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!!!