June 16, 2015

Spanish class was on the schedule for today.  For the rest of the time we are here we have Spanish from 9-12.  The teacher is very good.  She lectures for part of the time, but has us do activities the rest of the time.  Since it is just Brandi and I in the class, we can stop and clarify what we don't understand or what is different from what we have learned.  We even did a role play today!  :-)

Afterwards, we went to the Zocalo for lunch.  The Margarita Pizza is amazing at Vittorio's!  Eating is such a relaxing time--we actually have to ask for the check when we are ready.  After lunch we decided to shop in the Parian, which is the area where there are many different shops and street vendors.  We shopped for a vase for my sister.  She wanted a specific pattern of the Talavera pottery.   We went in shop after shop showing the picture I had.  We finally found one that was similar.  I decided that I could decorate my kitchen and guest bathroom with Talavera pottery.  I found a sink that was absolutely gorgeous, but there was no way to get it home.  :-(

While shopping, we heard many giggles behind us.  We knew that high schoolers were giggling about something.  They finally got up their nerve to approach us.  They were supposed to interview someone in English.  We agreed.  We explained that we were teachers and understood the importance of their assignment.  We spent about 15 minutes answering their questions.  They seemed thrilled that we loved their city, their food, and that we were working on learning their language.  It was one more time that I thought, kids are kids regardless of culture or language!  :-)  It was a fun conversation.

We finally made it home for a siesta.  Our host mom was going out to watch the World Cup.  We finally got up and decided to head out to a restaurant that Brandi has frequented often.  The atmosphere was great.  I found a new favorite wine and the dessert was wonderful.  A very nice place to write this blog.  :-)

I cannot tell you how wonderful this experience has been.  As hard as it has been to be away from my family and to do without the comforts of home, it has been well worth it.  Even with the struggles we have had--bus, taxi, huge bugs in my bedroom, and the language barriers--it has been an unbelievable experience.  We have had people that were so helpful, who were patient with our horrible Spanish, and a wonderful host mom that is willing to help in any way she could.  We have learned so much about the culture, about immigration, and about how others live.  It has been a great opportunity!  The greatest accomplishment for me is that I have broken out of my shell and began speaking Spanish.  I have always understood so much more than I can speak but this trip has forced me to overcome the fear of looking foolish and begin to actually speak.  My accent is still horrible but at least people understand me and if they don't, I just act out what I'm trying to say.  :-)

I have enjoyed this experience so much that I have thought about being the person who brings students down here to learn about Mexico's education system and culture.  They have a wonderful program at UPAEP that I think many students in education would really benefit from.  Until tomorrow!  :-)