My First Blog!

I'm here in Guanajuato, Gto, in my second week and probably still in the "honey moon" or "luna de miel" stage. I still love this city and my host family more each day. The Palacios, my host family, are so wonderful, hospitable, kind, and patient. My host mother, Margarita (which means "Daisy") cooks fantastic Mexican dishes and leads workshops in psychology. My host father, Sr. Luis, teaches literature and theatre at the Universidad. He owns over 4000 movies, for which he maintains an organized database. He also has a fascinating collection of famous and local artwork along with a vast academic book collection, most of Mexican interest. My oldest host brother, Dante, makes shoes and studies medicine and management. Valeria, sister, studies literature, and raises her two daughters Camilla (6) and Eleonora (4). She lives close by, but spends most of her time out of school at her parents'. Flaco, also Luis, lives here, too, and works as a freelance media specialist. He creates many of the advertising posters around town, commercials, and even a trailer of a movie produced by his friend in New York. He graduated with a degree in communication with a media emphasis. Although they obviously stay quite busy, they daily make time for a leisure main meal, usually with at least 2 courses, around 3. During this time I learn so much from their plethora of knowledge; with this family, I know I will never be bored! I have a huge room, bathroom, porch to myself with an INCREDIBLE view. I live in one of the bigger homes, and believe it or not, we have wireless (or "inalamabrico!") Also, my host father wants to put a TV with a DVD system in my room. I told him it wasn't necessary, but he insisted it would keep me company and aid my Spanish comprehension.

Guanajuato is very historic, colorful (e.g. red, orange yellow, green, blue, brown, etc. of all shades), and "tranquilo," as the natives say. The city rests in a cone-shaped valley and formally thrived as a mining town. With time, Guanajuato grew over mines and the river, which still flows underneath. Now that Guanajuato has reached the faces of the surrounding mountains, it is a city of three levels-the underground tunnels (there are many), the city, and the mountain sides.

Upon arrival, I realized I am the only southerner (I don't count the Texans) in the program (CIEE), so I even experienced some "culture shift" before moving into the home! Being in a place with so little unfamiliarity makes for a some insecurity and nostalgia, but each day is better. My head usually feels foggy in communication; language barrier is such a real thing. I probably understand 68% of what is said to directly me and about 12% when natives speak to each other (because they speak so much faster and slightly slurred.) By 9 every night I am exhausted from all the concentration, but it hasn't slowed my interest and determination yet! I am continuing to read through John. It takes me at least 3 days or more to get through 1 chapter, but has been so relevant in my own learning and as I pray for my host family, who are such wonderful hosts.