It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
So, I am starting to understand that life in Mexico is not the same as life the in the U.S. I know, right? Newsflash Alysson Marie! You're not in Seattle anymore! Not that I expected to be. In fact, I really didn't want to be in Seattle. I wanted to be IN MEXICO. But I with all the frusteration I've been through this week, trying to obtain a new meter from home only to have it revoked in Mexico City and sent back home, then having to buy a new meter, then being told that my test strips were going to be in stock today and going to buy them and not having them be there. So, that pharmacy told me to go to WalMart. umm...how? So I came back and my RA rode downtown and gave the taxi driver directions to WalMart because I hadn't used a cab here yet. But my cab driver was nice at least. So, at WalMart, they did not have my test strips after all. Of course not. Why would it be that simple? So I told the pharmacist that the other store sent me here because you told them you had the strips. And she went and asked another pharmacist about it, and then reported to me: We will have more on Monday. I clarified. Defeated, I walked out, my fever and the heat making me shake and sweat, and now I would have my first experience riding a public bus here. I did it incorrectly; I gave up my seat so was bumping into people; I was the only gringa on the bus; I made it back to El Centro...without the test strips.

I came inside and closed my door and sat down in a chair and covered my face with my hands. I had another first for Mexico: my first sob. And I hate crying...I mean really HATE crying. But once I started it just didn't stop! I feel like all I have done this week is worried about my diabetic supplies and tried to stay hydrated and tried to still be present to all of these interactions with the other students. I don't know why I finally was overwhelmed today, but I was. And I think it's in part because I was realizing that I really am in Mexico. And this really will be a different lifestyle for four months. And that's exactly why I came: because I wanted to know how it felt to have a bureaucracy working against you, to not know the language or where to find help, to not have the means to get across town without asking for help, to be looked at and watched and scrutinized and stereotyped all the time. I want this. But that is much easier said than done. And I think I hadn't quite yet realized that life was going to be different. Superficially, I knew something like this would happen. I knew I would be given challenges and that it would be difficult, but I would overcome them. I still know all of that.

I am however, very happy that we will be leaving Cuernavaca until Friday. I could use a break already. I won't have to think about going to the store in Ixtlilco where I will be at for our rural homestay until Wednesday. We will be in simple dwellings with one other comrade and taken care of by a family. We will visit local farms, agencies, and returned migrants and more. Then we will spend two days at a former sugar plantation to debrief. I look forward to uninterrupted time with my class. I look forward to the simplicity of it because nothing here in Cuernavaca has been simple...I look forward to being able to just BE, and be with the people of Ixtlilco...with friends and family I haven't met yet.

I admit, it has crossed my mind: what if I jumped ship? I can't do this. I'm not strong enough. It's not worth it. What would happen if I came back? It wouldn't be too bad to put on a fifth year at SU. But then I realize that I would have given up the opportunity that I am so privileged, so lucky to have. It would be a slap in God's face for me to abort this mission which I've been called to. And I will be better for this. I will be more capable to serve others through this experience. I will know myself and my faith more truly through this.

And I have plenty of support. My family and friends at home keep me strong. But so too do those with me here. The staff here is wonderful. The students are wonderful. Our program is wonderful. It has just been a bit of a rough start. But it will get better. This is still just the beginning. And love conquers all.

Good news and bad news.
Good news: My director/professor took me to the store (several actually, including the Costco of Cuernavaca!) last night so I could purchase a new meter. After my mom FedEx-ed a replacement to Mexico City, FedEx of Mexico City called to say that the newly established Health Consular requires permits for anything that touches a human body (even baby bottles) to be shipped from outside the country. After several phone calls on my behalf by my mom and my professor to FedEx, a nurse at the Embassy, 2 local stores, a local Dr., I called my doctor's office in Seattle and asked the Rx to be faxed here and sent home so I could hopefully, maybe at some point be reimbursed for having to pay upfront. I now hate FedEx for misleading us and drawing out the misery of this process. I have also had a first-hand experience of how ridiculous is the bureaucracy of Mexican govt. and policy. This is all part of the experience of solidarity...at least that is what I tell myself. The important thing is: I have a meter! And I know where I can buy more supplies as I need them. Plus, I was able to spend some time getting to know my director as she drove us all over Cuernavaca, both of us deliriously tired. I feel relieved today.
Bad news: Despite the relief, my body now hurts. I woke up with a sore throat and all day have been increasingly "icky" feeling, tired, and now have what my dad refers to as a "snot-nose-cold." Well great. I hope I can sleep well tonight so I can kick it before our rural homestay.
We learned about our rural homestay today. I didn't know there were scorpions in Mexico. I am excited to see what "rural" Mexico is really like though, despite the intimidation of rusticness. I am having to face that my life is incredibly fortuitous and easy ways other people will never know. However, I also know that my life is more difficult in ways that my host family in Ixtlilco will never know. In the end, life gives all of us challenges. I also tried to find a day-bag at El Mercado today and I think I got a sunburn. I didn't find a bag, but I did find an ATM. I also drank my first Diet Coke in Mexico. I don't know why that matters, but I guess I found it kind of ironic. We had a great speaker tonight from a non-profit organization come in and tell us about "la crisis" in Mexico. It's not singular for there are many. It is also not isolated in Mexico, but is global. It will not be solved by an isolated effort, but must be approached globally.
I can't believe how long my days are here. I am so tired. All the time. Tired. Honestly, I kind of hope that the rest of this program is not quite so FULL. I don't even have time to do the homework they've assigned us, more or less write this blog or to people that I am missing like crazy at home or in other places of the world. And that frusterates me greatly. Maybe tomorrow I will feel better. Right now, I am going to go unload the dishwasher upstairs. It's my weekly chore.
29 January 2009

This is a picture I took on a trip to the Market with the students. We were actually on assignment to see how difficult it would be to live on the Mexican minimum wage (.48 pesos/hour). It was our first group outing and we had to first of all navigate our way to El Mercado in El Centro. Oh my goodness. I learned a lot! 1. Cuernavaca traffic is crazy. The streets that do have lights (and they are few), still require policeman to manage them. 2. Buses here are effective and utilized as are taxis. But, buses can be small and white with broken fenders, or huge and sea-green Mercedes buses. Then there are the uber-cozy travel busses. 3. El Mercado is underground then outside, then all around once you are there. To get there though, you have to go through another maze of pawned, black-market items...hmm..that was interesting. We actually had to ask about 5 different locals how to get there, because we were just lost! For the most part, Mexicans have been friendly to us ("us" being we, the group of U.S. students). They are helpful and greet us when we greet them. I have noticed though that women are more reserved and don't always respond to me though. I feel like I offend them in just being present here. Men, however, vary in their response to me. Older gentlemen types call me "Bonita!" and offer a common greeting. Other men of fewer years yell out there truck window: "Tienes un novio" ("Do you have a boyfriend?") That happened to me yesterday. Anyway, I'm telling 3 stories at once again. Back to my numeral system: 4. Mexican minimum wage does not go far. Now we know why Americans seem rich in their eyes. A box of tampons would have equated to $38 US dollars, shampoo would be over $100 US dollars. We did make it to and from the market however.

26 January 2009

This is Casa Verde, where 22 other students and I are living. Yes...all in one house. I am in the furthest back room with another woman, and share a bathroom and a shower with 3 other females. There are four boys total with us. They are all quartered together in the front of the house (by the kitchen and snacks of course!). We're pretty comfortable despite the crowd. We have rooms for study and visiting and interneting (I know that's not a word, but I was keeping the trend going) in the front on the second floor. There's also a patio where we line dry our clothes at the back of the second floor. There's also a classroom on the bottom floor behind our room. I like our house, except our shower had no hot water the first 5 days and our toilet broke on day 3. I deemed us the "the rustic wing" of the house. Did I mention that one of us in that wing also had bedbugs. Pobrecita. I figure it prepares us for our upcoming rural homestay where we most likely won't have flushing toilets and will probably bucket bathe. I didn't mind all too much, but it was nice to take a warm shower this morning :)

29 January 2009

Aaah...yes. This is another perk of Universal Language school. That is the pool. That is where we study, while picking up a tan and getting our daily exercise. A real package deal. This view overlooks the neighborhood on the cliff across from us. Down in the ravine are the Falls of Cuernavaca. I've only run on the street. I will have to go see the falls soon. But, Cuernavaca, despite it's differences, reminds me of Cinqueterre in how they build on the hills: homes stacked one on top of the other and there seems no way to access some of them. It's very interesting to, to note the economic difference between the top (wealthy) and the bottom (poor) of the hill. Many of the sides of the homes are dilapidated below street-level and have huge caverns of missing walls. Plus the waste and pollution down at the bottom is dismal.

On Monday, we visited our school where we will be taking our language classes for three weeks. While the test wasn't to pleasant, the school is beautiful as you can see! This is our backyard and the cabana where we will practice speaking. I took this from the porch where we have class. I like that everything is open and that everyday is 80degree sunny weather :) This is a nice differentiation from the classrooms of SU. I think I can tolerate this culture shock!

We learned at one of our orientation sessions how to use this device. Yes, it is a toilet, but toilets in other countries are always part of the culture experience, right?! This one has a neat little insert where you must take aim and urinate into the front portion and "do-the-two" in the back. Of course, no paper is allowed (it goes in that trash can). Flush by filling that little tin can in the windowsill with water and rinsing the insert. All of the products are collected and used as fertilizer! Yay for earth-friendly activities...even relieving oneself!

25 January 2009

La primera mesa

So, this was my first morning in Cuernavaca. This is the room where I am staying. I didn't have a roommate at that point. When I told a staff person that I lost my meter, she took me to the director to ask for advice. The director suggested that our liason take me to a pharmacy or a hospital the next day (Sunday) after church. I mentioned that I wanted to go to mass as well. The director told me of Tere, una de las cocinas (one of the cooks), that attends mass and works with community base groups (grupos de base). They are faith-based (in this case Catholic) groups that use the Bible and Jesus' example as how to create and empower the community for positive social change (known as liberation theology). I was so excited! The director called Tere and Tere invited me to go with her! I was ecstatic.
Here I am, dressed for mass. I met Tere and went to church with her and her husband. Then she invited me over to her house. And she fed me. And they gave me copies of Pope Benedict's latest address on the faith in LatinAmerica. I was so excited! yay! I was kind of in shock for awhile. It was all too good to be true, and all in my first day! Hopefully I will be able to attend some of the base group meetings!

Ahh...yes.

Driving into the sunset in Mexico City! My view from the back seat.

24/01/09

Blogging Frusterations

So, I've been in Mexico for a few days. I arrived Saturday in Mexico City around 5p.m. local time. Coincidentally, it was 83degrees outside. the same temperature as it was when I landed in Italy two years ago. Maybe it will be a trend: Everytime I travel to a foreign country, it will be 83 degrees. I don't think this will be true when I go to Finland however. But I digress, I stood in line and was allowed to enter=yay! Then Kay, the other SU student with me(who just happened to have been on the same flight!), and I went to get our luggage and go through customs. There was no signage of where our stuff would show up so we waited and walked around only to discover that we had gone out the wrong door. We found our luggage and made it through customs! We also found the other students who were in our program and were greeted after spending a few awkward moments in silence standing next to one another until finally one of them asked if we were going to Augsburg.
Our driver was really nice. Mexico City was not very nice. I was relieved that we were not staying there. Lots of cops. Lots of people. Lots of pollution. Lots of crazy roads crossing all over everywhere. But it was sunset, and our driver spoke little English, so I had my first conversations in Spanish with him on the way home! It was thrilling. It was also disappointing. I discovered about 20minutes out of Cuernavaca (as my ears were popping as we went over a mountain) that my blood glucose kit was missing. Great. We made the hour and a half journey to Cuernavaca and it was dark, but the lights sprawled over the landscape. We whirled through the still-busy streets and then stopped on a downslope in what appeared to be nowhere special. Welcome home...at least for some of the next 16 weeks of your life.
Despite our searching, my meter was nowhere to be found. Great. Luckily, I had a back up. But I check about 10 times a day, so having to reduce that down to about 3-5 has been difficult.