Most everybody knows to not drink the water in Mexico due to unwanted minerals, metals, and bacteria. Everyone here drinks purified water from these garrafones or from a filter connected to their sink. Mexicans know to not drink the water; travelers who are not careful enough often contract a case of Montezuma’s Revenge. What I didn’t realize the first month of living here in Mexico is that I should not only be drinking and prepping food with purified water, but I should also be washing my body with it too.
Por ejemplo, one of the other Trainees asked me why my face had broken out into fierce acne. I had kept up my routine, but there were three splotches of my face that were painfully dry. My fellow Trainee urged me to visit the doctor on-site. When I did, she asked me what I was washing my face with… I then launched into an explanation of my skincare routine. No, no, no… What was I washing my face with? Oh… I replied… Water?
A simple solution for a complex problem.
Doctora Ines then explained that the tap water here has so many minerals, metals and bacteria that make the water fuerte (harsh/strong). If the water is hot, then most of the bacteria is killed in the process; this makes washing with warm water especially desirable here. When no hot water is available for washing (which is the case in our bathroom sink), she told me that I needed to wash my face with purified water.
Not really seeing how it could make a difference, I decided to humor the doctor and try it out for a week. The next day my face had already begun to heal. A week after my switch, almost all my blemishes are gone!
Lesson learned: When in doubt, trust the doctor.
Happy and blemish free!
xo from Queretaro,
Chels
Go Team Jander! 
SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE LEARNING LOTS THE HARD WAY. YOUR MOM MADE RACHEL A TODETTE COSTUME FOR HALOWEEN, IT IS THE CUTEST THING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN, i WILL TRY TO SEND A PICTURE FROM THE HALOWEEN PARADE. love, J&R
Que padre!!!
Hooray!! I would not have thought of that either. Good thing you shower with warm water. Stay healthy! Lots of love, sis!
Wow, that was a valuable lesson, Chelsea! I’ve heard other horror stories on Montezuma’s revenge. Someone I know brushed their teeth with tap water and got ill! Other than that, it sounds like you and Neal are having an adventure to remember in years to come.
Love,
Grandpa and Grandma O.