learnings of the Mexican culture

27, 08. 2007

I took the Mexican buses today alone to and from school! It went smoothly and I got to school with a ½ hour to spare. Class went well. My cultural seminar teacher brought us cookies today. I really love that class…we learned about the currency. For example, the people on the currency on US money are all people from the past…we focus more on the founding fathers and the beginning of our liberty. However, on Mexican currency, the people represent various stages of the progress of Mexico – throughout many many years. Also, my teacher is friends with the current president – Caldéron! She said they were neighbors growing up and they always played as kids. Lulu said it was funny because Caldéron would always say that he was going to be president – even when he was very young and they would always say, yeah yeah, ok, whatever, but look – he’s now the president of Mexico!

After class I went to the library to type up a paper. Felt good to have finished!

Today is my host Mom’s b-day. She said that her friends are giving her three different parties. None of them are at our house, but they are throughout the day. I got her a Greek cookbook. I will have to give it to her tomorrow, but I’m sure she will like it because she loves to cook! Today for lunch we had cooked bananas, rice with carrots and peas, sautéed mushrooms with green beans and chicken, salad, flan, jello, and apple pie. So much food.

Nacho is having the best time testing me on learning the names of body parts. Forehead, elbows, knees, eyelids, ribs…you name it and I am learning it. haha I never learned the names of body parts, so I guess now is the time to learn!

At 4:30 Sam came over and we took off to Gabi’s school The weather was nice and sunny when we left. About five minutes into our walk, the skies turned grey, it began to pour, and the street began to flood (and of course we didn’t bring umbrellas). We ran to the closest covering but it was took late. We were soaked. The thunder and lightening and flooding was ridiculous…it hasn’t stopped raining! While we were taking refuge under a tree this interesting man came over with a ½ eaten cob of corn covered in some sort of red hot sauce and a rose in the other mad and kept trying to shake our hands and talk to us. It was quite irritating, but funny to look back on now. We just said, “no necesitamos, estamos bien” but he wouldn’t leave. SO, we ran across the (flooded) street and continued on to Gabi’s school.

HERE I AM COMPLETELY SOAKED. The sad thing is, this picture hardly does the rain any justice.

Here is a video of the ridiculous rain:

We had to go to Gabi’s school to speak to some professors from the education department from U of O regarding our experience thus far in Querétaro. Four of my group members and myself met them in a room where we were fed tamales (spicy and sweet!) and just talked for an hour or so. These professors were given a grant to study the Mexican school system so that they can better understand and create a more efficient curriculum in the Oregon school systems. It was neat to talk to the professors and a good chance to express our experiences and feelings regarding the subjects of education, culture, Mexicans, schooling, etc. in a more intimate setting.

Sam, Ali, Sheri, and I stopped for coffee before we left to go home. By the time I got home, Sam and I were completely drenched and dirty from the massive puddles in the streets. However, it was awesome and I will never forget this experience (even though I’m not a fan of the whole drowned rat look).

In random news:

We are organizing a mini-excursion to Wal Mart on Friday which I am quite excited for.

Nacho and Maruca invited Sam over for comida tomorrow for a mini b-day celebration

Mexicans do not have b-day cakes like we have in the states. They also do not eat ice cream with cake – they have jello!

I tried flan for the first time today.

I will try to add pictures to my blogs as soon as I can. It is difficult because the internet is pretty sketchy, but I will add more pictures as soon as I can!!!

I am still trying to figure out the Mexican transportation system. I am attempting to understand why they bother painting lines on the roads to divide the lanes, as no one follows the designated lanes. Also, why are there not more accidents? As terrible as I think Mexican drivers are – they sure are talented as I have yet to see an accident yet, even though they drive like maniacs! AND, is it a game to try and hit pedestrians? Just the American ones? Who knows…

Anyway, I’m sure there’s more, but I’m tired and have an early start tomorrow!!

Hasta luego!

adjusting wonderfully to a slower mexican life

Sun Aug 26th, 2007

So, I am loving it here more and more each day. I don’t think I could like it better, but another day passes and it continues to improve.

Today, Sunday, was unusual for me because I had so much free time! I set my alarm for 7 am and was ready by 8, however had no where to be until noon. At first I didn’t know what to do with myself because I honestly never EVER have free time in which I don’t need to be doing ANYTHING. So, after realizing I had 4 hours, I organized my book a little, called Mom and Dad, and took my book out to the balcony where I read until Nacho and Maruca came home. I have been loving reading…I have read about six books this summer during my vacations and my trip here – before this I honestly can’t remember the last time I read a book front to back and it’s because I just have not had the time!

After breakfast (cereal, fresh fruit, eggs, tortillas, HOMEMADE APPLE PIE), Sam and I took off to the centro where we were meeting everyone to work on homework. We found a café with wireless, set up camp and worked away. We were there for about 5 hours (internet is a great invention until it hangs up and becomes slower than molasses). I tried to upload some pics to my blog, but it just took too long, so I’ll have to wait until I get to school to do it.

Sam, Dan, and I walked home and Sam came to my house for awhile after returning. At first, we needed to ask Nacho some questions about México for homework, but we ended up talking for about 3 hours (in Spanish mind you) about everything from various students in the past, to politics, vacations, and obesity. I have actually had some pretty interesting conversations regarding obesity with him. He showed Sam and I how to make an amazing quesilla. SO FREAKING good. Oh my gosh I am loving the food here. I have decided that I need to work on cooking when I get home…as much as I love spaghetti and broccoli, I think I need a little more variety in my diet (=

After our snack and talking with Nacho, we hung out for a bit more…watched some TV, and Maruca came up and watched with us for a bit until Sam left to go home. Now I am here, about to do a little homework, organize things for the week, and then go to bed! (I have class at 8 three times a week, which means I have to leave at 7!).

Tomorrow is Marucas b-day. I asked her if she had plans and it sounds like her friends are having lots of parties for her! It should be nice. I bought her a Greek cookbook for her b-day so I hope she likes it (and I hope she can use it as it is in English!).

It has been so interesting for me to get to know everyone on my group. I am almost positive I would not be friends with any of these people had we not been in the same Querétaro group; however, I have been having the best time getting to know each of them. Many of my friends have similar backgrounds and lives so it has been so fascinating to learn more about these people’s lives. Dan, for example, was raised in Taiwan and began living in the U.S. seven years ago when he started high school. Naturally I always am asking him questions…haha he probably feels that every time we hang out it’s another game of 20 questions, but I find other cultures – especially other cultures I have not been around – so interesting!

Also, (brace yourselves Mom and Dad) I have been LOVING not having internet at my house! I am beginning to realize how much internet consumes my life and how much it takes away from other important aspects of everyday business. Granted, I do like being able to hop on the computer to check a recipe or find a definition, but I am so distracted when it is available 24/7. I know that I am a busy person, but I also know that in the past I have wasted A LOT of time because of excess of unimportant things. I guess it’s the American way…excess of everything…internet, food, belongings, anything and everything tangible it seems. We were watching Apocalypto on the bus to Bernal yesterday. While watching the movie with the indigenous people I got to thinking that even though many years ago times were difficult and survival was an everyday challenge, it seems that life was also so much more simplistic and black and white.

Anyway, I need to get going…organize myself for the week…week 2 of 16! Geez, I can’t believe one week has already passed. These next four months are going to FLY.

Un poco en espanol…

Cada día, pienso que puedo hablar más bien. También, puedo oír y comprender muchos más cosas. Si no conozco una palabra, puedo describir la palabara y todo esta bien. Estoy aprendiendo cosas, frases y palabras cada día. Pienso que mi espanol es 100 porcentaje mejor en solo una semana! Tengo feliz y no puedo esperar para diciembre porque pienso que mi espanol es va a mejorar mucho. Mi problema principio es que casi siempre habla en ingles cuado soy con mis aimigos que es una cosa que necesito mejoror si quiero hablar espanol más bien. Haber, todo está bien y tengo

climbing Bernal, the world’s 4th largest monolith

25, Aug 2007

OH MY GOD I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SORE IN MY LIFE. Ok, so I’m really not THAT sore, but I am definitely feeling the effects of climbing the second tallest monolith in the world. Today my group went to Bernal which is a beautiful little pueblo at the base of the monotlith. The view is magnificent from the top, but man on man, getting there is quite a challenge.

THE ARROW IS HOW HOW HIGH WE CLIMBED ON THE MOUNTAIN!!

 

We left at 9 am for Bernal on an extremely nice tour bus. On the bus we started watching Apocalopto which was interesting because the actors were speaking in an indigenous language and the movie had Spanish subtitles. I enjoyed the movie, until everyone began killing each other and there was blood and screaming every ten seconds. Thankfully, we arrived at Bernal shortly afterward this began.

We climbed up and down the mountain which took about three hours total. It was the most extreme hike I’ve taken in my life. Some parts required all hands and feet in order to not fall down the side of the mountain. I also definitely got my fair share of sun today. I tend to forget A. how powerful Mexican sun is because I’m closer to the equator, B. Querétaro is located 6,000 feet about sea level-far higher than the barely 500 in Salem/Eugene, and C. the rock is even higher in elevation than the city of Querétaro at 6,000 feet!!

ELIZABETH AND I AT THE TOP

Once returning to the town, we had lunch and amazing peach flavored helado! On the bus home we were shown a video of Bernal – one of the first songs on the background music of the movie was Greig’s Holburg Suite…I was thinking..hmm wait a minute…I have played this before! Also, in the town, one of the stores was blasting random music – Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, the flight of the bumble, and Spring by Vivaldi.

Got back to our houses around 5:30, and at 6:20 Dan, Sam, and I left for a guitar concert in the centro. The concert was really good – Mom I know you’d enjoy it. When we arrived at the concert, a man offered me his chair and then we began talking…he was quite nice – I guess he studied English in the states and is from Jalisco but now lives in Querétaro. He introduced us to his family and welcomed us to Mexico. Definitely a nice gesture! After the concert, we walked around the centro where were all sorts of giant ranas (frogs) designed by various artists. It was so neat! There were also women dressed up at various locations around the centro giving tours and sharing information about history of Querétaro, etc. It was so neat! Since we had a long day, we grabbed a quick dinner, and headed back home a little earlier tonight.

Anyway, other than that, things are going well. I am not homesick at all (although I do miss you all dearly!) and I cannot believe the first week is already over! Only 15 weeks left. It’s funny, when reminded of loved ones by things, other people, shows, etc., other students here frequently talk about how they miss they boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends, family, whoever. Of course I miss my friends and family too. However, when I hear or see something familiar that sparks memories, it usually has to do with music. I am definitely miss my violin and piano hardcore right about now…I have got to play the as soon as I get home. As we were walking through the centro tonight, there was a violin sitting there and I was so tempted to pick it up and play it. I miss playing SO MUCH. AHH.

In other news…I am so thankful for my host mom’s cooking. Some of the students def. are not as lucky in the food department as I am. Laura, for example, is served hot dogs for breakfast and hot dog sandwiches for lunch. For breakfast this morning, I was served an amazing fruit salad (bananas, grapes, grapefruit, peaches, pineapples, mango, papaya, pears, etc), healthy cereal with soy milk, and these amazing eggs mixed with a delicious sauce, vegetables, and a type of meat. I am so so so so so lucky.

Anyway…in random news…

I saw the Acuaducto de Querétaro for the first time in person today. It is quite stunning!

The brooms here are ridiculous. They are honestly sticks picked up off the street bound together with a strong rope, tied to a pole. It’s ridiculous, but I guess it works!

disfrutando la vida mexicana

24, Augosto, 2007

Es viernes!! I had one class this morning from 9 – 10 – composition. After class I waited for Sam for her class to be finished at 11:30 so we could take the bus home together.

In between coming home and comida I had about an hour of free time. Immediately I began planning what homework I could finish in that time or maybe what I could accomplish in that hour. However, I realized, that I HAVE TIME here. The pace of life here is so much slower than back home. It is hard for me to take an hour and just relax and do something not school or work related and not feel guilty, but gosh I was able to read my own book in that hour and it felt awesome! (although yes, I couldn’t feel completely guilt free doing so). Anyway, continuing on…

For comida we had so much food! We had fish (I didn’t eat any, but I know I should…it has the healthy fatty acids…maybe next time!), salad, a different type of pasta, and rice with BANANAS! It was the craziest thing, but it was actually quite good. Of course it was good, my senora is an amazing cook.

So at 3 Sam and I took off and eventually met the rest of the group at 6 at the centro. We talked with some summer students which has made me feel a lot better about classes, etc. I really don’t think I have as much to worry about as I have been worrying about in the past few days.

We met Ana, Ashley, Alisyn, Elizabeth, and Laura in the centro and hung out for a bit…had dinner and saw an art exhibit. We went to a restaurant/bar place with Jesse and Torrin which was awesome because there was a live singer there. It was so nice to see people (natives) sitting in the restaurant just having a good time, taking a break from life. The American lifestyle is so fast paced so often, that is it easy to forget to take a break and enjoy life which is exactly what these people are able to do.

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