This is the first time in 15 years that I am missing the three day bananza that is the Tater Day Festival, the more than 150-year-old celebration of the sweet potato.  Sure, it may sound a little odd to you, but, as the saying goes, don't knock it 'till you've tried it.  It is the most fun you can have in Kentucky (which, granted, isn't saying much).

Still, it makes me feel homesick.  For the first time I actually miss home.

Oh well, I guess the gorgous Mexican weather baking me to a crispy brown will have to console me. 

Hey everyone, Tate here.  I’m back with more information from my trip to Chichén-Itzá equipped with pictures, as promised.  I know I’ve sort of been slacking with my blogging duties lately, but hey, we can’t all be as prolific as BritLit , now can we?

Anyway, finals are approaching, and the friar has really been grilling me in preparation for my Bible Studies exam.  And I’m worried I’m just gonna get roasted on my Health test.  But at least I won’t get baked in my film class, if you know what I mean.

Speaking of films, I might not know as much about them as LittleLadyLuck , but I can hold my own, and I got into a huge argument with my tour guide at the Pyramid of Kukúlcan, one of the famous Mayan Temples around here, about the validity of Mel Gibson’s upcoming movie, Apocalypto.  I was claiming how it can’t be considered a true story because nobody really knows what happens to the Mayans.  This guy thought he was an expert on the subject, however, so was trying to dispute the argument with me.  I buttered him good, though.  He just didn’t have a tough enough skin to deal with me.

And then, in celebration of my victory, I pulled a Rocky at the top of the steps.  Yep, all 456 of them.  The tour guide didn’t seem to appreciate it, nor did my lunges, but I thought it was warranted.  Behold my glory:










Me at the foot of the pyramid. And then:





Me all the way at the top (like, literally. I got soooo mashed for climbing to the peak. They don't take kindly to messing with thousand year old artifacts. But for you guys, it was worth it).


Note: For information on the actual BlogAbroad.com Photo Contest, go to http://www.blogabroad.com/photo_contest.html.

Hello everyone, my name is Tate Atkinson. This is my first time blogging here, so I guess I should start by telling you about my life and adventures.  Okay?

Okay.  I was born and raised in a small town known as Hayden, Idaho. It sounds nerdy, but as a child I was always seeking new knowledge.  I wanted to grow beyond my roots.

I was 9 when I first realized I had an interest in science.  My first love was biology (I mean, besides my sweet potato, Sally O’Leary, of course).  My mother would take my brother, Julien, and me down to Tottens Pond where I would watch how plants grew and how the fish eggs hatched and all the amazing intricacies of nature.

It wasn't until the age of 13 that I discovered my true passion: POWER!  Julien had worn out the batteries on my alarm clock radio and I needed to wake up early for school before the sprinklers turned on (long story).  I decided to split the ends of the clock's power chord and connected one end to Julien and one end to myself.  Amazingly, this crazy idea worked.  From then on I was hooked on power.

Eventually this interest led me to my college career at the University of Chicago. GO PHOENIXES!  I am studying nuclear physics and only have three years left to receive my Master’s degree (excellerated program).

But, I am a BlogAbroad.com blogger, so you don’t want to hear about Chicago.  Currently I am writing to you from Chichen Itza, Mexico.  I needed a break from the pressure cooker that is hardcore city life and hardcore technology.  I figure that these ancient Mayan ruins will give me a much needed break and will help me appreciate all the amazing advances we have today.

But the difficult part for me is going to be falling behind on 24 and being unable to check my MySpace every five minutes (although I'm diggin' MindSay).  I had to pay a load of pesos just to get a half hour of Internet connection in some poorly ventilated bar called La Fertilizeria.

I guess that’s all from me for now. Sometime when I get a better connection, I'll upload some pictures from my camera.

Until then, take care.