The big waterfall sits at the head of a steep valley, such that one must descend a lengthy set of steep stairs to get to the valley floor. There are a number of small palapas (little thatched umbrellas, essentially, with benches and a small table of unfinished boards) on both sides of the river, and we got one for ourselves. After spending a few hours talking and eating the mountain of food we had carried down, Claire and Karina and I decided to go explore and swim.
Paty, my host mother, Doctor Guicho, Claire's host father, and Doctor Erasto, my host father drink some beers.
Claire and Paty stand under a waterfall.
Paty, Paula (my Counselor), me, Karina, and Claire, after climbing halfway up a waterfall.
One of 5 stepped pools made to catch falling water; this is the one we went swimming in first. The water is ice cold, and the waterfall that fills the pool creates a natural massaging effect. From here we went to the main waterfall pool and swam across to the rocks beneath the outcropping visible in the photos above. The land there is composed of giant rocks that have fallen from the roof of the outcropping. From underneath that outcropping, the rim around the valley is extremely grandiose and impressive. 
After swimming, we went back to the palapa for a while, then Claire and I went around taking pictures and climbing on rocks and such. Finally, Karina came looking for us and we set out to climb all the way back up to the parking area. The men (area natives who help tourists for money) in the parking lot, incidentally, were speaking Sierra Popoluca.Claire has changed her ticket and will be going home on Thursday. I will be changing houses again sometime this week, and Claire and I are both supposedly going to give our presentations this week as well.
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