Places to go in Querétaro

 Filulas Juz en Reto Rock  

Queretaro has a lot of cool local bands and bars with ive music.

Last Thursday the 28^th of May I went to Reto Rock a club situated on the street Universidad. The band I listened to was called Filulas Juz, a Jazz band with rock and fusion elements. The band was really great, playing material off of their first album “Astralopithecus”. You can find the album on itunes or have a listen on youtube. The concert lasted for about an hour and the club had arranged great stage lights. Another concert followed, but unfirtunately I wasn’t able to stay for the second one.

The club is a big and open place with low or high tables and chairs as well as sofa sections that are more comfortable. There are also two pool tables. Every Friday a band called Venus plays at around 11 pm Spanish songs by different groups. Every Saturday another group called Karma covers English songs from different rock bands. Spanish and English rock are the bar’s main theme. The entrance for the concerts on Thursday cost 50 pesos and Fridays and Saturdays the entrance cover varies from 20-30 pesos. In summary, Reto Rock is worth checking out for its atmosphere and rock music. You should also folow Filulas Juz on social media and check out their album if you are into Jazz. They are a real breath of fresh air between all the electronic, pop and indie that is currently ruling my music world. 

How to stay hydrated in dusty dry Querétaro

I love Querétaro and I love the sun, but the semi-desertic climate really dries out my eyes as well as the rest of the body. Here are some tips on how you can stay hydrated all day long for your whole body.

Body:

Drink twice the amount of water that you drank in your hometown. If 1 liter a day felt like enough to keep me hydrated in Europe, I need at least 2 liters here in Querétaro.

Drink cucumber juice: provided I have cucumbers in my fridge, every morning I blend half a cucumber with half a glass of water and maybe some chia seeds. Cucumber consists of 96% water and contains lots vitamins and minerals.

If some days you feel like you are sweating a great deal walking outside or working out, you can buy alkaline water that has a PH of 9.5. It is going to give you that extra hydration that you need.

Eyes:

If you have dry eyes, use some hydrating eye drops. You can get eye drops for 30 pesos in the pharmacy. Be careful though, there are some patented ones that will cost you 10x more; I made the mistake and bought an expensive bottle, because my ophthalmologist recommended them to me, but the generic ones work just as well.

Face:

For my face, I use Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is being used in plenty of cosmetics, because of its great hydrating and healing properties, but as this plant is endemic to Querétaro I don’t need to spend a lot of money on a hydrating cream (with chemicals that I might not want to put on my face). Just buy a pant, cut of a little piece and spread the juice all over your face. You can feel the cooling effect right away. In addition, if you have a sunburn it works miracles to take away

the inflammation. 

A Perfect Weekend Escape - San Miguel de Allende

Technically, San Miguel belongs to the State of Guanajuato, but it is so close to Santiago de Queretaro - we might see it as just another advantage of living in Queretaro. It is the perfect weekend escape to a more silent, charming, little town with enough exciting attractions and stops to keep you entertained for the whole weekend while it is relaxing enough to make you forget about the hectic day-to-day life.

You can start your day by visiting the church "La Parroquia de San Miguel"; it has a neo-gothic façade with two tall towers that can be seen from most parts of the town. Even though, it resembles a European church, it still owns a very Mexican architectural interpretation. Plaza Allende, or the Main Garden as locals call it, is a popular place to sit and relax right in front of the church, and of course, enjoy the indispensable kiosco. 

Next, you must visit the "Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramiez", also called the Escuela de Bellas Artes or El Nigromante, which is placed in the former Hermanas de la Concepcion Convent. It has a beautiful large courtyard with a large fountain in the middle and it houses art exhibitions, paintings, drawings, sculptures, textiles and other forms of art. From the building's top floor you can see the "Inmaculada Concepcion Church" (also called The Nuns). 

You should enjoy walking through the city center, because San Miguel de Allende is a walking city. The size allows you to take in all its colonial beauty and enjoy the architecture as you casually explore the vitality and flair of the place. Do not simply look into the shops, but go in and buy something, even if it is something small like a magnet, because the city is known for its skillful handcrafts. 

Have a nice meal as the town offers varied types of foods and price ranges from cheap over moderate to expensive. As a vegan, I did not have any problems finding a restaurant that served a number of possible and delicious dishes for me (Tip: Restaurant Cumpanio, moderate prices and variety with vegan and non-vegan dishes, it offers a bread, pastry and restaurant section). 

Events in Queretaro - 57 Muestra Internacional de Cine in Querétaro

Not only is Queretaro a beautiful city, but it also is a culturally vibrant city. The city is often hosting interesting events and currently, a collaboration of different institutes is screening 10 free movies selected by the 57 Muestra International de Cine in the Cineteatro Rosalio Solano. Some movies rank among the winners of the Cannes International Film Festival, The Berlin International Film Festival, The Oscars as well as other awards. The best part is that the entrance is free and there are 4 screenings a day (13.00, 16.00, 18.30 y 21.00 hrs.). You have 8 days left until the 31st of March to go and see at least one great movie until the end of the week. I went to see "La Conducta" yesterday; the dramatic movie set in Cuba shows an aging teacher, Carmela, who has a special heart for pupils from broken families, but is challenged by the headmaster for this. The poor 12 year old Chala and Yeni, in which Chala is infatuated, have both severe troubles on home ground. When Carmela has a heart-attack, she leaves a more rule-bound rookie as a replacement teacher and things deteriorate for Chala and Yeni. Carmela is the only thing that stands between Chala and those seeking to send him to re-education school. The picture adds to the very emotional story line and the performance of the young actors is outstanding. Hurry and do not miss out on a free night at the movies in Centro Querétaro.

Trip to the pyramid in El Pueblito

Trip to the pyramid in El Pueblito

Anyone residing in Queretaro should take advantage of the Toltec pyramid "El Cerrito". It’s the perfect, laid-back weekend activity, as the pyramid is located only twenty minutes from the city center.  You can take several buses from the Alameda, some of which will drop you right in front of the pyramid. Entering the archaeological zone, there is a reception; entry is free, and if you are early enough, you can get a free tour around the pyramid (they are free from Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 2:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4:30 pm). The content of the tour is very informative and they also take interest in visitors’ opinions after the tour. To my disadvantage, it was in Spanish, so a lot of information on the pre-Hispanic settlement, culture, customs and recent excavations were lost to me, but I was happy to observe the beauty, colors and shapes of the structure. There are some interesting charts at the entrance with a timeline of the different indigenous settlements around that area, which is helpful.

You will notice the ruins of a house on top of the pyramid called "the Fort". It was built in 1876 by an influential family, and cannot be removed due to a law which states that all houses in Queretaro older than 100 years must be conserved. Due to vegetation, the pyramid now resembles a random hill covered with earth and stones from the back side, hence its name "El Cerrito".

After "El Cerrito", you can walk into Pueblito’s city center and buy ice cream in front of the sanctuary de Santa Maria or grab something to eat; there are plenty of restaurants and markets offering delicious Mexican dishes. 

Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. Language Practice

You will no longer learn just from textbooks and instructors. Come to a foreign country and practice the language in class, and then apply the language in everyday situations. Then, challenge yourself and live with a host family. Chances are they will only speak the native language, forcing you to practice every time you are in contact.

2. Experience culture shock

When you arrive in a foreign country you are likely to experience culture shock. Culture shock is when you experience an altered way of life compared to your own. You will notice that things are much different compared to your home country. Now when you return home you will notice it is easier to adapt to culture shock in a dimmer light such as getting a new job or moving into a new house.

3.       Boost your resume

You will have some experience under your belt. Many Americans have not even left the country, and some die without ever owning a passport. Traveling to a new country shows that you are ready for the new work environment. Many job recruiters look for people with the ability to learn. Studying abroad shows that you had to learn fast and adapt to a new culture.

4.       Travel the world

When you are in a foreign country you get to travel to popular tourist destinations that may cost you a fortune to travel to again. You already paid for the plane ticket there so you might as well travel to nearby cities and countries during the weekends. Another option is arriving 2 weeks early or staying 2 weeks extra to experience more.

5.       Independence

You experience a lot more independence. Mom, dad, or your friends might not be there to help you when you get lost in the city, airport, or train station. You learn more about yourself than you ever would at home. You must tackle all these feats by yourself, and the sense of accomplishment is worth it.

6.       Network

You now have a network that expands outside of your home country. There are possibilities of internships and volunteering on your study abroad which grow your connections as well. These could lead to possible jobs, or just great friendships that could last a lifetime.

7.       Borders are shrinking

Technology is booming. Trading across borders is dramatically increasing.  More companies are doing business with foreign countries. Language is not the only important part in navigating through culture; it is also the other aspects of culture such as customs and traditions. Understanding different culture increases your worth in this booming global economy. It is obvious that international experience is crucial in the workplace, regardless of the career path you choose.

8.       Experience a new activity

There are plenty of new activities in other countries such as cricket in Australia or competitive table tennis in Asia. And if you happen to come to Mexico, go on a crocodile boat trip! With these new activities you will have more fun, experience more of the culture, and meet locals.

9.       Education

Let’s not forget about the education system here.  If you study abroad with a university you get to learn from that country about your major. When I studied in France I learned how the French did business compared to how Americans do business. It gives you a new way to look at your studies, and it will expand your mind.

10.   Save money or invest in your future

If you search hard enough a study abroad program could be just as much or cheaper than your University for a semester. Also, the exchange rate might be in your favor. For example, in Mexico the American dollar is worth more! However, if you do not save money, who cares? Odds are you will not be spending much more money anyways, and it might even land you a job because of it. When you graduate college, have your first job, or have a family, you will probably regret not studying abroad. What are you waiting for?

Learn Spanish is Querétaro, Mexico! Learnspanishblc.com

THE THREE MAGICAL KEYS TO COLLEGE SUCCESS

As a student, schedules and overall work can get overwhelming. Most students will try to strive through school year by missing classes, eating fast food, and pulling all-nighters. We all have been there before, and hence we all know it is counterproductive to maintain these habits. In order to guide students toward a healthy lifestyle and a greater success, we give here the three magical key to college success. Good luck!

FOOD EXERCISE SLEEP

FOOD

The food you eat will have a strong impact on your performance. Unlike what most people think, even one fast food meal a week will affect your overall health. By fast food we refer to any time of meal that was prepared and serve by your cafeteria. Indeed, not only big hamburgers chains are bad for your health. Anything that was prepared in advance and then stored to be served at a large scale is likely to contain ingredients full of salt, sugar, trans fat, and other bad ingredients for your health. Remember the golden rule: if the food can´t go bad means it is bad for you. Indeed, food served in cafeteria usually contains ingredients with high rate of preservatives in it. In order to avoid eating un-healthy, and usually expensive, cafeteria food, you should prepare simple lunch box. Within a click on Google, thousands of easy meals are awaiting you! Not having time is only a question of "taking" the time.

Also, three meals a day is not a suggestion, it is an obligation. Breakfast is essential for keeping you awaken and focused throughout the day. It also provides you with the essential energy you need to start your day. If you skip breakfast, you´ll have less energy and will be tired within the first half of your day. Again, if you have no idea of what is a healthy breakfast, take a look at ideas on Pinterest or blogs. The web is full of information on nutrition! Lunch is almost as important as breakfast given that it will allow you to go through your afternoon and avoid falling for junk cravings. You know that chocolate bar you want to buy so badly around 3pm, right before your long and boring stat class? Yeah, it is only going to increase your craving! Also when you´re craving for sweets it usually means that your body lacks of chromium, carbon phosphorus, sulfur, or tryptophan. This lack can be counterpartyed by eating broccoli, fresh fruits, chicken, cranberries, kale, cheese, and other food.

For further information on how to address your cravings and your healthy daily diet in general, visit our Pinterest board called A Healthy Student Life at http://www.pinterest.com/babilonlanguage/a-healthy-student-life/

EXERCISE

Even if integrating 1 hour at the gym three times a week seems like almost impossible, it is utterly recommended by specialists to stay active. Your mind works hard at school, and your body should do so too. If going to the gym is really impossible, then you can integrate physical activities in your daily routine. The bus ride to school is 10 minutes? Chances are you could walk that in 30 minutes! Need to take a study break? Take a walk around your neighborhood! Class is on the third floor? Take the stairs! Try to be as active as possible throughout your day. When your body moves it increase your metabolism. A faster metabolism means a greater reserve of energy!

Also, don´t be shy to decline social invitations in order to have more time on your hand for sports. If you join a sport team at your school it will allow you to have social interactions within a healthy activity. Furthermore, it will create a commitment with going to the practices.

SLEEP

Did you know that one night without sleep leaves you in the same state than if you were legally drunk at a blood alcohol content of 0.08?  So, would you show up to an exam with this blood alcohol content? No. So why would you pull all-nighters? Sleeping allow your body to rest. Just as our computers need to restart in order to complete the installation of a program, your body needs to shut down for a little while in order to process what you learn every day at school. This is especially true during exam periods.

Furthermore, good sleep habits, such as a regular sleep schedule and a great sleep environment will help you to develop an “efficient” sleep. Again, with a quick research on Google you can find hundreds of trick to improve your sleep habits.