Third grade can sometimes be my pistols. They’re a big group, they make a lot of noise, and over half of them don’t have books. They’re a difficult group to say the least.
Since there had been a wait at the hospital, we missed second grade, which was fine because it was a test review. And a review on Friday, before a weekend, for a test on Tuesday is not usually a sign for success!
So third grade went pretty well (for a Mexican English class). I started by giving a stamp to those who had completed their homework. This was a task in itself and led to what would be called classroom mismanagement in the US. I just looked at Ashley and laughed and smiled. She understood how different this was for me because she has seen me teach on numerous occasions in Nashville. She knows just how tight my ship is run. Even my little kindergarteners are soldiers!
This year has been great for many things. The lessons I’ve learned professionally have not been the ones I had thought I would learn. However, I have learned a lot. Mostly I’ve learned to let go. Teaching 3 (or should I say 2) times a week does not allow for much consistency. That’s the flaw in the program; it’s not my flaw. I’ve just had to let that go. I’m used to being in control of every situation in my classroom, as minor as it might be. This became more than evident when the bulldozer outside our classroom was louder than my voice could hope to be. Zaid (Sah-EED) got up to close the door at one point. A nice thought, but a futile effort when the windows stay open. The fruit/vegetable man in his car that announces his menu of the day seemed to pass by more than usual. I’m not sure how I heard him over the bulldozer. That kind of noise and interruption has actually become “normal” to me. So much so that I hadn’t noticed it so much until Ashley pointed it out again.
Not being in control has been a change, but I think even though it has stressed me out at times, in the long run it has helped me de-stress (I know, Lori, if you only had to work 3 hours a day 4 days a week you’d be de-stressed, too!).
After checking homework, we did a review of some verbs by playing Simon says. I have not used enough games with my students here because I haven’t felt in control enough. However, after doing Simon says with them (of course they all cheated), realized (what I already knew) that games make them learn so much more quickly, but games also engage them in a way that helps with behavior at least when they’re winning).
The bell rang for dismissal. This 50-minute class went by pretty fast. Watching Ashley watch my kids and seeing her eyes say, “Aw, he’s precious,” or “Poor thing doesn’t have a book,” put me back in the situation with new eyes. I was proud of their behavior, and I was proud of their knowledge. I wish some things were different (all students had books, all students listened all the time [HA!], fewer students at a time), but it was another one of those days that made me realize I love teaching, and I’m doing some things right here.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Mexican Public Health Care
Sandra drove us to a hospital that was on the other side of school from my house. We had to climb an unbelievable amount of steps. I just kept thinking about the old people that would have to climb all that. By the end, they’d need to be there for a heart attack on top of whatever they were there for in the first place. On the way in, Sandra pointed to an altar that had been made on the sidewalk. She said that when people die in Mexico, it is common to note the place for years to come. She said this person had been killed. Since we were walking into the hospital (now in hind sight this seems in poor taste, but it was humorous at the time), I asked if they were going to kill me in there and would she and Ashley have to put up an altar in my honor? Sandra clarified that the person had been murdered. Nice.
We went in, made our way to the vaccinations window and waited our turn. Lines in Mexico are interesting. Sometimes there is in fact a line, but it doesn’t take the form of a US line. Most of the time, it’s every man for himself pushing and yelling.
Sandra again took great care of me. She showed them her insurance card (or something similar), but it kind of didn’t matter because the services here are free. We explained what had happened and the ladies took my info. Ashley had a straight shot view of the vaccination area and leaned over to me and whispered, “You’re gonna get it in your butt. I just saw a that man getting his shot.” UGH. I had flashbacks of my steroid shot in the Green Hills walk in clinic in college with that unfortunately gorgeous male nurse. It got me all nervous just thinking about it. These nurses were all women, but clearly the view of the patient was pretty clear. I’m pretty modest in general. But in medical situations and in Mexico, I guess that feeling is exaggerated. They called me in and I sucked it up. Thankfully, they did slide the door completely closed. They were not friendly or calming. They didn’t even put a band-aid on me after the shot (I guess that’s how they give you free tetanus shots!). When I came back out, Ashley told me that one of the men who had been standing in line near us with a baby and who had heard our conversation I guess, had seen them close the door and told her that they were going to shoot me in the bum. At that, she said, Sandra made her way into the nurse and asked if they couldn’t give it to me in the arm. Love her. It didn’t help, but see how she takes care of me?!
We left there and Sandra had to change an appointment, so we got to the bottom of the hill and went into the office. I made my way to the restroom and made a homemade band aid with toilet paper and medical tape that I had in my purse for my disposable bandage! Who knew a shot bled so much?
We made our way back to school, and Ashley and I commented on how great Sandra was. She had mentioned during our ride that she’d like to take us to breakfast on Saturday morning. She said she’d talk to her family (she has a daughter my age and two other younger children and I have met her husband on a couple of occasions) and get back to us with the details. She had me write down my address so she’d be ready when the time came.
We went in, made our way to the vaccinations window and waited our turn. Lines in Mexico are interesting. Sometimes there is in fact a line, but it doesn’t take the form of a US line. Most of the time, it’s every man for himself pushing and yelling.
Sandra again took great care of me. She showed them her insurance card (or something similar), but it kind of didn’t matter because the services here are free. We explained what had happened and the ladies took my info. Ashley had a straight shot view of the vaccination area and leaned over to me and whispered, “You’re gonna get it in your butt. I just saw a that man getting his shot.” UGH. I had flashbacks of my steroid shot in the Green Hills walk in clinic in college with that unfortunately gorgeous male nurse. It got me all nervous just thinking about it. These nurses were all women, but clearly the view of the patient was pretty clear. I’m pretty modest in general. But in medical situations and in Mexico, I guess that feeling is exaggerated. They called me in and I sucked it up. Thankfully, they did slide the door completely closed. They were not friendly or calming. They didn’t even put a band-aid on me after the shot (I guess that’s how they give you free tetanus shots!). When I came back out, Ashley told me that one of the men who had been standing in line near us with a baby and who had heard our conversation I guess, had seen them close the door and told her that they were going to shoot me in the bum. At that, she said, Sandra made her way into the nurse and asked if they couldn’t give it to me in the arm. Love her. It didn’t help, but see how she takes care of me?!
We left there and Sandra had to change an appointment, so we got to the bottom of the hill and went into the office. I made my way to the restroom and made a homemade band aid with toilet paper and medical tape that I had in my purse for my disposable bandage! Who knew a shot bled so much?
We made our way back to school, and Ashley and I commented on how great Sandra was. She had mentioned during our ride that she’d like to take us to breakfast on Saturday morning. She said she’d talk to her family (she has a daughter my age and two other younger children and I have met her husband on a couple of occasions) and get back to us with the details. She had me write down my address so she’d be ready when the time came.
Wretched Alarm
I was not a happy camper when my alarm went off. Even on my early days (Tuesdays), I don’t get up at 6:15 because I shower at night. For one, I treasure more sleep. But the other issue is that Mabel showers in the morning, and by the time she finishes, there’s not time for me to shower and make it to school on time.
We got ready, packed some cereal bars in case of hunger (we were going to eat our weight in tacos and churros at lunch in the market), and jetted off to school. I played the part of gringa again with my backpack. Ashley played her part with shorts. We both played it well on the bus as we spoke in English while the rest (it was packed) sat in silence.
We got to school a little after 8, but the day had not yet begun. Thankfully, Ashley saw just what I hoped she would. The student body lined up, did their thing, and then were dismissed. However, the majority did not go to their rooms yet. Teachers were distracted by parents; dogs were all over the place. It was semi-chaos. We stepped into my office and I told Sandra my story about the tetanus shot and how it had not gone as planned. She asked me when my first class was (40 minutes later) and said, “Well, let’s go now and get it done!” Again, she trotted off and told the principal we’d be back. For those of you worried about me in a sense of someone taking care of me if I ever need it, know that Sandra is my gal. She is old enough to be my mom. She tells me when she’ll take care of me instead of asking (which is great because I would totally decline- personality flaw). She keeps me in the know. And she’s fun and adorable to boot!
This weekend with Ashley just really reaffirmed that I have great friends and that I’m very well taken care of.
We got ready, packed some cereal bars in case of hunger (we were going to eat our weight in tacos and churros at lunch in the market), and jetted off to school. I played the part of gringa again with my backpack. Ashley played her part with shorts. We both played it well on the bus as we spoke in English while the rest (it was packed) sat in silence.
We got to school a little after 8, but the day had not yet begun. Thankfully, Ashley saw just what I hoped she would. The student body lined up, did their thing, and then were dismissed. However, the majority did not go to their rooms yet. Teachers were distracted by parents; dogs were all over the place. It was semi-chaos. We stepped into my office and I told Sandra my story about the tetanus shot and how it had not gone as planned. She asked me when my first class was (40 minutes later) and said, “Well, let’s go now and get it done!” Again, she trotted off and told the principal we’d be back. For those of you worried about me in a sense of someone taking care of me if I ever need it, know that Sandra is my gal. She is old enough to be my mom. She tells me when she’ll take care of me instead of asking (which is great because I would totally decline- personality flaw). She keeps me in the know. And she’s fun and adorable to boot!
This weekend with Ashley just really reaffirmed that I have great friends and that I’m very well taken care of.
Meanwhile, back at the house...
Iván dropped us off at home when the crowd had dwindled to about 5 others besides us. They actually were headed out to dance after they finished there, but I had punished Ashley enough.
We got home, washed faces and put on pjs, preparing for the following day. On Fridays, I don’t teach until 8:50, but I wanted her to see the chaos that is the opening of a Mexican public school day. Since that would mean a 6:15 alarm, we got to sleep pretty fast. I had lots to talk about and questions for Ashley about her impressions of my friends, her flight, and life at home, but bless her heart she couldn’t. So I let her fall asleep. I didn’t have much trouble following suit.
We got home, washed faces and put on pjs, preparing for the following day. On Fridays, I don’t teach until 8:50, but I wanted her to see the chaos that is the opening of a Mexican public school day. Since that would mean a 6:15 alarm, we got to sleep pretty fast. I had lots to talk about and questions for Ashley about her impressions of my friends, her flight, and life at home, but bless her heart she couldn’t. So I let her fall asleep. I didn’t have much trouble following suit.
Wings Army
After dropping off the luggage, letting Ashley change, and inviting Mabel to Wings (she declined), we made our way there. Since it was only 8:00 pm, we were the only three there! We got to choose our table (part of the restaurant is open-air and I love to sit near the “window”). It took us awhile to decide what to order. By that time, Tania, Imelda and Cristina showed up. Marco (and his girlfriend AnaLu), Carlos (and some girl who is not his girlfriend), and Renato (without Liliana- who had been so much fun at the Superbowl party) arrived minutes later. Topete (Goolsby) made an appearance after we had finished our wings and the majority had turned to beer.
Alma and Mayra also popped in for about an hour.
Let me say, yet again, that the flight from Nashville is miseable. There is no other description. It’s three flights and at least one bad layover. It leaves at the crack of dawn, and it’s about a 12-hour day. No one should be forced to travel that far! (So thanks, Ashley!) We were definitely finished eating by 9:30 if not a little before. There were people waiting outside, but Mexican is really great for enjoying your table long after you’ve eaten. There is no pressure to get up for someone else. When you’re at the table, that’s nice; when you’re waiting, it’s kind of annoying (for a gringa who’s used to being seated as soon as someone’s plate is taken away). So it’s 9:30, and Ashley’s been awake since 2:30 am local time. Her blinks start spending more time closed than open. I don’t blame her. This life is a big adjustment over time. The day you arrive you can just forget about it! She was a sport, though. We didn’t leave until well after 11! It was a fun time for me of course because these were all my friends and they came out in a big way. They all were very sweet to Ashley, speaking either slow Spanish or English. They treated her like they always had me: lots of questions, lots of interest. I was proud of my friends, as stupid as that sounds.
Alma and Mayra also popped in for about an hour.
Let me say, yet again, that the flight from Nashville is miseable. There is no other description. It’s three flights and at least one bad layover. It leaves at the crack of dawn, and it’s about a 12-hour day. No one should be forced to travel that far! (So thanks, Ashley!) We were definitely finished eating by 9:30 if not a little before. There were people waiting outside, but Mexican is really great for enjoying your table long after you’ve eaten. There is no pressure to get up for someone else. When you’re at the table, that’s nice; when you’re waiting, it’s kind of annoying (for a gringa who’s used to being seated as soon as someone’s plate is taken away). So it’s 9:30, and Ashley’s been awake since 2:30 am local time. Her blinks start spending more time closed than open. I don’t blame her. This life is a big adjustment over time. The day you arrive you can just forget about it! She was a sport, though. We didn’t leave until well after 11! It was a fun time for me of course because these were all my friends and they came out in a big way. They all were very sweet to Ashley, speaking either slow Spanish or English. They treated her like they always had me: lots of questions, lots of interest. I was proud of my friends, as stupid as that sounds.
Ashley´s Coming!
After my Red Cross déjà vu, I made my way home to make space for Ashley. My room has a huge bed, but not much floor or storage space. I was able to easily clean up and prepare for her.
Mabel had been so excited in January when I told her that Ashley would be visiting that I assumed she would want to pick her up from the airport, so when Iván offered at the Superbowl party to go with me to pick her up, I told him I’d have to check with Mabel. It turned out Mabel had a meeting or some other conflict, so I texted Iván on Wednesday and we made plans to meet up. Since we don’t live on the same side of town, I asked him where he wanted me to meet him to avoid his having to drive across town 4 times in total. The bus station is about the only place I know how to get to other than downtown and school, so the bus station it was.
To get to the bus station, I was pretty sure there was a bus that would go form a street near my house non-stop there. However, I’d never taken it before, and the day Ashley arrived would not be the day I found out I was poorly mistaken! I took my tried and true route of Canal 3 downtown and walked to where I knew a bus called Toledo would take me to the station. This was the bus Martha (favorite 1st grade teacher) had shown me and ridden with me back in September when I went to Tucson the first time. However, between my Canal 3 stop and the stop were I would catch the Toledo bus, I saw a bus called Centro-Central (downtown to bus station). I figured I couldn’t go wrong with this one!
I asked the driver if he went to the bus station. He said yes. Then I asked if he was on his way there now (I also learned a valuable lesson on the way back form Tucson the second time. I got on a bus that said downtown, but it wasn’t the one I had ridden before, so it bypassed all the things that looked to me like downtown. I figured it out quickly, but it took me a long time to get home that morning. Also, bus drivers will tell you that they go to a certain place when you ask, even if they just came from there. Sometimes it will take over an hour to get to your stop because you have to ride the bus route from where you are, all the way back to where you are, and then to your destination. I wanted to clarify that before we got going. I felt good about it.). It was about 4:40 and I was supposed to meet Iván at 5:30 at the bus station. I had given myself (as usual) too much leeway, but again, on an important day like the arrival of your best friend, you want to make sure you’re too early instead of too late.
Around 5:15, I noticed we were near my house again and got a really nervous feeling in my stomach. I was going to miss Ashley’s arrival!
I was prepared to call Iván, tell him I’d goofed, and start explaining my surroundings, hoping he’d know where I was and come pick me up! Luckily, I saw some things I recognized as on the way to the bus station. Phew! I pulled into the bus station at the stroke of 5:30 just as Iván was pulling up. I explained the situation about taking the longest bus ever which he found funny. I was not amused. Then he laughed at how American I was to arrive at 5:30, our designated time, even after taking the wrong, longer bus! He had a good point.
Mabel had been so excited in January when I told her that Ashley would be visiting that I assumed she would want to pick her up from the airport, so when Iván offered at the Superbowl party to go with me to pick her up, I told him I’d have to check with Mabel. It turned out Mabel had a meeting or some other conflict, so I texted Iván on Wednesday and we made plans to meet up. Since we don’t live on the same side of town, I asked him where he wanted me to meet him to avoid his having to drive across town 4 times in total. The bus station is about the only place I know how to get to other than downtown and school, so the bus station it was.
To get to the bus station, I was pretty sure there was a bus that would go form a street near my house non-stop there. However, I’d never taken it before, and the day Ashley arrived would not be the day I found out I was poorly mistaken! I took my tried and true route of Canal 3 downtown and walked to where I knew a bus called Toledo would take me to the station. This was the bus Martha (favorite 1st grade teacher) had shown me and ridden with me back in September when I went to Tucson the first time. However, between my Canal 3 stop and the stop were I would catch the Toledo bus, I saw a bus called Centro-Central (downtown to bus station). I figured I couldn’t go wrong with this one!
I asked the driver if he went to the bus station. He said yes. Then I asked if he was on his way there now (I also learned a valuable lesson on the way back form Tucson the second time. I got on a bus that said downtown, but it wasn’t the one I had ridden before, so it bypassed all the things that looked to me like downtown. I figured it out quickly, but it took me a long time to get home that morning. Also, bus drivers will tell you that they go to a certain place when you ask, even if they just came from there. Sometimes it will take over an hour to get to your stop because you have to ride the bus route from where you are, all the way back to where you are, and then to your destination. I wanted to clarify that before we got going. I felt good about it.). It was about 4:40 and I was supposed to meet Iván at 5:30 at the bus station. I had given myself (as usual) too much leeway, but again, on an important day like the arrival of your best friend, you want to make sure you’re too early instead of too late.
Around 5:15, I noticed we were near my house again and got a really nervous feeling in my stomach. I was going to miss Ashley’s arrival!
I was prepared to call Iván, tell him I’d goofed, and start explaining my surroundings, hoping he’d know where I was and come pick me up! Luckily, I saw some things I recognized as on the way to the bus station. Phew! I pulled into the bus station at the stroke of 5:30 just as Iván was pulling up. I explained the situation about taking the longest bus ever which he found funny. I was not amused. Then he laughed at how American I was to arrive at 5:30, our designated time, even after taking the wrong, longer bus! He had a good point.
Where, oh where is my best friend?
The bus station is about five minutes from the airport, so we didn’t have far to go. Since Iván works there, he called ahead to see if the flight was on time, etc. It was. It would land in about ten minutes. Perfect.
I was prepared to pay the parking fee since Iván was doing me a favor, but I forgot I was with VIP. We went to the employee lot which gets closer to the entrance, and of course is free. There went my helpful spirit.
We walked in, saw that the plane had supposedly landed and made our way to the exit area. There was no one. We asked the guy if the plane had landed and he said yes. I asked him if international flyers would be exiting the same place (because once when I flew in, I had to go through an international room to pick up my luggage since it had been checked all the way through to Culiacán and I hadn’t had to go through customs anywhere) and he assured me that yes.
Soon we saw people! I was getting so excited! Ashley is pretty much always my airport pick up service unless we’re flying together (and usually then it’s her dad), so I was excited to be on this end! I was poking my head through the people around me. Iván was asking me at each girl’s entry if that were Ashley. No. No. No. No Ashley! Where could she be? We waited about ten minutes and didn’t see her. The room cleared out. I got really nervous. We went to the international area and saw some suitcases, but none looked like what I thought she would have. Moreover, the lights were off and there were no employees in there. What to do?!
I had visions of her stuck in the DF airport having missed her flight. I knew she wouldn’t turn her phone on, but I decided to send a text just in case. We walked over to the Mexicana counter to ask if they could look her up. They couldn’t do it there; we’d have to go to the office. I was antsy and super worried, so I told Iván to go do that and I’d look back at the arrival gate. No Ashley. Where could she BE?!
I had visions of her somehow bypassing us and getting a taxi, and sitting outside my locked house. I went out to the front of the airport, and there she was, rolling suitcases upright beside her, leaned up against the wall.
“ASHLEY! Hey!” followed by a huge sigh of relief. We hugged, I quickly explained what had gone down in the last 20 minutes that seemed like an eternity, and we headed back inside to look for our ride.
A couple of sighs of relief later, we were getting into Iván’s truck. It was one that seated two people in the front and two people turned sideways in the back. I think Ashley was cramped, but we were getting home. For free.
Ashley and I caught up on a few things and then Iván started interviewing her in English. He asked a few things in Spanish, but reverted to English most of the time. I had never heard him speak English before. Like most of the Mexicans I’ve met, he knows way more than I would expect. On average, Mexicans know markedly more English than your average American knows Spanish.
We talked about Tennessee and the weather and her flights. I had forgotten that Iván had white water rafted down the Ocoee. We had talked about that at the party where I met him and Marco before Christmas. Apparently he did some sort of exchange in Atlanta or somewhere in the South maybe in high school?
On the way to the airport, Marco had called asking what the plans were. They had discussed going to see Yes Man with Jim Carrey. Since I had already (unfortunately) gone to the circus on Wednesday, Ashley and I were looking for something to do! I had told him we could do a movie or whatever.
On the way home from the airport, we decided against the movie and on dinner. Wings (thankfully close to my house) it is. That was on the list of things I wanted Ashley to experience (it’s kinda the Dan McGuiness of my Nashville life in Mexico), so it was perfect!
Ashley arrived at 6. We were in the car on the way home making plans at 6:30. I texted my gals- Alma, Tania, Imelda, and Cristina- and Iván put the word out to the guys- Topete (the Goolsby clone), Marco (and girlfriend), Carlos (roommate), and Renato (Lilana’s boyfriend). Ashley later commented on how what happened on Thursday night would never happen in the US. At 6:30, we made the calls. At 7 we got ready. By 8 we were at the restaurant, and at some point in the night, everyone we had called made an appearance. Welcome to Mexico, Ashley!
I was prepared to pay the parking fee since Iván was doing me a favor, but I forgot I was with VIP. We went to the employee lot which gets closer to the entrance, and of course is free. There went my helpful spirit.
We walked in, saw that the plane had supposedly landed and made our way to the exit area. There was no one. We asked the guy if the plane had landed and he said yes. I asked him if international flyers would be exiting the same place (because once when I flew in, I had to go through an international room to pick up my luggage since it had been checked all the way through to Culiacán and I hadn’t had to go through customs anywhere) and he assured me that yes.
Soon we saw people! I was getting so excited! Ashley is pretty much always my airport pick up service unless we’re flying together (and usually then it’s her dad), so I was excited to be on this end! I was poking my head through the people around me. Iván was asking me at each girl’s entry if that were Ashley. No. No. No. No Ashley! Where could she be? We waited about ten minutes and didn’t see her. The room cleared out. I got really nervous. We went to the international area and saw some suitcases, but none looked like what I thought she would have. Moreover, the lights were off and there were no employees in there. What to do?!
I had visions of her stuck in the DF airport having missed her flight. I knew she wouldn’t turn her phone on, but I decided to send a text just in case. We walked over to the Mexicana counter to ask if they could look her up. They couldn’t do it there; we’d have to go to the office. I was antsy and super worried, so I told Iván to go do that and I’d look back at the arrival gate. No Ashley. Where could she BE?!
I had visions of her somehow bypassing us and getting a taxi, and sitting outside my locked house. I went out to the front of the airport, and there she was, rolling suitcases upright beside her, leaned up against the wall.
“ASHLEY! Hey!” followed by a huge sigh of relief. We hugged, I quickly explained what had gone down in the last 20 minutes that seemed like an eternity, and we headed back inside to look for our ride.
A couple of sighs of relief later, we were getting into Iván’s truck. It was one that seated two people in the front and two people turned sideways in the back. I think Ashley was cramped, but we were getting home. For free.
Ashley and I caught up on a few things and then Iván started interviewing her in English. He asked a few things in Spanish, but reverted to English most of the time. I had never heard him speak English before. Like most of the Mexicans I’ve met, he knows way more than I would expect. On average, Mexicans know markedly more English than your average American knows Spanish.
We talked about Tennessee and the weather and her flights. I had forgotten that Iván had white water rafted down the Ocoee. We had talked about that at the party where I met him and Marco before Christmas. Apparently he did some sort of exchange in Atlanta or somewhere in the South maybe in high school?
On the way to the airport, Marco had called asking what the plans were. They had discussed going to see Yes Man with Jim Carrey. Since I had already (unfortunately) gone to the circus on Wednesday, Ashley and I were looking for something to do! I had told him we could do a movie or whatever.
On the way home from the airport, we decided against the movie and on dinner. Wings (thankfully close to my house) it is. That was on the list of things I wanted Ashley to experience (it’s kinda the Dan McGuiness of my Nashville life in Mexico), so it was perfect!
Ashley arrived at 6. We were in the car on the way home making plans at 6:30. I texted my gals- Alma, Tania, Imelda, and Cristina- and Iván put the word out to the guys- Topete (the Goolsby clone), Marco (and girlfriend), Carlos (roommate), and Renato (Lilana’s boyfriend). Ashley later commented on how what happened on Thursday night would never happen in the US. At 6:30, we made the calls. At 7 we got ready. By 8 we were at the restaurant, and at some point in the night, everyone we had called made an appearance. Welcome to Mexico, Ashley!
Red Cross Revisited
Ashley and I had plans to go to Mazatlán over the weekend. I was not pumped at the thought of a pool and beach with a burned leg. I knew I would have to stay out of the sun, and Dr. PK suggested I stay out of all water as well. I was prepared to obey. I had sent Ashley a last minute email asking if she could bring an ace bandage. It was beginning to look more and more like I was going to be in bandages for longer than a week, and this disposable business just wasn’t cutting it. I knew I could buy more disposable bandages, but that seemed like a hassle.
Thank goodness for Ashley, but we’ll get to that later.
With the trip to Mazatlán in mind, as well as all the walking/touring of Culiacán I had planned for her, I knew I wanted to have a very clean wound with a reliable bandage. I decided to stop back by the Red Cross before picking her up from the airport. I knew I wanted a thorough cleaning, a good wrap, and more medicine (and I wanted to buy the pomade that they used- it was thicker and felt better than Neosporin). Patrick had also suggested a tetanus shot if it had been ten years. I think it’s only been about 8 or so, but through lots of conversations with mom, we still couldn’t come up with the specifics of when, where or why I would’ve had one in the past.
I absolutely cannot stand the thought of shots. I really have to psyche myself up for them. Considering I was “driving” myself, I count myself as a very brave soul and a big girl for walking into the Red Cross.
I marched myself right up to that payment counter and told the nice lady that I was back for a new cleaning and bandage. I also told her that I had a surgeon brother in the US (How name droppy did I feel?) and that he had suggested a tetanus shot. I had seen on their sign that they don’t give injections without a consult (40 peso consult, 70 peso shot- I was down), so I told her I would like to see the doctor first, get the shot and then get cleaned and re-wrapped. She quickly informed me that they do not do vaccines at the Red Cross; I would have to go to one of the hospitals. I breathed a sigh of relief that I wasn’t getting a shot that day. Then I asked directions to the hospitals since I hate asking for help and didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. There’s a hospital on my route to and from school, so I decided Ashley would get to experience a Mexican hospital with me on the way home from school Friday. Then, I started questioning the capability of the Red Cross to actually help in (free) emergency care. If they can’t even give a tetanus shot, just how helpful could they be?! I let it go.
I smiled at the nurse as she called me back and explained that I was back for an official cleaning. They laughed. This nurse was the one who had been stitching at something on a crying two year old’s head when I was there on Tuesday. I will say this for US medical care: if you feel hesitant or nervous (as I typically do), you get things over-explained and you get plenty of information. Here, I felt like I had not been given any information before they started cleaning and picking. The same happened on Thursday, only this nurse was a little more rough. And my top burn had bubbles now. It was the worse of the two burns and apparently was semi-infected. She peeled the skin back. That was not a happy process. I was a big girl again. Luckily, this go round, there was a woman getting a torso wound dressed. It looked like staples in her gut. I am an empathetic person, unfortunately feeling others’ pain just at the site or mention of it (hence the poorly thought out first career choice of doctor!), so seeing her made me queasy, uncomfortable and hurt enough that I almost didn’t notice my own pain.
I must admit that I think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain; this was more an inconvenience than a pain. I could feel her scraping, and I didn’t love it, but I didn’t make any sounds. Or cry.
She wrapped me up, but I could tell it wasn’t a good tight wrap and would be falling by the end of the day. I said a quick thank you to myself that Ashley was arriving that night and would be bringing more medical care. I said an audible thank you to the ladies and told them I’d see them the next week. They laughed.
Thank goodness for Ashley, but we’ll get to that later.
With the trip to Mazatlán in mind, as well as all the walking/touring of Culiacán I had planned for her, I knew I wanted to have a very clean wound with a reliable bandage. I decided to stop back by the Red Cross before picking her up from the airport. I knew I wanted a thorough cleaning, a good wrap, and more medicine (and I wanted to buy the pomade that they used- it was thicker and felt better than Neosporin). Patrick had also suggested a tetanus shot if it had been ten years. I think it’s only been about 8 or so, but through lots of conversations with mom, we still couldn’t come up with the specifics of when, where or why I would’ve had one in the past.
I absolutely cannot stand the thought of shots. I really have to psyche myself up for them. Considering I was “driving” myself, I count myself as a very brave soul and a big girl for walking into the Red Cross.
I marched myself right up to that payment counter and told the nice lady that I was back for a new cleaning and bandage. I also told her that I had a surgeon brother in the US (How name droppy did I feel?) and that he had suggested a tetanus shot. I had seen on their sign that they don’t give injections without a consult (40 peso consult, 70 peso shot- I was down), so I told her I would like to see the doctor first, get the shot and then get cleaned and re-wrapped. She quickly informed me that they do not do vaccines at the Red Cross; I would have to go to one of the hospitals. I breathed a sigh of relief that I wasn’t getting a shot that day. Then I asked directions to the hospitals since I hate asking for help and didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. There’s a hospital on my route to and from school, so I decided Ashley would get to experience a Mexican hospital with me on the way home from school Friday. Then, I started questioning the capability of the Red Cross to actually help in (free) emergency care. If they can’t even give a tetanus shot, just how helpful could they be?! I let it go.
I smiled at the nurse as she called me back and explained that I was back for an official cleaning. They laughed. This nurse was the one who had been stitching at something on a crying two year old’s head when I was there on Tuesday. I will say this for US medical care: if you feel hesitant or nervous (as I typically do), you get things over-explained and you get plenty of information. Here, I felt like I had not been given any information before they started cleaning and picking. The same happened on Thursday, only this nurse was a little more rough. And my top burn had bubbles now. It was the worse of the two burns and apparently was semi-infected. She peeled the skin back. That was not a happy process. I was a big girl again. Luckily, this go round, there was a woman getting a torso wound dressed. It looked like staples in her gut. I am an empathetic person, unfortunately feeling others’ pain just at the site or mention of it (hence the poorly thought out first career choice of doctor!), so seeing her made me queasy, uncomfortable and hurt enough that I almost didn’t notice my own pain.
I must admit that I think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain; this was more an inconvenience than a pain. I could feel her scraping, and I didn’t love it, but I didn’t make any sounds. Or cry.She wrapped me up, but I could tell it wasn’t a good tight wrap and would be falling by the end of the day. I said a quick thank you to myself that Ashley was arriving that night and would be bringing more medical care. I said an audible thank you to the ladies and told them I’d see them the next week. They laughed.
The Circus
The Mazatlán girls (Tania, Imelda and Cristina) had discussed going to the Chinese Circus on Thursday after Ashley got to town. They had also mentioned that they were going to see a movie on Wednesday (buy one get one free day) with the other English teachers from their English teacher training school. I was more than happy to attend any social event with my new friends.
After some text and phone tag on Tuesday, we realized that the Circus was leaving town on Thursday. Ashley would just have to do without. I was kinda sad about that because now what was I going to do with her upon arrival? I mean, chilling at the house and resting after that miserable day of traveling (Trust me; I know!) wasn’t a bad plan, but it didn’t feel right.
I met the girls at their school (Two buses and about an hour later, but I remembered where it was!) and sat in on their meeting. Tania joked as I walked in that they were just beginning and should be finished around 7 pm. They wrapped up their meeting immediately and we discussed the plan. Of the three other girls there, none decided to go with us (And it was actually one of those girls’ ideas!). It was the Mazatlán crew again, which of course was fine with me. We packed into Tania’s car (I’m not sure if the other two don’t have cars, or if Tania just drives every time.) and headed toward my part of town. We didn’t know where said circus was (Welcome to Mexico), so we started making phone calls. Turns out it’s in the Wal-mart parking lot about 2 (kind of big) blocks from my house. I was a wee bit frustrated I had spent an hour on two buses to end up back at my house! But only a week bit, since I’m accustomed to this Mexican characteristic.
We pulled into the parking lot, but the name of the circus was in Spanish. We didn’t feel good about its being a Chinese acrobat show. We took matters into our own Mexican hands and drove around aimlessly for about 10 minutes. We found a supermarket parking lot that looked promising… minus the tent. We pulled in and decided to find a good lookin’ fella to ask. Tania is so funny. She will wait until an unfortunate-looking creature passes and then say, “He’s so hot, huh?” with a straight face. Then the whole car will burst into laughter.
We found a man and he was sweet and helpful. (Read between the lines at how handsome he was.) He said that the circus where we were was actually both the Chinese acrobatic circus and the Mexican kiddie circus. We returned to the Wal-mart parking lot, parked, paid, and entered. I bought 20 pesos worth of peanut M&Ms and a 15 peso strawberry soda. I had had my heart set on a coca light all day long, but it was not meant to be (theme of the day).
The circus was your typically horrible, small town circus for children. It was awful! It was 2.5 hours of cheesy humor, clowns, animals and sparsely dressed girls with hula hoops.
I let out a sigh of relief when we got back into the car. The girls were hungry, so they suggested instant noodles (ramen noodle soup comes in a Styrofoam cup for purchase here for very cheap) and heading back to my house. None of them had much money and though they had just been paid the Friday before, they were all anxiously awaiting the next quincena (15 day period before getting paid). I mentioned to them that we were more than welcome to come back to my place, but that there were seats in the kitchen and nothing else; we have no living room furniture. They considered that and suggested a taco stand. We drove around looking for one. I was supposed to be the authority on the neighborhood. Ha! I remembered a hamburger place where I had gone with Mabel and Demien one night, but I was falling short for a taco place.
We found one quickly.
We ate and I tried a new “agua.” They call their drinks that are mixed with water, “aguas.” I suppose it makes sense, but when I say “agua,” I usually mean staight up water. I don’t remember the name of my drink, but it reminded me of a sweeter (if possible) horchata. It kind of had a caramel taste. It was good.
We stayed there about 30 minutes (it doesn’t take long to order, be served, and eat at taco stands) and the girls asked for a separated ticket. I turned to the waitress and asked for it to all be on one. I had just exchanged money that day (Wednesday still) and the rate had been a little over 14.5. This whole year I’ve felt like I “had money,” but especially this day with such a good rate. (Fall semester, I survived easily, but I did a little credit card surviving since I had two $1000+ flights and $500 worth of educational materials that I hadn’t been paid back for yet. I only got reimbursed for one of those flights through the Fulbright program, but still having $2500 of my own money pending was a little tricky. I deposited my check over Christmas and now am good to go.) The girls gave me a hard time saying they had been the ones to invite me and that it was not my responsibility to pay and I shouldn’t pay for them. I must explain here, of course, that that the bill was less than 140 pesos, so I was treating three friends and myself to a less-than-ten-dollar-total bill. It felt really good to finally be able to do something like that. Occasionally in Nashville, I can buy the cheese dip or a round of drinks, but usually I’m too busy thinking about my loan payment or saving for my next flight to Tucson or Chicago. It just felt good.
The girls dropped me off at my house (I was able to get them there easily!) and we sat in the driveway for about 15 minutes just chatting. I really like my new friends. I told them I would let them know about any plans I made with Ashley.
For such a terrible “main event,” I had a really good night.
After some text and phone tag on Tuesday, we realized that the Circus was leaving town on Thursday. Ashley would just have to do without. I was kinda sad about that because now what was I going to do with her upon arrival? I mean, chilling at the house and resting after that miserable day of traveling (Trust me; I know!) wasn’t a bad plan, but it didn’t feel right.
I met the girls at their school (Two buses and about an hour later, but I remembered where it was!) and sat in on their meeting. Tania joked as I walked in that they were just beginning and should be finished around 7 pm. They wrapped up their meeting immediately and we discussed the plan. Of the three other girls there, none decided to go with us (And it was actually one of those girls’ ideas!). It was the Mazatlán crew again, which of course was fine with me. We packed into Tania’s car (I’m not sure if the other two don’t have cars, or if Tania just drives every time.) and headed toward my part of town. We didn’t know where said circus was (Welcome to Mexico), so we started making phone calls. Turns out it’s in the Wal-mart parking lot about 2 (kind of big) blocks from my house. I was a wee bit frustrated I had spent an hour on two buses to end up back at my house! But only a week bit, since I’m accustomed to this Mexican characteristic.
We pulled into the parking lot, but the name of the circus was in Spanish. We didn’t feel good about its being a Chinese acrobat show. We took matters into our own Mexican hands and drove around aimlessly for about 10 minutes. We found a supermarket parking lot that looked promising… minus the tent. We pulled in and decided to find a good lookin’ fella to ask. Tania is so funny. She will wait until an unfortunate-looking creature passes and then say, “He’s so hot, huh?” with a straight face. Then the whole car will burst into laughter.
We found a man and he was sweet and helpful. (Read between the lines at how handsome he was.) He said that the circus where we were was actually both the Chinese acrobatic circus and the Mexican kiddie circus. We returned to the Wal-mart parking lot, parked, paid, and entered. I bought 20 pesos worth of peanut M&Ms and a 15 peso strawberry soda. I had had my heart set on a coca light all day long, but it was not meant to be (theme of the day).
The circus was your typically horrible, small town circus for children. It was awful! It was 2.5 hours of cheesy humor, clowns, animals and sparsely dressed girls with hula hoops.
I let out a sigh of relief when we got back into the car. The girls were hungry, so they suggested instant noodles (ramen noodle soup comes in a Styrofoam cup for purchase here for very cheap) and heading back to my house. None of them had much money and though they had just been paid the Friday before, they were all anxiously awaiting the next quincena (15 day period before getting paid). I mentioned to them that we were more than welcome to come back to my place, but that there were seats in the kitchen and nothing else; we have no living room furniture. They considered that and suggested a taco stand. We drove around looking for one. I was supposed to be the authority on the neighborhood. Ha! I remembered a hamburger place where I had gone with Mabel and Demien one night, but I was falling short for a taco place.
We found one quickly.
We ate and I tried a new “agua.” They call their drinks that are mixed with water, “aguas.” I suppose it makes sense, but when I say “agua,” I usually mean staight up water. I don’t remember the name of my drink, but it reminded me of a sweeter (if possible) horchata. It kind of had a caramel taste. It was good.
We stayed there about 30 minutes (it doesn’t take long to order, be served, and eat at taco stands) and the girls asked for a separated ticket. I turned to the waitress and asked for it to all be on one. I had just exchanged money that day (Wednesday still) and the rate had been a little over 14.5. This whole year I’ve felt like I “had money,” but especially this day with such a good rate. (Fall semester, I survived easily, but I did a little credit card surviving since I had two $1000+ flights and $500 worth of educational materials that I hadn’t been paid back for yet. I only got reimbursed for one of those flights through the Fulbright program, but still having $2500 of my own money pending was a little tricky. I deposited my check over Christmas and now am good to go.) The girls gave me a hard time saying they had been the ones to invite me and that it was not my responsibility to pay and I shouldn’t pay for them. I must explain here, of course, that that the bill was less than 140 pesos, so I was treating three friends and myself to a less-than-ten-dollar-total bill. It felt really good to finally be able to do something like that. Occasionally in Nashville, I can buy the cheese dip or a round of drinks, but usually I’m too busy thinking about my loan payment or saving for my next flight to Tucson or Chicago. It just felt good.
The girls dropped me off at my house (I was able to get them there easily!) and we sat in the driveway for about 15 minutes just chatting. I really like my new friends. I told them I would let them know about any plans I made with Ashley.
For such a terrible “main event,” I had a really good night.
Nurse Tom
I must insert here a big thank you to my friend Bewley’s husband Tom. He’s a nurse in Chicago and an overall really cool friend. Bewley was one of the first people I told of the burn on gchat. She’s one of my favorite gchat buddies (shout out to Ashley, Kate, Mom, and the occasional Laura Blankenship as well). After I told her on Monday, she asked if I wanted her to talk to Tom about it. I gave her the nonchalant “sure” since at this point I thought I had healed myself. Eventually I ended up sending the pictures I had taken to both Tom and Patrick for some evaluation. They both told me to go get help. I still wasn’t happy with that answer, and really wasn’t going to go (remember, it wasn’t hurting) until Tuesday when it was irritated.
Thanks nurse Tom and Doctor Brother for your help.
Thanks nurse Tom and Doctor Brother for your help.
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