing had started to subside. Once we got to our destination, it looked like an typical tourist trap which we happily indulged in the spirit of things. First, we took these mini horses up the mountain to the monarch colony. Because they usually fly and flutter in the heat, the cloudy day limited how many we saw flying.

For some reason, the Mexicans were quick to bring us back down the mountain. I pleaded ignorance and wandered off. My mom played along and told the men she didn't know where her daughter was to let me have some time in solitude. My mom knows when I just need a moment to myself. I'm so glad she did! I found a place to view the monarchs burst from the trees when the sun came out and warmed the trees.

On my way down, I saw a big gathering of people. Apparently one of the horses got spooked and bucked off the mission president's wife. Immediately my dad assessed the injury and diagnosed a broken shoulder or collar bone. We waited around for an ambulance and the mission president's wife was immediately rushed off to Mexico City for emergency surgery. The mission president called my dad to discuss options and okay the hospital where his wife had been sent. My dad gave the approval and the mission president's wife had surgery to repair her shoulder.

The rest of the group traveled to a small little town call Valle de Bravo. I loved this quaint little village. The food tasted incredible! The lake took my breath away. And I finally started feeling better. This little excursion turned out to be the best day of the trip.