*sniff,sniff* I smell McDonalds fries, Starbucks coffee, and a slightly salty Mission Bay breeze. I'm home!!! I can't believe it. Actually, that's not true. I believe it but I can't believe I was just in Latin America for 5 months. I can't believe I was sweating on the Caribbean, shivering near the Andes and drinking coconut water on Copacabana Beach. It feels like I never left. Suddenly everyone speaks English (I miss Spanish already, I might need to go to Tijua...

Last night abroad, I can't believe it! In 24 hours I'll be landing in San Diego. Of course I'm excited and I have a lot of people to visit, birthdays and holidays to celebrate and Grandma's food to eat but I don't know how I feel. I guess I have the job and money stress in the back of my head and although I was dying to go home, I don't want to have too high expectations. Realistically, I don't have one home to go to. I'm not going to return to stable life; I'm...

Monday morning I ate breakfast and was off to Zocalo (the city center). As much I greatly appreciate the sisters hosting me, to be honest I was ready to be on my own again. Independent with no set schedule, freedom to go where I want when I want, eat what I want, and also not feel guilty everytime they pray (which is quite frequent) that I have tattoos, don't go to church and have a boyfriend (gasp!). Not to mention, I hadnt seen the famous plaza and ruins of the...

Ok I know I've been lazy since I arrived to Mexico but it's been a crazy busy few days, plus I'm fighting a cold and feel extra tired (especially with Brazil 4 hours ahead!). Anyway, IM IN MEXICO and loving it. Theres probably not a better place to end this long Latin American journey where I find most familiarity (Spanish and especially the food) and also a strong culture that I seem to be infatuated with. I guess I should start from the beginning: another one...

Sao Paulo Wednesday Another quick domestic flight and I was in Sao Paulo Wednesday midday. I love that the Sisters of Mary are so easy to spot in their grey garments, dresses and head things (Im sorry I have no idea what its called). Sister Terezinha, a petite and adorable Korean woman picked me up and we went directly to the school. This place had originally had the same concept as the girlstown in Brasilia but for boys. Unfortunately, after a lot of complicat...