FINALLY HOME!!!

I arrived home in MN on Tuesday morning after a L-O-N-G 25+ hr cross-continent trip which involved travel by taxi, bus, car, and a bunch of flights and layovers. I was definately in for a rude awakening with the cold weather and snow that greeted me at the airport. Needless to say, I have spent the last couple of days sleeping, doing LOTS of laundry, and pigging out on american junk food.

It was hard saying goodbye to my host family, and especially dramatic considering there were 8 to say goodbye to. They couldn't have been a nicer, more generous or more accomodating family, and I really "lucked out" by getting to live with them for the past couple of months. I really hope that someday in the future I can return to Guanajuato to take more classes and visit my host family once again.

Overall, I had an absolutely wonderful experience in Mexico, and felt I was able to greatly improve my spanish speaking skills, made a difference volunteering at the clinic, gained some life-long friendships, and have a whole new appreciation for the Mexican culture and its people, and look forward to applying what I learned in my RN position I will be starting in May in Milwaukee.

Thanks for following along, and I hope you all enjoyed reading about my adventure.
Love from MN, Heidi

Time for culture shock!!!

As I enjoy my last few days here, I've come to realize I'm in for a few "culture" shocks when I return:

1. Food, espeically fresh fruit and vegetables, are exceptionally cheap and fresh!!! I've been paying less than 10 cents an orange and a quarter for a pound of strawberries. The other day I bought a "tres leches cake" (a tradiational type of mexican cake which is similar to a white cake in the US soaked with three different types of cream....MMMMMM) beautifully decorated for 60 pesos (which is about 4 dollars). I have also continued to enjoy the wonderful fresh bread and baked goods at the bakery by my house...I am a very loyal customer!!!

2. Weather back in the midwest is going to seem brutal!!! For the past month, it was been between 75 and 85 and sunny with not a cloud in the sky every day.

3. I will actually have to wake up early again and be on time to where I'm going. The daily schedule here is a late, light dinner, go to bed at midnight or later, and wake up around 8 AM. Things here are also truly on "mexican time," and it's expected to be at least 10 to 15 minutes late to everything...without an excuse or reason to feel bad!!!

4. I have been extremely spoiled by not having to buy a tank of gas for the past two months and REALLY love being able to walk or take the bus anywhere I need to go. I haven't had to deal with traffic jams or accidents either...how nice that has been!!!

5. I also have had a two month break from doing laundry. Here I've been taking my laundry to the lavanderia...and it comes back clean and neatly folded (but of course costs a TON...but no other choice).

Some scary news

I was tipped off to a segment that aired on Kare-11 News tonight about a couple from MN who is presumed to be kidnapped in Mexico, possibly Guanajuato. Their was a "hardcopy" of the segment I was able to read just now on Kare11.com.

This was very upsetting, scary, and disheartening information for me to read about!!! Mexico is a very beautiful country with wonderfully kind and generous people, and to date, my experience has been nothing but positive. It is horrible, however, that today's thriving illegal-drug industry in the US has turned parts of Mexico into complete chaos with guerrilla-type warfare and endless violence occuring around the clock!!!

Although I have been very safe and vigiliant during my time here in Mexico, please be re-assured that I will be extra safe during my final week here in Guanajuato and plan for a safe arrival back in MN March 10th.

favorite picture of my trip!!!

I went hiking again yesterday afternoon, and a classmate took this picture...we had stopped at the top to have some oranges and chips right at the sun was starting to set....just gorgeous!!!

I didn't realize I hadn't really written anything this wk until today. ANYWAYS, Sunday I visited the childhood home of Diego Rivera, a very famous artist, that grew up in Guanajuato. His childhood home has been turned into a beautiful little museum, and it has some of his original paintings and sketches he did before he became well-known.

It has been an emotionally-difficult week at the clinic, yet very rewarding. Monday, I spent a good part of my morning working with a young guy about my age that is now paralyzed and severely mentally impaired following a car accident. His family was wonderful, and his sister is a MD in town, which is why, considering his situation and the resources there are for people in Mexico, he was in pretty good condition. Tuesday, I helped with a therapy group for infants with Down's Syndrome and other types of severe mental and physical disabilities. It was really sad thinking about the incredibly HUGE obstacles those babies and their family's face in the future.

Today, after my volunteer work, I went to have lunch with the Rios Family. Their son, Zeek, was a classmate and friend of mine from school here. He is studying in Guanajuato for the semester for university credit back in the US. His parents and younger sister are also living here for the semester, as his parents are able to do their work from here, and his sister, Natalia, is going to a mexican high school for the semester to improve her spanish. They are the nicest people, and the funny thing is, they are from WI and both parents went to Carroll College....really what are the chances????? Anyways, they invited myself and two other students from school over for lunch at their house which they are renting. The house was beautiful...very interesting architecture and tons of natural lighting!!! We had pasta, bread, salad, and a glass of red wine. After lunch, Zeek and Natalia played a bunch of music on their guitar and violin, and we spent a good part of the afternoon just sitting around talking. It was such a wonderful and relaxing time!!!

On a final note, I will be returning to the US 3 wks earlier than expected...which actually means I only have about 2 wks left here in Guanajuato. I really enjoyed attending Don Quijote and have loved my volunteer work, but after 2 months here, I need to return to reality, finish studying for my nursing boards exam, and get moved and organized to start my RN position in Milwaukee in May.

In the mean time, I plan on enjoying the rest of my time here!!!

This is El Jardin Union, the main city center (near my house). There frequently is live music and entertainment during the day and evening....very cool place!!!

wind+laundry=BIG PROBLEM

I woke up to the sound of the wind howling outside my bedroom window this morning. It was nice to hear a breeze, because it is never windy here and has been so hot lately....UNTIL I realized that I had washed all of my laundry last night and it was hanging on the closeline on the roof to dry. I went racing up there to find that a good 1/4 of my clothes had blown off the roof overnight, and of course were taken by people:( Just my luck it would be the one windy day when I do laundry...BUMMER!!!

ahhh...McDonalds

This wk went by VERY quickly, moreso than the others!!! I continued my work at the clinic, and am enjoying it more and more. Although the clinic is fairly well-equiped and staffed, it is tough thinking about how much more difficult it must be to manage medical conditions here (and in other less-advanced countries) than in the US. Although you don't need a prescription here for most medications and they are VERY CHEAP, medical supplies are sometimes difficult to get and of course nothing is handicap accessible. There are a couple of patients at the clinic who are there very regularly for various reasons with Parkinson's and also those with severe spinal cord injuries (along with many other sad cases) and I truly admire the determination of both them and their families to keep at it every day!!!

Although I don't have formal classes anymore, I continue to go to the evening cultural classes. This wk we studied Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Both are very famous and interesting artists from Mexico. Diego Rivera is actually from little old Guanajuato, and tomorrow I plan on visiting a museum in town here that displays some of his artwork in the house he grew up in...that should be very cool!!!

Today, Saturday, I visited Leon with a couple of other students from school. Leon is a large town about an hour's busride from Guanajuato. About 1.5 million people live there, and it is very well-known for its leather and shoe industry. As a large city, it also has lots of amenities, and many signs of America (Sam's Club, Applebee's, Walmart). There literally are 1000's of shoe stores along the streets (and not much else to see) and also La Plaza de los Zapatos...the world's largest shoe mall. There were a lot of nice shoes, bags, wallets, jackets, etc there which I was very impressed by, but not enough to buy. What I liked the most were the cowboy boots. The quality of leather and craftsmanship was incredible!!! I actually almost bought a pair of pink cowboy boots...but I didn't quite bring enough money along for the day. I guess in retrospect, they probably aren't something I would wear on a regular basis...but would they be fun to have!!!

We also happened upon a McDonalds, and for the first time in I don't know HOW LONG, I had 2 cheeseburgers, large fries, and a coke. It was so good to have American food!!!

Above are pictures of the therapy portion of the clinic...as you can see, it is pretty well-equiped.

Feels like summer!!!

The time keeps flying by...I can't believe I'm already starting my 6th wk here. We continue to have lots of problems with power-outages scattered throughout the city. They can be brief or last a few hours. Oddly enough I packed a flashlight with me when I came here and it has been very handy lately!!!

The weather is also getting noticably warmer, especially in the afternoons. It's hard to gauge an exact temperature, as there really aren't crazy weather reports here like there are in the US, but I would say it's at least 80 for a high. I might have to start running in the morning if it gets much warmer; the combination of heat and altitude is a tough mix. I keep getting lots of emails too about how tan I must be. I think I will return with a tan that resembles my normal summer one from landscaping: tan arms, tan calves, tan face, and that's it!!! It also hasn't rained at all since my first wkend here and things are starting to look DRY.

We have another new student living with my host family and I. Her name is Linda, and she is an American woman from Boston who is in her early 60s. She used to be an english teacher in the US and now enjoys studying spanish for a hobby. Her spanish is incredible and she is a very interesting woman....very active and friendly...and I enjoy having her around too. Because of her moving in, I switched to the other student bedroom at the house. It's just as nice and I still have my own bathroom and lots of storage space. I also have wireless in my room, which is really handy for studying!!!

Today I had a very interesting day at the clinic. I first have to say that my luck getting to and from isn't improving: I took the wrong bus this AM. When i realized this it was too late, and I got off at a random stop and walked about 15 mintues to the clinic. Luckily the clinic is up on a steep hill and it's easy to spot from just about anywhere in the next valley over from where I live. On my way home, I realized that I only had a 200 peso bill ($15 USD) and they don't give change on the bus. There also are only banks near the city center, which is near my house, so I had no other choice but to walk home. I'm not complaining and enjoyed the walk, but it was a good 45 minute hike!!!

At the clinic there was hearing screening today. I actually helped the doctor make hearing devices for patients. We took this clay-like substance and packed it into people's ears to make a mold. After it solidified, a small hole was drilled through and a tube was placed. These individual molds can then be "hooked up" to a hearing aid receiver for use. Although these were nothing like the technology we have in the US, such a simple device is enough to make a big difference to the people here.

One of the cool shrubs in full-bloom. It just amazes me that in such touch conditions something can grow so beautifully!!!

Let me begin by wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. It was quite a day to take in while in Mexico. If you think its an annoying and abnoxious day in the US, you should see it here!!! There were venders EVERYWHERE on the streets selling flowers, cards, gifts, treats, and balloons, like they are infront of Centro Mercado here. I will admit, I did by myself a chocolate cupcake...and it was amazing!!!

I am happy to report that things with my volunteer work are improving. I was re-assigned to La Clinica de Rehabilitacion, the clinic I have been at all along, and will probably remain there the duration of my time in Guanajuato. After a rough start to the day Friday (I threw up when I got off the bus I was so motion-sick from the rough ride), I spent the day doing range of motion and strengthening exercises with some of the elderly patients at the clinic. On Monday, I will observe and assist the doctor as she does vision and hearing screening...that should be interesting!!!

After my volunteer work on Friday, myself, and some of the other students from school climbed La Bufa (and the mountain next to it) again. The weather was beautiful and we had a nice snack at the top: bread, cheese, and a beer (do as they do in Mexico I guess..haha). It again was about a 4 hr round-trip trek, but the scenery was slightly different, as bushes and trees that weren't previously, are now in bloom. We climbed down around 6 PM when the sun was just beginning to set on the city...it was perfect!!!

I had a very low-key day today, Valentine's Day, and it was just what I needed. I went for a long run, did some grocery shopping at Centro Mercado, and ate brownies and hung out at my host-family's house tonight. We actually lost electricity for about 90 minutes which was exciting, and is fairly common here (although normally it goes out only for a few minutes). It was pitch-black, but luckily and for some odd reason, I had brought a flashlight with meWe went up and hung out on the roof and enjoyed the lights from other parts of the city that weren't without.

Current Events in Guanajuato

Below is an interesting article about a big current debate going on here in Guanajuato...if only we had such simple problems in the US deal with...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/6262824.html

A beautiful spot in the city I discovered yesterday when I was on my way to the market...parts of it really look like Europe!!!

This is the beagle puppy that I mentioned before that my spinning instructor brings to the gym. He sleeps in her gym bag during class...it is absolutely adorable!!!!!!

It has been a bit of a frusterating wk here...but I'm hoping my luck turns around tomorrow. I will be taking a different volunteer position at La Clinica de la Rehabilitacion. Hopefully they will find something constructive and meaningful for me to do!!!

As for the rest of my wk, without school and volunteer work the past few days, I haven't had much of a schedule and have been kind of bored. I have taken advantage of this free by studying LOTS for my upcoming nursing boards, took a nice long run every afternoon, and visited Centro Mercado, the main market place in town. Actually, since I am no longer a student here, I only have breakfast with my host family and have to fend for myself for the rest of the day. Although I loved Gloria's cooking (it was AWESOME), i just wasn't used to eating so much. The portions are huge here, and I actually politely asked her if she would mind making up smaller ones for me...good thing I like to workout or I think I'd have to buy a new wardrobe when I got back!!! I now go to Centro Mercado every morning and buy what I would like for the day. It's not that I actually need to go every day, but I love the activity at the market, and being able to have fresh produce, breads, and meat daily is such a treat. I've been buying lots of hard rolls and making sandwiches with turkey, avacados, cheese, jalapenos, and salsa. I've also bought strawberries, bananas, and yogurt. I must say, that of all the food I have had here, I am most impressed and surprised by the quality and variety of cheese. I guess I never realized that mexico produced much cheese....and it is AMAZING. Most comes from Oaxaca, one of the poorest states in mexico, located in the far south. I'm hoping they carry some mexican cheeses at whole foods in milwaukee when i go back because I'm totally addicted to this stuff!!!

I also had a good time watching the USA vs. Mexico soccer game last night at a bar/restaurant by my house. All the students and teachers from school went and it was a really fun atmosphere. Soccer is probably the most popular sport here, and people get REALLY into the games...they were chanting and singing from here...and of course, USA won:)!!!

A view of the the other valley where La Clinica de Rehabilitacion is...it is so beautiful!!!

La Clinica de Rehabilitacion...the site of my first few days of volunteer work.

Things don't go quite as planned...

Well, it seems I have hit a bump in the road...which I guess is expected while living outside of the country. I was to begin my volunteer placement on Monday, which did in fact happen. However, the clinic I was originally assigned is La Clinica de Rehabilitacion, a physical therapy clinic. The agency, Amerispan, that I am here with, thought there would be a role for me there, but after going there both yesterday and today, I could very easily see that unless I am a PT there is NOTHING to do. I went back to school....and back to the drawing board, and hopefully with have a new placement in a day or two.

In regard to the clinic, I was very impressed in how modern and well-equiped it was. They had electro-stim therapy, ice and heat tubs, lots of therapy equipment and tools, etc. It's nice to see that people here have access to that type of care if needed. It also was incredible to hear that patients pay 70 pesos per visit...which is about 5 USD...what a deal!!!

Also, I will say I was quite impressed with myself that I even figured out how to get to the clinic. This process involved taking the city bus, which is MUCH different than in the US. There aren't schedules, and the routes vary by day. The best thing a person can do is ask if that particular bus will pass by the spot you're hoping to get to. It also is like a rollercoaster ride, and I actually have to take dramamine in the AM before I head out. The streets are so hilly here and the buses drive like they're in a NASCAR race, its really incredible they don't crash!!!

I'm hoping my luck improves in the next day or two!!!

School's out forever...

I finished up my spanish classes yesterday. I actually ended up enjoying them WAY more than I thought I would, and am sad to be done. Last wk I was moved up to the top class at school. This is quite an accomplishment for "An American" as my teachers liked to tease me about...but it was pretty obvious I was at the bottom of the class as far as ability goes. My new teachers, Javier and Rojelio, were both awesome, and I learned more in the past 2 wks than I did in 2 semesters of classes at UWM. It was also a VERY intense time because the teaching style in general here in Mexico is much more "in your face" and abrasive than in the US. Everyone warned me that if I was moved up into the top class I would have a breakdown in class and cry (I guess it is kind of a "right of passage" or something). I was desperate to prove this theory wrong...but on Tuesday, my level of frusteration and humiliation was too much....and I cried. Although I am done with formal classes, I can still go to culture classes, which I will continue to do...they are so interesting and a fun way to practice more spanish!!!

I begin my volunteer placement on Monday. I am very excited to see what this entails and what type of patients I will be working with. I went and visited the clinic earlier in the wk. It is small, and a LONG way from my host family's house, but well-equiped to treat patients. I will be working with one doctor and a couple other assistants. The rest of the info I will find out as the new wk begins.

The weather has also been very cool here this wk. A couple of nights it got down to 3 degrees celcius (which is about 40 degrees). As my luck goes, this is unseasonably cool. Overall, the weather here reminds me of the western US...which makes sense since Guanajuato is located in the mountains. It gets cool at night (perfect for sleeping), warms up quickly in the AM and is hot from about 12-5, and then again cools off quickly. I am definately wearing my fleece jacket and few pairs of jeans a lot more than I thought I would.

Also, one last bit of good news: I will get to stay with my host family rather than having to move to an apartment or dorm; I love my set-up with them and also all the company of the family.

Time continues to FLY by and I know before I know it I will be heading home!!! We had a long wkend this wkend as today, Monday, was a national holiday (although I have no idea for what). Most of the other students seem pretty preoccupied with planning extravagant wkend excusions, but I continue to stay very busy here in Guanajuato and am quite content just enjoying this beautiful city!!!

On Saturday, Carolina, myself, and our host-family's oldest daughter, Fernanda, joined some of the other students, and attended "El Noche de Las Estrellas," a national star-gazing festival. This involved a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to the middle of nowhere and a hike up to a field that had telescopes, star-gazing maps, and a few speakers. The stars were beautiful, especially since there wasn't any "light contamination" like you'd have near a city. Sadly, the highlight of the evening for me were the taco stands which were set up along the hike. I had two of the BEST tacos I have ever had: homemade tortillas, steak, chirizo, onions, cilantro, and salsa...DELICIOUS!!!

Sunday, a bar/restaurant near our house has a satellite dish and aired the SuperBowl on NBC. It was SO nice to watch American tv for the first time in a month, and see all of the commericals too!!! I think it was one of the best games and half-time shows in a long time!!!

Today, I went and hiked "La Bufa," a series of rock formations near the city. We starting the climb at 0900 and didn't make it down until 1330. The weather was perfect...sunny and cool with a light breeze. Their were tons of interesting plants along the way and a few small herds of cows. I wonder how anything was able to survive in such harsh conditions!!! The view when we finally reached the summit was incredible, and I really enjoyed the challenge of the hike. When we finally got back, we all headed to Santo Cafe, a delicious cafe in town, for a well-deserved lunch!!!

One of my favorite parts of the hike!!! Although the hillsides are completely dried up due to the constant drought-like conditions, the cactus still manage to flower...so beautiful!!!

Finally, we made it to the top of the peak on our hike...what a view!!!

You know you're in Mexico when...

After being here for almost 3 wks now, I have observed some interesting things, which bring me to the topic:

YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN MEXICO WHEN...
1. Tortillas and salsa are somehow included in EVERY meal (and should be...they are SO fresh and delicious here).

2. The restaurant near my host family's house had half a cow delivered via wheelbarrow the other day (needless to say I'm sure I've eaten far worse since I've been here, I just don't know it).

3. The spinning instructor at the gym I go to for spinning class brought her 3 month old Beagle puppy with to class...he slept in her sweats while we biked.

4. The sun intensely shines every day without a cloud in the sky.

5. I occassionally don't have hot water in my shower after a windy day...the pilot light on the hotwater heater to my room gets blown out as it is on the roof outside of my room.

6. It is possible to buy a "knock-off" of just about anything. Last wkend I bought a pair of "Lacoste" sunglasses for 50 pesos (about $4).

7. When I tell people I'm from MN or WI they have no idea where it is...but when I mention it's near Canada, they immediately know it must be VERY cold.

8. There are lots of stray dogs around and they are all SO cute. I wish I could bring a couple home with me!!!

9. American TV shows are on TV all the time, but with the most cheesey dubbed-over voices. Grey's Anatomy just isn't the same!!!

10. Recycling does not exist in ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. I cringe every time I have to throw away a bottle or can.

11. Car seats and seat belts are never used. I often see a family drive by with an infant on the mom's lap and kids standing on the seats in the back.

12. American influences are everywhere...iPods, Wii, Miley Cirus, "Abercrombie" and "Holister" clothing.

Becoming a local...

After two weeks here in Guanajuato, I have become fairly familiar with daily life here. It took me about this long to get my body acostomed to the daily schedule. My first week I would wake-up like I do at home....EARLY, and kill time until the rest of the world woke up here. In reality there is NO reason to be waking up early here, as there is NOTHING to do...so I have adopted the "local" schedule: wake-up at 8 AM, breakfast at 8:30, class 9-1, go for a run or head to the gym, lunch at 3, study/hangout, evening classes 7-8, dinner/snack, homework/study, go to bed 12-1 AM. Getting back on a "hospital" schedule is going to be a real reality shock!!!

This past wkend was uneventful, yet very busy. Friday I did my laundry. Like most things here, it was a production, and very different than at home. You have to take your laundry to the "lavanderia" or laundry mat. You are charged by the kg...which gets VERY expensive!!! Some of the other students in my school have had problems with their clothes being shrunk away to nothing (because the dryers are SO HOT), so I decided to ask for my clothes to be only washed. I then lugged them home and hung them up on the roof on the clothesline to dry. This actually worked pretty well!!!

On Saturday I went for an hour long run in the city and enjoyed the sunshine and warmer weather. It has been quite hot the last few days, and I've actually had to use some of the sunscreen I brought along...it's VERY easy to get burnt given the strength of the sun and the altitude here. I spent Saturday night with Carolina watching movies at our house...it was relaxing to have a lazy night and get some rest.

I spent most of the day Sunday exploring different parts of the city. I walked to the world-famous Mummy Museum (Museo de los Mumias). It was a very interesting and DIFFERENT museum. Below is a brief history:

"With almost 150 years of history, the Mummies of Guanajuato have become a part of our culture and traditions as a people settled on the slopes of a large ravine that has generously produced the riches of its innards since the age of Spanish viceroyalty.
In 1865 the first mummified body that lay in the Santa Paula Pantheon was extracted, and as the years go by, other bodies are discovered in the same condition due to the characteristics of the soil in which they rested. At present more than one hundred mummies make up the inventory of the museum created in their honor."

I also walked to most of the markets in town and bought fruit, candy (jelly beans of course), and some sunglasses. The markets are HUGE here and you can buy just about anything you could ever want for next to nothing. I also discovered this wkend that there are shoe stores EVERYWHERE, and shoes are less tha $8 USD. I am definately going to buy a few pairs before I leave!!!

Sunday evening I taught my host family how to make "American" cookies. Carolina and I took a long walk to one of only two supermarkets in town and actually found brown sugar and chocolate chips, the only ingredients the Alvarez's didn't already have at home. We made a double batch, which was probably more than 60 cookies. Everyone went NUTS for the cookies. Pepe, who is 14, ate at least a dozen when they were fresh and hot. When I woke up this morning, all but 4 cookies (that Gloria had hidden for Carolina and I) were GONE. The kids are already asking when I will make my next creation...maybe brownies next time:)

A baking lesson with my host family...they wanted to learn how to make "American cookies"...we went for nestle tollhouse chocolate chip...they were a BIG HIT!!!

One of the many markets in Guanajuato where you can buy fresh, locally grown produce...it is SO much better than in the supermarkets back home!!!

Mummies at Museo de Las Momias in Guanajuato.

School has gotten significantly more difficult, or moreso frusterating this wk. In Mexico, a common way of learning something new is repetition until something is perfect. All week we've had to practice writing and saying sentences we've created in the subjunctive form of conjugation until they are perfect....and we are not allowed to leave class until they all are. Yesterday I was after class 20 min and almost in tears with frusteration....and finally asked my teacher if I could please leave...it's tough love I guess, but a good way to effectively learn.

The weather is finally improving a bit here. My luck, it has been unseasonably cool, and I have WAY underpacked in the warm clothing department. Most days it is in the 60s during the day and low 40s at night. During the day it is quite nice, but at night, without heat, it cools down quickly. Good weather to sleep in, but definately cool getting up in the AM. I am glad I at least packed a fleece jacket last minute and might break down and buy a sweater...which would really make me a wimpy Minnesotan. It has also been very windy at night, which causes the pilot light on the hot water heater to my room to blow out. I was without hot water the other day and didn't realize the previous day's wind was the cause...thank god though, because BOY WAS THAT A MISERABLE SHOWER!!!

My host family asked me if I liked to bake, which I LOVE TO, and if so, if I would teach them how to make "American Chocolate Chip Cookies." Works out perfect, since cookies are my specialty, so this wkend I will be leading a "cookie making course" at the house which should be fun. Oddly enough, sweets here are VERY different, with much less sugar (which I actually prefer)...so my host family will be in for a big surprise!!!

Every Wednesday evening we have "Cafe Social," where all of the students and teachers from the school meet at a cafe to have a drink and practice our spanish speaking skills. It's a fun way to get to know some of the other students that are not in my class. This is my roommate Carolina, from Brazil.

Along with normal spanish classes every day from 0900-1300, we have culture classes 2-3 evenings during the wk. This week's topic is about common mistakes non-spanish speakers make when using common phrases in a BAD way. We are also learning about common idioms that are used in spanish ("I woke up on the wrong side of the bed")...I can't help but think of my sister saying they were teaching the same stuff to some of her non-english speaking students back in MN.

One of the phrases we learned was "ser fodonga" which is a slang term which means "to not care about one's appearance or what others might think about your appearance." Our teacher used the example he'd "heard" that college students in America often go to class in pajamas for morning classes....I agreed that this was often the practice...and the other students from around the world were absolutely shocked!!!! I also was telling this story to my "host-mom" and she was appauled too. In the Mexican culture, appearance is VERY important, and even people that have nothing here are dressed in perfectly bleached and ironed clothes, hair neatly combed, etc.

I also had the privilage of working with Yunko in class today, a girl about my age from Japan. I think I'm doing a pretty thorough job of taking notes and doing my homework...YOU SHOULD SEE HER NOTES...all color-coded, recopied, and neatly organized. The workethic of all Japanese students here at school is really something I could learn from!!!

just a side note...i consolidated my email addresses and will now use the following: hmstangl@gmail.com

please send any future emails to that address...thanks:)

Catching history while in Mexico...

Thanks to the wonders of technology, I have been able to catch the excitement of The Presidential Inauguration via CNN.com/live. I actually brought my new laptop to school and had live video streaming throughout class through the school's wireless connection (muted of course); I couldn't possibly miss out on such a historic day!!!! I was surprisingly overcome with emotion watching Obama be sworn in and truly feel excited and hopeful that our country has overcome yet another barrier!!! I am looking forward to watching the parade this afternoon!!! It is also very interesting to get a feel from the other students and even my host family about Obama coming into office, and past attitudes about President Bush. It's easy to forget that our country's polical actions are much more far-reaching than we probably will ever realize.

I have gotten lots of nice emails from friends and family saying they enjoy the blog which for me is VERY COOL. It has become kind of a fun project for me to keep up. I also have gotten a few questions about what my address is down here:

La Familia Alvarez (Heidi Stangl)
Mexiamora #12, Col. Centro
C.P. 36000, Guanajuato, Gto.
Mexico

Also, MANY THANKS to friends and family this wk for all the continued support and well-wishes. I've been a little homesick and have had quite a bit of stress in my personal life recently, and it's been wonderful to hear such kind words, so again THANK YOU:)

Our picnic lunch yesterday on the patio...this is my host family (count em all six kids) and my roommate Carolina (on the end in the white). Normally everyone is being silly and laughing...I guess a caught a serious shot:)

A good wkend...

My first full wkend in Guanajuato was fairly low-key, which I enjoyed. Friday evening, some of the other students and I went to a Salsa dance class. It lasted for about an 90 mins, and believe me, Saturday morning I was sore in places I didn’t even know I could be sore. All of the participants in the class were non-Hispanic…so you can imagine how goofy we all looked!!!

Saturday I enjoyed the beautiful weather (lots of sun and around 70 degrees) and went for an hour long run with another student from school and took in more of the scenery of the city while out on the run. Even during the weekend there doesn’t seem to be many tourists around which is nice. My host family was gone for the day on a trip to a nearby city, so the house was incredibly peaceful without six kids running around. I spent the evening at my new favorite hangout, Café Tal, studying for my nursing boards. Café Tal is a fun little café owned by a hippie-type guy from Washington DC. The coffee is awesome and super cheap and there is free wireless there too.

Sunday, I walked to a nearby “mall” with my Brazilian roommate Carolina and Fernanda (the family’s oldest daughter who is 16). The mall was a good 25 minute walk, which involved going through a long tunnel. Being that I am SUPER claustrophobic, I was scared!!! The mall had a big store called “Mega,” which is like Walmart, and about a dozen other random stores. There also is a food court with the city’s only McDonalds and Subway (I might just have to make a trip there someday for lunch). I bought some candy and diet coke, both necessities for meJ Luckily we ran into Fernanda’s aunt at the mall and she gave us a ride home so we didn’t have to go through that tunnel again!!!

In the afternoon, my host family, Carolina and I, and a few other random relatives had an outdoor picnic on the patio behind the family’s house. Pedro (the dad) grilled up the skirt steak with an awesome marinade on this pit/grill-type deal they have and sliced it up thinly. We used these big rolls (which we kind of hollowed out) and freshly toasted tortillas and filled them with the steak, fresh guacamole and salsa, and chili peppers (fresh off the grill too). The weather was perfect, and we all sat around and talked and ate for about 2 hours, while Egore, the family‘s dog tried to steal any leftovers he could find. My host family loves to ask me about what it’s like to live somewhere with such cold weather and snow (the kids have never seen snow)…and I couldn’t help but show them some pictures on my computer of the aftermath of the HUGE blizzard we had in Milwaukee last year….THEY COULDN’T BELIEVE IT!!! It really was a wonderful afternoon and ONE OF THE BEST MEALS I’VE EVER HAD!!!

Lessons and observations from my first wk...

After being here in Guanajauto for about a wk now, I have become pretty familiar with the city and day to day life here. The following are some of the more interesting moments I've had so far:

1. No matter how badly you need to use a restroom and desperate you may appear, you are unable to use the public toilets without paying 2-5 pesos.

2. Although most places have indoor plumbing, the low water pressure does not allow for flushing toilet paper and instead needs to go in the waste basket....you'd be surprised how difficult it is to change such a simple life-long habit!!!

3. Meal times are much different then in the US. Breakfast is around 8 AM, lunch 3 PM, and dinner anywhere from 8-10 PM, although lunch is usually the largest meal of the day. It's weird to eat so late at night!!!

4. The "danger zone" for food in no way exists. It drives me crazy walking by the butcher's shops and seeing chicken and pork just sitting on the counter. Luckily my host family has good refrigeration and and uses safe food prep techniques (at least by Mexican standards).

5. Fresh produce is SO much better than in the US. Most is grown locally and picked the morning of to be brought to the markets. The prices are ridiculously cheap too. Strawberries are about 50 cents a pound and bananas less than a nickel each. You can also buy big bags of oranges for next to nothing (similar to 40lb bags of potatoes you can buy in the US). My host family uses those oranges to squeeze fresh orange juice every morning...SO GOOD!!!

6. No matter how much I practice and more confidence I develop in my spanish speaking skills, I still make a ton of stupid and embarrassing mistakes. The other day at lunch I was telling my host family about how I went running by "El Pípila" (the big statue) and instead said "pepino" which means cucumber. The little kids were laughing at me so much...its rough having an audience of 9 during meals!!!

7. Lastly, working out at 6,500 ft is a killer!!! There is a small gym by the house that has group exercise classes. For 30 pesos (about $2.50) you can attend. I went to a spinning class after school yesterday and have never been SO out of breath while biking. No one else in class hardly even broke a sweat and I WAS DIEING!!!

These were my classmates for the wk. New students can come and go each Monday, so things are constantly changing.

In the picture is myself, Sara (a travel agent from France), Anna (a student from Russia), Erik (a co-worker of Sara's also from France), Alex (a student from California), Elaine (a student from Texas), Koichito (an employee of Toshiba from Japan...you should see some of the electronic gadgets he has!!!) and Yunko (a business professional from Japan).

This the upper floor of the school...bright, airy, and very clean.

My bedroom. It has two beds, lots of storage space, a desk, and my own bathroom with hot water...I am totally spoiled!!!

The family's dog, Egore, became my new best friend the first day I moved in. He likes to lay outside of my room.

This is the view from the top of the city near 'El Pípila,' a HUGE statue that overlooks Guanajuato. There is a long and very steep staircase that leads to it....quite a workout!!!

This is the view from my room. As you can see, all of the houses are built on the hillsides and are very colorful!!!

My first wk in Mexico

Saturday morning, my dad and I left my parents house in MN at the ungodly hour of 0300 for the airport. Somehow I managed to pack most of what I'd need for the next three months into just two suitcases and a backpack (and not forget anything). As the plane took off from Minneapolis, I really had to idea what the next few months, and even days would hold!!! My flight took me from Minneapolis to Detroit, and then a LONG flight from Detroit to Mexico City. I have never visited Mexico City, and was blown away by the city's size as we landed. I was amazed by the air pollution. I've been told that the pollution is the equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes per day....and I completely believe that now. The city was blanketed by a thick layer of smog that looked like fog...it was incredible.

The airport is one of the largest and busiest in the world and also one of the most dangerous from what I've read and heard....so rather than spend the night in the airport (after my flight was bumped to the next morning), I took a hotel shuttle to the nearby Fiesta Inn. After traveling for 14 hrs, it felt good to get a decent night's sleep, a hot shower, and a couple last hours of TV in English (MTV and CNN).

I was up again at 0400 Sunday morning to make my final flight to Leon. There were only 9 others on the flight other than myself...and I really wondered what I got myself into as the plane took off from Mexico City. The flight was only 40 min, and we flew pretty close to the ground...which gave a nice view. We landed at El Aeropuerto International de Leon and I had to laugh to myself that they'd consider an airport not much larger than a small strip mall in the US an "international airport." I grabbed my bags from the airport's ONLY baggage claim and went to wait for my ride to Guanajuato.

I WAITED AND WAITED AND WAITED...and was beginning to think maybe this whole trip and program was a total scam...when FINALLY a younger guy showed up to pick me up. We made the 40 minute drive from Leon to Guanajuato and finally arrived at my host family's house.

In the confirmation information I received from Amerispan, I was to live for one month with an older couple with two sons a little older than me while i attended classes at the language school and then the final two months in a dorm-type place. Instead my arrangements had changed...AND FOR THE BETTER. I am staying with a younger family, La Familia Alvarez. They have 6 children, ranging in age from 8-16, all of which live at home, a HUGE dog (who of course was instantly my best friend), and other student from the school (Carolina, a 19 year old girl from Brazil). Their house is HUGE and extremely modern by Mexican standards. It has 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, cable tv, wireless internet, and HOT WATER (one of my biggest concerns while I am away). I have my own little "apartment" which is up near the roof with two bedrooms and my own bathroom. There is TONS of space to unpack and a nice desk, and the BEST view of the city just a few steps from my bedroom door.

With 6 kids the house is ALWAYS full of activity. Just like in the US, the kids are OBSESSED with Wii and hate doing their homework. They have SO much energy and are so much more respectful and obedient than American kids...partly because the mom (Gloria) runs a pretty "tight ship." There is no whining, everyone helps out with different chores, and all the younger ones sit down around the dining room table and do homework together with mom's help. She and her husband work at the University of Guanajuato (Pedro is a doctor for the University's athletic teams). I eat two meals a day with the family (imagine how crazy it is with 10 people around a dinner table!!!!)...breakfast at 8 and lunch at 3. The food is amazing and Gloria is a great cook. I've been eating LOTS of fresh fruit, beans, rice, tortillas, and chicken. Yesterday we had this amazing "cream of cilantro" soup that i want to learn to make!!!

The city is absolutely beautiful and pretty small...about 70,000 people. It is located in a valley, and many of the houses are built up on the hillsides. My first day here, Sunday, my roommate Carolina so nicely showed me around the whole city and we must have spent 5 or 6 hours just walking around. Because everything is SO close, walking everywhere is no problem. The city is filled with markets, tiny shops, beautiful old buildings and architecture, tons of restaurants, and barely any tourists. Its located at around 6,500 ft and I can really start to feel the altitude. The weather is cooler than I expected (NOT THAT I AM COMPLAINING AS I KNOW HOW COLD IT HAS BEEN IN THE MIDWEST LATELY)...mostly mid-60s during the day and 40s at night and it is almost always sunny.

On Monday I started school. The school is small and very quaint. There are about 25 students at the school currently, and there are always more coming and going every Monday when a new session begins. The students are mostly between 18 and 30 years old but from ALL OVER THE WORLD (which really surprised me). There are only 8 students in my class...from Russia, two others from the US, Japan, and France. Other students in the school are from Norway, Netherlands, Brazil, etc. Classes go from 0900-1300 every morning with optional additional classes in the afternoon and evening (movies, culture classes, social outings, etc) and we also have homework every night. The teachers are tough, but very helpful and I AM LEARNING SO MUCH SPANISH. Its kind of cool being that all the students are from all over the world and have different primary languages but can all communicate in spanish!!!

Sorry this first post is SO long...and I will continue to update it every couple of days while I'm away and upload pictures when I have access to a faster connection. Adios for today:)