My life in Cuernavaca

I feel it's necessary to explain my life here in Cuernavaca a little more in-depth because I realize it may be hard to visualize where I am and what I'm doing.....

"Cuernavaca is the capital and the largest city in the state of Morelos. At an altitude of 5, 000 ft., it is a growing metropolitan area with a population of approx. 700,000 permanent residents. Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," Cuernavaca has been one of the principal vacation centers of Central Mexico since pre-hispanic times due to its temperate year round climate, prevailing sunshine, and abundance of flowering trees and bushes. From June to October, it rains frequently, but briefly, in the afternoon or evening. The rest of the year is usually clear and dry."

That's the description that was included in my orientation book from my school and I would have to say that after only a few days here, I completely agree with it! In fact, the afternoon rain just finished a bit ago...with me soaked because I was walking up to my friends house, along the busiest street. There are no gutters here and the cars go flying by, so I'm sure you can imagine what happened to my clothes....

As I mentioned earlier, my host family is great. My Señora (my host mom) fixes me breakfast every morning and then in the afternoons around 3pm, the entire family sits down for comida. Comida is the big meal of the day. My Señora is a wonderful cook and since I've never been timid with food, I look forward to every meal. In the evenings anywhere from 8-10pm, we have la cena, which is technically "dinner," but it's usually just something little like cereal or a torta, because the main meal was in the afternoon.

My family is obviously upper class because their house is gated (as is the colonia I live in), they have three bathrooms, and at least 4 bedrooms. We have luxuries like a TV, warm water to shower with, and well-operating toliets! One can never forget to appreciate those!! This morning my host dad pointed out something very exciting.... From the dining room table, on a clear day (like this morning), it's possible to see Popocatépetl, the active volcano a few hours away (I think). It's the second highest mountain in Mexico at 17,802 ft. It's still active and has erupted 36 times, but not since 820 AD. Many villagers in the area consider it to be a living being--simultaneously mountain, human and god. For the corn planting season, local rainmakers conduct prayers at sacred sites on the volcano, one within a mile of the crater! I am personally highly intrigued...and perhaps somewhat obsessed...with Popo. It's just so cool to be able to see a volcano while I eat my breakfast in the morning!!

Today was my first day of school and I have to say that I've been giddy like a little school girl all day! I even wished that my real momma was here to take my picture before I skipped away to school! haha! I had to check my schedule when I arrived just before 8am and I was quite pleased to see that I would have one-on-one grammar instruction for three hours with an instructor named Nadia. I realize that I learn Spanish much better in a smaller group, so one-on-one instruction was more than I ever could've anticipated. And the hours just flew by!! I seem to be at just the right level...I'm revisiting things I've studied before, but am rusty with now, but it's not too far above my head that I felt overwhelmed. For my hour and twenty minute conversation class, I was in a classroom with an instructor and two other older women. One of the women has been here for 8 months and still has 2 to go before she heads off to Colombia to be a mission worker for the Presbyterian Church!!! Small world, huh?! We all had a really good conversation about life, goals, religion, politics, etc. After that class I went to my "conference class," which was a lecture type class on the political system here in Mexico. Not only was it really interesting, but I was so happy because I actually understood almost the entire thing! And that's quite an accomplishment for me.

I think I literally left the school bobbing along and smiling the whole way home. I couldn't have asked for a better first day. I feel really lucky to be here!! And knowing that I have 4 more weeks of classes after this first one is so exciting! I owe everyone who helped make this possible a HUGE hug and thank you!!

Sorry these entries are so long, but I guess I've never been known for being brief in my storytelling anyway, now have I? I'm hoping to figure out how to upload my pics to this site tonight, so I'll possibly have pictures up tomorrow that accompany my stories!

Finally, to all of you in Kansas...I hope the weather cools down soon! I have to chuckle because pretty much every message I've received from anyone in Kansas has mentioned the hot weather. And I sympathize...but also say a prayer of thanks for being in the City of Eternal Spring.... :-)

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