Second sign of life

Hi again! Since last time I have done the following:

• Bought a guitar
• Bought two school uniforms
• Gone to church twice
• Been at my second AFS-hosted event, in Atlacomulco
• Seen Tonatico from above
• Had two(or was it three?) exams

I bought a guitar in Toluca two weekends ago. My family and I drove 1 hour north and parked by a construction site in the middle of the city. I didn’t understand the words, but could make out that the construction workers would look out for our car. Toluca is a pretty big city, lots of people and enough traffic. My family kept me close, which I don’t mind not knowing if it was dangerous or not. The music shop was a five-minute walk from the car. It was pretty much just like any other music shop, which I guess was a little disappointing, and had some guitars. My eyes fell upon a black steel-string guitar which was staring back at me through an exhibition-window. I looked at the other guitars, but decided that the black Epiphone was meant to be. It cost 4600$. Pesos, not dollars.

My beauty

The guitar is difficult to play; I’m not used to it yet, but more than in the beginning. I love the sound, just what I was looking for. It’s very pretty; the knobs on the head shine nicely, though the black body gets dirty quickly.

The curves of a good-looking lady

It’s also electric, but I don’t have an amp here so that’s only a valid point for later.

After buying the guitar we went off to buy shoes. I have two uniforms; one regular and one sports uniform. I needed shoes for both. For my regular uniform, black dress shoes, for my other, tennis shoes. I was going to pay, but my father did, explaining that I could pay him back later. I still haven’t, because whenever I ask what I owe him he says “mañana, mañana”. When the next day comes he’s forgotten, but I know I’ll get him soon.

I don’t have a good picture of my uniform yet, but it’ll come.

Church is honestly a little boring, and I didn’t really like having to wake up at 6 last Sunday for it. But my family likes that I’m going with them, so I’ll keep on going as long as I can stand it. The church is pretty big, and has birds flying around in it. I just finished my second Dan Brown book with Robert Langdon in it, so I’m pretty much just sitting staring at the art, pretending to understand something about the symbology. It’s disappointingly Catholic as far as I can tell.

It’s really weird how there doesn’t seem to exist original movies, games or CDs around here. I really don’t know how to get a hold of any of these that isn’t an illegal copy. It’s a little dumb because, well, they are copies. What I do like is that they are unbelievably cheap. A playstation game goes for 15kr (about 2 bucks), where it would normally cost 4-500.

This weekend I went to Atlacumulco for a “Mexican fiesta” arranged by AFS. Atlacomulco is two hours north of Tonatico, one hour north of Toluca. It was a little similar to the ceremony the AFS-students got when we first were going to meet our families, except we didn’t really have to participate. There was food, music and photo-shoots.

I don't have a comment for this picture. This not being a comment.

An assortment of people

I felt a little overdressed with my black sombrero, although it really is awesome.

I'm definatley getting one for myself.

It was nice seeing other AFS-students again, though none that I know. A tall German who sounds somewhat like Schwarzenegger seemed to be having a blast. Another Norwegian girl thinks Mexicans are a little weird. I took some pictures, mingled a little and we were off back home.

Me with two girls from the local chapter, and one (on my right) who I don't know who is

The next day I got to see my town from the towering mountain of… I don’t really know what it’s called, but it’s the one with that big white cross on the top. I’m sure you’d recognize it if you saw it. Anyway, we drove to the top and walked over to the cross.

The "Millennia Cross"

The view was spectacular, bright green in all directions. The perfect place to bring your girlfriend.

Extraordinary.

The white cross named the “Millennia Cross” is big, with light bulbs on its face and a platform at the base. You can see it all over Tonatico, but not until you get close to it do you realize it’s at one of the town’s popular outdoor partying areas. Yeah, there was pretty much garbage.

Tonatico from above

Schoolwise, things are proceeding day by day. I’m enjoying a little less attention, but there is still more than I’m used to. Like people taking pictures on their cell-phones as if I don’t know they’re there. Exams aren’t pre-warned here, or at least not that I’ve been aware of. In “Estructura de Datos” I managed a 13 out of 40 points because the classmate on my left forced his notes on me. Otherwise I’d failed it completely for sure. My family is helping me a lot with homework, and so are my classmates. Apparently copying homework isn’t frowned upon here, so as long as I’m not capable on my own I’ll take what help I can get. I won’t get too used to this of course.

My stomach isn’t too pleased with the absence of mom’s cooking, but this will pass. At least the climate isn’t bothering me; in fact I’ve taken more notice to whenever it’s cold than to when it’s warm.

As you probably have gathered, nothing’s going on in México, which is why I’m off with my brother to buy a PS2. Seriously though, I’m doing well. I’m starting to grasp more of what people are saying, though only a tiny bit more. I guess the same goes for speaking Spanish.

Manuel and Lolita

Upcoming events are:

• September 15^th – Tradition of México, the Mayor stands on his balcony, shouting “Viva México”, and the crowd answers. Apparently a lot of fun, looking forwards to it.

• September 16^th – I’m not completely sure whether this is México’s Independence Day or not, what I am sure of, though, is that my friends at school want me to go to Ixtapan (the town closest to Tonatico) and party with them. My family won’t let me though, as they believe Ixtapan is dangerous on the 16^th. Though I’d like to experience it, I confide in their wisdom.

• September 27^th (or 26th, not sure)– What I think is the Day of Independence in Tonatico. My dad seems incredibly excited. Smiling and saying “¡Veintisiete, mucha fiesta!”. I can only share his excitement.

That’s it for now. ¡Hasta luego!