Days 1 -4

I have never blogged before, but I decided that blogging would be a good way to share and remember my two months in Mexico. Here it goes.

Day 1

I woke up at 3 am Wed. July 7 in order to catch my flight at 6. There was quite a bit of turbulence, but otherwise there were no other problems. This is quite unlike my trip to Ecuador last summer where it took me two days to get there due to a delayed flight in Medford for many hours, a reroute to Portland and then another delay there. Anyways. I find myself comparing this trip with my experience in Ecuador quite a bit. I am of the opinion that it is not bad to compare things or people because that is how we learn. In order to know something we have to know what it is not, right? Creo que si.

I wasn't very social on this journey. I chose to not really talk to anyone, which is a bit unlike me. Although, I really am a shy person, I just work at being social. My only conversation with my companeros on the plane from Houston to Mexico D.F. was quite funny. I had the aisle seat. The young girl (from Mexico?) sitting next to the window wanted to go to the bathroom.When I started to unbuckle my seatbelt to move for her she said, "oh, I can just jump you if you want?" Oh how classically funny. I am sure I say so many things like that in Spanish.

Speaking of which, I was very dissapointed with my Spanish when I first arrived, but now I am feeling better about it. Although I am very consciouslly incompent, which is a very uncomfortable place to be. I do have to give myself some credit for being able to speak enough Spanish to ask two strangers if I could use thier cell phones to call Leslie when I couldn't find her at the airport after an hour.

I have to admit that I did panic for a moment when I realized that I might not be meeting Leslie after all. But I was able to pull myself together enough to decide I should have a plan B and I immediatley went to pull money out of an ATM, because you can't get too far anywhere without money unfortunetley. I also should mention that I had no idea how much money I had when I pulled out $100 pesos. Do you notice how the symbol for pesos is the exact same as the symbol for dollars? It was quite confusing to me. But after wasting some money on ATM fees I think I have it figured it out and I don't have a heart attack when I spend $70 (pesos) on food. (which is around $7 dollars)

So 2.5 hours and two strangers later I finally connected with Leslie and her brother Jorge and I have been in very good hands ever since. The first night we went to a cafe near a park and drank tea and watched the rain fall outside. Even though I left Eugene when it was finally starting to be nice, I dont mind this rain because it is still warm out and it is different than Oregon rain.

Day 2

Leslie and I had a wonderful breakfast with Elvan´s mom and gradma. We talked for hours. Elvans mom made me promise to visit her in Cuernavaca when I come back this way so she can show me around. It was an easy promise to agree to. Later Leslie took me to the enormous University of Mexico. It was empty for the summer holidays and we had the place to ourselves.

That night the entire family went to the famous zocalo and walked around. We watched multiple groups practicing an indigenous dance complete with drums, beads around the ankles, red scarves and sweaty bodies. There are many different forms of art that people enjoy, like architecture or paintings. While I do appreciate various art forms, dance is the art form that I am drawn to. And here in Mexico dance is so much a part of daily life. I am enjoying this enormeously. That night we went to a bar and danced to Cumbia and Reggaeton. It was so great to see so many men that could dance. I havent met one unfriendly person yet either.

Day 3

Jorge took me to the Pyramids, Aztec ruins. We climbed the pyramids and I imagined what life must have been like for the Aztecs. It is an awesome feeling to know that you are standing in a place where so many people lived their lives before you. I had a similar feeling while in Germany while I was walking around a school that Hitler had attended. Although that feeling was a bit more sickening.

We had a low key evening. Around 1 am we went to drink hot chocoloate and we came back home to watch a DVD that showed different people dancing salsa. What a life. I am so freaking lucky.

Day 4 (today)

The oldest child in this family is visiting from Tobasco with his two precious kids, Diego (3) and Victoria (1). So it was just Jorge and I that went to visit the muesum of Anthropology. We spent four hours in a place that would take at least two days to sufficiently explore. I was so hungry afterwards so we went for tacos. (So far I have enjoyed tamales, quesadillas, omlettes and tacos here). It was a place where you sit in the car and they bring you your order. While sipping coke from a glass bottle with a straw eating in the car listening to oldies I felt like I was living in the 50s. I couldnt help but laugh I found this so amusing. Tonight we have a fiesta to attend and more dancing. Did I mention yet how lucky I am?

Day 5

I am taking a bus to Oaxaca to start my Witness for Peace part of this trip. It is a 6.5 hour journey. To be continued....