I can't believe I ate the WHOLE thing!

Vacation has it's perks. Like eating. And drinking beer. And doing nothing. And eating....and eating more. And getting bloated....hmm that doesn't count. I've been eating so much that I feel like one gigantic avocado. I bet I ate 5 avocadoes today in all my Mexican meals. It's all been so delicious, though, that I'm counting on Tums to relieve my pain. And I only ate TWO meals today.We started the day in this beautiful resturant within a courtyard, a short distance from our apartment. David had eggs benedict, and I had an omelet with ham, cheese and mushrooms. We also had toast with jelly. And coffee with CREAM, instead of milk. Yes, it sounds very American, but my stomach needed a little break from the chili peppers. The atmosphere was incredible, and so was the service. The garden was just gorgeous, like an oasis in the desert.

After brunch, we walked, and walked, and walked, which is necessary if we don't want to gain 20 pounds while in Mexico, eating all that guacamole. The cobblestones and hills prove to be a pretty darn good workout. In the photo below you can see the Parroquia in the background.

I strolled the stores today, while David sat at a cafe and took photos of the locals, and foreigners. There's quite the eclectic mix of people here.
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the sun? Sometimes I don't know how I survive Seattle winters. This is just heaven to me, standing with the sun on my face, without a care in the world.

One thing I've noticed in Mexico is that I feel really bad not giving to the beggers. In the United States, we're taught not to give anything to panhandlers, that they have other options, that they need to forge a way forward. But in Mexico, there aren't programs, and people are really living in abject poverty. There are women selling dolls, who's faces drop when I say no. And this old man with the two cans, said "no?" when I told him "no," like he was surprised. I felt SO guilty. I might have to start giving to these people.

We spent a lot of time today just "being", which means no real activities. The morning was spent doing laundry, then letting the close dry in the sun. I love having nothing I really HAVE to do. We took a lot of pictures though, which is one of our main hobbies on vacation. The Parroquia is brilliant as usual during the setting sun, also known as "magic hour."

The colors suddenly become more vibrant, as the sun displays her yellow rays on the brightly colored buildings.

Who's that handsome man standing against that brilliant building.

David Louis Castillo! That's who!

You see the umbrella behind him, because we are EATING AGAIN. I had a chicken taco, a chile relleno and cheese taco, and a gigantic salad. David had a chimichanga. Can you see my face getting fat yet? That's not another margarita, that's salt water! I swear!
"What are you talking about Kristin, you crazy girl! Of course its a margarita!" (never mind that I'm now talking to the blogosphere in David's voice)

Anyway, after that delicious, and extremely filling and avocado-drenched meal, we walked home. What!! I'm raising my good cholesterol by eating so much avocado! Then, David stepped in a bunch of burro crap.

Sorry, TMI. After the dung was successfully wiped from his shoe on cobblestones, we walked back to the apartment.
And the sunset! and view! from the balcony. Oh my, am I in heaven!

It's so beautiful. Tomorrow, we are taking the bus to Guanajuato, which is about an hour away. I here its the most "European" city in mexico, so we'll see what that's like and I'll be sure to post tons more pictures.