Five months later

Five months pass…

Five months since I was sitting in the airport back in Norway waiting for the flight that would take me to my life’s biggest adventure. I remember it all being too surrealistic to swallow. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like, what it would look like or how it would feel. So got on the plane and it took off, just like any flight I’ve ever been on, to any destination where I’ve travelled. But at the same time so incredibly different. I wasn’t going on a vacation; I was going to another country to live there and to learn to live like the people there. I believe I’m getting there.

27th of September

The first month was a month of taking in my surroundings; watching the people in the streets, enjoying the food. I remember the first time I went with my family to have tacos. Now, as in most countries a taco consists of a toasted tortilla shell, meat on the bottom and then cheese, salad and salsa in whatever order you like. What you put in your taco is as you want, because everything is put on the table for you to serve yourself. This is not the case with real tacos. So, we went to the marked and waited for our tacos to get ready. At our table there were three bowls of unknown substance. Me, used to the American/European way of enjoying tacos helped myself to all of them. Bad idea. What I was doing was filling my taco with all the salsas they had. A taco that is ¾ salsa will hurt, but unaware of this I put down this taco from hell, pleased with myself for having my first real Mexican taco. Then I looked up to see my dad’s amused smile, and was set on fire. And I thought Grandiosas straight out of the oven burned.

Mexican food!

Also I remember my first day of school. We went and met my principal who is a healthy looking grey haired man who really knows how to entertain with long, drawn out speeches. After getting to know him he dragged me out into the school yard, where the ENTIRE school was lined up. He put me in front of them and introduced me. And I was thinking meeting my new class might be embarrassing. And all the attention in the time after, I couldn’t have imagined people would care that much about a Norwegian “güero” walking around the school grounds.

The classroom

Second month was the trip to Zacatecas. Apart from getting sick at the end and it consisting of 60% sitting on a bus it was a fun trip. It was nice seeing familiar faces and getting to know others. Also the disco in the mine of Zacatecas has to be one of the cooles places I’ve been to.

Warming up for a night out in San Luís Potosí

Around the fourth month I was getting a grip on the language. Being able to express myself more accurately and understanding more of the classes. Especially the geeky subjects we have like programming was getting easy. In fact, my classmates were starting to copy from ME. If that’s not advancement nothing is. The second “bimestre” has been my best so far considering grades. Also, I didn’t fail a single subject which is quite an accomplishment if you’ll let me brag a little.

Christmas was really a different experience. I wasn’t prepared it not giving me any Christmas feeling which was kind of sad, but I it was also nice to see all the traditions Mexico has for Christmas; like making the “nacimientos” which are big miniatures of Jesus’ birth, and also all the cheap Christmas ornaments.

New Year’s wasn’t, however, that different. From what I’d have done in Norway. It involved a bonfire and too much brandy. I got back to the house at 8 in the morning. Dad wasn’t too pleased, and for the first time he said I couldn’t have a beer when I was offered one. It passed quickly though, the next week all was fine. Also there were very few fireworks, there are a lot more now as the “feria” is on.

On the top of the world

The town fair in Tonatico is the biggest event in town during the entire year. All the streets are blocked off by the hundreds of stands that cover the entire town and turn it in to a huge marketplace. In the Jardín carusels are put up for the kids. Also there is a big dance each year, this year the artist Joan Sebastian is coming, which is considered one of the greatest singers of Mexico. Also the ticket costs a whopping 250 pesos, which is about 130kr or 25 USD. It wouldn’t seem like much, but to the average Mexican that’s two day’s work. Many people come to Tonatico during the fair, the town population probably doubling or tripling in number.

But what impression about Mexico has 5 months here given me? About the country itself, it is a country struggeling economically from day to day and week to week. But the people are richer than anyone in what they find in eachother. The working spirit, and the atmosphere of the towns and cities can’t easily be found anywere else. Also, Mexico is a country very strong in national pride, but that doesn’t let them forget their regional roots. I think it’s hard to find a concrete example of Norwegian traditions, but finding a Mexican one shouldn’t be any problem at all. This is geting very tourist guide-ish, but I can’t help but mention that I’m in love with the food here. Enchiladas, gordas, sopes. I’m gonna miss it all “un chingo”.

Ready for going into the caves

Next week some 20 or more AFS-ers are coming to the fair in Tonatico which I hope will be good if not awesome, but the biggest event coming up has to be the Ruta Maya, which isn’t until in March. It will be great though, I promise you.

Also I just read on the Roskilde website that Red Hot Chili Peppers are coming this summer. I live an interesting life.