Raquel Duron My name is Raquel Duron.  I am an exchange student from Baja, the peninsula in Mexico, and from the town named Ensenada, that is located only seventy miles south of the international border from San Diego, California.

Ensenada is a big touristic place; it is famous for its fishing, sea food, winemaking, industries, first class hotels, etc.  Also, every year we have events like the Baja 500 and 1000 races, the annual migration of the California Gray Whale, and the natural wonder of La Bufodera, which is one of the only two blowholes that exist in all the world.

Ensenada has a year-round mediterranean climate, so as you can see, I am not accustomed to cold weather as the one here in Iowa.  But I think I'll just have to get used to it.  I had never seen snow before I came here, and I like it a lot.

My family here are the Hertzkes; Susie, Scott, Tim, and Sara.  I am really happy being with them; they are all wonderful persons, and I fel very lucky having them as a family.  People always ask me why did I want to be an exchange student, and I think it's because I enjoy doing new things and meeting people and their culture.

I am enjoying my time here at South Hamilton a lot.  I went, last season, out for cross country, and now I am at basketball and speech.  I also enjoy going to the different games -- football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, etc.-- and hanging out with friends like BreAnne, Lucy, Bobbi, Kylie, Kristin, Libby, etc.  People here at South Hamilton are so nice.  And I wish that when I go back, people remember me, as I will, because I'm sure I will never forget them or this experience.