Maestra en México

THE BIG PARTY!

2009-09-20T17:06:00.003-05:00

Mayra was set to pick me up at 9. It was 9:30 of course before she got there. She still discussed "dinner at La Ceiba" as if she hadn't been the one to ruin the surprise for me. We made our way to Iván's and were the second ones there. Quinantzin was the only other person there! What an anti-climactic, ruined surprise guys! Thanks, really!

I walk into the house and there was the larger than life Radamés. Alma had cut her face out of a picture and added it on top as well as a personal Spanglish message. I had expected the man. And I had assumed she would do something semi-sweet with it, but I wasn't really ready for that. We got some quick pictures and then I made Mayra take me back home to change clothes.

It was such a hot night, that I was already starting to sweat through my new top, and I had only been there five minutes. I was chugging cold water and not doing any activity, so I decided I needed to put on something a little more "sweat friendly." I used the white skirt (and not being able to sit down on anything outside) as my excuse to most, instead of hitting them with the too-honest, "I'm sweating like a man already and I don't like the way this outfit looks with sweat rings, lines, and puddles!"

Departure Depression Hits

2009-09-20T16:52:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning, I got up before 10 to make sure I didn't miss Alma. However, I couldn't find her. It had already been the hottest I'd ever been for like months leading up to then, so I was well-versed at staying in my room with the air on and listening to hear who was coming and going. I didn't think she had anything to do or anywhere to be, and I also didn't think she would leave without saying goodbye to me, but she was nowhere to be found. I did get a little worried.

Finally around 1, I heard her and Mamá Alma come in. Alma came upstairs and told me that there was a crowd downstairs and to join them if I wanted, so I did. Shania and Neyva were there as well as Mayra, Quinantzin and Elvira.

We all chatted and it was as if Alma wouldn't be leaving within the hour...

Alma came down with too much luggage (and too many pairs of shoes), and Shania and Neyva went to work. Fresh back from a year in the US, they took out several pairs of jeans as well as shoes. They put a carry-on sized suitcase inside the big suitcase so she would have something to fill up for the return home. They got it all worked out and convinced her that she wouldn't need all those shoes or jeans since she'd want to buy lots of other things; this was not an easy feat!

She said her goodbyes to everyone and Mayra and her gang left. That just left Shania, Neyva and me. I didn't realize that Shania was no longer going to Mochis with Alma, so we discussed that and the plan (maybe "tacos for dinner" with Quinantzin and Mayra?). Then she asked me what I was going to do all afternoon. I responded, "I guess I'll just sit here and cry."

Of course I was being funny, but it made me break down. So Alma and I hugged. And cried. And hugged some more. I gave her advice for the US. She wished me well in my return. It was awful.

Then out they went. She and her mom hit the road to Mochis and Shania and Neyva went back home. About 20 minutes later, Mayra called me to see if I wanted to go eat lunch with her and Quinantzin, since she knew I was sad. I told her no thanks, and she could certainly hear it in my voice that I was crying. Thankfully, she realized I just needed to be a lone and cry it out.

Cry it out I did. I sobbed for a good hour. Then I got a cold washcloth and attempted to "cool away" the damage. Good thing I had hours before the big surprise.

Friday- preparation for depression

2009-09-20T16:24:00.004-05:00

Alma took off work Friday, but spent her whole day running around. I think she actually ended up working quite a bit, too! She had deliberately told everyone she was going to Los Mochis on Friday night to catch her flight on Saturday so she would have time alone on Friday night. Alone, though, of course meant time with the 4 amigas (Johana, Ocyé, and Karina).

Alma came to pick me up later in the afternoon (5ish?) and we ran by Centro de Idiomas to pick up her last check before she left. From there, we were dropping in on a quick dinner at Italiannis for some Inglés en Primaria teachers that were moving or leaving for a year on some sort of exchange. I had just eaten there earlier in the week with Shania (I totally forgot that night when filling in the events for this week- one of Shania's friends from "grad school" had a birthday and we went to eat with them. It was good food, but too much both in quantity and in price.).

In complete Mexican style, they told the waiter it was my birthday, so they sang "Hoppy Beerthday to Jew," while serving me free bread pudding. I had to admit that it was to die for.

Anyway, back to Alma's last night! So she and I made it to Italiannis. It was Alma's last night, but it was also the last time I would see some of these teachers. The English Program paid for the meal (so I probably should've enjoyed some of it), and we chatted. The girls were planning on a Girls Night In, and we committed to going, but of course, the true intentions were never there...

I got one last picture with Imelda:

After that, Alma and I left to run an errand. We had to go pick something up for my "surprise" party on Saturday. It was the larger-than-life size Radamés, the politician who had run unsuccessfully for something while I was there.

From there, she dropped me off at home, while running the poster man to Iván's house- keeping the "secret" from me. Everyone still thought I didn't know. Yeah right. Terrible secret keepers.

Once she got back (almost an hour later), we waited on the girls to come pick us up and we went for some late-night tacos. I must admit they were good. I was trying to be a little healthy to prepare for re-entry into the US, but I also figured, "Who knows how long it'll be until I'm here agin, so I should eat everything I can that I don't get at home." That definitely included late-night red meat packed tacos.

We had a fun time and I was super-sad when I realized it was time to go home and that I might not see those girls again. We got back to the house and all teared up a bit, and then they went on their merry ways. Alma went to her room to get in bed so she could be well rested for the US. She had been told that her days would be long and to be ready to work once she arrived. I'd never seen her choose sleep over fun before, but she definitely did this time.

Thursday, July 9- SURPRISE!

2009-08-16T17:45:00.008-05:00

Well, Thursday was Juan Carlos's birthday; he's Mayra Loca's brother. The plan was Bavaria, however, Shania had said she had wanted to take me to sushi, so she and Alma and I were going to go for sushi first. The place we were going was new. We got all dolled up and after Alma had run all her errands after work, she came home and picked me up. Somehow, we were there relatively early. We were supposed to meet at 9. We got there around 9:15, I think, but apparently it wasn't going to just be us and Shania. Eli (pronounced Ellie) was already there, but we were waiting on a crowd of about 7 more... Hmmmm.

Shortly after, Conci joins us, and Shania and Neyva. Ocyé, Karina, and Vicki also arrive.

We finally get seated and the waiter/manager comes and whispers to Alma. I look around and there is no mariachi band, so I figure I'm safe from karaoke. She still has a suspicious face, though, so I ask her what she had said to the guy. She said she asked him if we could go ahead and order (because it was approaching ten by the time we sat). A few minutes later, he was coming out from the kitchen with a banner.

I had secretly been wanting one of these banners all year. They're pretty much a Mexican staple for any party- birthdays, going aways, coming backs, you name it. Shania got one in the airport in Mazatlán when she got home. I quickly realized that this sushi was actually about me! That was a nice surprise. It wasn't the whole crowd. In fact, it wasn't even the typical crowd, but it was Shania and Alma's doings and it was all for me. I wanted to cry. As if I hadn't been crying enough the whole week before thinking about Alma's upcoming departure!
We had a decent dinner. It was not our favorite sushi, but it was okay. The manager was at least funny and helpful. We often raised our hands as a table to get his attention. He loved us. We would never, ever share that we didn't absolutely love the place, though since it was owned by narcos. As the banner came out, Alma asked if we could hang it on the wall. He mumbled something about the tape pulling off the paint and then named the narco group and said they'd just pay to redo the wall if something happened to it. I clearly didn't catch all that, but Alma retold the story to those around her, and I asked clarifying questions.

We finished up there and had another stop. We walked over to Bavaria for a few songs, dances, and Happy Birthday hugs for Juan Carlos.

We met up with some of the "usual suspects." I was thankful that it was not ridiculously hot this time. It's almost always suffocating in there, but this time it was almost cool. Almost.
After a few songs and chit chat, we made our way out again. There was one more stop. Elvira had some PISI party at a bar on the other side of town, so we were going to meet up with her. Quinantzin was with her. As we were making carpooling arrangements in the parking lot, Alma looks at me and asks if I have the keys. Of course not! She had left her purse in the car in order to have less in her hands while dancing, etc. Well, what had happened was she had given Ocyé her keys and money while we were at sushi. In the middle of our time at Bavaria, Ocyé had decided she needed to go home. She told us all goodbye and left, but Alma failed to realize the location of her keys!

At that point, we needed a plan. Alma needed to get to Elvira's party, so she rode with Conci and Shania and others to the bar. I rode with Karina and Neyva to Ocyé's house to get the keys and drop off some paper. We went back to Bavaria where I drove Alma's car to the bar. The original plan had been for just Karina and Neyva to take care of it. However, Shania remembered that Neyva can't drive. As if that would stop anyone in Mexico, but apparently their year in the States affected them a little. Just kidding. Kind of.

I entered the picture to drive the car. By the time we got there, the bar was closing, so we called it a night and headed home.

It was a good night. I was really sad thinking about Saturday. The good news was we had one more day before Alma had to leave.

Wednesday, July 8- school and school...

2009-08-16T17:23:00.003-05:00

Alma had told me that I could have her car on wednesday since I needed to go pick up the certificates for my students from the English office (remember the frantic call from Maribel). I got up and was ready by 9 to take her to work. I dropped her off at Centro de Idiomas and then went to the English office (after stopping at Superpan for a donut. Okay, and maybe a danish- so much for watching what I ate this day- but I had begun subscribing to the theory that I wouldn't be there much longer, so I had to take it all in!). From there, I stopped by school and left the certificates with the 6th grade teacher. Of course, they all apparently were under the impression that I should've been there with them handing out everything. I didn't realize this until much later. At any rate, even if they thought I should've been there, Inglés en Primaria couldn't even ask me to be there since the last paid day was June 30. The principal asked me to come into his office. They spent thirty minutes just looking at me basically. That's the polite thing for them to do- ask me in, socialize- but there wasn't much to talk about, so it felt like a gigantic waste of time for me. Welcome back, American Laura!

From there, even though I wasn't hungry, I decided to stop by for a raspado. Again, who knows how long it would be before I could have one again! By then, it was close to 11 and time for me to go back to Centro de Idiomas so Alma could have her car back. When I took her her keys into the office, she told me I should go visit Shania and Neyva in their classroom. PISI has a summer program for kids from 8 am until 3 pm. The English stops at 1, but that's still a long day. Shania had the 5 year olds. She doesn't prefer the younger ones, so it was super comical that she was with them for five hours a day! It was definitely fun to see her teaching. And the summer program is a great idea, of course. I took some pictures of her classroom decorations. I also got one of her in the floor with the kids around her. This is not school exactly, but it's a very structured situation. However, it's still Mexico. We talked a lot about the differences that day because she was trying to teach them procedures for being quiet, etc. It wasn't going so great.

They were working on professions and gluing pictures of their heads to cutouts of bodies htey had colored.

Bulletin board of commands used in class.

A thematic bulletin board of words they were learning.

I had no plans, but I wasn't interested in being with 5 year olds for much longer, so I left and went to the mall and then home. I think that night must've been a low key night at home, because I have no pictures and no recollection of anything that would've been worth writing about!

Super Salads

2009-08-16T16:41:00.003-05:00

Mayra had told me on Monday that everyone wanted to get together just to hang out before Alma left and to plan our trip to the US. There had originally been talk of a trip to Chicago at the end of July (just days after I would land in Nashville). It was a skydiving thing, and Iván was planning on diving, Hector was going to be working there, Alma was going to change her ticket from the end of her Dartmouth experience to get her to Chicago instead of Mexico, and Quinantzin was just up for an international trip. Being Mexicans, they had not planned one detail since the original thought crossed their minds months before. I, of course, wanted to take advantage of great SouthWest flights, so I needed details people! I wasn't certain I wanted to go, but I figured a chance at being with my Mexican friends on US soil was something I shouldn't pass up...

I was so excited because we were going to eat tacos at the place called La Ceiba, where the quesadillas are bigger than your head (remember the girls didn't tell me I needed to share with someone). I was careful all day about what I ate (since my 15 tortilla belly pounds were more and more evident, I figured the weeks leading up to my departure were the best time to start being cautious) and was starving by the time I was picked up by Alma.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I realize we're not going to La Ceiba, but instead we're going to Super Salads. Need I remind you that this is the place I ate with Tania the one time I got sick during my stay in Mexico. Hours and hours of vomit. While it had probably been two months or so since "the incident," I still was in no mood to get over it. I protested by ordering a panini instead of a salad. I just couldn't bring myself to munch on that limp lettuce that had caused my all-nighter with the toilet. The discussion about the trip was almost humorous. For one, I hadn't been in on the previous conversation (apparently weeks before) where they decided that Chicago was out and now somewhere within Mexico was in. Well, that pretty much completely sealed the deal that I wouldn't be a part of it. On top of that, they didn't discuss anything trip related! Oh, Mexican planning.

They had asked me to bring my laptop so they could look into flights, etc. That of course didn't happen. Part of the hold up, though, was Alma's unwillingness to commit. She couldn't be certain of her return time to Culiacán from her program at Dartmouth. She was hoping to go to a Coldplay concert, and after that she and Shania had potential plans for travel within Mexico. It was basically just an excuse to go out to eat.

Now, I must admit that my mushroom and cheese panini was divine. The fruit lemonade was good, too. The issue was refills. This was one place that refills were actually free. The service, however, was subpar. It got comical. At one point, I had waited so long, that I just got up and got it off the bar. This was after, of course, I had asked twice for a refill. Of course, when Marco or Iván asked for something, they got it immediately! That sat well with me.

Later, Mayra changed her water to a lemonade. Again, minutes passed as her cup just sat on the bar. I was about to get up and get it when Marco signaled our waitress.

The night ended very oddly as Alma got a phone call, whispered to me that she'd see me at home, and told the rest of the table basically the equivalent of I'll be right back. Mayra and I both realized we wouldn't see her again until much later (as in possibly the next day), but the boys got really worried as we were leaving that we should call her and let her know we were leaving so she wouldn't come back looking for us. It was very strange.

Also at dinner, we had had several conversations of the surprise going away party. In front of me. But it was semi-in code, so I just pretended to not be listening. Yeah right.

Quinantzin, never too quick on the uptake, had to be pulled aside after dinner by Mayra. She explained to her that yes I knew but that I was pretending I didn't, etc. Again, Mayra, what good does it do to tell me something I'm not supposed to know and tell me to pretend I don't know if you're going to tell other people that I know?!

The fact that Alma was being so shady about when she was leaving Culiacán (her flight supposedly left on Saturday, but she was going to Mochis on Friday, but then she told us her flight left on Sunday and that she and Shania were maybe going on Friday still to Mochis, but that she just wasn't sure of her plans), that I was hoping that meant she'd still be in Culiacán for my party on Saturday...

Mayra took me home and Alma was not there yet. I just went to bed. Not that I had big plans for the next day- pack, cry, repeat- but it just made it seem all the weirder that she had left to "be right back" and was still not home.

Here we go

2009-08-16T16:37:00.003-05:00

I apologize for the dramatic delay in the final posts. To say I've been bust these three weeks of being home would be quite the understatement. However, couple that with a severe dose of unexpected culture shock (it did not look like I expected it to!), and you get no blog entries (or even attempts)! We're well on the way, though.

I last left you with two weeks left in Culiacán, but only one week left with Alma before her big departure to my homeland. We had been to Cosalá with the PISI folks and it was a great time. After getting back, Mayra had blown the surprise in order to secure my attendance at my own going away party. So now we're to the week of Alma's departure...

July 16

2009-07-16T12:07:00.003-05:00

I obviously have lots of catching up to do, but at this point I have neither time nor internet. I'm currently at Starbucks to take care of a few more things before running all over this town to get last minute pictures and things. I wouldn't want my faithful readers (Lori, Mrs. Wallace, Bewley) to be worried. Mom got an email from me explaining this.

I leave in less than 48 hours for Cozumel. Then it's just a week until Nashville and my tour of Kentucky. Much love to all and I apologize in advance for the tired funk of depression I'll be in for a bit when I get back!

Mexican Communication

2009-07-11T01:43:00.000-05:00

(*Note: written Tuesday evening)

I got a call this morning, okay, almost afternoon, from Maribel. She had that urgent franticness in her voice that seems to come every time she needs anything. It’s always needed that exact moment. She asked me why I hadn’t come by the office. I was confused. She had wanted to make a Tres Leches Cake with me one day this week and told me to text her when I got back in town. I told her Sunday I was back but that I would probably sleep the day away on Monday, but any other day would be good. No mention of the office. She was fine with that. No mention of the office. Or which day for the cake for that matter.

Needless to say, I was confused with this call. Since it was nearing time for her to leave the office, and it was evident in my voice that I had not been up for long, she realized I wouldn’t be making it in today.

Turns out there are certificates from the 6^th grade test I administered months ago it seems. They have to be delivered to the 6^th graders. I assumed they were out of school since the 3^rd was the last day, but she said I had to come pick them up and deliver them.

Well, I got frantic as usual. Then I told myself to chill out. If it didn’t happen, ni modo (oh well). It’s going to happen. I’m going to take Alma to work in the morning and then use her car to run my errands. But the “teach them a lesson” gringa in me says, why did I work it out? Why didn’t I just tell them I couldn’t? Maribel was telling me this about the certificates as if I’d been told 15 times. When I asked her how I Was suppsosed to know this she said, well, you hadn’t been told, but remember we were waiting for the certificates for the event. No, actually, I didn’t remember that, and how waiting for the certificates for an event I wouldn’t even attend has correlation to my delivering them to school tomorrow, I’m still not sure. Anyway, while there are so many things about this country, city, place that I will miss, the education system, school, and complete and total lack of organization within it (and consequently within the lives of most of its citizens) are not among them.

Sorpresa

2009-07-11T01:42:00.000-05:00

(*Note: written Tuesday night)

Mayra and I went to see The Proposal last night (Monday night) and I loved it. I absolutely loved it. Though I thought Sandra Bullock seemed too old for the guy. But it’s okay. Age difference was just the elephant in the movie for me.

Anyway, as we were on our way there, Mayra blurts out that there’s a surprise going away party for me on Saturday but she didn’t want me to up and go off to some other Mexican destination because I hadn’t been warned. Clearly these Mexicans have never pulled off a surprise, and why would they have? That takes communication and organization. Neither of which the country is known for!

She has a point. I very easily could’ve gotten an invite from someone on Friday or Saturday to do something and I would’ve gone, ruining all their “plans.” I have yet to explain that you just get the surprisee to commit to something for that time period and then actually pull off the surprise.

However, this mumbling seems like I’m unappreciative. I’m so excited they’re doing it for me. I could think of no better way I’d want to leave this country than with great memories of a party with my friends that was created with me in mind. Just me. Not some shared birthday party. Not a typical Mexican party that you throw for yourself. A celebration of me.

I’m going to miss them. Surprise-ruining and all.

Reflection

2009-07-11T01:41:00.000-05:00

(*Note: written on Tuesday night)

What an entire eleven months of reflection this has been.

Wanting a house in Crieve Hall with a golden retriever and a garage with a Volvo in it. Wanting to work my way around various jobs in metro. Or be the Spanish teacher at Lockeland for thirty years having started the program.

Then wanting to move abroad for two years and learn another language, only to move to another Spanish speaking country and teach there for a few years to pick back up the Spanish I worked so hard to “perfect” while here.

I want to take advantage of every moment like I do here. I want to say “yes” to things that may not be “me” things (think Monster Truck Showdown) just because you need to witness various things in your life. I want to say “no” to the things that are not important to me. I want to learn from every experience, even if it seems mundane.

While I was walking home from yoga tonight (Tuesday, and oddly enough I got there and there was no yoga), I had an epiphany. This may actually be my biggest reflection of reflections. Hold that thought.

This afternoon, I had a moment of planning for a Labor Day weekend trip due to a Southwest sale. It didn’t work out, but it got me in my planner looking. I have so much planned already and I’m still three weeks from being home. I literally have plans almost all weekend every weekend from the time I land on the ground until Labor Day weekend. I have at least one weekend if not two booked per month after that until Christmas. I got overwhelmed looking at my calendar realizing I’d be home for only one day (with church, lunch, phone shopping and possibly a pedicure, though I don’t think my toenails will allow it just yet- they’re in the microscopic stage at the moment) before I had a doctor’s appointment, two days of professional development, unpacking, moving back in, and laundry to do. That just gets me to the weekend where I’ll spend time in Glasgow. Are you tired yet?

My weekends after that include a 5K in East Nashville, dinners with locals, trips to Lexington and Louisville and looking for a way to make it to Jackson. Not to mention the weekends of yoga training.

I got overwhelmed. Thankfully it wasn’t in a breakdown kind of way like it was in preparation for leaving the US. It was more in a “How will I fit back into my life and get everything done” kind of way.

The fact of the matter is: I already take advantage of every opportunity. I already seize the day and learn from my experiences. I already do things that may not seem me until they either become me or I realize why they’re not me. At the end of the day, I am the person I wish I could be (does that make sense?). This year away has made me want to be so many different people. But appropriately at the end of my journey, I realize that I already am that person. I just happen to have a little more organization and planning. Instead of waiting for the plans to happen, I know they’re coming months in advance. I live my adventures with advance knowledge. I “fly by the seat of my pants” with preparation. What a fortunate epiphany. I am who I wish I could be.

My bed

2009-07-11T01:39:00.000-05:00

(*Note: written on Monday)

My bed in Culiacán is a twin bed that slides around on the boxed springs. The sheets are like 100 thread count or less and the elastic, even though I just bought them in September, is already giving out and they don’t fit well on the bed. The sheets are slightly reminiscent of the balled up rosy ones or Raggedy Ann and Andy ones I had as a little girl. I loved them. Even when I went through my Lion King stage and got new sheets, I always preferred the thin-enough-you-can-read-through-them ones. Now that’s not the case. I prefer my silky sheets from home. Often in my Mexican life, I wake up to a very jumbled bed.

It’s not the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in (because mine in Nashville is), but it is my bed. No I didn’t buy it. It was here in the “guest bedroom” (see Patrick, even Mexican older brothers lose their rooms to other functions when they grow up and leave the house) long before I got here, but it’s mine.

The bed at Mabel’s was a king size. It still didn’t compete with my wonderbed at home, but it was comfortable enough that Mabel slept in it every time I left the house.

I’d take this twin bed over that bed any day. I never felt that was my bed.

Back to the point. Getting back from Cosalá, I was tired and completely worn out mentally and physically form a week of travel with a family, by myself, and with a large group of (sometimes annoying-see previous entry) Mexicans.

Putting my head down on my pillow (that goes with me to whichever bed in the world I happen to fall upon at night- always) on that scratchy, mal-adjusted sheet was heavenly. I was home.

The Kite Runner

2009-07-11T01:35:00.001-05:00

(*Note: This entry was written on Sunday after getting back from our trip.)

Where to even begin. I picked The Kite Runner off the bookcase in Alina’s room in Guanajuato as nightly reading material, thinking I could finish it before I headed back to Guadajalara and ultimately Culiacán, saving Twilight for later. This was before I discovered the Used (English) Bookstore. Once I made that discovery, I set The Kite Runner aside. (I was also encouraged by Donna that it had been left by a previous renter, just like she would leave books, and not to worry about taking it.) I picked it back up yesterday on the way to Culiacán from Guadalajara. A 7 am flight from an airport 30 minutes away didn’t give me too much opportunity to read. However, a 3.5 hour bus ride (even through curves) gave me just what I needed.

The first half of the book, I kept getting the Sunnis mixed up with the other groups. I kept wondering when it would become amazing, like everyone seemed to have told me. Then suddenly, today on the ride home, it became breathtaking. I literally found myself holding my breath multiple times.

Being the sensitive type, I was destined to cry in this book. Having talked to Mom about it and listened to her say there was one part she couldn’t read, I found several parts that I shouldn’t have read, but had to.

I teared up on more than one occasion. That led to more tearing up. I closed the book relieved. Wanting more, but relieved.

There are so many aspects of this book that touched me. As I prepare to leave what I truly see as my home away from home, I felt a strange bond with the narrator. A part of me being so American, while the other part of me strives to be more Mexican. Clearly, neither my US life nor my Mexican life is anywhere near Amir’s bi-national life and the contrast between the two, but it hit me in a way it might not have had I not been traveling (and approaching my departure).

That sensitive thing also showed itself in the injustice in the book. I spent several hours being really annoyed with Mexican culture today. But when I look back, it wasn’t really Mexican culture, it was specific people who just got on my nerves. In whatever language and whatever culture, I’m guessing these personalities would’ve just gotten to me (add to that I was tired, enough said). But in the bigger picture, I think back to the Monster Trucks. I think back to whoever’s statement it was about how I could never repay them the same way with an upgrade of seats or free entry somewhere, or a special meal because “they came from Mexico.” It just doesn’t carry the same weight (or should I say isn’t as warmly welcomed) as when they introduce me as someone from the US. It’s not that I’m anything special. I think it’s more that the Mexican people just look for a reason to reach out and love you. I’ve spent that last 9 years studying or teaching Spanish. And for each of those years, I’ve traveled at least once to a Spanish speaking country, most years twice. I’m well aware of the cultural differences and I’m careful, even within the US which words I use and how I phrase things. I’m super-culture conscious. At least when it comes to Spanish speakers. However, that seems to only make me all the more aware of the closed minded people who still think all people that “speak Mexican” are from Mexico and therefore want to swim across an ocean to live in our amazing country. I’m aware of the people who think the only Spanish speakers in the US are “Mexican migrant workers” (direct quote). Their ignorance on these phrases isn’t even what gets me fired up. It’s that thinking a Peruvian is a Mexican is some sort of shot. That it’s embarrassing or shameful or somehow less than being a Honduran or Spaniard or whatever.

I used to joke that I was offended because those are “my people,” but now it feels like no joke. Those are my people. That’s my family you’re talking about. Those are the strangers who upon meeting me, made sure to give her friends my cell phone number so I would have a friend set, and who continued to check in on me from Podunk, Michigan to stop worrying I was miserable. Those are the teachers who could’ve gone to work and been polite and called it a day, but instead took me to breakfast with their families and drove me to the hospital to get Tetanus shots. That’s my friend who barely let me finish the sentence, “I’m not sure I’m happy where I’m living anymore and I think I need to look for something else,” before she said, “Come live with me. Why wouldn’t you? I’ve always wanted a sister.”

Everything I do here in these last two weeks will be sad. Possibly my last Mercado taco. Maybe my last shopping spree at Forum. Perhaps my last time at this club or that bar. Could be the last time I see this person before I come back to visit.

Obviously I’m nothing but huge tears right now. My new friend set may get to see the alien Laura that comes after crying for longer than 4 seconds. But that’s okay with me. I’m thankful for every single tear that’s falling right now. I’m thankful for the 18 times I’ll blow my nose before I go to bed. I’m thankful for the swollen eyes and blotchy face I’ll have tomorrow. I’m thankful for the hold in my throat right now that makes it hard to breathe, impossible to talk, and even a little difficult to cry.

What better measure of a year?

More misery

2009-07-11T01:23:00.002-05:00

I slept well that night, but not enough to make up for over a week's worth of terrible sleep. I continued the crabby habit. The good news was, for the tour, I was "stuck" on the smaller truck; there were only 8-10 of us. That made it much more bearable!

Our first outing was to an old house, hotel, servant quarters, and hospital. If you ask me, it was a bunch of run down, empty buildings with bat caca all over every visible surface. It was getting hotter and stayed humid from the day before. At the third building that looked exactly the same (yet apparently needed to be documented with another mostly-group picture, I was thankful I wasn't in the US, because I would've snapped some serious sarcastic remarks at just about every turn. Instead I tried to be thankful I was still on my year-long Mexican adventure.

We got back on the trucks and went to see some parrots. Again, could've done without that.

Finally, we looked at some mines. As in, we drove up and saw the train stop and the entrance. Then we drove away. I wanted to kiss the drivers at that point.

At 1, we had to check out of the hotel, so we did. We sent some men for lunch and headed to the Vado Ondo (pronounced bah-DOAN-doe), which was the waterfall I went to with Mabel. I was ready to jump in and get rid of my sweatiness, but no one swam. And honestly, the water looked murky. I didn't really get it because this was rainy season and it seemed to me it should've been cleaner than it was in October, but what do I know?

Shortly after, the chicken and blue corn tortillas arrived. Mexicanism took over again and I had to remind myself that I was, in fact, in Mexico, and that I had to play by their rules. Well, I couldn't play by their rules, so I at least let myself not get annoyed that everyone was knocking me over to get to the food, pushing each other out of the way, and not concerned in the least at making sure everyone got a little before taking way more than their share.

I had two very full tacos and couldn't complain.

While the lunch group went up the waterfall (we had already been while waiting for them to bring lunch), we asked the araña driver (the word means spider, but also refers to these trucks with seats in the back) if he would take us back to the main road to get in the charter bus. He obliged. Again I wanted to kiss him.

We waited less than 20 minutes for the other group to catch up to us. Shortly after, we were on our way. I found it mildly humorous that no one asked to stop at an Oxxo or to take a picture now that it was time to get back.

I had my front seat again, and while the road was very curvy, I pulled out my book and began to read...

Pictures from Saturday in Cosalá

2009-07-11T01:10:00.004-05:00

Alma made herself comfortable with the driver and got the music going before we'd even reached the end of the street.

After arriving, we headed to the square to look for the museum that was closed. That led, of course, to a million group pictures.

The group that I actually enjoyed being with (front to back): Karina, Shania, me, Alma, Eli (like Elizabeth), Quinantzin.

Of course one group picture wasn't enough, so we crossed the street from the church group picture to get a plaza group picture.

Unfortunately, the gate was locked. The local policeman told us we could climb the fence. Awesome. Good thing I dressed for climbing!

Yet another group picture. This time in front of the prison. This picture includes some of the people that were on my nerves a wee bit.

On our way back to the hotel, I was in desperate need of a coca light. When we stopped at the little store, they had corn for sale in this container. It was to feed the animals, but also for making... you guessed it: tamales de elote!

Saturday non-stop

2009-07-10T03:19:00.004-05:00

Saturday, I had to be at the airport at 6 for my 7:15 flight. That would likely be cutting it close, but I was okay with that. I was up at 4:30 and checked out by 5, waiting on the taxi. I got to the airport at 5:40 and man is it a bigger airport than Culiacán's! It was huge and crowded! After 30 minutes of standing in line, I got to the counter and got checked in. I made it to my gate and waited, wishing I could be on the plane and asleep. That came soon enough. I was asleep before the seatbelt announcement and not awake until we were almost landing. I had and empty row again, so I had occupied two seats, getting actual quality sleep. I didn't want it to end!

When I arrived, I took a taxi to the house and hit the bed. I thought I would sleep until the next day, so I set my alarm for 11. I was leaving around 1 for Cosalá with the PISI folks and didn't want to oversleep or be dirty or unprepared.

I got my two hours of sleep, my shower and my packing, and then was told Shania would pick me up at 1. Of course that ended up being a bit later. Shania, bless her heart, is punctual. I don't know if she was before a year in the US, but she's on it. Problem is, she doesn't have a car, so she's dependent upon others for her transportation.

When she pulled up, it was her brother driving, her in the passenger seat, and Neyva her sister and Citlali her cousin already in the back. My overly stuffed backpack didn't fit in there with us, so Shania took it. I was impressed with how little I had packed (though I also had my pillow and purse), but Citlali asked me if I would be staying a week. I wanted to tell her I needed two suitcases for a week, but I just laughed.

We got to Centro de Idiomas and I went in to give Alma some clothes she had asked for. At 1:30, we were finally on our way. There were 29 of us on a charter bus with a pot of beans and several coolers of beer and other beverages. Alma and I both promptly put on our face masks and went to sleep. I couldn't sleep much longer than an hour of the 3 hour ride. When I woke, I decided to try to read since I was in the front seat and could catch a glimpse of the road if I felt nauseous. But let me get back to that.

It started just as I would have predicted. Not ten minutes into the drive, the music was too loud (thankfully the driver had sympathy and turned it down) and people were begging to stop at the Oxxo. I mean, we had just left and had been standing next to a store. "What is with these people?!" was my actual thought. I blame it on a week of true lack of sleep.

Within the hour, a lot of several bottles of liquor had major dents in them and the (very loud, very annoying) English was coming from all parts. Most people found it hilarious. I wasn't one of them!

I must admit there were several really good accents. Close enough that I think they spent quite a bit of childhood time in the States. The semi-authentic accent, though, was not enough to keep me from being super annoyed. Had I been better friends with these people, I would've told them what I thought.

It didn't a lot better when the over-served stumbled out of the bus into the lobby. And of course getting our room assignments took longer than my taste. I was irritable!

We decided to hit up the town before everything closed. Alma thought she remembered a museum, so we went in search. It took awhile to get those rounded up that wanted to go. Then, even though it wasn't sunny, or necessarily hot, it was MISERABLY humid. Maybe worse than in Culiacán (but in Culiacán, there's always the heat, too). It was about to rain, so I'm sure that was it. We walked around the town and saw the two churches, the plaza and got some ice cream along the way. We got back to the hotel just in time for a big rain. I wasn't up for swimming in the rain, so I read while the rest swam. After awhile, I went to dinner with Alfredo (I went to coffee with him and Mabel early in my stay here) and four other teachers. One of them had lived in the US from the age of 5. She and her daughter both were teachers at Centro de Idiomas. The mom bugged, but it could've easily been my mood. Why everyone has such a hard time with the concept of exchange, I'm not sure. But everyone thinks I'm here learning Spanish. It gets kind of old, though I should get over that. Anyway, the mom was like, "So you already speak Spanish. So you don't say un otro like my friend?" To which I responded, "Well, no. That's one error I don't make. But there are plenty of mistakes I make on a consistent basis. I'm not a perfect speaker."

Then there was Alfredo, who accidentally translated everything for me. "Y salimos de la prepa, high school, y habían quemado un carro, they burned a car." It's probably how he teaches (which by the way is not a preferred method), so it just carried into his conversation with a foreigner, but I finally had to tell him, "Look, I understand you. If I get confused, I'll ask you."

After that, we headed back to the hotel to miss the storm and the others came back from having gone to a taquería on the square. I took a shower and changed into pjs and everyone gathered around while Alfredo played the guitar and sang. Of course I knew none of the songs. Shania requested he play something in English so I could sing along. He chose November Rain. Guns N Roses? Yeah right I knew anything besides, "Nothing lasts forever, but the cold November rain," and I can't even be sure I got that right! Around 11:30, the manager came out and told us we needed to move because we were too loud and there were elderly people staying at the hotel, and that at midnight we had to stop altogether. I went for a little while and then decided to head to bed. My eyes were drooping and I wasn't enjoying myself anymore. Off I went. Within the hour, my three roommates (Alma, Karina, Quinantzín) were in bed and asleep, too.

The big day- or not.

2009-07-09T14:40:00.002-05:00

Friday was unfortunately another miserably rainy day. Again I made it out (though I got seriously splashed by the cars this time) during a pause from the downpour for my meals, but other than that, I was in the hotel reading a James Patterson book. I finished it. Another thing to leave out of the suitcase!

There are several neighborhoods of interest in Guadalajara and of course there's the tequila tasting, but I just wasn't feeling it. Rain has a way of doing that to me. This was the same thing that happened to me in Barcelona. Everyone- every single person you will ever run across- raves about Barcelona. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but I was wet the whole weekend. And peeved about it. I think Barcelona has much more to offer than Guadalajara, but I lump them in the same category: places I could've liked more had I not been thinking "don't get me wet!"

Oh, well. I now feel like I never have to plan a trip there.

I had a terrible night's sleep the night before due to a band in the lobby, a street front room, and no fan or a/c to make noise. I reverted to iPod therapy. It had worked. More or less.

Because of this, I was actually pretty okay with reading, packing, etc instead of traipsing all over a city in the rain to see another church and another plaza. Unfortunately, this attitude (and the rain and precaution I take with my fancy camera) left me with no pictures from Guadalajara besides the food.

Donas

2009-07-09T14:35:00.002-05:00

After I had read and relaxed some, I resigned to the rain and took a shower ready to call it a night. However, there was a moment it let up again! I seized the opportunity and went in search of a donut (dona) place I had seen while torta ahogada hunting. I found it! It was a tiny little baggie of miniature donuts. They're chewier here and less gritty when you bite into them. Yum! I topped it off with a scoop of chocolate ice cream. I actually got it with the intent of throwing it out because Mexican ice cream (the creamy kind, not the fruit flavors) tends to be dry tasting. I know no other way to explain it than that. I was pleasantly surprised. It was delicious and even had some ice flecks in it. Unfortunately I finished it. And the baggie of donuts. However, in a matter of weeks, I'll be back to my salads and veggies world with only the occasion dessert. You only live once! I sat on a wet park bench enjoying my sugar overload and took in the people that didn't seem to mind getting wet as much as I do! Then I called it a night.

Tortas Ahogadas

2009-07-09T13:15:00.004-05:00

Fortunately, it stopped raining for about an hour and a half. Enough time for me to walk around in search of food and to get a lay of the land. Guadalajara is known for sandwiches called tortas ahogadas (literally drowned sandwiches). This is what Liliana's aunt had us searching all over Guadalajara for on the way to Manzanillo for Spring Break. In the end, her favorite place had been closed and we ate tacos.

I saw several places, but got turned around and settled on the next one I found.

I ordered my torta ahogada and horchata but it was pink! I hope that doesn't mean it had strawberry Quick in it!

I must admit I was disappointed. I had had a torta ahogada in Culiacán and it was much better. This one seemed to want to challenge you with its spiciness. The horchata was pretty incredible though! I headed back to the hotel to make a plan, but it began raining again, so I curled up with a book for a bit.

4 hours

2009-07-09T13:09:00.002-05:00

I didn't have as much trouble sleeping on the way back to Guadalajara. I read some, ate their white bread pre-packaged ham and cheese sandwich (bleh! but no time for anything else) and chugged the juice. Before I knew it, I was in gloomy Guadalajara.

After I got off the bus, I got a coca light and some principe cookies to wake me up. I sat down for a minute and called the two hotels for which I had numbers. One was full. The other one had space. Off I went in a taxi. The taxi driver was interested in why I was there, why I'd been in Culiacán of all places, etc, like almost all Mexicans upon realizing I'm a gringa, but a gringa with a better accent than most gringos. The ride from the bus station to the hotel was at least twice the time as the ride from the hotel to the us station, but it was half the price. Official taxis are such a rip off!

I got to the hotel, got myself organized and looked out the window in time to see lots of rain. Awesome. It was already 4:30, so I wasn't going to get a lot of site seeing done anyway. Besides, I had all of Friday. No worries. I made my plan to leave for dinner, maybe get some pictures and get in bed early for all day Friday.

One final summit

2009-07-09T12:56:00.003-05:00

I had given Donna permission to wake me at 730 so we could climb up to the Pípila one more time and take a walk/jog. When I woke up and was super dizzy from exhaustion, I should've rethought my decision. But alas, we went. It felt good to be pushed to get to the top. Then we ended up just walking. I wasn't in the running mood. There was still a gradual climb on the road.

About an hour later, we were back at the apartment. I went to get money out of the bank and too a few pictures on the way. This is of Cervantes. There is a Cervantes festival every fall in Guanajuato. That was one of those things I was so jealous of my Fulbright colleagues about. Many of them went because they were so close. I would've had to have missed school (I know we think that wouldn't have been a problem, but I missed a lot!) and at that time I wasn't aware how easy it was to piece together a flight plus a bus trip. As a side note, when Shania flew to Chicago with Fulbright, her sister and cousin stayed behind until it was time to get to Michigan so she wouldn't be stuck with the flights to and from DC and housing. For that same reason, Yuri's husband didn't arrive in Nashville until we were back there. Anyway, Shania found much cheaper flights for her sister and cousin to Indiana, where Beatriz was, so she bought those tickets for them, thinking they'd just hop in a taxi to the bus station and get a bus to Michigan.
This singing man is something Guanajuato is known for. They have an official name, but my Culichi friends all asked me if I'd been callejoneando- alleying. You pay for a ticket to follow these musicians through the town. They stop several times, inspiring the group to dance and then telling jokes and stories. When Donna and I had gone shopping on Tuesday night, we caught the tail end of one of the groups and decided that was enough. In the old days, it wasn't a tourist event, it was just what happened in the town. There was wine and music. Now there's Tang and a ticket.

After the pictures, I decided to get one more massage (this one just legs since I'd been walking on inclines for three days). It hit the spot. I went back, got my shower, and left the house at 11 in search of a taxi. I figured I'd miss the 11:30 bus, but went in hopes anyway. There was another at 12:30 if I did happen to miss it. As luck would have it, I made it. I must've been quite the spectacle with my rolling suitcase, packed backpack, J-Lo hat, pillow, purse, and plastic bag with my pottery! Tourist! Coming through!

Schooling and going out

2009-07-09T12:39:00.003-05:00

After dinner (that included lots of broccoli and I was SO thankful!), Donna and I had planned on going out for a drink, but before we went, Alina had to put on a show for us. You gotta give only children their creativity points!

I had heard from Iván and he ended up telling me that a friend of his owned a bar very near the Theater close to the apartment. I was hoping that connection would lead to a free drink, but it didn't...

But I met the guy, gave him Iván's best, and Donna and I had a great conversation. I can't get into the details, but it was good.

We got back before midnight to talk to Tim about what we'd discussed. They went to bed and I started the attempt to fit almost everything in its appropriate place. Ha! I didn't get to bed until about 2 am. Since it was raining, I closed the window. That was the answer to the problems. I slept like a baby. (Might have helped that I had a week of exhaustion built up!)

Touring with the Tourmaster

2009-07-09T01:56:00.003-05:00

Tim is a travel writer (which I think is just a super cool job!). Touring with him, though, isn't an experience. I don't mean that in a good way or in a bad way. It's a neutral statement. I guess I somewhat expected to hear him rattle off facts of the city. Or drone on Bill Stein-like about who knows what. But it was just like being with anyone else.

We headed to the bus stop and took the city bus up to the Mummy Museum. That's right. There's a museum in Guanajuato chock full of bodies they exhumed from a church in the early 1900s I think. Because of the location they were buried, their bodies were preserved far better than anyone had planned. You'll see. Legend has it that if a family couldn't keep paying the plot fee, the body was exhumed to make room for a paying customer. Awesome.

We got off the bus and made our way up yet another hill. We had to stop to enjoy the view. Unfortunately, it was overcast, so this picture doesn't do it justice (though no picture in teh best of conditions does this place justice).

We paid our 50 pesos, highway robbery for a museum in Guanajuato (Diego's house was 15 pesos I think- but also a let down).

It was interesting, different, and dare I say it, WEIRD.
One of many along a wall of mummies.
Alina and I do our best mummy pose for the yearbook.
This was the worst one for me. She was buried alive, likely on accident. That's preserved dead skin you're looking at.
This one was a close second. Or maybe a tie. A mother and her fetus.
Here was attempt two at a yearbook picture. We'll see if we make the cut!
I had to document this guy sticking out his tongue.
When we left, it was much brighter, and I got some shots I wanted. Isn't it just a charming little town?
Unfortunately, this is the only picture of Tim I have.
After we took in the view again, we boarded the city bus back to the mercado and sat down for some lunch. I should've had the local dish of enchiladas mineras miners' enchiladas, but Donna had convinced me that they were your typical enchiladas. I asked the woman if the mole was good or if something else would be better. She gave me a taste of the mole and I was sold.

As I was finishing, she asked me if I liked beans. I said yes and she served me some! No charge.

We headed back to the house and I decided to go for a massage. Donna had shown me a pamphlet of a place close to the apartment. I decided on a 30 minute shiatsu and a 30 minute facial. 400 pesos later (total) I was relaxed and exfoliated. That was my first massage and facial experience. I could get used to it. I was cracking up that even the receptionist spoke softly.

I made my way back to the house for a shower and some reading and board games before dinner a la Donna.

Shopping

2009-07-09T01:54:00.002-05:00

Tim got home and we promptly left him with Alina to go check out a store. Donna wanted an opinion on some pants, and while she was the reason we went, she ended up empty handed, and I had a new wide-brim hat (so cute!) and skirt (ditto!). But when you're payin' in pesos, it's not such a headache when you're the only one buying. Oh that's not true. I forgot she ended up with a skirt, too.

We got some munchies and headed back to the house.

Francesca

2009-07-07T20:40:00.003-05:00

So Alina made friends with a spoiled little brat from California named Francesca. That's probably not fair; I knew her all of two days. But I heard stories.

You'll recall that I said Alina was running out of books to read. And that we had played some board games. Well, Francesca from California was only in Guanajuato for three weeks, but brought not one single book. She had not one single game. That is unless you count the Wii and Nintendo DS. So her face was glued to a screen when she wasn't in language school.

Now I'm not a parent. I'm just a teacher. And I'm guessing that if I ever have kids, I will fall victim to the tv, the electronic games, etc. All those things I loathe because I see what kinds of students it makes I'm sure I'll fall back on. However, three weeks in a foreign country with lots to do seems a little much to bring a Wii for goodness sake!

To the real story. After my site-seeing on Tuesday (and book buying), I got home and Donna said that Francesca's mom had called and her husband was fixing ceviche if we wanted to come over. He's a famous chef, or at least very successful. We said yes.

Interestingly enough, here I was about to eat seafood after I had completely banished the thought for lunch.

The ceviche Isak had fixed was made with squid. And because of the hour (1am Thurs morning), I'm having a hard time remembering the pretty word for that.

Anyway, I ate enough in Spain to do me for a lifetime, but I was hungry enough to try this famous stuff.

One had an asian flavor with some soy sauce. It was good.
The other had mango. It was pretty much divine. I had to stop when Isak went on and on about how he left it so raw that most people wouldn't eat it.

That's not all he said. By the end of the night, I was pretty much sick of hearing him talk about himself. He made "the best guacamole you'll ever taste" because he layered the lime juice and olive oil and I don't even remember what else. I disagreed because I've grown to like my guac a little bit stirred instead of straight avocado chunks, but whatever dude. They pay you the big bucks to please the crowds (he told me on more then one occasion).

My goodness I was glad when we had to get back so Donna could feed Alina and so we would be in the house when Tim got in!

After I left, I semi regretted not getting his last name or contact in case I'm in California. It seems he's pretty wealthy and powerful. They were staying at this house for three weeks (he just came for the last one, naturally) for free because some business associate owed him a ridiculous amount of money. They were going to be using the Guanajuato house for the next ten years. Interesting.

Also, along the lines of last names. He dissected Klapheke. I wish I could remember what he said it had to be. Had to be. Please. And then I explained that Mom had gone from the only Klapheke in the phone book to the only Ambach. He proceeded to tell me that we were Welsh. Every Berry is Welsh. He didn't even touch Ambach.

I was so irritated. I don't do well with people whose accomplishments and coolness speak for themselves, but who completely shatter both of those things by dousing you with that information with their own mouths. Ugh!

Donna was more than in agreement. "I had predicted he would be completely full of himself!"

She was right. I was glad to be back in the East Nashville hood of Guanajuato.

Tuesday's Tourism

2009-07-07T15:19:00.005-05:00

I didn't start the Monday blog properly. I should've mentioned that it was the worst sleep I've gotten since arriving in Mexico. Since it's an incredible climate, windows are open day and night. That meant I heard every dog (and there were lots) bark (a lot) all night long. All. Night. Long. I finally put in my iPod, which would do its trick until it would finish the album and stop. Then I would hear more dogs. Surely they couldn't be the same ones... And then there were the church bells. They went off starting at 7 am (which was 6 am Culiacán time). All this on top of getting in bed at 4 and up at 7 before traveling all day....

So now it's Tuesday. I got up around 9 after repositioning my earbuds and starting about 6 new albums throughout the night.

Tuesday was the day set aside for a museum Alina and Donna had not yet visited. It was in the Alóndiga. It used to store grain and was a beautiful building that would've been great for a wedding or some special event. It had a huge patio in the middle that opened up to the sky.

This is one of those times you wish I'd taken notes or that I would google, but I'm too busy trying to remember other things! This building held the severed heads of 4 very important Mexicans(Spaniards?) during the... Revolution(?). They were hung in the above cages from the four corners of this building as a symbol and warning to everyone else!

We were under the impression that inside was an art museum. We were wrong. The only art that was there were two murals by a man who was attempting (pretty successfully in my book) to imitate Diego Rivera's style from the Castle in Chapultepec. The rest of the museum was way too boring for this girl. Stamps and pots and such. Luckily, it was easily managed in less than an hour!

After that, we stopped by an English used book store, Donkey Jote, to trade in some of Donna's books and to look for some new ones for Alina. They're in Mexico for two months total. They brought a Harry Potter book as well as like 6 other chapter books and Alina was on her last one by week 5. They were getting desperate! So they made some trades.

After that, they showed me my way and I went to the Diego Rivera house while they headed back home. I was sorely disappointed. Mostly I think because the stuff in DF is so cool. But this was the house where he was born. That's something. (They wouldn't allow pictures on the inside).

After that, I went back to the used book store, knowing I would have a few more days on the beach (I'm treating myself to two more days in Mazatlán after Alma leaves) and workless days to fill. I hit the jackpot. James Patterson, Michael Connelly, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Devil Wears Prada. Four hundred pesos later, I was set!

I took my bag full of books and headed back to the café from the night before. I wanted that salad again. But then I saw it. I had been on the search for a girl t-shirt (you know, the fitted kind instead of just a big boxy shirt) from Guadalajara. Unfortunately, I couldn't ever find the one I liked in the color and size I wanted. Oh, well. Next visit! But what I did find was more pottery! It wasn't Talavera, which must be made in the state of Puebla I think, and has regulations on what colors it can be. But it was beautiful and super cheap, so I picked up a piece or two.

Then I made it to the café, stopping for a picture of the University, below. Isn't it pretty? I sat on the bridge at the café that crosses above a pedestrian street. I ordered my salad and agua de fresa and pulled out The Devil Wears Prada. I spent at least an hour there in the gorgeous weather with delicious food and just enjoyed my time.

The rest of Monday

2009-07-07T14:56:00.003-05:00

I had stopped into the market to check out the lunch situation before I headed to the church and mine. I saw lots of seafood, which would have tempted me had we been anywhere remotely close to water. But we weren't. So I walked some and found a taco place. I had a quesadilla and an horchata, neither as good as in Culiacán.

When I got back to the house after the mine, I was exhausted, but it was 5:15, and that didn't really leave enough time to sleep or do anything, so when Donna asked if I was still up for kickboxing, I said yes!

So we left 30 minutes later and the class was killer. It took me back to my high school days with Loralee in the gym at church. It was a great workout. It was really hard! I haven't done an hour of cardio in a long time. Maybe in my life! I'm used to 30-45 minute kickboxing classes, but not an HOUR! But I was glad to have done it.

I was dripping wet of course, which I would've been after any exercise class, but it gets amplified in Mexico where the gym isn't air conditioned!

We went back to the house, dried off and slicked our hair back and headed out for dinner. There was a cool little café that fed lots of university students and had a great ambiance. Donna and I each got a salad. Mine had some spinach, apples, goat cheese, chicken, and I don't remember what else. It was right up my alley! I got an orangeade to drink. It was a great meal, and I bought theirs to thank them for letting me stay with them. 200 pesos for two salads, a sandwich, and two drinks. I'm gonna miss this country!

After getting back to the apartment, we showered and played board games with Alina before settling in for the night.

Monday's Tourism

2009-07-06T15:56:00.006-05:00

Monday was started off right. We all had a bite to eat and then got on our way climbing a hill outside their apartment. It led to the top of Guanajuato with a great view. Due to the cloudy skies (and the fact that Guanajuato is just better in person than in pictures), you can't see the crazy beauty of this city. But you can see how high we climbed.
Donna and Alina showed me the main tourist sites from above, and we looked for their apartment, but it was hidden from the turns we had made.

This was what we climbed to see. He's called El Pípila and is the symbol of this mining town. Alina and Donna had been up here too many times to count. There's a little train that will take you up for who knows what price (very affordable I'm sure given we're still in Mexico), but Donna is a personal trainer. There are never any paid rides when she's around! I was okay with that. Makes the ice creams easier to digest (pun intended) later in the day. This was the first time, however, that either of them had seen the box at the top of the statue. We climbed up in it (for 3 pesos for adults and nothing for Alina). It's pretty much a plastic box. It was claustrophobic, so we jetted back down.
From there we went to an ex-hacienda of a mining family. The owners of the mine.
There were lots of great rooms. It's just like the Castle in Chapultepec in Mexico City and like Versailles in Paris. There are lots of cool things and a lot of history, but it ends up being too many pictures of beds and bathrooms.
There was also no shortage of gardens in this place. It had a great tranquil feel. It was a tourist site, but we didn't run across another tourist (that dang swine flu!).
From there, we took the city bus back to downtown walked through town. Donna showed me a few more things and how to get back to the house. She also showed me where to catch a bus to go to the mines. They had gone and while it wasn't too much to write home about, it was worth the 25 pesos or whatever, since it was in fact a tourist stop in the city.
On my ride up to the mines, there was a church close to the mines. The church was much more obvious. So after I saw what there was to see there, I walked toward the sign that said mines. Ha! I walked from the church in the above picture where I took the picture. Thank goodness it wasn't midday Culiacán heat because I might not have made it back! I got to the end of the dead end road and there was what looked like a school and several touristy type shops selling postcards, t-shirts, and rocks labeled as gems.

I asked a kind lady how to get the the mine and she said I'd be better off riding the bus back toward town and getting off when I saw the sign. I'm pretty sure she had no idea what I was talking about.

I made it back up to the church, paid 3 pesos for their bathroom and treated myself to a coca light. Donna had told me earlier in the day that there was a kickboxing class at her gym at 6 that night if I wanted to go. I was eager until I had climbed all over creation looking for this mine! I decided then that kickboxing was out. (So I also decided then to pass on the ice cream!)

I finally found the place. I took the tour. It wasn't worth the pesos, but again, it was one of the sites, so I'm glad I did it. Only major problem was I was tagging along with a high school group. First years. As if I hadn't been dying to escape the "school scene" in Mexico. The noise, disrespect, etc. I was screaming inside my head! That might have taken away from teh value of my tour.

I took a deep breath and headed back to town.

Evening 1

2009-07-02T18:48:00.005-05:00

Guanajuato is to me in Mexico what Granada was to me in Spain. It's what you want the country to look like. Guanajuato is completely colorful and picturesque. It's all walkable. There are underground tunnels to allow for pedestrian roads. It's an amazing city. If I were to choose a Mexican city to live in for awhile based on the city (and not the incredible people in it- they may be incredible in Guanajuato, but no one will hold a candle to my Culichis!), Guanajuato would be it. Hands down. It's beautiful. It's pedestrian friendly. It's small enough to manage alone. It's great!

After we got back to the apartment (it's really cute by the way) and dropped off my stuff, we decided to go exploring a bit. Donna was continually apologetic for the weather as if she had any control. She said it had been perfectly sunny and gorgeous every day they'd been there. It was beginning the rainy season, so they'd had afternoon showers every day, but just for a bit. Well, when I got there, it was semi-sunny, but it was cool and threatened to rain. The sky became grey quickly. I had no complaints. I love when it's not stifling, so I welcomed the cold chills later in the evening.
We left the apartment and within three minutes we were to one of the main plazas. Guanajuato actually has several sitting areas with greenery and cafés, so they don't have a mainzócalo like other Mexican cities. It seems family and kid friendly, too. The building above is Teatro Juárez, the main theater in the town.

We did more walking around and she explained the set up of the downtown area (2 main parallel streets) and said that once I started walking up hills in any direction, I was heading out of downtown. I mean, how easy is this place?

We made it to el callejón de los besos (the alley of the kisses), but it was basically just an alley. The story is there was a forbidden couple (think Romeo and Juliet), but luckily they were across-the-alley neighbors. There's a very short distance between the two balconies and the couple allegedly used to kiss on their own balconies. They were forbidden to leave their houses to see each other, but I guess due to a technicality, they were following the rules. Apparently the dad found out (duh, genius) and killed his daughter. Stabbed her in the heart I think. There are steps underneath the balcony, and it's considered good luck to stand on the third step and kiss the one you love. Considering I was with a former student and her mother, I opted out. That's a good thing, because it's bad luck to climb the steps without someone you love. Phew!

We made our way back to the house to get some nourishment. We put Alina to bed after some games and discussion and Donna and I went up to the roof to enjoy the Mexican view. It's such a beautiful, amazing city. We borrowed some of Tim's beer (he was out of town on business until Tuesday) and sipped while we shared travelers' stories. I must first say that beer that is not Tecate Light is decent. It's still not something I'll enjoy on a regular basis, but it wasn't awful like Tecate is. I could see it with something equally as bad for me, like a hot dog or pizza. I really enjoyed talking with Donna about travels. She encouraged me to pursue the international teaching thing. She and Tim actually did a year around the world while they were dating and then did several years abroad teaching while they were married. She had some really crazy, funny, interesting stories. We called it a night and I did some reading. I picked up The Kite Runner off Alina's shelf (she was sleeping in Donna's room until Tim was back and I was in her bed) to keep me busy.

Donna had warned me that I would hear lots of dogs and church bells and "Mexican sounds" all night long. I figured no big deal. I'm a great sleeper!

Sunday was travels

2009-07-01T14:32:00.002-05:00

So I got up at the god-forsaken hour of 7 on Sunday after being out way too late the night before. I got my last things packed (tamales for the fam, shower stuff, pillows-yes plural) and woke Alma up at 7:30 so we could be out the door at 7:30. She dropped me off at the airport door and I got checked in, etc. It was a busy morning at the airport! There were no places to sit and they don't let you go to your gate until 30 minutes before boarding because there's less seating there (and Mexicans stay with the people they're seeing off until the last second). I decided I needed a book for my flight and four hour bus ride to and from Guanajuato from Guadalajara, so I checked out the airport shop. Bingo. I got Twilight, which I hear is ridiculously addicting. They had the other books in the airport, too, and they were each only about 15 bucks, so I figured I could buy the next one when I got back or on the way to Cozumel or whatever.

I got on my plane and was out before they showed me how to buckle my seatbelt. Unfortunately, the flight is only about an hour and a half and I woke up as we were approaching final descent, aka 35 minutes until the gate. That was okay though. I landed, got my luggage, grabbed a taxi and headed to the bus station. It was a 200 peso taxi, but I was prepared for it to be a lot. It's not exactly close. As I exited the airport, I saw a city bus, but I was in no mood to deal with that!

My ticket was bought 15 minutes before my bus was to leave. Perfect! I got on the bus, fell asleep and texted Donna. I told her when I thought I would arrive. I was way off. They played three movies on the bus (very loudly), but I just popped in my iPod and slept through it all. I got to Guanajuato about an hour and a half earlier than I had originally estimated, so I sat in the fly-infested waiting room and caught up as much on my blog as I could, knowing how far behind I was. After I felt accomplished enough (I knew I wouldn't get any done while in Guanajuato), I texted Donna and told her I was on my way to the park near their apartment. She and Alina were going to meet me at the taxi there and show me how to get to their place.

As I pulled up, I saw them waiting on a bench, so I waved from the back of the taxi and they both returned the enthusiastic wave.

Thankfully they had told me to meet them there and not at their apartment because there's no way I would've found it! It was back a few alleys and up lots of hills (I couldn't have climbed the hills without their assistance carrying some of my stuff!). I was instantly enamored with Guanajuato.

Party all Night

2009-06-30T23:13:00.003-05:00

During the day Saturday, I had gotten a text from Liliana saying there was a party at her house starting at 6 so we could all see each other and to let her know if we were coming. I texted her back saying I was going to monster trucks, but that of course I wanted to come and would call after it was over, knowing that Alma wouldn't want to so much, especially if Lenin was going to be there (and why wouldn't he be there). I figured she could drop me off or someone else could pick me up from somewhere or something. I didn't worry about it.

Well, after the monster trucks, Shania and I were HUNGRY (neither of us having eaten lunch with Beatriz because we were both too full from breakfast to eat lunch), so we had planned on going to grab something. I was craving tacos. We got to the car and Alma drove us to Ocyé's house to pick her up, but her mom had changed her mind and decided she couldn't go out. (This is why US "kids" don't live at home after 18.)

So we went back toward town. Shania called one of her honeys who wanted to meet up. She told him he could take all four of us out to eat if he wanted. He agreed. There's a place called La Cantina and Shania asked if I had been. She loves it and my answer was no, so we told her fella to meet us there. Then Alma asked me if I wanted to go to Liliana's. I told her that yes I had wanted to (and Lili had called me toward the end of monster trucks asking where we were and I told her it was still going on), but that at this point I really wanted food. She said, what if we stopped in for a minute and then used dinner with Shania's friend as the reason to leave. She was like, "it's time for me to see all them. Might as well do it now." I was kind of proud of her. So we popped in. I did a little dance with a very drunk Renato. I'm going to miss him and Lili so much. Okay, fill in the name with any one of my friends.

After we had been there less than 30 minutes, we were on our way to dinner. By this time it was midnight. It was funny to me because the group at Lili's house were not Shania's circle. They were more my friends than hers! I have fully and completely arrived. And cue the tears again.

We got to La Cantina and get seated. The place was packed, and the waiters took their sweet time. There was a mariachi band. After we ordered our drinks (I was parched and it took forever to get my limonada), I heard Alma talking to the waiter behind her menu. I assumed she was pulling the birthday card. But then I heard the waiter say, "Laura y Tania?" Alma shushed him and then correcting him on his Shania pronunciation.

About three minutes later, the band was calling us up to the stage to sing. Not just calling us, dragging me by the arm. I made sure Shania came too and then called Alma up there. We sang a song I didn't know- shocker.

It was funny though. My face hurt from laughing so much.

We got back to the table and Shania's man had ordered some tacos (at my request), guacamole and queso fundido. It took longer than forever, but was delish. He also ordered a bucket of beers and by the end of the night, they were closing at 1:30 and we had to get outta there, so he opened a bottle of Tecate for each of us. Karina and Alma don't drink anything. Ever. I don't like beer. But we each took our obligatory sips and I snapped a shot. Shania has other pictures on her camera and when she gets them uploaded to facebook, I'll share them with you.

We left Shania's friend and considered going to Kuvva, the night club where another of her honeys works. It seemed like a nightmare to me since we were still out close to two and I had to get up at 7 for my flight on Sunday. Yuk!

We ended up stopping at Vicente's house (Shania's student with whom we had run around the night before with the band guy) for a second to say hello.

After that, we dropped Shania off, but got a call from Johana. We were in her car because she had needed Alma's Tracker that day for work, so we went to Johana's party to pick her up and trade cars. We got back to the house close to 3:30 and Alma still had to take Karina home. I marched straight up to my room and was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Alma, of course, had all day Sunday to sleep, but told me to wake her up to take me to the airport. Will the hospitality never end?!

At one point, Karina and I started speaking Spanglish, and it turned so funny. All four of us girls were talking like that at one point and we were cracking up. My amigas. Tan great.

Monster Truck Showdown

2009-06-30T16:44:00.004-05:00

After lunch with Beatriz, Shania confirmed with me that Alma would be picking us up at 7:00. She went to her house to get ready (how do you get ready for monster trucks?) and I did the same. Ocyé, who works at a radio station, had put Alma up to calling into the radio station during a contest giving away tickets to the event. Actually, Alma had jumped the gun (or I guess Ocyé) because when she called, they hadn't even announced the contest yet. Of course, Alma got her way anyway and was the winner of four free tickets.

The show was set to start at 8, but we were advised to leave the house around 7 to fight traffic an then find a seat (general admission more or less).

Problem: Alma and Karina work at PISI until 6 on Saturdays. Apparently there was some drama since this was the last Saturday before graduation. I didn't follow it all because I was focused on being hot. But they got there at 7:15. Shania and I had been waiting for about 20 minutes. Alma of course had to change clothes, but we were out the door by 7:30.

We circled the baseball field about three times and finally settled on a spot not too close.

Alma and Shania were both proper Culichis in their heels. Karina had on flats, but a tube top, done up hair and complete makeup (it was touched up on the ride over). I was typical "American style" as Alma likes to call it, in my flip flops. But I was at least in a dress- still American style, but with a little more oomph than shorts and a tee.

We had to walk around to the complete other side of the field to enter. We should've known with free tickets we'd be in the bad section, but we didn't realize we were in the bleachers! We actually kind of thought they might be nice since the radio station had the inside edge. Yeah right!

As we're looking for any available section for four girls, we see on the tickets that the doors opened at 4. Can you imagine waiting four hours for a monster truck show? Give me a break!

Well, after we had paced the bleachers about four times, we realized why they opened so early.

At this point, Shania and I were just ready to sit. Anywhere. Alma, on the other hand, was ready to upgrade. She was on the lookout for someone we could give a tip to that would let us into the outfield non-bleachers section. Shania said, "I am so embarrassed right now." It was funny because it basically reminded me of me in my US life. But after a year with Alma, I'll be just as "embarrassing" as Mom!

Anyway, she and Karina went to talk to a guy who was shaking his head yes. Then they pointed to Shania and me and he shook his head like, "Oh, girl..." And we went running over. I knew what was next. As I was walking up, Alma is in the middle of her "she came all the way from the US for this" spiel. He then started quizzing me in English: "Say something. What state? What's the capitol? Oh, country music huh." Then he let us slide. And then he got Alma's number. I was cracking up.

Up we went to our new seats.

Thankfully we hadn't gotten there at 4 because the show didn't start until 9.

This was the view from our seats. They were decent for the event. It would've been nice to have been behind home plate in the numbered seats, but the cheapest tickets (even the bleachers) were rumored to be 200 pesos. No way dude.

These are the seats where we should've been sitting. They're lower with a wall in front and as far from the action as you can get...
As you can imagine, with an hour wait time from arrival to show time, we had a photography session. It was mostly with Shania's camera. Karina cracked me up when we took three pictures in a row and I blinked. She said, "Laura. I'm going to be your teacher. You can't smile with all your might. It makes you close your eyes. You have to smile right in between you really, really want to, and you're not at all happy about taking a picture." We practiced all night long.

(Shania, Alma, Karina, me)

After a while, it seemed I caught on. However, in general, I have been much better in Mexico about keeping my eyes open and giving a genuine smile in pictures than I am in the States. It probably has to do with the sheer volume of pictures Mexicans take. (Alma, me, Karina, Shania)
Here you can see some of the action. It was disappointing when one of the "races" seemed completely fixed. There was a 76 year old driver, so that was cool. And most of the drivers were Americans with the exception of one. And there was a female, who was allowed to win.

At the end of the race, around 10:15, they were doing the final show of the trucks. Each truck got to do laps alone for a vote. Each one broke down! One had some sort of oil leak. Another lost a tire. The next got all off balance and the driver couldn't get out the door. At that point, Alma shouted, "I want my money back!" We all lost it.

We had also had a very funny moment when the announcer called "Unnamed and Untamed." Unfortunately the announcer was Mexican and we were four English teachers. He said, "Oon-AHM-edd and oon-TAIM-ed." We quoted him all night.

It was a fun free night. I had no complaints. I had a blast with the girls. As usual. Cue the tears.

Lunch...or not.

2009-06-29T23:31:00.002-05:00

I took the Nuevo Culiacán bus downtown and talked to Panamá. It wasn't super hot nor was it a super long distance, but I was sweaty by the time I got there. I went in and they were already seated with beverages. I was still stuffed from my too much tamal and Shania had just eaten breakfast at noon, so Beatriz was the only one to eat. We talked about ways to improve the program, funny experiences, etc. It was a great lunch. I really hope I get to see Beatriz again before I leave.

After lunch (at 6:30), I made my way back to the house to wait on Alma to pick me up for.... Monster Trucks.

Don't judge.

Breakfast en la Primavera...sin fotos

2009-06-28T23:37:00.002-05:00

So Sandra called me at 9:15 to make sure I was up and to inform me she was on her way. I was ridiculously tired, but put on a happy face (and a cute dress and makeup) and got ready to go eat with her family. She has a daughter my age. Cristal taught in Inglés en Primaria with Shania years ago. She's about my age and went to breakfast with us when Ashley was here. There's another sister, but she couldn't come. And then Jesús is 15 and doesn't talk much. Her husband is Jorge I think. He doesn't chat away (Sandra plays that role well), but when he does talk, it counts. He was funny.

So they pick me up and ask me where I want to go for breakfast. I have no preference and no plans, so I say whatever. She asks me if I've eaten at La Primavera, and the answer is no. Off we go. I remember from many conversations that La Primavera is the part of town where the narcos live. It's for the wealthiest of the wealthy.

But I figure if I'm with them, I'm good.

We get there, and it's a huge property. It's owned by the Coppels who are a family from Culiacán that have a national department store. Diana actually played at the Coppel daughter's wedding. Don't ask me why their last name is Coppel because I don't know.

Cristal works in accounting for Coppel and they have some offices in this area. There's a lake and there are lots of houses. We made our way to the club at the back of the property. The houses were your average Brentwood home. Read: nice nice nice for Culiacán. We went in and found a table on the back porch, overlooking the infinity pool and the lake. There were several boys riding their bikes. A few others were fishing. Another boy was chasing his dog whose leash had escaped his hand.

We ordered a pitcher of orange juice and coffee. I was thinking it was taking forever and then realized they were squeezing the oranges. Sandra pointed out the "tamal cake" which isn't a really accurate desription. She knows how I love tamales. I ended up ordering that with chilorio, a sweet meat. She got it with rajas which is sometimes green beans and sometimes pepper-like things (still green). Everyone else kept looking over the menu. The waiter just stood there waiting patiently as everyone looked and commented, having a hard time deciding. I was picturing a waiter in the US sighing and asking if we needed a few more minutes and then running off to another table. Sandra also ordered a fruit plate for us to all share.

The food came and it was nothing short of diving. I mean, I love tamales, but these seemed extra creamy and sweet and perfect. It also came with a little tortilla cup of beans. Also yummy. We talked about school and my travels and family and such. It was a great meal and good time.

After breakfast, she asked me what I had to do that day. Did I need to get back? The last time she took me to breakfast (with Ashley in February), we were going to Altata with Marisela and Carlos and Mabel was pressuring us to get back early early. I told her I had no plans and we could walk around the lake. It was an overcast day, so I had my hair down and wasn't even sweating!

We got to just past the pool when a guard asked us if we had a lot there. We said no and she informed us that we could only walk the width of the pool and that pictures were prohibited. Big bummer. We walked what we could. Sandra said that the location required a lot of privacy since the home were American-style (no fences, bars on windows or locked gates). I was thinking it was due to the illegal activity that brought revenue to those families. I kept my thoughts to myself.

We walked to the car and all piled in to head back to Culiacán (it was the outskirts). Sandra told her husband to stop at the Chata store so we could get some tamales. She wanted me to take some with me to Guanajuato so the family from my school could enjoy them. I was picturing 5-8 tamales. Ha! We went in, and she ordered a packet that included 4 each of elote (corn), piña, queso, and something whose name I don't remember, but it's a corn tamal with a spinach like filling. Then she got 5 pork ones. It seems there was another tamal order, but maybe not. I of course couldn't pack 21 tamales or more in my suitcase, so I left some for Alma and Mamá. (And me for when I get back!) Then, there was another promotion going on for packages of beans, chilorio and this barbecue type meat. She got that for me to take back to the US. It's all packaged and doesn't expire until 2010. It doesn't have to be refrigerated until opened. I don't know that it'll make the cut due to weight, but we'll see! SHe also wanted to buy me some soups, but I had to stop the madness. I just can't get over her kindness. Buying me a few tamales because she knows I like them is one thing. Buying over 20 for a family she doesn't even know and will never meet is quite another. I love this woman.

She asked me if I had a cooler bag to transport them and if not we could stop at Sam's. I lied and said yes because I knew they would last until Guanajuato.

She dropped me off at home and I almost teared up. I guess I didn't have tears left. In the car on the way from Chata to the house, she asked me if I had enjoyed Culiacán and I responded with an emphatic yes. I explained how I had cried just the day before while chatting with Mom thinking about going back. Mom and I were talking about some of the little things I was doing to get ready for my life back in the States (buying makeup of all things), and that had made me realize that I was leaving soon and Alma even sooner and I was just a wreck. Well, as I was explaining that to Sandra, up came the tears again!

I gave her the goodbye kiss and made my way to the refrigerator and then up to my room. Shania and I had plans for lunch with Beatriz later that afternoon, but I didn't have details. I told her I was back from breakfast and to let me know the time and place. 4:00 at the Panamá Revolución. Done.

Another Friday

2009-06-28T23:05:00.002-05:00

I could really get used to this whole living-in-Mexico-but-not-working-but-making-money thing! I slept in on Friday and then did laundry and such to get ready for my upcoming trip to Guanajuato. A family from Lockeland has been there since June 6 attending language school. Since we were in the same country, they invited me to come visit and stay with them (for free!). I have wanted to see Guanajuato, so it was perfect! I had bought my ticket after arriving back from Mazatlán for Sunday morning June 28 through Saturday morning, July 4. I would fly cheaply from Culiacán to Guadalajara on Sunday and then take a bus to Guanajuato. Originally I had hoped to tie in a visit to San Miguel Allende to see Lee Gentry, but she ended up having to leave last week before I could get there. On my way back to Culiacán, I would stay two nights in Guadalajara to see the town while I was there.

Anyway, that was the reason for the packing.

That afternoon, I worked out and waited to hear what the plans were. At the pool party on Wednesday, Shania had suggested we go to The Proposal. I was pumped about it. I got a text from Shania on Friday afternoon asking if we were going still. I told her I wanted to go but we'd have to wait and hear from Alma since neither of us had a car.

I heard from Alma later in the evening saying she couldn't go out because she had a baby shower with her mom and then was going to do some work for PISI (the Saturday English classes for kids) before getting into bed early. I was bummed, but put on some comfy clothes and popped in Bride Wars. It made me laugh. In the middle of it, I got another text from Shania saying she was going to a party at 11, did I want to go (it was ten)? I said sure. I didn't know with whom, where or for how long, but this year has been the year of yeses in a very different way from being a "yes-person" in the US.

I got dressed and went downstairs, where Alma was working. She shortly went to bed and off I went with Shania, who had borrowed her brother's car. We were on our way to a bar when we got a call from Shania's friend Vicente, the one we were meeting. He said they had to leave the bar. We got all confused and met them at the Burger King parking lot. Vicente was Shania's English student in high school several years back. A friend of his was in town to play in the banda (that music that I don't love) at Salón 53. They had to leave because it was time to go to the party. We rode with them to the party and the four of us basically sat in the car for two hours until 1am when the band went on. In hindsight, we should've gone in to hear them. Apparently they're pretty famous. Shania says internationally, though I don't buy that. But we didn't want to crash a private party in Culiacán that could afford to bus this internationally famous band in. It was probably a narco party.

I got home around 1:30 and was not excited about getting up early on Saturday. I was excited, however, about breakfast with Sandra and her family, my reason for getting up early.

Thursday

2009-06-28T17:12:00.002-05:00

So Thursday, there was a tourism event at 10 that Alma wanted to go to to support Johana. I, as any good vaga, was down for whatever. My only problem was that I needed to get my grade cards that Alma had printed for me (all 200) stamped at the English office (would take at least 30 minutes, plus 15 in bus to get there) and also get them to my school before it closed at whatever hour they decided. Thursday was actually a testing day, so I figured they might dismiss at 11. I was crossing my fingers no.

So I got up at 8, was at the office by 9, and had all stamped by 9:45. I just waited there for Alma to pick me up. When she picked me up, she surprised me because she had come from work, not home. Since she works until 7 at night, she doesn't go in to her morning jobs until 10 usually. Well, she had gone in at 9 on Thursday and told me they had so much work to do that she was going to give me the car to go to the event. She drove me to it so I could see where it was. I could tell parking was going to be a problem. Diana and Karina were going to be there, so I wouldn't be alone. I dropped her off at Centro de Idiomas and she told me to come back at 1. If I wanted to go to the mall or do whatever, to do it and just come back for her when I was finished.

I decided then that I should go straight to my school to guarantee they would be there. Check. The kids were at recreo and screamed when they saw me, begging me to teach them. None of the teachers were there. Teachers from other schools were administering the test. I left the grade cards and made my way back to the other side of town. I circled the building about 15 times and there was no parking, so I left. I decided to go on the search for a raspado. I found it. I realized at home for about an hour and then went to pick up Alma.

The afternoon consisted of computer stuff, laundry, and yoga. After yoga, Alma and I were going to go hear Diana one more time before I go (since I'll be traveling this week and next week she'll be getting ready to leave). We went to a place called Las Ventanas where Diana plays every Thursday night. Also on Thursday nights, about 50 motorcyclists gather in the park in front of las Ventanas and get served there. It was a funny site to see. I meant to get a picture of them, but it left me as we were leaving.

Diana was funny because I had asked if she'd be singing Michael Jackson songs and she said they didn't know any, but that by the end of the weekend, they would have put some together. Then, she didn't have any of the five songs I requested. I was willing to deal, not too disappointed, but I think she was pretty let down that she couldn't sing anything from my list.

Below, you see Alma and me with Manuel, Diana's boyfriend. I took some pictures with my camera, but have yet to upload them to my computer. This picture is one from the internet that was taken by a business.

Andas de vaga

2009-06-28T16:55:00.003-05:00

Vaga is a word used here for free-spirit or traveler. I'm always called vaga because I'm always off to some new place. But you can be vaga even in your own city. For example, when I got back from Mazatlán on Tuesday afternoon, I unpacked and napped for about 30 minutes before yoga. After yoga, I was picked up to go see Transformers 2. That- the constant moving and never being at home- is vaga. The movie was pretty good. Oddly enough, I had really enjoyed the first one. This one seemed funnier. The action was a bit too action packed for my taste, but it was good.

Wednesday I was too tired from the weekend of vacation! But really, I had gotten up at 6 on Tuesday to go with dad to the airport and hadn't been able to sleep after that. Not even on my bus ride home. So Wednesday I slept the day away. Shania had texted me on Wednesday night asking me if I wanted to go to a birthday party at a pool with her on Thursday at 1. Since I had slept until 1:15, I texted her saying I had gotten up with a headache and would have liked to have gone, but slept until then. I should've known 1 was not 1. She texted me back saying she was still going at 2:30 if I wanted to go. I did.

I texted her saying yes and she said to be ready at 2:45. You see how quickly time changes! At 3, she was yelling my name form the sidewalk and down I went. Manuel was our driver (Shania is car-less until she buys one in August) and we made our way to a wholesale club to meet up with another car and Alma. I hadn't realized she was going. Of course, she works at 4 in the afternoon, so she couldn't stay long. It was very overcast and surprisingly cool for Culiacán (A noted difference from when I had arrived on the bus from Mazatlán. It's amazing how a week away makes you forget the awful suffocating heat of Culiacán. I noticed it as I began to get get off the bus!), so I didn't swim. The pool was nothing to write home about and no one was swimming besides kids anyway. I prefer sun and sweat before I swim. While we waited for the sun and heat, they fired up the grill and we had an incredible carne asada. It was delicious! Oh how I will miss the food! Quesadillas, tacos, and cake. All washed down with a coca light. You'll hear no complaints from this girl. At 7, we were still there as Alma was heading back to town from work. She texted to see if she should come and I said yes. Her English Office friends were going to go see State and Play (?) at 8:30. Did I want to go? Of course! I actually had seen the signs for it at the theater when we saw Transformers 2, and had wanted to see it. So I was excited.

The whole birthday party came to a close at 8 and off we went to the movies, "American style," as Alma said before she realized that could be offensive. Good thing I'm not sensitive. I was in shorts and a plain shirt, flip flops and no makeup. That is American style. Culichi style would be heels, jeans, and flashy top, full makeup and a serious 'do.

We laughed about that.

That movie was also good. I liked it because the plot was similar to those of the books I'd read at the beach. It had felt so good to read, read, read for pleasure. Most of my reading happens on my computer these days, which not only hurts my eyes, but limits my material.

We got home from the movies around 1. Unfortunately, I had a full day ahead of me on Thursday.

My Job

2009-06-28T16:53:00.002-05:00

I apparently forgot to fill you all in on here. If you follow me on facebook, you might have seen my status change. The Spanish program at Lockeland is saved for at least another year! And I figure for many years to come. But we'll cross those bridges when we get there. For now, Megan and I are both safe.

Vámonos pa' Mazatlán part 2

2009-06-27T12:45:00.004-05:00

This is the song, if you'll recall from a previous entry, that Lenin would always sing when we were trying to figure out our next plan. And I would always say, "Vámonos," as if we had nothing else to do than go to Mazatlán in the middle of the night!

Dad was set to arrive Thursday night at 7:45. I decided to get a day of sun out of it, so I planned on leaving my house around 1. That should get me to the hotel by 3:00 check in time, or at least by 4.

About three minutes after I had called Fran (whom I hadn't called since Mom was here in March!), Alma's mom got home, knocked on my door, and asked if I was ready to go. She was going to take me. I told her I had called a cab and there was no need for her to take time out of her day. She was not having it of course and told me to call Fran back quickly.

I did. He was annoyed. Oh well.

As we were leaving, one of Mamá Alma's sisters called her because her dad has been really sick lately. He's been sick for years, but it's looking like the end. Tía Gaby called saying that the doctor had arrived at the house. So we stopped in our way. He's really sick and it made me sad for them.

I got to the bus station with my two suitcases, backpack and purse. Mamá asked me how long I was staying, but I informed her that I was sending as much stuff back with dad in an empty suitcase as possible.

I got a ticket quickly and my bus let within 15 minutes. I got to the bus station around 4 and there were two Engligh teachers from Mazatlán there to pick me up. Ana Luisa had told me they wanted to help as much as possible since they wouldn't be able to meet dad.

They took me to my hotel and told me that a teacher named Ana would be there at 7 to pick me up to go to the airport (a 250 peso taxi ride). Again, how helpful and willing are my friends/colleagues?!

As we pulled up, I was sorely disappointed. This hotel, Hotel Emporio, is my home away from home. Away from home. I like it so much, that's where Ashley and I stayed in Mexico City. The hotel in Mazatlán is simple, but impressive. However...

They were doing construction. Are you kidding me?! When you walked up the steps, instead of seeing palm trees, two pools and the ocean, you saw plywood walls and men working. The front had been torn down and they were replacing the sign. Ay, no. On top of that, it wasn't sunny. It was sprinkling!

I unpacked my stuff, after being recognized by the bellboy, and sucked it up. I ventured out into the rain for a smoothie that I'd been craving for days leading up to my trip.

At 7, Ana showed up with another teacher and we drove the 35 minutes to the airport. While the screen said dad's flight was on time, it arrived about 20 minutes late. Later we found out that this was because of the federal soldiers at the airport during one of his stopovers.

The teachers dropped us off and wished us luck with the weather. We got some of dad's stuff unloaded and headed up to northern Mazatlán to La Costa Marinera for dinner. It was 10:00.

After that, all we wanted was sleep!

On Friday, we woke up to rain, clouds, and wind. Ugh. We read and did computer things until about 11:30 when it was apparent it wasn't going to let up enough for us to walk to the smoothie place. I was crushed. We battled the rain and wind to get to the hotel restaurant buffet. Because the hotel is right on the beach, and because there are big french doors to the restaurant, it was super windy and the food labels went flying. The power went out about three times. At one point, I thought, "When is the point where I stop living the Mexican adventure and start making sure we survive this thing?"

We went back up to the room and I checked out the weather online. Bad news. Tropical Depression. In effect until 8pm Saturday. Yeah right.

However, around 1 on Friday, it ceased to be a storm. It wasn't sunny per se, but it was plenty warm and there were enough UV rays to justify being by the pool.

We spent the five days like one should in Mazatlán: eating, tanning, sleeping, repeating. It was awesome. I used SPF 30 for the first two days and 6 the last three, and I'm tanner than I've been in a long time. For the first time maybe ever, my legs and arms match! My legs hardly ever get as tan as my arms. Probably because I spend so much time in the pool. Since it was overcast several days, I was able to be out of the pool.

I read 4 books and did a tiny bit of GRE study.

Everything went perfectly. The weather after the first three hours of that storm was perfect. The pool was not too crowded aside from one day. The food was incredible.

The only real regret I have is from the last night. I had eaten a big lunch and still wasn't hungry for dinner when we left at 8:30. But I was content eating just tres leches cake. However, we got to the restaurant and it was closed. It was almost a 30 minute drive to get there and then back. By the time we arrived at La Costa Marinera, it had been a 200 peso taxi ride!

Dad had better shopping luck than I did. But his standards were a little lower (t-shirts). I saved my shopping until Tuesday morning after he had left at 7am, and apparently the store where I was going to buy my mirror among other possibilities, was closed on Tuesdays or its owners were on vacation. If I lived in Mazatlán, I would never go on vacation!

As I said, it was a perfect trip. The only bad thing was that it had to come to an end...

Shampoo and Conditioner

2009-06-16T22:40:00.002-05:00

Both bottles are empty. I have some travel bottles I've saved from various visits to the Hotel Emporio (their stuff smells SO GOOD), so I won't have to buy big new bottles as I'm getting ready to go home, but it does make me all more aware of how close the end is. I just can't believe it.

I started becoming aware of my departure about two months ago. Right after spring break and having traveled with my Mexican friends, with Ashley and having visited KY for a brief stint. I knew my time was precious. I also knew I had less time left than I had had from the time I arrives through Christmas.

It's been an amazing year. When I think about receiving my congratulations letter, I remember the strange feeling I felt. I was so excited. And then disappointed. I wasn't going to Peru. I had been telling people for months that I hoped to be in Peru the next school year. Mexico. Mexico's so close. Mexico's so.... Mexico.

I remember seeing Culiacán and having never heard of it. I googled it, like anyone would. I got a cute little cartoon map. Thank goodness I didn't probe any more than that; if I had seen all the drama that was going on back last May, I'm not sure I would've gone through with it. Well, I would've wanted to, but I doubt Mom would've let me.

I could not have landed in a better place with a better group of mentors, friends, and experiences. The Fulbright name carries a bit of weight, which I find funny since it seemed to easy to obtain. That said, I came into this expecting a professional experience. I expected great growth and an exchange of ideas. I hardly got that. I did get a new mindset on public school.

More importantly, I got the experience of a lifetime. I have some friends that I will never forget (and that I will likely visit annually- or more often if I can afford it). I have found out a ton about myself. I have taken risks and absolutely seized every possible moment. It's helped me realize how I want to live my "normal" life back home. The way I lived it before, but to a smaller degree. I want to jump out of a plane, metaphorically speaking, since I've already done that! I want to live every day as if it's an adventure. As if I must make it count.

And watch me. I will.

I've spent the last month or so being really really sad about coming back. I don't want to live in Mexico. I couldn't live in Culiacán forever due to the heat alone. Also due to the fact that I haven't found a church. The pay is not good here (there are zero benefits for English teachers), and the role of the woman (like lots of other things I've experienced in the schools) seems to be about 30 years behind. I might be a bit too independent for this country! That said, I've spent the last month trying to stop the clock. Trying to keep the page from changing on the calendar. Trying to keep the adventure going. However, in the last week or so, I've started thinking in the future again. Where I'll go when I get back. Things I need to buy (cell phone, makeup, etc) to get my life back together. Who all I need to see and what I want to do in my classroom (wherever that may be!). I've started making my list of all the things I'll want to eat and see and do when I come back to Culiacán to visit (I told you it's all about food).

I've come to the realization that I'll never be 100% content in Nashville. Anywhere in the US for that matter. Part of me will always be a wee bit Mexican. Part of me will always wish I was here (or planning for a trip here). Another part of me will be looking to the next trip, the next adventure, the next country.

But there's a very important third part of me that I hope to channel often. The part that is looking at this moment (whenever "this" is- every present moment) as the adventure. Taking it in. Reflecting on it. Enjoying it. Being in it and experiencing all it has to give.

Florentinas

2009-06-16T22:36:00.003-05:00

About two months ago, there was nothing sweet in the house that suited me, but it was too hot and I wasn't in the mood to walk to the Oxxo. I found some cookies that would never tempt me in the states. They are the kind that are right up Jack's alley. They're a sandwich cookie with a fruit filling. Almost jelly-like. The sandwich part of the cookie, though, is high quality.

I didn't dislike these cookies. I would never choose them over chocolate, but I didn't eat just one that day.

When I was coming back from the gym this week, I stopped at the Oxxo for a cold water and saw these cookies again. Only this time, it wasn't strawberry filling. It was caramel.

I have found my new Mexican Achilles heel. Wow! Since I'll be charged $10 US for every pound over 50 in my suitcases from here to Cozumel, I will not be bringing any of these treasures back. However, if they sell them in Cozumel, I'll pick up as many as I can (I'll pay a flat fee for the second suitcase) to share with those I love once I'm back (but ask quickly because they'll go fast!).

My mind

2009-06-16T22:27:00.003-05:00

...is going nuts right about now.

About a month ago, Megan let me know that the Spanish program at Lockeland was in danger. A presentation team from Lockeland had a meeting with our new superintendent (or at least representatives) and our principal was advised to advocate our program through this presentation. Everyone involved was overwhelmingly impressed with how well it had gone. We still have no answers. We weren't even on the displaced teachers list until last week. There's a hiring freeze so that displaced teachers can be placed first.

Every day it seems there's some new option or thought.

I'm already going to be taking the GRE when I get back as well as the Oral Proficiency Test and the Writing Proficiency Exam for Spanish with the potential of another masters program starting summer 2010. I also am going to take three PRAXIS exams to get elementary certified so I can go to an International Schools job fair in February. There, I could sign a two year contract in one of about 30 different countries. I also would like to get certified to teach elementary for a chance at the Spanish Immersion school in Nashville. That's always been on the back burner in my mind. My coordinator has told me that she's passed my name off to a local high school. It's two years old and not far from my house. I loved student teaching in a high school, so I'm sure I could get back into it.

I was born to be a teacher. My five years of teaching (including this pretend year of teaching) have only reaffirmed that. There's nothing else I should do with my life. No way. No how.

That said, I think I could be happy teaching anything, anywhere. We'll see what shapes up! I just hope my next adventure is one where I will be able to use my talents for the betterment of my students. And I hope it's an experience that causes me to grow in ways I haven't so far.

2 more days!

2009-06-16T22:25:00.001-05:00

I went to school on Monday knowing I only had two teaching days left. Only we dismissed at 11 so we could have tostadas and cake for the principal's birthday. Oh, Mexico. Way to send me out in a typical fashion!

What a waste of a day. Ni modo.

2009-06-16T22:14:00.002-05:00

Oh, Sunday. After such a late night, I assumed I would sleep late late Sunday. Guess again. I was awake around 8:30 and up for the day by 9. Yuck! I got a text from Quinantzin at ten saying "Wake up everyone! Let's go to the beach!" I texted her back saying I'd been up for hours and was game. Apparently no one else was. Alma slept all day and Mayra had some sort of commitment. Iván had to work. Not sure who all else got the text.

Quinantzin told me to plan for 1. I was ready long before of course. At 1:30, she said Elvira (Alma's and her boss) would be at my house in about 20. I waited in my air conditioned room. Still no peep from Alma.

When Elvira picked me up, she had her 7 year old son with her. I didn't even know she had children! We drove to Quinantzin's house and within that ten minute time frame, I knew I would be super annoyed with the kid.

Elvira has a two door car and Quinantzin has super long legs, so I sat in the back. The air conditioner on full blast did not reach back that far and by the time we got to Altata (an hour later), I was drenched. I was also super annoyed. I kept thinking how much more patience I would have had with Turner.

We stopped at an Oxxo to hydrate about three minutes before the pool. You can't take anything into the club since they have a restaurant there. So we literally chugged.

We got there and it was PACKED. This is the same pool/beach I went to with Mabel and Marisela at the beginning of my time here. However, back then it was practically empty. I think it was a Saturday. Sunday is Mexico's version of Saturday I think. There was barely even a place to sit down!

Jorge Abel went to swim and we sat to order lunch. Our poor waiter was over worked and not very good. I got ceviche and a fresada which should've been somewhat like a strawberry smoothie. Instead it was strawberry Quick and ice. Bleh. The food was decent, but the wait was long. And it was miserably hot. We got in the pool around 4.

Quinantzin, me, Elvira

The water was pretty warm, which doesn't do a lot for cooling you off. We left around 7 and I got to my house around 8:30. On the ride back, still just as hot, Jorge Abel fell asleep with his head on my lap. Making me hotter of course. Oh well.

It was a fine day, but would've been better spent taking a nap I think.

Feliz Cumpleaños, Iván!

2009-06-16T11:25:00.007-05:00

At 8:00, I started getting ready. I knew it would take me less than an hour to get ready, but sometimes it's so hot, if I get ready and rush out the door, I'm sweaty before I get downstairs. So I allotted myself some cool down minutes.

I was waiting downstairs watching tv, waiting to hear them pull up. At 9:20, I hear Liliana yell, "Low-RAH!" Off I went. I had my bottle of pinot grigio to fight off the heat, and my wine glass. Wine from a plastic cup just doesn't do it for me. "¡Qué fresona! Con tu botella y vaso!" was Renato's welcoming phrase... Fresa is the word for strawberry, but in slang it's along the lines of valley girl/snob. I think in this instance, high maintenance would work. "How high maintenance! With your bottle and glass!" It was hilarious. They were just excited I would be drinking since it's a rare sight.

We drove and stopped at the Tacate stand to pick up beer for them. The conversation was mostly about the weather. It has just been an insufferable week or two here in Culiacán. Liliana said that it had been 109 that day and that on their way to pick me up, they had seen that it was 96. It was 9 pm! I'm literally living in hell! The good news is, everything else is wonderful. It hasn't even been two weeks since I told Mom I thought I could survive in a tropical climate. As long as it was cold when I came home for Christmas, I could get used to this- the predictability of it all. Nope. I stand corrected. Misery.

We got to Iván's and it was just family (cousins, nephews, siblings, parents) and La Foca. That means seal. His real name is Rene, but because of the way he dances, everyone calls him La Foca. We chatted and waited for others to get there. Diana and her boyfriend Manuel were there next. Diana is Roicío's sister, both Ana Luisa's daughters. The girls that were there at the time got a picture with the birthday boy. Those who are not my friends are girlfriends of Iván's family.

Iván is obviously the male. To the left is Liliana and Diana. To the right is Rocío and then me.

Rocío, Laura, Diana. Mom Ana Luisa came running for the picture. The one with the four of us was blurry, so we'll have to get together again!

My ride for the evening, and couple #1. Liliana and Renato. Things I'll miss about them-

Lili: her voice (she's the one I impersonate pretty well), her insistence on chit-chatting and invading your space (a sure sign that I've arrived since it doesn't bother me), the fact that she can drink more Tecate Light than any of our guy friends, the way she's always sooo excited to see me. Renato: his jokes, his dancing, the look he gives (it's kinda like, "Come on!"), his insistence on making me participate in whatever conversation.

Couple #2. Rocío and Iván. Things I'll miss-

Rocío: the way she dances (it's hilarious and she always has to be moving if she hears music), her sincerity and innocence, her boycraziness over Iván still (they've been together 6 years). Iván: his seriousness, the occasional break into dance, his wit.

Couple #3. Diana and Manuel. Things I'll miss- Diana: her laugh, her singing voice, her entertainment (she sings at various different places each weeks), her no nonsense, singing karaoke with her. Manuel: I don't really know him that well, but he paid me a HUGE compliment on my Spanish at my birthday party.

Couple #4. Karla and Chapo. Things I'll miss- Karla: her laugh, her willingness to share her honest opinion even if it may not be what you want to hear at the time. Chapo: "Papá!" something he says all the time that makes me laugh, the way he talks (it took a LONG time for me to understand him- and he always throws in a bunch of English making it that much harder!), his ADD-style twitch.

Not a couple, but the only ones left with no picture! Topete. Things I'll miss: "Mujer," the way he awkwardly walks away mumbling to himself, his music taste, his dancing, his look (more like "you're an idiot"), his humor.

Renato, Liliana, Topete and me.

Right before this picture, Topete had said, "Woman, this is a picture of all couples. Get back here." You can see the remains of laughter on our faces. You'll also notice I did not do what was demanded of me. (He didn't say please.)

Around 1, Liliana told me we would be leaving soon. Renato had a baseball game (to play in) on Sunday morning at 9. I wasn't ready to go just yet, but I figured someone else would take me. About that time, Marisol and Pirru showed up, so we stuck around to talk to them a bit. Then Renato got a call from Lenin saying he was on his way. Since Lenin owed Renato money, we decided to stay until he got there. Being the Tecate representative, he brought a fresh stash of beer with him.

We stayed until 3. It was fun. We danced, sang, and had a good time. I felt guilty for having fun with Alma's friends without her there. However, she's at a place right now where she doesn't want to spend time with them. She had basically dumped Johana, Ocyé, and Karina because Lenin didn't like them, so she's making up for lost time. In her defense, they seem to be the ones who most openly care about her. They're the ones who call, check in, come over, and invite. I enjoy hanging out with them. But I also want to spend time with the other friends I've made while here before it's time to go!

This is the group shot right before we left. The only one missing is Foca. Back row: Topete, Cristian (Lenin's cousin- he taught me to dance banda at a wedding), Renato, Pirru, Iván, Manuel. 2nd row: Karla, Chapo, Liliana, Marisol, Rocío. Front: Lenin, me, Diana.

Around 3, we left and they dropped me off. We talked about how sad we would all be when I left. I told Renato that I wanted to see him play sometime before I left. He plays every Sunday. Surely I can make it to a game.

Saturday

2009-06-16T10:40:00.002-05:00

I mean, I must've been super-tired. I slept until 1:30! I got up a couple of times, but I was sleeping hard until 1! I love when that happens because it is so out of character for me.

Saturday was another day of almost plans. Hernán (the former custodian) was getting married, and while I had hoped to see the wedding in the church (I still hadn't seen one), I wanted to hang out with my friends after. Alma had said a friend of hers had offered to take us to the dunes to jeepear. Basically drive around in jeeps I think. It was also Iván(Rocío's boyfriend)'s birthday party.

Around 3, Alma called to let me know that the jeeping was cancelled. She had had to teach both sessions at PISI instead of do administration since some teachers had not shown. At that point, I texted Sandra to see if she could pick me up for the wedding. I never heard back from her. I figure I'll be invited to many Culiacán weddings (Renato and Lili, Iván and Rocío, Karla and Chapo, Alma and Whoever, Iván and whoever), so I'll get to see a wedding someday. Surely I'll make it to one...

Rocío and I had been chatting on facebook and she told me that Iván's party would be at 9 at his house. He lives way out and I had no hopes of bussing it. I texted Mayrita to see if she was planning on going. Nope. She had to babysit. I texted Alma, assuming she wouldn't want to go with the great possibility of Lenin's presence. I was right. I was about to give up and go dancing with her and the other three girls, but I wasn't feeling it and really wanted to hang out with my Manzanillo friends. So I texted Liliana. To the rescue! She told me to be ready at 9:30 because Renato is punctual. I responded with "No problem; I am too," instead of, "You're talking to a gringa here; I'll be ready!"

I went about my Saturday things and got ready.

Ay Shania....

2009-06-15T22:51:00.002-05:00

Full of sushi and ice cream cake, I got dropped off by Maribel with just enough time to shower and throw some things in a bag. But I didn't even know what to throw in a bag. As I've explained before, going to the beach with Mexicans is not like going to the beach with me...

When I hadn't heard form cell-phone-less Shania and hadn't heard from her, I hunted her down through her sister at home. She was with Vicky, whose number I had. Turns out the party got cancelled. I wonder when she planned on telling me!

Oh, Mexico. How quickly she reinserted herself into her culture!

So I took matters into my own hands and searched around for plans. But it took too long and the possible movie night folded. So Alma and I went with the girls (Johana, Karina and Ocyé) to a café called marimba. I got a mango granizado which is like an icee (not like a raspado) with fresh mango. They had them in Spain and I looooved them. This one was a little too liquid for my taste. Oh, well.

We spent the next three hours talking boys, break ups, and PISI (the Saturday Centro de Idiomas for kids). By midnight, my head was dropping! My eyelids were drooping! I was not having fun... Not to mention it was so hot outside that we sat inside. I'm never one to complain about cold air conditioning, but three hours in it with a frozen beverage is a bit much....

English Office

2009-06-14T12:46:00.003-05:00

On Friday, I had made plans with Maribel to give her the educational materials that I bought with the Fulbright money. We got $500 to buy supplies for our school/exchange partner. Since I was not in Yuri's school, we all decided the materials would go to Yuri in whatever school she goes to next year. Considering she's not coming back, that may pose a challenge, but that's not my problem. They'll figure out what to do.

Since I was going to be at the office with her anyway, I asked if I could buy lunch for everyone. I owed them a thank you. All week we went back and forth debating what to eat and how much it would cost. To me, the price didn't matter. They have all done so much, even in just making me feel welcome in the office whenever I wanted. We ended up with sushi, and to feed the whole office (7 people plus me) it came to 450 pesos plus drinks. Less than 50 bucks. Probably I should do it again! I also bought a cake at Dairy Queen. It was snickers and it was delicious! Since there was no freezer at the office and since it was a miserably hot day (more on that in another post), we had to finish it! No problem!

It was a great time had by all. I of course took zero pictures, but someone had a camera and will pass along the shots at some point.

Since it was so miserably hot, Maribel took me home. Her girls begged and begged for me to go home with them, but I thought I had plans with Shania to go to Altata (she had asked me the night before if I wanted to go Friday afternoon and night). That ended up falling through. Atany rate, Maribel took me home. I was stuffed...

Orquestra Sinfónica

2009-06-14T11:36:00.003-05:00

Nohemi (left) plays bassoon and Lori plays cello. Erin (the mom) left before I could get on stage. She plays french horn.

Quinantzin had called me on Thursday to see what time I could go to dinner before the show. It old her I had yoga, but they could just come pick me up at the house after they ate. I had planned on leaving yoga a little early so I could be home by 8:30 and showered and ready to go by 8:45.

I took my watch into yoga with me and we finished at 8:15, so I didn't have to leave early.

I got home and showered and waited on the gang. There were four of them that went to eat: Alma, Elvira, Quinantzin and Iván. I jumped in with them and off we went. We got to the theater just as they were about to close the doors from intermission. We ran in and sat down. It was great. It made me add "learn to play a stringed instrument" to my Bucket List.

Also, after chatting with Nohemi and Lori, I found out that Cristina is keeping yoga open through the end of June. Since I won't be teaching after Mazatlán, I'll have almost that whole week to go to classes!

Yoga

2009-06-14T11:02:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, I was thinking about how I only had three yoga classes left: Thursday, Monday and Tuesday. Cristina was going to close on June 20 for the summer/for good. On Monday, I had heard two gringas talking, but by the time I could jump into the conversation, we were already in the room. While they continued their conversation (very loudly I might add), I am not accustomed to speaking once in the room. We're (they're) pretty serious in Nashville. I suppose part of that is cultural, too- in the same way you'll never (NEVER) have a silent classroom in Mexico.

Anyway, on Tuesday while we were waiting to go in, I said, "So where are y'all from?" We had a less than three minute conversation because again it was time to go in. They're both in the symphony. Nohemi has been here for six years and Erin and her husband for 8. Both of her children are dual citizens because they were born here. Pretty cool.

After class, I was talking with Nohemi again and said, "See you Thursday," and she said no because they had a performance that night. When I told her I wanted to come, she said I could make it to yoga and still get there for the second half, which would be the better half. Perfect.

In other yoga news, I'm slowly getting back to the American version of myself. My red planner (you know the one) has emerged from its 9 months of storage and has lots of things in it already, post- July 25. One of those things is a yoga training. I'm going to get certified to teach! I guess it only makes sense after five years of regular practice. It'll take 24 hours from Friday through Sunday once a month for about five months. But then I'll be official! I'm really looking forward to it. The time commitment is pretty huge, but I think the payoff will be bigger.

That starts the end of August.

Shoplifting

2009-06-14T05:20:00.002-05:00

When I went to the mall on Tuesday, I had shoes on the mind. I have wanted some wedges from here and since Dad will be here next week, I can buy some things without consequence in my luggage because he can take them back. However, as usual, I had to stop in Zara. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), there was nothing I liked! I went on to shoe shopping and had success with two pairs. But then I felt empty-handed in the clothes department. I tried out a couple of other stores. Mistake. I found dresses, headbands and shirts. Most made in the US. My theory is this: if this is the year I have money, this is the year I should spend money. Easy enough, right?

Well, the last store I went into drove me crazy. Of course it's where I ended up finding the most stuff that I wanted. I walked in and the girls wouldn't leave me alone. I had my bag of shoe boxes and another bag with a few things in it. I clearly had bought things. But these girls would not leave me alone. They weren't pushy with their words, or even helpful; they just followed me. It was almost creepy. I would walk just out of their sight (which was hard because they were both within four feet of me), and they would round the corner. It got to be a game for awhile; I would suddenly walk quickly to a new place.

I was this close to asking them if they had a lot of items stolen, but I didn't. Instead, I picked up a few things to try on. One of the girls helped me into a changing room. She came back in a few minutes and gave me a card with her name on it. Excellent. I emerged from the changing room with several items I wanted and continued browsing.

There was no one in sight.

No. One.

No one to help me.

No one to follow me.

No one to make sure I didn't steal anything.

Hmmmm.

I make it up to the counter with my load and the girl asks for the card.

Aha.

They stalk you until you try things on or check out and then they get your sale. Don't be fooled into thinking they helped me. I practically opened the changing room door myself. I guess that's why they do the card system. If I had checked out and she'd had to say, "Was anyone helping you today?" I'd have to say no.

Mother's Day

2009-06-14T05:12:00.002-05:00

If you'll recall, Mothers' Day was in May. Well, the schools in Mexico must celebrate. Since the flu didn't let us celebrate in May, we decided to celebrate in June (on Tuesaday). Public schools basically just look for a reason to not have classes.

Since it would be a completely wasted day for me, I didn't go to school.

I stopped by the English office to give Maribel her dollars back (Walmart sent me an email saying the Nintendo DS order had been cancelled- it didn't give me a reason) and to say hello. From there I went to Forum to buy a few things and to get my sushi fix. I also paid my TelCel bill for my internet. I realized as I was eating (reflection if you will) all the things I would want to eat on my future visits to Culiacán. Sure, my mind thinks of things I'll need/want to do when I get back to Nashville, but my food mind thinks only of the things I'll need to eat once back in Culiacán. I cannot begin to explain how much better food is here than anywhere in the world...

Surprise welcome home, Shania!

2009-06-14T04:50:00.004-05:00

Sunday was Shania's cousin's birthday, so her family lured her to a rancho for the celebration. Only the celebration was actually a welcome home! Her mom had told her she wasn't dressed up enough and that her cousin would be all dolled up, so she needed to change. Ha!

The only minor glitch was when she walked in and saw a friend from the English office who would have no reason to know her cousin.

"Oops!"

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh. You didn't know? Sorry!"

Aw, gees.

Many of the Inglés en Primaria and Centro de Idiomas friends.

Shania's family

Once upon a time, there were two exchange teachers....

They shared a wonderful friend named Alma...

Shania and Neyva listen to the "speeches" and welcomes home from their friends.

Neyva was such fun on the way back from Mazatlán, I feel like we're already good friends (even though she's 22). I wanted a picture with her, but her mouth was full of taco!

There's a good one!

We had a good time at the party. Shania, of course, was on a mission to find me a honey (disappointed that I hadn't fallen madly in love and decided to stay here forever!) and introduced me to several people. Her goal, though, was Manuel, who works in Kuwa (the buchon "ghetto" club and who unfortunately has braces). He was nice enough. But with just 6 weeks left, I'm not real open to falling madly in love.

We had incredible tacos (oddly enough, the mercado has nothing on these) and botanas (appetizers, more or less). Being a Sunday, I had to work the next day, as did most of the people there. Ni modo. We didn't leave until midnight, when we started cleaning up and shutting down. I had a great time with Shania's family and am so glad she's back!

Pictures from Teacher's Day party

2009-06-13T16:33:00.002-05:00

The delicious chicken and sauce with an almost salad.

Me with the fab four: Karina, Alma, Johana

We took a break from the chilly inside to hang outside for a bit. I think the guy in the jacket was somebody important.

Sisters

I took my camera to the dance floor, but of course that meant I was taking pictures instead of being in them...

All in all, a really fun night!

Sunday Lunch

2009-06-08T23:27:00.002-05:00

I don't remember what time I woke up on Sunday, but I stayed in my room and got things done- cleaning up, organizing, etc. I heard Alma go downstairs around 2 and stepped out, realizing Mamá was home making lunch. Sundays are usually spent at church and then with her mom (Alma's grandmother) and then running around. I was surprised that she was there.

Shortly after, Mamá Alma was calling me for lunch. That's not super common. Typically, if she's cooking when I get home from school, she'll ask me if I'm ready to eat and if yes then she'll serve me. If not, she just leaves it on the stove for me for whenever I want it. I yelled back down that I was on my way, and as I came down the steps, Alma was coming up to tell me lunch was ready.

Alma's brother Chacho, his wife Judith, their two Dael (3/4) and Lia (2/3), and Mamá's sister Pati were all there. We circled around the round table for four with the kids at their plastic table. We started with spaghetti soup. That's not what it's called, but it's spaghetti noodles and a tomato sauce soup. Then we moved on to asada. It was basically meat in juice with the typical toppings: lettuce, radishes, onions, avocado, a parmesan cheese and of course lime. Paty couldn't understand how I was drinking just water and offered me lemonade about fifteen times. There was also a pizza for the kids (and Alma, who eats like a kid).

It wasn't until later when I was chatting with Ashley that I thought about that as "Sunday lunch." Sunday lunch in Nashville is almost a given within any family. Not going to church here makes my Sundays seem a bit weird.

El Día de los Maestros

2009-06-07T16:56:00.001-05:00

Okay. Enough excuses. I got caught up on my blog and then on Saturday, I let Alma take my card and card reader to Centro de Idiomas so they could upload some pictures I had to facebook. I have yet to get the card and reader back, so I don't have pictures for the entires I'm about to write. But I'll make some "just pictures" entries once I get them back!

Friday was the party for Centro de Idiomas for Teachers' Day, which was May 15. I was in DF, but it wasn't celebrated for Inglés en Primaria or for Centro de Idiomas due to the the continued flu precautions. Lucky for me!

It was to be at a new Salón (party room) over near Mabel's house. Alma told me we would be leaving around 10:30. At 10 I was ready and tired, so I lay down for a bit. At 10:40, Alma came knocking on my door and off we went.

We went to pick up Karina. When we got to "mujic," we said hello to several people and then joined Johana at her table. The waiter was clearing plates. I had eaten something around 5, so I shouldn't have needed dinner, but I was hungry! The waiter came back and asked what we wanted to drink. I think events like this are almost all open bar (unless you bring your own). I got my typical coca light.

Shortly after, he brought us our food! It was a yummy chicken with a cream of mushroom sauce and maybe some rice (I took a picture this time) and a really sweet croissant. I, of course, got my money's worth of refills on my coca light. They did a raffle and Alma won a tv! Karina got a blender. I wasn't allowed to enter since I'm not a teacher there. Johana didn't win either. However, when the woman came around passing out the party favors (silver charms with the name of the public school sector on them), she asked Alma if I were a teacher, and Alma answered yes. So she gave me one! In Alma's defense, she didn't know why she was asking, and she told the truth.

After we had eaten and been served dessert, and after the raffle, we went outside for a bit and chatted with Paul (a younger teacher at Centro de Idiomas that apparently all the girls have had crushes on) and two important men whose names I never caught.

After a short bit outside, we headed back in to spice up the dance floor. I can say many things about Mexicans, but a certain addition to that list is they love to dance and can go all night.

We danced and danced and danced. It was SO FUN. Retired teachers, young things. You name it, we were all out there. Of course I wasn't a fan of the cheesy Mexican music, but it was mixed in well with Mexican pop. I can sing most of the choruses now!

At one, they flicked the lights on cueing us to get off the dance floor. We moved the party outside and chatted with the mostly PISI (Saturday kids' English program) crowd.

After loading Alma's tv in the trunk, we followed Johana and Karina to Jo's house to get her pjs. They spent the night with us, since all three of them would be going to PISI in the morning.

I had no problem falling asleep and staying asleep, but based on the giggling I heard while brushing my teeth, I'm guessing it took them a while to fall asleep!

Friday normalcy

2009-06-07T16:38:00.002-05:00

We were so tired from the trip back from Mazatlán that we only stayed about 30 minutes at Shania's house. It was nice to meet her family. I hope to get to hang out with them more.

We got home around 8:30 and Alma went straight to sleep. I did some things and suddenly it was 11:00!

Friday was a typical school day. Maribel had told me she would be coming by to pick up the educational materials I had bought with Fulbright money to store in the office until Yuri gets back (ha!), so I had taken the one box I had to school. I started throwing away trash and cleaning up my area. Sandra commented that the year was coming to an end (I'm getting sensitive to this and was close to tearing up). We made small talk while the other Sandra (a special ed teacher) worked on the decorations for the Mother's Day celebration. Since we hadn't had school during Mother's Day due to the flu, we would be celebrating Tuesday. Of course all her classes/groups were cancelled so she could make some glitter letters for the banner. When she asked me if we celebrated Mother's Day in the US, I explained that we acknowledged it at school, but we didn't take a day to celebrate it. It was a holiday that always fell on Sundays and was more for family celebration. I guess because she was the special ed teacher working on glitter letters instead of working with her kids for the fourth or fifth time this year, it struck me oddly when she said, "Y'all don't celebrate much in the US, do you?" I said no, but then she said, "Y'all are just colder, huh?"

I've had this conversation before. I've even been the one saying it. In comparison, we're much colder. We have more personal space. Our things are our things and it's not a given that you'll share. But this day it hit me and I said, "Well, no, we don't celebrate much. We spend a lot of time in school teaching and learning." As soon as I said it, I felt terrible. I hadn't said it with an attitude and she wasn't offended, but I was disappointed in myself.

About that time, I went to my first class, but Rocio wasn't there, so no second grade. I was disappointed because I've been making rapid progress with all my classes lately. I've been covering two to three lessons a day, meaning we wouldn't have tests, but we'd get to the last chapter, even if we didn't finish. I can't tell you what a sense of accomplishment that gives me after feeling I'd taught nothing all year.

I went back to the computer room and continued the cleanup process. Sandra and I resumed our conversation and she asked me when my last day would be. I told her I thought the English department worked until the last day of June. She said, "Yeah, but when's your last day here?" I reiterated that I assumed it would be June 26. She asked me if I knew Cecy, who worked in the supervision. Of course; I've practically lived at the English office the past month.

She said that Cecy taught at her school in the afternoon and that she had told Sandra that the last day for English would be June 15. That's one week away! I'm not certain that's policy, but I'm pretty sure if I told my principal that, he would wish me well.

Dad comes the 18th, so I'll probably teach until then. I want to finish my book with as many classes as possible. I also have some personal projects I want to film the kids for (I want my students in the US to hear as much "authentic" accent as possible. I'm going to film my Mexican students in conversations, but in order for my US students to understand and follow, they'll be very scripted conversations and the kids will have to be coached to speak slowly and clearly. I was explaining this to my first graders this week since I'll want to use age appropriate actors for each grade in the US. Jassiel [I think I put a picture of him and talked about his great improvement over the year in a blog not long ago] broke my heart. I was explaining why I wanted to film them. It's hard for them to picture me in the US and with other kids learning Spanish because they already speak English, etc. I reminded them that I'd be in the US next year, back in my home. That I teach Spanish to little boys and girls like them and that I wanted to film them. Blah, blah. Anyway, as I was reminding them that I had to leave, Jassiel says, "You have to go back to your house, right? Because your mom misses you? You won't be here next year, right? We'll have a different Teacher. But you're the best. You're the best teacher I have. Really. You're the best teacher there is." Bless him.).

All that to say that I had some personal stuff I want to accomplish in the next week and a half, too. We'll see what the final verdict is when I ask Maribel.

After recreo, I taught my 4th graders who are few but can spend a whole class doing nothing, so it makes it a bit tricky. I left there at 11:45 to teach my 5th graders and as I'm leaving, Lety (the 4th grade teacher) says, "Dismissal at 12, right? Oh, well!"

Ugh.

So I'll have to hit fifth grade really hard next week.

Welcome Home, Shania!

2009-06-05T19:40:00.008-05:00

Alma and I got up and ready on Thursday to meet Vicki and Hugo to go to Mazatlán and pick up Shania! I won't bore you with the typical details, but know that I had originally heard 8:00 (must've been wake-up time), but we didn't leave from our meeting place (we had a two car caravan since Shania and her sister were coming back with eight suitcases) until 10:30. Her flight arrived at 12:40 and Mazatlán is a full two hours away.

The airport is about 20 minutes inland from the beach part of Mazatlán, so we got thereabout 12:45. We walked in and saw Shania sitting on a bench facing the part where you walk out from baggage claim. She was chatting with someone, and while the smile spread wide across her face, she didn't get up to meet us as we entered.

Vicki and her sister (who drove and brought her son along) had gone with Hugo that morning to pick up the welcome banner. These seem to be relatively popular here for parties. The girls got one for Elvira for her birthday party and I remember seeing one for Shania's going away party. No, I did not intentionally match the banner.

My flash was off, to the picture is awful. But left to right, starting seated are the sister and her son Carlos, Alma, Vicki, Shania, Hugo, me.

We sat with Shania and waited on her sister who had come on a separate flight. Their cousin had spent the year with them, but her flight was to DF (I think she might live there). Shania and Neyva had been in Michigan all year, but the flights came out much cheaper from Indiana (where Beatriz was all year). They flew out at 6 and 6:30 am to different cities in the US, then to Culiacán. They arrived within an hour of each other. While we were waiting on Neyva, Shania entertained us with airport stories. Mostly about how there was a new rule in place starting that day on whatever airline they flew that you could only have two checked bags; you couldn't even pay extra for the third. They had already given 4 bags of stuff to the Salvation Army (imagine living in the US for a year and not coming home once) and they had even left two or three bags of stuff with friends in Indiana so that when someone's cousin came to Culiacán in the fall, he could bring the stuff with him. That is a very popular Mexican thing- send things with other people. Every time I've had a visitor, Yuri or Maribel has asked for things to be transported. Every time. Without fail.

Turn about is fair play. I had sent stuff with all my visitors, too. It's hard to live somewhere for a year and keep all you accumulate. There's just not enough room! But I realize how annoying it is to be the mule. So thank you!

Anyway, they got to the airport with their three suitcases each to check, plus a carry-on and backpack and purse. They were told (not so kindly- you have to love airport people) they could only have two items checked. They tried to think of things they could throw away, but nothing was worthless; they wanted it all.

Luckily, a man traveling to DF approached them and said he wasn't checking luggage and that he was going to Mexico City. Would they like for him to check their two extra bags? Duh.

So he did and they're going to have it shipped I think (good luck getting it here!).

Then she talked about how the gate agent was not nice about her carry-ons and mentioned standby luggage. Shania didn't know that word, so she asked her to explain it. The woman proceeds to get on her walkie and tell the Spanish translator that she needs helps since, "this woman doesn't speak English." Obviously she does. Shania (who's quite feisty) told her she understood her, she just didn't know that word. So she gets on the walkie and the man is nice and explains everything. By this time it's 1 something and I'm getting hungry. Luckily, Neyva is through the baggage claim shortly. We meet and she says, "I've heard a lot about you." I realized it would've been like any of you meeting Shania.

Luckily a baggage man helped us with the luggage because 8 suitcases is just a lot.
He first thought we needed it all to fit in Vicki's car. After he was almost finished loading, but scratching his head with how to get the last two bags in, we informed him that it could be spread between the two cars. We had just been too caught up in stories and hugs and listening to notice!

It was funny to me (though I guess it shouldn't have been) that Shania and Neyva spoke pure Spanish. Granted, I'll speak pure English when I get back, but I think if Yuri met me at the airport, I would initiate sometimes in Spanish to her (which is totally opposite how I used to be about speaking in the US). I think that's mostly because after a year of complete saturation, I know how limited my Spanish exposure is going to be. Also, when Shania was here in December (her grandfather had died, so she didn't bring home a load like I did when I was home), she spent a lot of time speaking in English (maybe because of my still killer accent).

Anyway, I definitely understood her Spanish better this go round! I just love her. Her voice cracks me up and her intonation. She's so fun and sweet and I can't to hang out now in her town.

She rode with Alma and me to the restaurant and Neyva rode in the other car. Shania laughed a couple of times and made a "Look at you with your Culiacán-appropriate language" face when I said some things. It was funny. We got to the restaurant that was near the airport and not the beach. I had my doubts since I wanted really good seafood. When we had asked Shania what she wanted for lunch, her response was, "Tortilla soup from Panamá sounds really good; it's been so long!" which is like getting back from the US to Nashville and saying Chili's sounds really good. Now, Chili's is actually one of my favorites, but it's not a Nashville restaurant. It's a chain. Panamá is all over Mexico and mediocre food if you ask me. Well, mediocre for Mexico. You had to keep in mind that all food is better here than anywhere else in the world.

So we got to the restaurant and had to walk through a labyrinth to get to an open table (you don't wait to be seated in Mexico- you just go in and sit down at an empty table). Our young and un-helpful waiter came to take our drink orders. At the same time, he asked if we were ready to order. I had not had enough time to examine the menu, but I can be pretty fast at seafood places. I love ceviche and shrimp tacos (or anything shrimp). I decided on the shrimp tacos and was about to be floored at how incredible they were. Alma asked if they had fish ceviche or just the shrimp kind. Only shrimp. She doesn't like much seafood. She can stomach fish, but nothing else. She asked if he could ask the kitchen staff if they could make a fish ceviche and he answered with "no." It shocked Alma and we all cracked up.

Apparently this place is famous for its owner. There were pictures all over the place of him with famous Mexicans- presidents, movie stars, etc.

Shania, in all her sassiness, asked for the owner, who told Alma that they would love to make her some fish ceviche. Shania had said that she had come all the way from Michigan to way this food and couldn't they find some fish ceviche? Then Alma told him that I had come from Tennessee to eat it. He shook my hand and called me "Lauris" from there on out, checking in on our food and happiness every 10 minutes.

Shania ordered her meal but also a fish that is what I had eaten with Mabel and her dad the time we drove halfway to Mazatlán just for lunch for the whole table to share. You can see her enjoying it below (also pictured are Vicki and Neyva).

When I have gotten shrimp tacos before, it's been fried shrimp on a plate with all the sides (lettuce, salsa, avocado, etc) and warm tortillas in a basket. This time, the shrimp was boiled and packed in the tortillas already. The tortillas were toasted so that they stayed closed. I shoved some rice, avocado and lettuce in there and was in heaven. I could've stopped at two, but since they served me four, I forced myself through the third one. When Shania's fish came, she wanted to make sure I tried it, so I ate a fish taco. I mean, I'll probably lose ten pounds just walking off the plane into the US!

I wanted a picture of the group and the owner, but he was nowhere to be found. As we made our way outside, he was out there talking to someone in the street. He asked me again how it was and I told him everything was great, but we wanted to bother him for a picture. It was going to be really cute with us all crowded around the entrance to the restaurant on the street corner. He had other plans. He walked us up the street to the other section of tables and we went inside. I was disappointed in the location, but he's not a man that takes direction. We laughed while posing for the picture.

Shania, Alma, me, owner, Hugo, Carlos, Vicki, Neyva

I had been holding the uneaten fish for the picture, but he took it from me and set it on the table, so Shania snapped a shot as we were leaving. Notice the tail sticking out!
Shania rode with us for the first 45 minutes and then at a toll booth she swapped with Neyva. Neyva is 22 and had a great year. She is working on her degree in Culiacán, so she had to ask permission to be gone a year. Since she was too old for high school and wasn't interested in full time college classes, she spent lots of time at Shania's school helping. She also spent time with their neighbors (a young couple with three little kids) speaking to the kids in Spanish in exchange for English help from the mom (also a teacher). The dad was a teacher, too, so she did some work for him as a trade for sitting in on his Chinese classes.

She agreed with Shania that it was a tiny town and pretty closed minded, but she was not as ready to come home as Shania. She had a great year and wanted just a little more time. I know how she feels...

Wednesday w/ Tania, w/ Mayra, and w/o Alma

2009-06-05T14:09:00.004-05:00

Wednesday was a regular teaching day. I got home and lunched before working out. Tania and I had made plans on Monday to do something on Wednesday. At this mall that's relatively close to my house, movies are two for one on Wednesdays. After I got showered and she got home from work, she picked me up. It was a little after 6. We got to the mall, but there were only four movies. The only one neither of us hadn't seen (that also wasn't Hannah Montana) was I love you Brother, or something like that. And we had missed the last show by an hour.

We walked around the mall looking for a café, but it was all sushi or ice cream. We decided to go to this little café that was a 30 second drive away (have I mentioned yet that Tania's car doesn't have air conditioning?!) that we'd been to before. We caught up on all our gossip and events of the past six weeks to two months (since that's how long it had been since we'd seen each other). My face hurt by the time she dropped me back off at home. I had laughed and laughed so much. She's such a hoot and keeps me in stitches. I still didn't do a good job taking pictures. I really need to make sure and get pictures of the things and people that mean something to me since time is no longer on my side.

While I was with Tania (as we were getting ready to leave, actually), Alma called. She had sent me a text but I hadn't heard it. She told me that Mayra had called and wanted to go to Jair's house. He was leaving Thursday for a few weeks in Tijuana for work. Alma had backed out since she would be driving to and from Mazatlán the next day. I called her on her bluff, though and asked her if that was the only reason she wasn't going. She said no, that Lenin had called. Again. There was drama, but she would fill me in on the ride to Mazatlán. She had told Mayra to come pick me up anyway.

At 9:30, Mayra texted me asking me if I'd like to go. I said yes, since some of these people I hadn't seen since Manzanillo (spring break).

We pulled up and Lenin and his car were the first things we saw. We both knew he'd be there. It was weird, but not at the same time. I felt very strange being there since Alma wasn't. I sat with Liliana and we caught up. Love that girl. She and Rocio and I chit chatted for a bit until the quesadillas and tacos were ready. I had just had a HUGE brownie, so I refrained from a 10pm Mexican delicacy.

We hung for an hour or two. Quinantzin popped by for a minute, even though this wasn't her crowd since she'd be leaving the next day for a long weekend in León, too.

I got in bed around midnight. Thankfully I didn't have to work on Thursday. Welcome home, Shania!

Empanadas de Cerveza

2009-06-03T15:36:00.006-05:00

No, your Spanish is not failing you. Beer empanadas. That's the title.

Tuesday after school, I rode the bus to the English office and met up with Maribel. There was actually a meeting going on with Cecy and her teachers, but they told me to have a seat and chill until Maribel could leave at 2. I gave Maribel and Ana Luisa the leftover piece of carrot cake and Maribel told me there was a story about the cake. I actually got nervous. But it turns out she and Ana Luisa had called all over town trying to find out where the cake had come from to order one for themselves since it had looked so good.

They were ecstatic when they saw there was some for them!

At 2, Maribel and I left to pick up her girls, Maribel (the older, responsible, perfect one) and Rebeca (the younger, chatty, always into things and forgetting things one) from school. We went from there to Tai Pak, the first Chinese chain in Culiacán.

The food was good. Rebeca begged to sit by me and sit by me she did. She was practically in my lap. She helps explain the difference between US space and Mexican space.

We had a delicious lunch that Maribel paid for.

We made our way back to their house (that I had been two twice before, near Mabel's house) and the girls were ordered to get showers and get their homework done. Maribel typically sits with them to help them with their homework, so Rebeca was up and down the stairs a thousand times. Each time attempting to stay after her question had been answered.

Maribel got to explaining the ingredients (mostly flour, salt, lard, beer) for the pastry part. I started writing down what I could to remind myself of the process.

First she mixed the flour and salt. Then she added the lard. This got messy. She was mixing with her hands, like any good chef ("Have you ever had my mom's empanadas?" asked Rebeca. "You're going to looove them. They're amazing!"). Then I dumped in the beer and she got to kneading it on the counter.

While she worked, I took notes and watched. Rebeca by this point had won and stayed downstairs:
Maribel had finished her homework (I'm telling you, perfect. I love this kid.) and gotten her shower, so she wanted to help. Once the mixture was the right consistency, we made little balls of dough and Maribel (the daughter) or I would flatten them in the tortilla press (I want to buy one before I leave) wrapped in plastic. Maribel (mom) would them put a dollop of guayaba compote that her mom had made in the middle and then seal it.
"They cook until they're ready." Rrrright. Again, true chef. I asked her for a ballpark and she said 20 minutes, but it seemed closer to 40 to me, especially by the time she flipped them and put them back in the oven:

While the empanadas were cooking (we had several rounds), Maribel showed me the "Lechera" that you can put in the middle. But in case we don't have it at home, she said you can boil condensed milk for an hour or so and it will caramelize about the same. That can go in the middle, or jelly, or any fruit mix, or cinnamon.

When they came out of the oven, we rolled them in sugar and let them cool.

We tested them, of course.

Then Maribel needed some help. Little Maribel's birthday is July 4 and she's getting a Nintendo DS, but they cost $600 here. In the US they're much cheaper. So we checked into Walmart.com to hook her up. She thinks I'm some technology queen, so I whipped out my laptop and compared prices and packages, etc. We went to check out and the only accept credit cards with US billing addresses. Okay, that's not true. They actually accept several other countries, but Mexico is not one of them.

We tried to think of people coming to Culiacán who would be willing to go shopping for it. But in the end, I just offered my credit card. I paid online and before I was gone for the day, Maribel had given me the cash in dollars.

After we had tested the empanadas and bought the DS, Maribel gave me several other recipes. Shortly after her husband came home, we left for my house. I took about 10 empanadas with me. This will be a really fun (although really time consuming) thing to make once I'm home.

Below is a video of part of the process. First is the two Maribels and then Rebeca.

Carrot cake

2009-06-03T15:31:00.002-05:00

I wish I had taken a picture. As I was getting ready to leave school on Monday, Maribel called asking where I was. She needed to pick me up to go to Rocio's office to watch the video. I rode the bus from Guille's house to the English office and off we went. The video is awesome. Of course, they didn't follow through with the editing, so I'm shown in the button up polo and a DRESS. But it's a great video. I hate listening to my own voice and seeing myself on camera, so it's not about that. It's mostly that my kids are featured often and it's sweet to see them with a voiceover (aka not screaming). It's great quality and I can't wait to show it to any of you that want to see it.

As I was getting ready to leave, Rocio went on and on about how great I was. She explained to the state coordinators that I was so brave to come here even when it seemed conditions might be dangerous. She told them that she had gotten to know me well through yoga and had a strong affection for me and was really sad to see me go. But also that as a mother, she understood the need for me to get back to my family. She gave me a carrot cake that was homemade by a lady in Culiacán and let me tell you it was delicious. I knew I could go crazy with it (and almost did), so I cut a piece for Mamá, Maribel and Ana Luisa, and I took the rest to school. The teachers and I did a lot of damage to it. I would never in my life request carrot cake, but it was divine. I could've eaten the whole thing I think!

Sunday night post

2009-06-01T16:47:00.003-05:00

Alma slept almost all day Sunday. Since she works on Saturdays, she doesn't get to sleep in like I do to recoup. Then she parties on Saturday nights and is tired. She went to mass at 7 and when she got back, I was downstairs munching on a bean sandwich. We caught up with our chit chat. Suddenly Mayra was at the door asking me where my cell was. She had called because she and Quinantzin wanted to go eat dinner and she was going to pick us up first. It turns out that Johana and Ocyé wanted to borrow my camera for a tourism event on Sunday and were coming by to pick up the camera. Alma was going to wait for them and we'd come pick her up on our way to eat.

As we were picking up Quinantzin, Alma texted me saying she wasn't going to go eat. I asked if everything was okay and she assured me that yes, but that Johana and Ocyé were still there.

Quinantzin was not satisfied with that, so she called Alma. When she told her we were going to eat sushi, she wanted back in.

We got back to the house and Johana and Ocyé were still there. We told them to come with us, but they declined. Somehow in conversation, I was able to bring it up that I needed some magic worked for my too many suitcases (2) to Cozumel (10 bucks per pound) before heading home. Johana knows someone that works for Aeromexico, so hopefully that will all work out peacefully. I will be reminding her pretty much weekly until the time comes. The last thing I want to do in Culiacán is pay 500 bucks for stupid luggage!

So we left and headed to Sushi Factory and as we pulled in, Alma asked who had chosen this specific sushi. She likes Emporio, which is near our house, but it's awful! We kept walking, laughing, etc. She texted me saying Karla and Graciela were in there- that she had seen them from the parking lot. We exchanged a few texts. As I went to the bathroom, I crossed paths with Chapo who was just getting there. Let the drama begin. I was just waiting for Lenin to walk in. But he didn't.

We had a great time and Johana and Ocyé ended up joining us (I think Alma put out an emergency call). Johana tells these really corny jokes and thinks it's funny that I think they're so corny. So I told a joke in English and Johana commented, "It's funnier with motions, Laura." Her jokes always have animal faces or some sort of gesture. The funny part is watching her get a kick out of herself.

I re-told my joke and did gestures (that didn't fit the joke) and everyone died laughing. It was hilarious.

We had a good time and by the time we headed home, Karla, Chapo and Graciela had left without my noticing.

Topete

2009-05-31T20:04:00.002-05:00

Topete's grandfather died Saturday morning around 5:30 am. He had to go into work at 7, so he went in and worked a few hours and then left for the funeral home at 11. When we got there at 8:30, he had been there all day. I had discussed it with Mom since our plans had changed... She said the same thing I thought, "It's strange to say, but it's an experience others won't have."

I find it interesting (and surely there's a reason) that they have the visitation the day of and the funeral and burial the next day. The weekend I moved in with Alma, her brother's mother-in-law or cousin's grandmother, or someone she knew but wasn't related to had died and she went to the visitation on Friday (the day of the death) and then the funeral and cemetery on Saturday.

It fascinates me that everything is so fast since this is such a culture of family and quality time. It seems to me they would take more time mourning together. What do I know?

We stayed at the funeral home with Topete for about two hours. Quinantzin an Iván had come to pick up Alma and me and off we went. Mayra came later.

We never even entered the viewing room. We stayed out in the common area that had at least 40 black leather couches arranged in horseshoes of three couches. It was full of all different families. There was a cafeteria and bathrooms. There was a huge waterfall that went down the glass by the elevators. It looked like a ballroom full of couches. Iván and Rocio came and it was good to see them. Daniel (Liliana's brother) came, too.

Alma got a call from Ocyé that she'd had a fight with her sister or something and so Johana was going to pick up Alma and me to go visit Ocyé. However, while Alma was on the phone outside, Quinantzin and I started talking about how hungry we were! We decided we'd go get dinner before she and Iván went to their party and Alma and I went to the birthday party for her friends from Navolato. Alma came back in informing us that Johana was on her way, but I backed out, wanting food!

She left as did Iván and Rocio. Shortly after, Liliana and Renato got there. Lili cut her hair and it is adorable. It was really good to see her and Renato. After we said hey to them, we jetted to the parking garage.

We decided at 11:00 the only thing open would be tacos, so off we went. The place was called La Ceiba (which is apparently a type of tree) and Mayra and Quinantzin ordered a quesadilla to split. I ordered a quesadilla and they both looked at me like I was crazy, yet not telling me to just order a half. Iván abstained.

The tortillas for the quesadillas were literally the size of pizza crusts. My quesadilla came out (they serve quesadillas the way we could call taco- cheese, lettuce, meat, onions, DELISH) after Mayra and Quinantzin had gotten theirs. The guy came to the table to deliver it (not our waitress) and started to put it in front of Iván. "Una quesadilla?" I raised my hand and he made a look like, you can't eat all this.

I had eaten very healthily all day and it was 11:00 at night; I was starving! I ended up eating almost all of it. And I didn't even feel guilty!

As we were finishing, I texted Alma since we were going to meet back up when she finished with Ocyé. She said they were going to eat dinner, too. Where were we? I told her and she said they were on their way.

So we sat through another meal. Johana ate a whole quesadilla too, so I didn't feel bad! Johana is hilarious. I wouldn't say she rubbed me the wrong way, but something seemed strange at first. Now I just realize she's always the life of the party and loves to laugh.

From there, we all decided we'd go with Alma to La Callecita (the club for old folks where her students were going to be) and wait outside while she went in, made an appearance and came back out. While we were waiting outside, Johana decided to leave. Iván wanted to go home. So we all drove around dropping people off and then came back (Mayra, Quinantzin and I) to wait on Alma. She came out and we looked for another party that Pirru had told us about. Mayra had wanted to go because an ex-boyfriend was there. We drove by, but it was crowded and we couldn't tell if Pirru was there (and he was the only one we'd know there) and he hadn't answered our calls. We went around the corner and Mayra and I traded places so she could see instead of driving. I did the drive by. We still saw no one. Considering it was 2:00, we took Quinantzin home and headed there ourselves.

Ángeles y Demonios

2009-05-30T18:09:00.002-05:00

The plan was for Topete to pick us up at 8:50 for the 9:30 movie. He got there a little after 9 and Alma was not yet ready. He had first picked up Pirru (whose rancho we use for birthdays), who has a history with Alma and a girlfriend who is out of town. Alma and I had had a really good talk that afternoon about all that drama.

She meets us outside and tells us that Quinantzin was at a café and was going to meet us there, so we needed to pick up Iván and Mayra from Mayra's house. We got to Mayra's and she came out at the same time that Iván showed up to park his motorcycle in her garage. Six of us were not going to fit in Topete's miniature car, so finally we got it all settled that they would take Mayra's car. (A very Mexican encounter.) Once we get to the movies, it only got more Mexican. We stood in line for the tickets (this time Alma only had two passes) and as soon as we got up there (9:40 for the 9:30 show), they were out of tickets. That was almost a blessing because we had been debating which time to go (9:30 or the Spanish version at 10:30) but Mayra and Iván hadn't gotten there yet and we didn't want to make a decision without them.

The got there and we explained the situation. Alma didn't want to see the Spanish version. We could stay for Wolverine at 10, but most of us wanted Angels and Demons.

Alma checked her phone for the times at another theater and we started walking out the door. Of course, we walked slowly and had to stop several times to make the plan of who would drive and could we all fit in one car (we now had Quinantzin with us, too).

My world: we find out all the times of the movie we want to see at several different theaters. We choose the one we want (the day before) and buy tickets before the show (someone who lives close to the theater). We show up and sit down.

My Mexican world: We get to the theater and wait in line without a plan. A wrench is thrown into the mix. We regroup. We leave. We debate who will drive and where we'll go. We end up there, an hour after the first plan would've started.

It bugs me sometimes. Honestly. But I'll miss it when I'm home. Honestly.

Friday's ride

2009-05-30T18:06:00.002-05:00

Guille had an appointment on friday morning, so Thursday before I left with Maribel, I arranged for Sandra to pick me up again. However, on Friday morning, I got there early (since she had been so early the other time) and waited over 40 minutes for her. By then, she wouldn't have gotten to me until recreo, so I just went back to the house and prepared for the day. I had to run by the office to get my report cards (they were already due, but Maribel thought she had given them to me...). I did that and was back home in time for lunch. It was delicious fried chicken tacos, potato salad, and salad.

Maribel

2009-05-30T17:41:00.003-05:00

Yep, on Thursday she called again! I wasn't prepared for it though, because I don't teach 1st grade on Thursdays. This time she called during recreo and told me that Rocio needed a favor at the office. She wasn't sure what it would be but we would both be going. I informed her that I was in jeans and a t-shirt (not my cutest) and she said she was, too. It was okay, though because Rocio would not be there. She said she'd pick me up at 12 and we'd go from there. She also told me she had fussed at Arturo for not feeding me lunch that day at Casa Achoy. I felt terrible of course.

We got to the SEP (the Board of Education) and found parking which is a miracle in itself! We got to the office and were taken to Rocio's office to look for some presentation she had done but needed translated into English. Apparently Mayra Cota (the director over the scholarships- I'm not sure what else she does) had already translated a good part of it. We waited for Mayra to get there. Arturo showed up to do something else in the office. He was no help with which presentation and what we were to actually do.

Mayra got there and gave me stuff to check while she and Maribel translated more. Then we rotated. After an hour and a half we were almost finished and lunch had arrived. It was sushi, but a kind and a place I had never had. It was almost sensory overload. There were a lot of flavors mixed in (sauces and such on top, very Mexican), but it was good. And I was ridiculously full when we finished. After another 15 minutes, we finished all the work and Maribel dropped me off at home. That was the night Rocio thanked me and talked to be about the voice correction after yoga. She took me home and told me that there would be a "sneak peek" of the video on Monday in her office. All the coordinators from the state would be there and she wanted me to come. Of course, when I told Maribel, she told me to wait until it was confirmed, since I had no ride yet. She'd let me know the plan on Monday.

Feliz Cumpleaños, Marco

2009-05-30T16:51:00.005-05:00

We got to Wings after the party had gotten started of course. Quinantzin came to pick us up around 9:20 and the official start time was 8:30. We then went to pick up Mayrita and were at Wings before 10. We had tried to order ahead, but it didn't work out. This was going to be an interesting night (or at least had potential for that) since Karla would be there and she's basically the reason Lenin and Graciela are together.

It all worked out okay. In the picture above, from left to right around the table:Me, Alma, a friend of Karla's I don't know, Karla, another friend of hers, Mayrita, Quinantzin.

We all ordered our stuff and waited. Topete and Iván joined our end of the table and the photo session began. Alma never lets a photo op pass. There are plenty of pictures I left out to spare you.

The one picture Topete smiled normally in. Alma and I couldn't get it together (on a side note, I couldn't get my picture taking act together all night!).
This was supposed to be the girly picture like three best girl friends. Topete didn't cooperate this time.
But take two was hilarious.
Alma felt the need to goof up a picture with Topete because he had given her bunny ears in a picture for someone else's camera.
There's no telling what was said or done here, but I obviously found it funny.
This time Alma and I did it right and Iván didn't cooperate.
The whole group with the birthday boy: Mayrita, Quinantzin, Iván, Marco, Grace Kelly (no joke), Alma, Topete, me.

Karina called Alma around 12 and said she should come over to Johana's and spend the night. She asked me if I wanted to go and I probably answered more quickly than was polite. I needed my bed and I needed lots of sleep! Alma left when Topete did since he lives close to Johana. I got to witness how the group bill gets paid in Mexico. I had always marveled that seemed to just work out. Well it doesn't. The key is to pay your part and leave. We stuck around until the bill came with lots of people's money. The fortunate part was that Marco and Ana Lu were taking care of the bills, so we ended up just leaving our money and going, too. It was a fun night. We made plans for another visit to the movies on Friday. We had plans for a Girls' Night Out with the English teachers, but more than one commitment never stops Mexican plans!

Pavlov

2009-05-30T16:05:00.004-05:00

When I got to my second group of first graders, I texted Maribel saying, "Are you on your way here or what? :)" Within thirty seconds she was calling me. She was stressed! She thought I was serious and that she was supposed to be there and wasn't. I explained my humor and we hung up.

School was normal for once; I taught all four of my classes for the first time this week. I got home and crawled into bed. I needed a long nap to make up for all the outings I'd had, not to mention that night would be Marco's birthday at Wings Army and possibly an outing to a tourism event in Culiacán (Johana works for the tourism industry). It took me a long time to fall asleep. The instant I got into a deep sleep, my phone rang. It was the English office. I was out of it, so I silenced my phone and rolled back over. Before I could fall asleep again, I heard the house phone ring, so I knew I would have no chance.

Mamá came knocking ever so softly on my door and had the phone in her hand. It was Maribel, who was super stressed out. "You have to get to Casa Achoy immediately. Now. Can you get a ride or does someone need to pick you up at the church?!" Mamá was about to go pick up the grandkids, so I knew she was out. I told her I needed a ride. I considered not eating. The day before, Maribel had called checking in after I was finished. She asked if I'd eaten lunch and I said no, that they had ordered food but hadn't invited me. She said that Rocio had called and asked but she didn't know since she'd left to get her girls. I told her it was no big deal. She had told me that Rocio would ask me at yoga so to be ready. Thankfully, Rocio didn't make it to yoga on Tuesday! I knew she'd be upset. Especially since Maribel had said the whole reason they were ordering food was for me!

Anyway, I hadn't eaten lunch yet on Wednesday and I was hungry. I also needed to wake myself up. I had been in such a deep sleep that my voice was going to tell on me. I chugged some water quickly and threw together a tuna fish sandwich. Then I jetted out the door toward the church. I got there just as the white Sentra was pulling up. I got in and chatted with the girl. I had no idea who she was and she looked peeved to be driving me around. Once we got a little closer, she was more friendly. We got there to a locked door, but it was quickly opened by the custodian. We went straight to the recording room and they all joked about how quickly I was back (I had told them I was coming back to Culiacán within the next year to visit and they said I must stop in to see them. One day later was so much sooner than a year. Hardy har.). They took awhile to get to the point, so I was nervous I had screwed something up. What I really thought was that I had done my part too quickly and that the video was too long. That would just mean reading it again. I could handle that. It turns out that something had been changed in the original.

ONE PHRASE. I had to change the number 800 to 948. I was almost in shock (yet not because we're talking Mexico here). It had seemed so dramatic and important. This English video was actually just a nice thought Rocio had had. The actual video would be in Spanish. This version was for me to show friends, family, and colleagues back home. I didn't tell them this, but I knew inside that none of you would care if 800 teachers had been certified with this test or 948. (As a side note, after yoga on Thursday, Rocio took me home and thanked me for changing it since that was such an obvious and important difference. I guess it all depends on which lenses you wear...)

Johana's

2009-05-30T15:53:00.002-05:00

During yoga on Tuesday, Alma had sent me a message saying we had plans at Johana's for her work at 9 if I wanted to go. We could talk about it when I got home. When I went to pay my monthly subscription at yoga, Cristina was uncomfortable and looked pained. She said she wasn't sure what to do. Finally she spit it out (that was the Mexican in her trying to be polite and word things the right way, where I would've just come out with it). She closes for the summer and was considering June 20 as the last day. However, that was less than a month away, so she wasn't going to do monthly subscriptions anymore. We would pay by the class. That's perfectly fine! I was wondering what the big deal was. I asked her if she always closed for the summer and she said she did last year (I guess this is just the second year of its being open) but that she may not re-open in the fall. She doesn't make any money off of it because not enough people come. Now I could see why she was so pained. I was just thankful for the timing of my grant and that I'd gotten to benefit from it for most of the year.

I got home and Alma almost looked sick she was so tired. She was in the den watching tv with Mamá Alma while working on some stuff for school. I asked her what we were doing and she said she wasn't sure she still wanted to go because she was so tired. I said that was fine, but then she said, "Well, if you drive, we can still go. I should go since it's for my boss." I still didn't really know what was up.

I got my shower (a nice cold one!) and we were off. We got to Johana's and their PISI (Saturday English classes at Centro de Idiomas) boss Elvira was there. (It had been her birthday on Saturday.) There was a 20s-ish guy on the floor. We all introduced ourselves. Tadeo was his name. Turns out he's Graciela(Lenin's new girlfriend)'s ex-boyfriend. They broke up three months ago after four years. He obviously had not talked about it at the length Alma had because he needed listening ears. It was all funny. Karina showed up shortly and we continued the chit chat until about 11 when the real discussion finally began. They were meeting (Tadeo left in the middle and I almost wished I had gone with him!) to discuss the upcoming change of Director for the UAS, which is the government owner of the Centro de Idiomas. That meant change of leadership. Apparently, everything there is very political, which Alma had told me before. If you played your cards right (to the people who were in authority positions but shouldn't be), you could get a great schedule. However, if you made a wrong step, your schedule might look like classes at 8, 12, 3, and 7, so that you couldn't do any other work and had to be back and forth to Centro de Idiomas all day. Elvira is hoping to be the new director for Centro de Idiomas, but they have to go about it in an underground way. They discussed friends and foes within Centro de Idiomas and how to rock the vote.

By midnight, my eyes were closing. Elvira left then, but we stayed to rehash all Tadeo had said (what Karina had missed) and how Alma was feeling (good). Wednesday was going to be a long day!

After Tuesday's Game

2009-05-30T14:18:00.003-05:00

I got another phone call from Maribel when I was in first grade. I was beginning to feel like a Pavlovian dog; whenever I went into my second group of first graders, I expected to hear from Maribel.

She said they needed me at Casa Achoy before noon, so she'd come pick me up during recess. She wasn't looking forward to telling my principal since he had "made faces" the day before when they had returned for more filming...

I finished my first grade classes and gathered my things. The principal struck up a conversation asking how I was, what I'd been up to, etc. I was able to work it in that Maribel would be coming to pick me up.

When she got there, he was conducting an unofficial faculty meeting, so she apologized for taking me away and off we went. Our plan was to park at the English office and hang out there until it was time to go to Casa Achoy on foot.

We joined in the conversation at the office and enjoyed the air conditioning. As we were leaving around 11:45, Gaby and Maria Delia (receptionists) looked suspicious and we questioned them and got a , "Nada!" in unison. Once outside, Maribel said they were discussing lunch and we obviously weren't invited. Ni modo. We got to Casa Achoy and the guard told us we weren't supposed to be there until 12:30. Maribel said that she had been told before noon. We sit for a minute and he does some checking around. Before he comes back, Maribel's cell rings and it's Ana Luisa back at the office. She said we were supposed to be there at 12:30 (apparently she just needed to pick me up from school before 12) and that there was ceviche at the office that she wanted me to have.

We basically ran out of there. As we were headed back, Arturo was parking, but we told him Ana Luisa had called us back and we'd be back shortly.

We all (Gaby, Maria Delia, Maribel, Cecy and I) headed to the back room to try to contain the smell of seafood while Ana Luisa conducted an interview. I love ceviche. It was not my favorite (like many Mexican foods with lots of ingredients), but it grew on me quickly!

We ate and chatted until it was 12:30 and time for us to head back again. We waited this time at Casa Achoy for almost an hour. Rocio showed up around 1:30 with the script for me to read as the voiceover for the English video. I was told I would watch the Spanish script being read so I would understand the process and then I would have my turn.

Guess again.

Maribel had to leave to pick up her girls from school (private schools are in session until 2pm), so she left me in Arturo's care; he would take me home when I was finished.

The guy in charge made me do some vocal exercises and stretches and I felt like a fool. Then we practiced the reading part. He of course had to slow me down since I'm used to speaking quickly and reading quickly as well. This was a narration, so it needed to sound more informative and formal. About the fifth time I read it, he told me to put more emotion into it. That my tone was all wrong. I can tell you, knowing two languages, that you can't correct a native on tone. But I did my best.

It took about 45 minutes in all. We all joked around (and they did the Mexican man flirt), and then Arturo and I walked out. The guy in charge came out asking what was going on for lunch. We spent 15 minutes deciding on sushi and ordering it. Arturo would pick it up after dropping me off and then head back to Casa Achoy to watch them work. He explained to me in the car that if you don't feed these guys, they don't work, and if you don't watch them, they don't get it done. Since there was a deadline coming up for the video (it's going to be shown at the 6th grade certification ceremony in a few weeks), he would spend the next few days there with them. I got the feeling that was not his favorite work task for the year!

He dropped me off and I joked that I'd see him soon.

More of my babies...

2009-05-30T14:09:00.004-05:00

This, by contrast, is my angelic group of first graders. The ones with the nurturing teacher (which by default makes me more nurturing with them than with the others- although the fact that I get things thrown at me in the other class doesn't improve their chances for being nurtured!).

This video is from Wednesday (because videos and pictures are such a pain with blogger, this one is out of order) as the first graders were taking a test. I hadn't told them in advance because I didn't want them to study- they had been prepared more than enough in class. This class blows me away.

We had done the first section of the test (4 questions). The second section was a little difficult and sometimes first graders have trouble understanding the logic behind tests, so I explained to them what they would do. There was a picture at the left of lots of different animals. There were different numbers of each animal. Then there was a sentence and they had to circle the correct number word. I read them the first sentence and before I finished, they were reading aloud along with me.

In this video, you'll see them helping me with number three, which means they'd already had practice with one and two before I thought to film it. The sentence they are reading is: There are three/five cats. They don't answer because it's a test. They just had to circle the correct answer. The most vocal girl (to the right of the center) is Ximena. She's my star student and future teacher. She talks too much and bosses the other kids, but she loves school, English, and learning.