Musings from Merida 4.Mar.09

To start: My Aunt Dawn has given me a couple of “open on this day” dates, and today’s wasn’t a particular not-well-known-designated-day and was instead instructions to write something down that I’ve learned since I’ve been here. So here’s what I’ve got.

Language: Before I came to Mexico I had no idea what a “camion” was, didn’t know how to properly express “tell her that” (avisala), or “dar vueltas” is to run errands.

Geography: Didn’t know basically anything about the Yucatan peninsula and how they pretty much consider themselves not really “mexican” but Yucatacan. I had no idea where Altabrisa was, what Plaza Fiesta looked like, or even what the plaza grande in el Centro consisted of. I also had no idea that they had a completely different food style (see next note).

Food: Panuchos, salbutes, poc chuc. Never knew about them, had never tried them. They’re typical dishes here in the Yucatan. Beyond that, I hadn’t really explored much in the normal mustard area, but I found out I like that. Never tried a mushroom and I found out those aren’t too bad either. They make for pretty interesting texture in the salad. And I even found that I can eat tomato and pumpkin soup. Actually, that’s pretty impressive considering I’m generally pretty opposed to trying new foods.

Culture: I’ve never really been exposed to any “night life” and here I’ve been out to a couple of clubs for dancing. That might not be specifically Mexico, but all the same it’s included a lot of learning. Similarly, I didn’t know what a quinceanera reaaaally entailed and now I’ve been to one.

Sites: While I haven’t done a lot of traveling, I have seen two completely different sets of Mayan Ruins which is something not a ton of people can probably say (or if nothing else I’ve seen something my dad hasn’t (yet).

Self: Timelines make things difficult, or at least temporary stays. Maybe I knew this in part after we moved, but since being here I can see where there’s been some emotional disconnection simply because I know I’m not going to be here come (at this point) 3 months from now. It’s hard for me to socially/emotionally engage in something that seems exceptionally temporary. On the other hand, I’ve also learned that I’m not entirely ‘socially dependent’ as has been prior-to suggested. I’m self sufficient, still need to be socially fed, not starved completely, but I don’t *need* the same social level as some people assert that I do (and I’m not actually directing that ‘some people’ to anyone who’s reading this so it’s cool).

Friends: This one is more of an observation than something I’ve actually learned. It probably would require some intense thought to draw any real conclusions from it. It’s been interesting to see who I’ve actually kept in contact with, and similarly but not entirely the same, who’s kept in contact with me. Since being here, I’ve talked extremely a lot less with some people I thought I was a lot closer to (or with people I expected to talk to more frequently), and on the flip side talked exceptionally a lot more with some people who I don’t normally talk to through out the school year. And of course there are some who I’ve talked to about the same.

Well, that’s probably enough for one post. Originally, it was going to be connected with the rest of the day but I think it’s going to get its own category since we’re on the second page of a Word document now.
Cheers! Kate <3