01.07.07 Day 20, Mexico Trip 1

I take back anything I have ever felt or said that is negative about Conchita. (Helio’s ex-step-mom) Yes, she comes on very strong and sort of mothers me a bit more than I can handle but wow, she has rescued me. We are staying at her beautiful house. It is the best, cleanest, organized house I have seen thus far. She is exactly what I needed.

I did the wifely thing and planted a little seed with her while Helio was out looking for our friends. She started asking me about immigration and what is happening as she isn’t getting all the answers she is looking for from Helio. I, of course, started crying. It was just being around someone that cares for Helio like a mother and not because of all the things I have said. She has her own relationship with him regardless of me. I told her about how he is living and what the conditions are like. She kept saying, “I have asked him to stay with us over and over, I call his dad’s house and his girlfriend gets mad but I don’t care, he is my son” She does sincerely love him and wants to do everything in her power to help him. I am really hoping she leans on him after I leave to stay here. It is so nice and Helio needs some mothering. When he entered the room to go to sleep last night I could see a little brightness in him. I think he needs some parenting and someone to make a fuss over him.

Conchita and Solomon (her husband of 19 years) are so happy to have us here. He is actually very funny. I guess when I met them for the first time I was so wrapped up in getting married that I didn’t notice that. Conchita has made a plan for us for the next few days and totally has my interest in mind. She has made a point to make sure I never have to stay in Jona again. They both don’t say anything but they both think it is filthy and oppressive.

Conchita and Solomon are actually very well off here. Helio has always told me that but I haven’t really understood what he meant. They own a few rental properties and that store. They took us to eat at this ultra fancy posh golf course with all their friends today. It was such a weird contrast to be wearing the same dirty clothes for days to trying my best to get Levi to not act like a total maniac so I didn’t embarrass them. Conchita was actually trying to get Levi to use the proper hand when eating. Well then- Levi did a good job of behaving other than launching his truck behind him and it sailing through the air to fall over the balcony to the people eating on the lower level, that’s my kid.

When we got back from the golf course we walked around a bit, I bought a new hat, and we stopped in at a restaurant- that had a teacher. It was awesome. The teacher played with Levi and played games with him and other kids. We were able to sit as adults and visit without chasing after him. It was incredible. Mexico does understand kids and parenting, I really like that.

We went to the Lucha Libre last night. Yes, it is exactly like Nacho Libre and it was so weird to see it for real. They had the masks and the outfits. I have to say it was so cool to go but by the second match it got a little boring. We bought masks and posed for the camera then returned to Conchita’s to put Levi to sleep. We then sat on her roof terrace and visited until none of us could keep our eyes open. Helio says that Conchita is so happy that we are here as they have 2 spare rooms and nobody comes to visit. It so works for me. She wants to cook for us, gives me clean towels, and calls me hija (daughter) all the time. That is something I have struggled with in the past, like I said, she comes on strong but so did Helio- maybe it is just a Mexican thing. I prefer for people to be hestitant and a little rude at first. I need to warm up. She can call me hija as much as she wants. She has saved me down here.

I am off to find an Internet Café as yesterday they were supposed to be open but the guy who said they would open at 10 must have had too much tequila because he was a no show all day. Love you all, I will be back in action next Monday.