5/31/07 - Laura

I decided it was my turn for a long e-mail, as they have been brightening my days.

What happens when you take seven strangers and place them in a house together in Mexico?

Okay so we are not exactly strangers, but this trip has a very "Real World" feel, which is pretty entertaining. There ended up being only seven people who made it down to Austin's house, and the whole dynamic is pretty hilarious. And since Austin's house looks just like the traditional Mexican mansion (complete with maid who does all the dishes and laundry), the show references seem appropriate. I am sleeping in the triple bedroom, where three twin beds have been pushed together (Austin's mom got the third one so that everyone would have a bed) to fit in the room, and I am sleeping between the two guys on the trip that I did not really know. It's a lot of fun though because they are both pretty cute (actually one is very attractive) and there have been many a threesome joke (because it wouldn't be a very good real world without sexual drama).

Other than hanging out and starting to drink around 2, we have not been doing much else. Austin's mother, Fancy, is determined to get us very drunk ever day, and also keeps insisting that if there is "absolutely anything else that we may want" she can get it within the hour. She owns an art gallery and apparently her featured artists is one of the biggest druggies alive (he has given us tips on smuggling stuff into the states), but he is hilarious and we are going out with him later this week. Last night we went out to happy hour, dinner, and then a martini bar that had a special. I ate cactus, it tasted like fried green tomatoes. Then we came back and played kings on Austin's roof deck that overlooks the city. It was great, somewhat embarrassing though (as kings can be), but I wish you all were here with me. He rents out his house and I think that we should get it for a post-graduation celebration next year.

The drive down was an adventure, but it was also a lot of fun. Carter, I am in love with your city. The whole day we were there I was looking for your family, but no dice. Also, your whole foods has completely changed my life, and I will now judge any grocery store against it. I know that this may sound crazy, but it trumps Wegmans. We ran out of gas at the border, and ended up having to bum a few gallons off of a mexican man who looked just like George Lopez. He was awesome, and we gave his son our teddy grahams in return. We were also pulled over by the Mexican police for speeding (the whole kilometers verses miles thing is confusing), but he let us off for being stupid gringos. When he reached his hand into my car to get Lindsey's license and registration, she misunderstood and shook his hand and then said "no hablo espagnol, un poco." It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen, and also scary as I had convinced myself that i was going to end up in a Mexican prison.

We leave in one week to head to New Orleans, and then I'll be headed home. Sorry about the length, I was in a rambling mood. I will keep you posted on any interesting happenings.

Sending love to all,

Laura