la cucaracha, la cucaracha, ya no puede caminar

Today was Monday.  Class.  'nuff said.

Also, our class went on a bus tour of Merida.  It was hot, the tour guide sounded like Borat, and the seats made my booty hurt.  Silivia got mad at us every time she heard us say something in English, and once again, she gave us lots of homework.  In addition to my daily work, on Wednesday I will be writing a 2-page essay on someone I admire and giving a 10 minute power point presentation on said person.  Que padre.  Which is Mexican-Spanish for "how cool."  But of course, it is sarcasm.

I had a good siesta today.  The first time I've actually siesta-ed without the help of Benadryl.

After the tour, I came home to a dark house.  So I ate cornflakes and yogurt in the kitchen.  I came upstairs and heard loud coughing.  From the dark, empty guest room next door.  A few minutes later, Dona Patricia walked out and said "Buenas Noches" and went to her own room.  Now I'm in my bed doing homework.  And I'm trying not to get up.  There have been so many strange looking bugs in my room today that either a. were not here before I went to Cancun, or b. they were here and I just didn't notice them.  In particular, there is a cockroach that keeps crawling around.  I've hit that sucker with my shoe two or three times, shrieked the same amount, and that dude is still under my bed somewhere.  I don't know if I will be able to sleep knowing that homeboy could crawl out from under my bed, up the sheets, and onto my face at any given second.  He better get the hell out during the night because I will not tolerate any more of him in the morning.   

"is that REAL grass?" --teagan aguiñaga, quote book entry

This weekend was long and tiring.  And this morning I'm super tired because Brandi barked at stuff a lot last night.  Quick summary.  Weekend was a lot of fun.  The book I'm reading still sucks.  My host mom still keeps to herself, and so I enjoy spending a lot of time outside of the house, and when I'm in the house--inside my room.  I understand Rome wasn't built in a day, and that I'm probably not going to leave with fun stories from the host home like most of my friends from school, but sheesh.  My Central College friends are making connections and yada yada yada.  The awkwardness better die soon.

Anyways, the Central College trip to Celestún was a lot of fun.  We took an air-conditioned bus, and stopped in a small market place on the way there.  In Celestún, we saw flamingos, iguanas, various other birds, tons of fish, and even termites.  At our beach-front restaurant, we dined on octopus soup and grilled fish.  And of course, we laid out in the sun.

Then 2/3 of our group (aka 10 people) took taxis to the bus station, and took a 4-hour bus ride to Cancun!  Long story short, it also took 2 more buses, and a lot of walking to get to our hotel.  By the time we got there, the only place open for food was Domino's.  Guess who got nominated to call the pizza guy.  The first thing I asked was "¿Hablas ingles?"  He said, yes, then proceeded to speak in Spanish.  I don't have any clue what homeboy was saying, but it took me forever to figure out that he was asking me, "Where are you calling from?"  Then actually ordering the pizza was an ordeal because we needed 2 large cheese pizzas, 1 large pepperoni pizza, and 1 personal pan-thin crust-no cheese-with ham pizza (Mindy is allergic to just about everything).  Oh, and after that phone call I need to put more pesos on my phone because I can't send any texts or make any calls.  Classic.

With the arrival  said and done, we enjoyed the rest of our weekend at the pool, beach, and night life.  We met some interesting characters (orange shorts, yellow shorts, the man on the boat, the most attentive waiter in the entire world...) and some not so interesting characters (frat boy at club, first Cancun bus driver, Mexican bus riders leading us in the wrong direction...)

Also, we the Cancun travelers have started a quote book to bring back to the rest of the Central College students.  Now we can look back and laugh at all the stupid sounding stuff that comes out of people's mouths sometimes. 

 If you haven't already done so, check out my pictures on facebook.

lapa lapaaaaa quiero papassssssss

It has been busy, busy, busy here in Mérida.  On Wednesday I went to class again and the first thing we did was play Manzanas con Manzanas to practice vocabulary.  It is one of my favorite games, so of course I enjoyed class.  After class I went back to la casa de Dona Patricia (Mrs. Patricia's house) courtesy of Claudina's car.  Claudina is an administrative person at Central College and she is also my friend Katie's host mom.  I had lunch with Dona Patricia and she told me that she normally watches TV while she eats since she is normally here alone.  So since we were already eating at the table, I told her we could do that next time.  After lunch, we watched some news on TV, but I went up to siesta.  Surprise, I couldn't fall asleep, but I did get some good rest in before Christy and I walked to Starbucks.  We met up with Liberty, Valerie (a student, not the director), Teagan, and Mindy and did some planning for our Cancun trip this weekend!  (Ten students all together will be going on the trip together)  Coincidentally, we ran into Valerie (the director) at Starbucks.  She said that she already called a hotel, explained to them we were students, and got us a better "non-tourist" rate.  Then she explained to us about the bus systems, and the taxis we would have to take to get there.  Not to toot  my own horn or nothing, but then Valerie grabbed my arm and told the group that we would need to use our best Spanish speaker to negotiate with the taxi drivers because they would try to rip off all of us gringos.  Ah, what responsibilty.


Yesterday, class was not as awesome as Manzanas con Manzanas.  We checked over the crap done of homework we had to do including reading a novel called Un viejo que leía novelas de amor by Luis Sepúlveda.  I think it is ridiculously hard to understand but Chris and Katie understand it perfectly.  Silvia (the teacher) seemed to be slightly irritated with me, so I guess I better get my act together.  After class, some of Silvia's students from a different school came and chatted with us.  I got to know Candy first in Spanish and then in a little bit of English.  The deal was speak the first 50% in Spanish and the second 50% in English, but not gonna lie, we spoke more Spanish.  


Last night was a ton of fun!  Central College pays Mexican students to be our "language partner," or someone to hang out with and be our friend but also someone who speaks Spanish and we can talk to and learn from.  It turns out that my "language partner," Erika is friends with Christy's "language partner," Vero.  Last night, our "language partners" picked the two of us from my house to hang out.  Those girls are so much fun!  They drove us in their air conditioned (air conditioning is an important detail since I do not have it at neither my host home or school and it often reaches upper 90's and goes over 100) Chevy.  First we went to the centro (downtown) and saw La Plaza Grande (the big plaza).  There were people, vendors, historic buildings, etc. EVERYWHERE.  I like this section of Mérida way better than the section near our school.  There is so much more life!  After La Plaza Grande, we were going to go to the mall but then realized it was going to be closed since it was almost 9:00 PM, so we went to a restaurant called "Lapa Lapa," shared a HUGE plate of appetizers, Christy and I tried our first Mexican mixed-drinks, and talked and laughed a ton!  After drinking my drink, I noticed that all was left in my cup was ice.  which is made of water. which if it is from the tap, I will get super sick.  So I freaked out.  But Vero told us that the ice in our cups, which was completely see-through is the good kind of ice.  Ice that is white is de llave (from the tap) and we will get sick from that kind.  *whew*  She also said that her Daddy is a doctor, so if something bad like extreme diarrhea happens to me, I could be in safe hands.  I had so much fun with Erika and Vero and felt so much more at ease speaking Spanish with them since they weren't A. of grandmother age like Dona Patricia B. my teacher like Silvia, or C. some random person on the streets.  They were both 22, and super nice!  Next week sometime they said we could go shopping and out to a club somewhere and meet all of their friends.  All in all, I like the new friend that gets paid to hang out with me!


Today, Central College is going on a field trip to Celestun (I've mentioned it previously in a pre-departure entry) and we're going to see tons of flamingos!  Afterward, 10 of us from the group are making the adventure via 4-hour bus ride to Cancun!  I'll be gone until Sunday night, but I'll come back with lots of stories and pictures!

dealing with the life's roller coasters

During my study abroad, many events or issues could trigger low points or create high points.  So far, I have already experienced getting sick/having allergies (low point) and figuring out--with only a little bit of help from Valerie the director--how to buy bus tickets to Cancun (high point).

There is potential for some more highs and lows of studying abroad.

Some potential highs include actually carrying out our planned trip to Cancun tomorrow, and spending the weekend relaxing on very beautiful beaches.  I would really like to do something,  or solve an issue, or figure something out alone while I am studying abroad.  I would love to learn a traditional dance or simply visit a “discoteca” to dance and have fun like the natives do.  Doing well in my class would be a high point, but I think the highest point I could reach would be dreaming in Spanish because then I would know I have truly submerged myself in the language.  

Some potential lows include getting on the wrong bus, or taking the bus to the wrong place, or riding around on a bus forever because I do not know where I am or where the bus is going.  During my study abroad I’ll be missing Father’s Day and I won’t get to be with my Daddy.  I’ll also be missing Uncle Greg’s memorial service that is being held next week.  I could lose cash, or credit cards, or I could not have the exact change which is sometimes important in Mexico since most people rely only on cash.  I think the worst will be if I get sick again, but this time worse.  

Low points are not any fun, but they are inevitable so I have brainstormed ways to cope.  The best thing I think I could do for myself would be to what I do at home.  This normally involves relaxing—lying down and doing nothing or reading a book.  I could also journal—which I have been doing for my Spanish 300 class or blog—which my family and friends back home are reading.  If I brave the heat or the darkness I could take a walk or if outdoors is not a possibility I could Skype home.

i'm not excited about this email I just received

I cannot believe I forgot to talk about a very important item --- toilet paper.

 

Background:  Yucatan is built on limestone.  There are no sewage systems that we are accustomed to.  All homes here use septic tanks.  As a result, people here (and in many parts of the developing world) DO NOT flush paper down the toilet. 

 

You may have noticed that there are waste baskets beside the toilets here in the Central House, restaurants and in all of your homes. 

 

Please do your best to develop the habit of disposing of your paper or tampons in the waste basket, not in the toilet.  Doing this may seem awkward at first, but it could make a big difference in keeping the waste disposal system working.  Believe me, the alternative is not pretty.

 

Thanks....Valerie

extranjera!!!

Today, was the day of placement tests and host parents.  

We started the day off healthy with breakfast.  Dona Lupita made us fruit, yogurt, and bagels.  (I don't think I ever eat such balanced meals, as I have when Dona Lupita has made meals.)  I then headed to the palapa (our outdoor classroom) to take the placement test--which was easy for the most part.  I tested into the advanced class with Chris and Katie.  Our teacher's name is Silvia and she is only 28, but she could easily pass for one of us.  We read a newspaper from the Yucatan, and talked about the articles.  Sounds like all Spanish teachers give out the same assignments.  Our homework assignment for Thursday is to visit the monumento (which I already visited) and another place.  Since we're the advanced class we have to do our "field trip" type assignments on our own time.  Joy, being good at Spanish means I'm also good at time management.  ; )

For lunch Dona Lupita made us chicken, guacamole, and BEAN SOUP.  See that Dad??  I tried bean soup, finally!!  After lunch was our assigned siesta time.  Whoops!  A bunch of Central College friends and I hung out in the library and bought bus tickets to Cancun for Friday at 18:00.  We’re going to Celestun with the program on Friday, and then we wanted to check out Cancun on our own.  It’ll take almost 4 hours to get there by bus and we plan on picking out a hostel for all of us to stay overnight in.

Well there went siesta time.  Who knew buying bus tickets could be so difficult??  Finding the website, picking the times, using our cards, filling out the information.  It’s a whole new world in Mexico.

After “siesta” host parents began picking us up. One by one.  It was like a reality show, wondering who was going to pack their bags and be the next one to leave the house.  Dona Patricia picked me up relatively early and I was one of the first few to leave.  We rode in her white punch buggy (the vehicle of choice here in Mexico) to her casa.  These punch buggies are nothing like those in the states.  They’re smaller, no seat belts, very simplistic, no radio, roll-down windows, etc.  I told Dona Patricia she had the most popular car in Mexico, and she said it was because it was the cheapest.  

I settled into my room (which I’m pretty sure is the master suite and Dona Patricia moved to one of the other bedrooms).  It’s huge!  King size bed?!  There is another room next door to it.  Carla lives there.  She is 29 and staying with Dona Patricia until she is able to move into her new apartment.  I think that was how the story went.  Also, a boxer named Brandi lives here to protect the house.  She likes to kill iguanas and eat people food.

I’m not quite sure what happened next.  I THOUGHT that Dona Patricia came into my room and told me that the husband of one of her friends died and that she was going to go to the funeral.  She told me there was a park across the street and that I could go there while she was at the funeral if I wanted.  She said that she was going to stop in to see her and then we would leave.  Sounded kind of weird, but I figured I’d check out a park.  Well guess what.  I was wrong about that entire conversation which makes me wonder how many other things I’m misinterpreting.  Dona Patricia walked around the park with me.  There were street vendors, a carousel, a train, several exercise machines, and a “track” around the whole thing to exercise on.   There were also benches and wireless internet.  The dude in camo pants next to us on the bench was googling something.  We went into the grocery store and Dona Patricia showed me all of the tropical fruits.  Then we went to mass.  Her friend whose husband died was not there.  It was not a funeral.  Just a regular mass from what I could tell except it was a Tuesday.   And the Eucharistic minister gave me a funny look when I didn’t stick my tongue out to receive communion.  Then again, I’m sure I got plenty of odd looks at mass.  Anyways, apparently she was hoping to see her friend there; but she saw different friends instead.  One pointed directly at me and said “extranjera.”  (Foreigner).  Lovely.

We came back to the casa for dinner.  Dona Patricia gave me like half a cantaloupe to start off with.  Then she asked if I wanted 2 or 3 hotdogs.  I told her one and she told me I was crazy.  And I drank some warmish, soy, lactase free milk stuff.  She tried to make me eat a second hot dog.  I convinced her she needed to eat the 3^rd one she fried.  : )  She asked if I wanted to talk to my parents on the internet or watch TV because she was going to go to her room.  But it was nearly 10:00 my parents time, so I just told her I was going to go to my room too.

I feel like I’m doing more listening than talking.  I do not know what to say.  I feel awkward.  I don’t want her to think I’m a weirdo, or that I am rude.  I accidentally used "tu" instead of the formal "Ud." a few times.  : /  But I suppose I’ll get used to this.  I’ll learn to talk more and figure out the things we are supposed to talk about.

also...

Yesterday I forgot to tell about the nail salon experience.  Ashley, Christy, and I went down the street to get pedicures.  They said, "we can't do 3 of you at a time."  So we asked if we could get manicures instead.  And they still said they couldn't do all three of us at a time.  By the way...3 women are telling us this.  Who knows?

Also, I learned Victoria Secret bras are made here in Merida.  But not one of them is sold here.  They all get shipped to the USA.