Guanajuato

I arrived in Mexico on Sunday and I must say it is quite a culture shock. And I must add that as I am typing this, it is very hard to think in English so con permiso or forgive me. The first day was the worst day. As I am about to get off the bus to meet my Mama Mexicana, all I can think is Ok here goes. My expectations of Mexico were pretty much comprised of what we see on the news, although of course that should be taken with a grain of salt, and what I have learned in my classes at Mason. Some of these things I have seen here do live up to these expectations, good and bad, and some not so much. However, I digress. So I meet my Mama Mexicana, Pilar, and she is the nicest and warmest person, which helped so much because I was scared out of my mind as it was. In the taxi to her house we talk about family, what I like to eat and other various mundane things and then as I look to my left I see Mexican police brutality in full force. There is a truck of full of policia. They are all wearing those black masks and carry huge machine guns, as they are scanning the streets for other sospechosos, or suspects if you will. In the meantime on the street 3 policia are throwing a woman to the ground, as she is fighting back, and literally stuffing her in the truck. Yes literally. Ok so to see this maybe after I have been here a few days ok, but imagine... I just got off the plane and it was like on the right you will see the beautiful Teatro Juarez and on the left police brutality. Welcome to Guanajuato. Oh and I forgot that when we got off the plane, there were miltary men lining the runway. Odd, no? I thought so.

But regardless of that, Guanajuato is one of the safest cities in Mexico. So the first day I really just wanted to cry honestly. I dont think I have ever felt that alone in my life. I mean can you imagine... It is not just a strange city, but they speak a different language and you dont know anyone. Ok granted I do speak spanish but still I dont have to speak it or even use it everyday. It was a little rusty I must say. But after the first 2 days I would say that it started to become normal. I can tell you right now, as I am typing this that about 90 percent of what I am typing is coming into my head in spanish first. Im losing my english.

Guanajuato is a beautiful city though. It is so strange to think that I am walking on the exact same streets... ok not the exact same because they changed most of them from piedras to ladrillos, but when the Spaniards were here they walked to the Basilica taking the same streets that I take everyday. That might make me a nerd that I think about that as I walk to school but that is ok, I have been called worse. When I get home I will upload pictures to share because the city is just awesome.

Having said that... I am ready to come home. I know it is probably muy mal that I am counting down the days until I land back in the U.S. I mean, I am fine here, but it is not home. And honestly I never thought I would miss home as much as I do. It is something that is really hard to explain. The more I am here, the more I like it, overall. I am getting used to it here, the language, the people etc. And I honestly do like it and would not trade this experience for anything. But at the same time, it is not home. That is the only way I can think to explain it really. Es un poco triste, pero a lo mismo tiempo no. Plus I feel like I am missing things at home, like I am disconnected. I dont like that feeling at all. It really does not help that I cant even talk to people on the phone, and even texting doesnt really work that well. Hopefully this week will fly by and before you know it, I will be back in Los Estados Unidos. Ok enogh thoughts for now, it is time for lunch.

Buen dia