12.21.06 Day 3, Mexico Trip 1

I took a shower on Thursday with a 5 gallon bucket. I had to heat up a pot of boiling water to add to the rest of the water. It was better than freezing in the shower but really- Helio could see how happy I was with the arrangement as he was walking by, he said, “well, it could be worse” As I was using the Lloyd’s container to dump water over my head and standing over the 5 gallon bucket to catch as much of it as possible so that I could use it again, I couldn’t help but think- “How, how could this get any worse” I guess, I should be thankful that there is water to heat up and a stove to heat the water on. Whatever-

It is official- I have nothing to do and I am bored. I have heard a thousand times how this is going to be good for me, I don’t really see it that way. I feel a bit stir crazy and like it is a waste of time to just sit. There is only so much you can talk about, then I would just prefer to work. When you have nothing to do, you are very likely not to be motivated to do anything (Helio- point and case). I am hoping to read my book for book club in the next couple days. And sit in the sun. Big goals bc I am big stuff.

I am finally sick, I am suffering what I believe they call Montezuma’s revenge. It was bound to happen. I have been only drinking soda (Coca Cola Light, not Diet Coke) none of the water. However, I think my body just couldn’t handle the 4 tacos I have eaten since arriving. We finally went to an “American” grocery store. And even in my illness, I was delighted. I found Jiff peanut butter, Fruit Loops, regular coffee (the stuff I sent down was decaf), creamer, and goat cheese. Helio makes great juice. He made some orange juice from the oranges we bought last night and it makes my insides say “Ah, normal”. I refuse to eat at the little stops along the road. I can’t handle anymore stomach cramping. I have also caught a cold. My head, throat, nose hurt, and I am achy all over. Some of that might be the food illness though too. I went to bed early Thursday night and feel a little better this morning (Friday).

We finally went swimming. It was a cute little place with all sorts of little pools and a slide. Helio wanted to go early in the day as we didn’t make it there the day before. So we were there at 9 am, by noon, I had to convince Helio it was ok not to stay there all day. Both he and Levi looked like they could just lay down on the ground and sleep. We went back to the house and they slept for about 3 hours. I took that time to wander around Jona- found a internet café -which was very dreary to sit in for an hour for the very loud Ranchero music and all the traffic that drives by with all their competing music. + the keyboard was more difficult than normal, I kept losing my connection, and the lighting- man the lighting.

From what I see, the Mexicans do not understand 3500K fluorescent lighting. Everything is super blue and very sad. I understand wanting to use fluorescent due to expense of running the lamps but there are options. I think this should be my personal crusade as I am here- to educate the masses on warm lighting options. While I am at it, maybe I can show them some furniture options other than the plastic stacking chairs. It just makes a room feel a little cozier to have warm soft lamp lighting and upholstered goods vs. a single 4100K fluorescent strip, plastic stacking furniture, and plastic table cloths, but then there is the expense of those options, I know.

There are two little girls that live in the same little complex as where we are staying. It appears there are 4 houses within the gated entry/courtyard. One’s name is Samantha she’s 9, the other little girl, Fernanda, she looks about 6. They are beautiful little girls, and so polite. They call me Senora and when I call Levi, they rush to me with him in their arms and say, “Tu mama, te habla, (your mom is calling you). Wow- so weird, I am an adult. Levi is totally playing them. Anytime I try to parent him, he runs to them and asks to be picked up so he can pretend cry. He hangs out by their door with one of the 3 balls we found in the yard and waits for them to come out. Then he drags them all over the place. That kid has no fear. And he is one with the ladies already. I am terrified that he is going to pull one of those big metal poles down on himself (had knocked them down like 3 times already- and this morning I was scolded by the lady who lives there how dangerous it is) They have these clothes lines that are low, they attach the clothes and then use these metal posts to get the line up higher above your head so you can walk under them. The posts aren’t attached to anything, they are long, with a 90 degree bend at each end and it is a matter of balance and gravity that keeps them up- not a good place for a 2-yr old to explore.

Helio finally washed the bedding I sent down a few months ago, I can imagine that the sleeping arrangement will only improve from here. Now, we too, have laundry all over the place. We bought a bar of laundry soap last night and it is so weird to watch Helio wash a big quilt by hand. It is true, I am seeing a lot of the habits that I saw at home but for real here. I will have to wait a day until it dries in the sun, but we are making progress. I am sick of waking up in the morning to my face planted on the bare mattress bc the sheets are so old they come off. I don’t know the people who lived here before- it all grosses me out a bit.

Helio is trying desperately to get Levi to talk. He is working on “Agua”. Levi isn’t getting it. But you can tell how he wants to talk; I just wish he made the connection. He is getting used to riding in the car without a car seat, I however, am not. It is a bit crazy that in the US where there are traffic laws that people abide by, the car seat is used more frequently, where here, the people drive like mad-men and nobody uses a car seat. If the roads were expanded to a 4 lane freeway, you wouldn’t have people trying to pass semis into on coming traffic. I hate it, and have to close my eyes a lot.

I can see why people don’t want to keep dogs as pets down here. They all look mangy. I wouldn’t want a dog like that living with me either. They just lay around in the sun all day and eat scraps. Totally like the movies.

The house is right next to what Helio calls “Centro” (downtown) which appears to me to be about 3 blocks long. They have a big festival there every night. I think it is for Las Posadas. There is music and dancing and kids rides- like a carnival. For some reason, I have had no interest in going.

I’m off to try to find something to fill my day up with. I will do my best not to write again too soon.