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Downtown Guadalajara
The Historic Centre is absolutely picturesque! I love it! "Um, thank you senor ... Where is Walmart?"
"Cuatro o cinco blocks that way." (Points straight down the road)
"That way? Muchas gracias!"
And so I walk. For four or five blocks that way. I am lost. For hours. It's 36 degrees outside. I don't have sunscreen. Not smart Kristena. I am not happy. Not even a little bit.
My mission was to find a Walmart because I am having some sort of reaction to my fancy smancy Lancome face cream and just want to go with something simple that I know. Walmart seems logical. I had gone there with Humberto and Ale a few days before to buy groceries. It's near, I know it is. I can do it.
I set out. It's probably only a 30 minute walk I think. Somehow I get lost, pretty much right away, but I keep going because I can speak enough Spanish to ask where I am and how to get where I want to go. Everyone keeps saying "it's four or five blocks that way." And every 4 or 5 blocks, I don't see a Walmart. So I ask again. And it's the same thing; "four or five blocks
Shoe Shine Man
If only I had shoes! that way." I keep walking "that way." I am too proud, too stubborn and too poor to take a taxi. I can find the damn Walmart; it's only 4 or 5 blocks that way!! So I just kept going and going and going. Under overpasses, through neighbourhoods, over bridges, along freeways. No Walmart. "Donde esta el Walmart?" "Muy cerca, only four or five blocks that way." You've got to be kidding me. Three and half hours later and still no Walmart. I'm sunburned, I'm tired, I'm mad at everyone who doesn't know what four or five blocks means.
And then, I see Walmart!!! It turns out that there is more than one Walmart in Guadalajara. I, apparently, managed to get directions to the one that's near Mexico City.
I go in, buy my face cream and some school supplies (ha ha, because at this point I'm not about to try to find "Office Depot") and decide that there is no way I'm walking back. But I still don't want to take a taxi because I know I'm far from home and it's money I don't need to spend. For only 6 pesos, el autobus it is. I haven't
taken it before by myself, but it can't be that hard. I stand at the bus stop for 15 minutes watching what people do. The buses say the neighbourhoods on them so I watch for mine. Before getting on, I try to confirm with the driver that he goes by the mall that is near my house. He says "Yes yes, come" and rushes me aboard. I assume he's going to tell the foreign girl when to get off. I definitely assumed wrong, but by the time I realize this, I'm now about 20-25 blocks past my house. I get off. I want to cry. I want to scream. I feel SO defeated. I start to walk. Again. But at least I know where I am. All in all, my "adventure" takes me about 5.5 hours, and comes with one mother of a sunburn.
Bienvenido a Mexico Kristena, Bienvenido a Mexico!
Walmart fiasco aside, believe it or not, I am loving it here! I am loving the people. I am loving the food (ha ha, when I get to choose how much I want to eat). I am loving the language and the culture and the sun. I
Mariachis!
Serenading us for lunch :D am loving the independence and the freedom again. I have really missed that since our big trip. You know, the waking up in the morning and being able to decide where in the world you'll go today? It's a little different this time around, instead of deciding "where in the world," I decide "where in Guadalajara," I'll go, but at least I don't have to work and my only responsibilities are to stay safe and learn spanish. This is the life!!!
School started last week. On Monday we had placement tests to see which levels we were placed into, and classes began on Tuesday. I was placed in levels 3 and 4. My first class has myself and another student. In my second class, I am solo and I LOVE IT! It's like my own private tutor! :D My professors speak entirely in Spanish - one of them knows a little English but won't use it, the other knows only Spanish. Immersion is definitely the name of the game here. It's a little exhausting to think entirely and speak in Spanish through both of my classes, and after school I find that I have no desire to try to
Tequila Isle in Walmart!
I stood here and seriously contemplated a bottle for the journey home ... talk to anyone and revert to smiling and nodding for a few hours. But I like it, a lot. I am happy to be here!
Guadalajara during the day, for the most part, seems safe. In the night though, it's a completely different story. We've been warned several times by pretty much everyone that at night we need to take taxis. Even for a few blocks. Twice now we've tried to go against that, and twice now we've been scared shitless. The first time was after having drinks with Caroline (my friend from university in Canada), we thought it would be okay to walk. And almost right away we were followed by a dodgy looking character. It scared us enough that we crossed the street and hustled back to the bar to flag a taxi. The second time was with our friend Steven from school, and again, almost right away we were followed, but this time by a group of about 10 men who looked like everything you've ever seen on television about latino gang bangers. As soon as they saw us they crossed the street and we were FREAKED. We ducked into a big taco place because it
Cute Baby!
FYI the truck went into the fountain shortly after this picture was taken and he was not a happy camper. had lots of people and big bright lights. They followed us in. If my heart has ever come close to not beating, this was the time. The three of us stood there, pretending to read the menu bored, and pretending not to be panicked, whispering that we needed to hail a taxi, pronto. In the end we all made it home just fine, but holy hell, not a good experience. Lesson learned: No more walking at night!!!
Ale and Humberto are still wonderful hosts. I feel completely comfortable in their home and they make me feel like a part of their family. Lots of hugs and kisses! Their cooking is fabulous; I don't know what I am eating most of the time, but it always tastes really good. I'm still a little concerned with the portion thing, but I feel like I am getting better at saying "No way Jose, I can't eat anymore," in the politest of ways of course!
Anyways, the weekend has just passed and that means ... copious amounts of TEQUILA!!! I love Mexico, I'm never going home!!!
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sam
non-member comment
so funny
Oh squeek I love your story telling ability....sounds like it has been an adventure and a half..keep up your spirits and you'll get that town down in no time...glad to hear you are loving it there!!!