Montezuma's Revenge

I wasn't planning on coming home early, but Montezuma's revenge did me in. That and my apartment. When I rented it, I did notice that it was on top of a bar and restaurant. How bad could that be? Well, it was loud every night until about midnight (although some nights I did like the guitarist), but the damn Doberman pincher that barked nightly from 2:00 a.m. onwards followed by the construction crew in the early morning were really too much for me. I got used to the church bells ringing every 15 minutes and the crowing roosters, too.

I don't know what caused the gastro problem since I was very careful to select only cooked foods and/or to cook my own. The foods I ate were simply delicious, all fresh and organic and truly outstanding. It could have been anything. However, being alone and being up all night without anyone to help or complain to afterwards is really not that much fun.

Surprisingly, getting a flight was really easy, so all I had to decide was when. I really had exhausted Tlaquepaque as far as shopping goes. I absolutely didn't do any! I didn't get lost any more, so what fun was that? I did keep meeting new people from the States and Canada as the school gets new students every Monday. But frankly all the people were like me...trying to escape a mundane life and cold winter.

Unfortunately, I didn't really get to experience the students from the school I had planned on visiting in a conversation group, so I am sorry about that. However, under the circumstances, talking with anyone is difficult.

I am in recluse mode at home, still trying to shake the bug. I do look like I've been to a spa..a sudden dramatic weight loss and I still have somewhat of a tan on my face.

Mexico is definitely on my radar for the future. It is stunning with its vivid colours, warm people, lilting language and good prices. I do want to make sure I get the right accommodation next time since uncomfortable surroundings can easily exacerbate pain.

Hasta la vista! thanks for following this blog! I will post my photos shortly.

teaching

I arrived at the private school and was ushered into a gr. 8 classroom. Even while the teacher was there, the students were active and excited, much different from the Indian classes I visited last year. They were using an American text and I wandered around helping them, questioning them and interacting with them.

Tomorrow I will have a conversation class with a few students. I don´t really know more than that. The principal seems to have disappeared, she didn´t show up on Friday or today, but I did and they´seem to be happy i am there.

Then I went to a local restaurnt for breakfast. Not understanding much, because normal people speak too rapidly, a man rescued me. Then another man joined me at my table and we had a conversation half in English and half in Spanish. I learned some names of new foods.

This computer is making me crazy...every time I write something it disappears. So tht it for now.

San Miguel di Allende

A 1.5 hour bus ride away from Guanajuato, is San Miguel which I have wanted to visit for years.. It´s not as pretty as the former, but filled with more people my age than I have ever seen. The mecca for Canadians and Americans.

Lots of markets, lots of handicrafts which I didn´t buy, but it was hard to resist. I did see the most delightful apartment which an American lady showed us since we were so enthralled with the courtyard of the building. I could definitley live there for very little and it´s just the sort of place I could see myself in for the winter. There are lectures, workshops, classes in art..a whole transplanted community in San Miguel.

The bus ride back came with luxurious seats, a snack...again a first class experience.

Great weekend!

Guanajuato

We spent Valentine´s day in gorgeous Guanajuato a 3.5 hour bus ride from here by luxury bus.

The city and Mexico go crazy over Valentine´s day Everyone is buying flowers and chocolates. We stayed at a cute little hostel. (I was travelling with a young couple) and they were on a budget, but the bed was better than the one in my apartment.

Had a great day photographing the most picturesque town in Mexico. I´ll share these when I download my photos when I get home. The evening was the most fun. We attended a Valentinés day party and dance in the main square. I kept getting asked by this one fellow. So I said yes, but he was too good for me. He kept asking me again and again and I had to say no as the music speeded up way beyoned my capabilities. i can´t really make corrections today, as I have been erasing this blog every time I try.

new job

I decided to take my future into my own hands. Having had a wonderful evening with my conversation partner, he speaks English and I try to speak Spanish (ONLY he sort of monopolized the time)I asked him about local schools in Tlaquepaque. He walked me over to a school a couple of blocks from my apartment.

The next day I sauntered over there with my resume and after having to wait outside the gated entry, they let me in and brought me to the principal. We chatted with an interpreter and even though I insisted I wanted to volunteer. She didn't get it and said she had no money, but was delighted with my offer. I was to return the next day and get the schedule.

Today I arrived at the appointed time, no prinipal. But the assistant asked me to show up on Monday at 8:00.

This weekend we are (the school people\ planning a trip to Guanajuato. Supposed to be a fabulous historic city near san Miguel where I have wanted to go for years.

I'm in a bit of a squeeze here while people are preparing to leave the school for the weekend.

I'll keep you posted.

cooking

My Japanese friend invited me to her cooking class so I went. It was in a neighborhood of Guadalajara. The maestra (teacher)Rosi was so welcoming. Didn't speak a word of English, neither did anyone else except for Namiko whose English is minimal.

I think my sister Eva would be horrified at the lack of sanitation in the kitchen. It was also a bit overwhelming for me. But we did make hamburgers from lentils and squeezed cookies out of a pastry bag ( new for me). It was fun and they invited me back for tomorrow and Saturday. Four hours of doing dishes really tired me out.

We did a whirlwind tour of the market at Guadalajara where Namiko actually took her just made cookies and sold them to the juice man. Everyone seemed to know her well. What an artista!

artist

Having had no sleep last night, I didn't know what the day would bring. I enjoy going to markets, so I found the local mercado and stalked up on fresh food. Delicious. Imagine freshly squeezed orange or any kind of fruit juice for about $2.00 for about a half litre.

Then I waited for my art lesson. I had arranged to meet Namiko at the cathedral because her teacher recommended her for me. Every Mexican town has a central square and it's a great place to meet. Namiko is Japanese and is living here. She studied English in Vancouver and then decided to come south. Her English is minimal and her Spanish is minimal and I don't speak Japanese. She did bring some art of hers in her bag and so all I did was try to copy what she had painted. We couldn't stop laughing because all I did was copy and she wanted me to be more creative, but I was just happy that I didn't have to think of anything to draw. Also before she came, I was sketching the gazebo in front of the cathedral and running out of space on the page, so I'm glad she brought along her masterpiece.

I will try to take a couple of lessons a week. But Namiko told me about her cooking lessons in town and the fact that she takes salsa, so I might be diverted from the painting.

I spent the afternoon with my new Dutch friend (a computer nerd( she calls herself. We listened to a female mariachi band in a lovely cafe, eating calorie laden sweets for the rest of the sunny afternoon.

The weather here is truly perfect. People are always outside, congregating and eating and playing and singing. When the weather is like this all the time, you can't help but smile.

Sundays

I stepped out onto the street and saw no cars. Only a guy with an orange vest and lots of yellow ribbon marking off the roads. Sunday is bicycle day from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. here in Tlaquepaque. You can get a bike for free and actually go all the way to Guadalajara.(maybe 20 km(. I tried to get one, but I had come too late. It's amazing to see young and old all cycling on the streets with not a car in sight.

Apparently, Sunday is the day to go to the market at Tonala which is about a half-hour by bus from Tlaquepaque. Tlaquepaque is quite an upscale place and I was told that to get the same stuff for quite a bit less you need to go to the market at Tonala. Everyone is super friendly. Even the guy at the bus stop indulged my Spanish and shook my hand before I boarded the bus.

Tonala was very crowded with lots of artesenias. People here are very creative, but the merchandise in my town is much more crafted. It was an experience that I enjoyed in spite of the afternoon heat. Almost as hot as Bangkok.

In the evening I ventured out again because there were so many people wandering around the downtown area where I live. It's just so convenient to concerts, entertainment, people watching, food. It was very crowded and I fell on the pavement. Senora, Senora, a man called to me and helped me up. A bruised knee ( my very arthritic one( and a bruised ankle were the result. I hobbled back to my place and tried to rest. Unfortunately, there was a party at the restaurant where I live and then the dog began to bark and bark and bark all night. I don't know how I made it through the night.

my move

I didn't go to Tequila to taste the liquor because I guess I partied too late with the school chums the night before and was sick all through the night. So I moved to my new apartment as my colleague and I rolled my suitcase through town to one of the main roads where the apartment is. The bed is huge (king( the brackets don't do what they are supposed to. I chatted with the father of the owner who is from Scotland and is visiting his son and the grandkids. That was fun!

Afterwards, I just walked along the street and lo and behold...there was a tequila shop. The shopkeeper was thrilled to be able to talk with me and explain the process. He even had an agave plant out back and a miniature distillation factory. After sampling a few tequilas in shot glasses, I was rather glad that I didn't go on the tour. It burns the throat all the way down. I know there are different types of tequila drinks because my friends who went on the tour explained that to me and I even viewed their photos.

I actually slept quite soundly on Saturday night.

Dancing and touring

It´s a bit boring all this sunshine and perfect weather and vibrant colors. no!!!

I moved to a new homestay which is a minute from the school, but the room is tiny and a bit noisy. So I´´m moving again to my huge new place near the main plaza of this gorgeous little town of Tlaquepaque. Please forgive all spelling and grammar mistakes. I am working against time and a different keyboard every day.

The other night we went dancing at the home of Jill´s future mother-in-law. She´s the lovely American woman who picked me up and runs a tourist business in conjunction with the school. Not only did she arrange for a teacher of salsa to come to that house, but also it ended up with my having to pair up with a young man from Holland, (who I might add was not a bad dancer, Michael...and didn´t step on my toes) What a workout!

Yesterday we did a group trip to Lake Chapala and Ajijic where I have been trying to get a place to rent so I could partake in retirees´ classes. There are tons of expats living there. However, it is very hard to get something for the month of February at any price.

So I´m staying here in Tlaquepaque and will do trips from here. There´s lots to see and do here. I´m checking out about volunteering in a school and doing art lessons as well as the Spanish classes.

Everyone is super friendly on the street. You can´t pass someone by without their saying hello and smiling.

My Spanish is definitely improving, but those darned conjugations.I really just want to say stuff and not worry about them. I have to do a review of a film for homework which I will do after I finish this post.

Saturday we are going to see a tequila factory with the school. They even give you samples apparently.

Hasta la manana

first day

I arrived in Guatalajara and was picked up at the airport as per my e-mail by a young lady who works for the school. Although she´s American, she kissed me hello. The homestay where I am currently is very reminiscent of Cuernavaca in that there are dogs howling and buses screeching. I share a bathroom with many. I'm probably changing places today.

Breakfast was amazing though, with freshly squeezed orange juice, pancakes and great company...a couple from California and a young man from holland.

We walked together to the school where I met many other Americans and a few Canadians all around my age. The class was not great, but the people were. We had a lot of laughs and tomorrow they are upping my level.

I just came back from a walk in the glorious sunshine of Tlaquepaque (suburb of Guadalajara) where I'm staying. It´'s truly delightful. There are people outside with lots of wares to sell, lots of art galleries, and restaurants. I sat down on a bench and took out my Spanish homework and a guy who wanted to practise English and actually spoke quite well. We didn´t finish the homework, but it wasn't all that challenging.

I´'m going back to my homestay for a midday meal and a swim.

Hasta luego

Getting prepared

I'm on my way for another adventure abroad. Going to Guadalajara and staying with a Mexican family to start off with. Taking Spanish lessons again. My previous Spanish has evaporated so I need to brush up. Weather's been freezing here. It's gorgeous down south. I'm excited about the next 5 weeks.