More Orientation...

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Hey Everyone,
This week has been pretty busy with orientation, which we´ve had everyday at 9:30 until about 1:30. We usually have an activity in the afternoon as well. Last night we went to Cristo Rey, which is an enormous monument and statue of Jesus. It was very high up in the mountains - it took almost an hour and a half to get up there on bus. The road was very windy and rocky. But the view from the top was amazing. I absolutely love the mountains here - they are so beautiful!
The weather here has been really nice. I don´t know the exact temperatures because I´m still not used to watching the weather report and hearing degrees celcius. But in the morning it´s fairly cool and I usually have to wear a light jacket. But then in the afternoon it´s always very sunny and hot. It´s probably in the mid 80's but feels very hot when I´m in the sun. In the evening it usually rains for maybe an hour, and sometimes storms for a bit. But nothing major. So it gets pretty cool at night. If I go somewhere with my señora in the mornings or evenings she is always worried I am going to be so cold - but it feels so good to me! She´ll have a few layers on and I´m in capris and a tank top. I heard it´s going to get windy soon and around October it gets to be cooler.
Things are going well at my home with my family. I usually only see my Señora and our maid. My señor is a doctor/surgeon so I believe he works all day. I occacionally see their son at night before he goes out (around 10 pm). There are actually two American boys at the house as well, one from Houston and one from Chicago who are doing the summer program here. So they leave next Saturday. It's been really nice having them there because I can ask them anything and it´s not so lonely in the house.
The food is really great and has only upset my stomach one day (last night - def. not fun). We always eat huge breakfasts and lunches and then for supper I´m on my own. There´s lots of leftovers and always PB & J. I´m still not used to the schedule of eating though. Breakfast is at 8 AM, lunch at 3 PM, and supper about 9 PM. So that´s definitely different.
Tonight I am going with some friends to "The Mega" which I guess is kind of like Wal-Mart. There´s also a movie theater so we´re going to check that out as well. We have the afternoon/evening off so we´re going to take advantage of that.
Tomorrow morning we leave for our weekend excursion, which includes the horseback riding. Monday or Tuesday I start my class with Mexican students. We don´t really know yet when classes are because they are constantly changing the schedules and are a little disorganized. Welcome to Mexico. But I will only have one class like that. That school is very far away from the Escuela de Idiomas (the language center) - it´s very high up in the mountains so that is also very beautiful!! But it´s a long bus ride which is the annoying part. My other classes at the Escuela de Idiomas will star the 11th. I placed into the highest level, and will have a conversation, grammar, and literature class.
Some things I´ve noticed that are very different are for one, there are stray dogs everywhere. It´s very sad to see because many of them are starving - both for food and love/attention. One girl in our program found puppies in a trash can and according to Alma (program director) this is very common. If the mother runs away there is no one to feed the pups so they get trashed. People can take them to the Vet and pay to have them put to sleep. It´s very sad. We are also told there is also no such thing as personal space in Mexico. For example, every day that I come home my room is completely different than how I left it - very very clean, neat and organized. I clean it every morning before I leave but apparently not enough!
Well that´s all for now. I will write next week to tell you all about my upcoming adventure this weekend! Thanks for all the emails and comments. I´m sorry I don´t have time to personally write everyone back! Miss and love you all. Adios!

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Comments

[Mom]

love you
Hey Sara:) Thanks for the updates, I have given your sight to Cindy and Lori. I am glad to see things are a bit better. I cannot wait to hear about the horse back riding:) Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you...Be safe, Love you, Mom

[Aunty Kris]

"The Hills are Alive....."
Hey Sara! Were you silently singing that song as you meandered around the mountains on your horse this weekend? I hope it was an interesting adventure. 6 hours riding, huh? Do they make gell seats for the saddles? :) I would guess that despite discovering muscles you didn't even know you had, the sights were well worth it. Lots of changes for you, like waiting until 3:00 for lunch. You'll be fine. Thanks for taking the time to journal and share your experiences. Love, thoughts, and prayers, Aunty Kris

[Ericka]

Hola!
Hey there! Sounds like you are having a great time! Congrats on placing into the highest level of spanish! See...I knew you'd do great! I finally saw the Dark Knight this weekend--so good! Hope things keep going well for you! Love you!

[mom]

weekend
Hi Sara, hope your classes are going well, and you are enjoying them. We had a great time in Algoma, spent much time on the grounds on Saturday with grandpa and grandma Glory. grandpa said Sara should be here as he was singing with the band:) You remember how he was last year? Same thing, lots of people, didn't buy much, parade the same, kids were great, we missed you though being there. Havea great week, and know wea re thinking of you. Kathy and Ann come tomorrow for one night, your dad is in Madison till Thursday on a golf trip:) Thinking of you, love you, Mom:)