A Sign I Really AM In Mexico...

Its 12:30 am. I've been sleeping for about 2 hours but am woken to the sounds of trumpets and violins from outside. It sounds like the music is right outside my apartment window, in our front patio. Closer inspection leds me to discover that there is a Mariachi band playing outside the apartment building next year.

From what I have learned so far, these bands (that we have encountered several times before in social venues) can be hired to send a special message (for example, if a men messes up really badly with his partner, he may hire a Mariachi band to serenade his loved one. This type of apology apparently goes a long way here in Monterrey) or commemorate a special occasion (an engagement, for example).

Yes, this morning the music of a Mariachi band woke me up. Laurie and I wandered outside half asleep to figure out where the music really was coming from. I'm amazed there weren't other people in the street - there is NO way I'll be able to fall asleep while they are playing. But I'm not complaining. The music is beautiful. And I don't think this would EVER happen in Canada.

Pictures from San Miguel

We crossed the Tropic of Cancer during our 8 hour trip - so naturally we had to stop for a picture.



Laurie and I standing on the balcony of our hotel before we went out for dinner Friday night. I bought the dress that day at a store in San Miguel. I never would have tried it on without some persuasion.
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Jen and I had some success in a little clothing store in the market. Like my top?





The entire town was decorate for the weekend. The Viva Mexico sign was right in the downtown Plaza Principal. The other photo could have been taken on any street - they all had banners and flags up.

My New Favourite Spot...

San Miguel! My new favourite place in Mexico! Honestly, if you haven’t already visited this colonial town, you must do so. It is beautiful and full of character… with great shopping (in both markets and stores) and lots of great restaurants.

This was our first long weekend of the school year. Because of Mexican Independence Day, we had the Friday off from school. On Thursday afternoon, three cars, consisting of 11 people, caravanned from Monterrey to San Miguel (almost 750km and 8 hours!). We arrived late Thursday night (around midnight) but this meant we had the full days on Friday and Saturday to explore.

Mexican Independence day is a bit like Canada day… but much bigger! There are such feelings of patriotism in this country. The entire city seemed to be decorated in red, green and white, with flags and banners all around. On Friday evening at 11pm, there is a celebration in cities around the country. There is singing and the national anthem, and fire works. Fireworks here are a little different than in Canada, where there is usually a distance required between the actual fireworks and the spectators. Here, that was not the case and an object that had been lit on fire and flown into the air actually came crashing down on the crowd. I don’t think anyone was hurt too badly; but we immediately bolted a 100metres or so away, so I don’t know for sure.

I was a very successful shopper this weekend – though most of my purchases were not for me. I won’t show too many pictures of what I bought because some of you may be receiving this gifts at Christmas time. Speaking of Christmas, for family members and the Hunters who have been discussing a Destination Christmas for 2007, this may be the place! Though not on the beach, it is lovely and relaxing...

San Miguel is actually one of the top 20 places for Americans to retire… So there is quite a bit of English spoken here. This was the first time in my 7 or so weeks in Mexico that I didn’t feel like we (as a group of Canadians and Americans) stood out completely. Despite all these English speakers, I did get to practice a fair bit of Spanish, and I can tell that I have improved.

My internet keeps timing out... so I will try to get the accompanying pictures up tomorrow.

Lessons Learned in Monterrey!

Out at the restaurant; Mexican Independence Day is coming up!

Laurie, Libby and I on our long hike (Lesson #2)

Libby and I soaking wet after running from the cab to the restaurant (see Lesson #3)

Libby and I soaking wet after running from the cab to the restaurant (see Lesson #3)

I am coming up on my 7th week in Mexico. Time has definitely flown by and some things are starting to become routine:
-waking up EARLY to go running in the dark along the Calzada
-being at work by 7am
-weekend hikes at Chipinque
-shopping at the grocery store (I now know how to find most of what I want, and I can even ask for sliced meat at the deli!)

I have certainly learned a lot. Some of the most interesting lessons learned recently:

Lesson #1: The Power of the Index Finger

In Monterrey, and perhaps all of Mexico, there are a number of hand signals that people use to communicate without speaking.

1.Slight movement of the index finger (ie. moving the finger back and forth but NOT the hand) means no. It can be used in restaurants, with students, or any time you are unable to speak (mouth is full, or you are already in a conversation and a student asks you a question).

2.Repeated bending of the index finger downwards means yes. Like the sign for no, it can be used anywhere, and is especialy helpful when you are eating and someone asks you a question.

There are some others, but these are the two that I am sort of beginning to incorporate as habits.

Lesson #2: Distance Covered While Hiking is MUCH Different Than Walking/Running

This weekend four of us headed out for what has become a bit of a weekend ritual: a Saturday morning hike. Feeling particularly energetic, we decided to take our regular route but continue farther than we had gone before. The trails all have markings indicating distance every 100m. This weekend we hiked 5km out on the trail and then another 5km back. If I was runing this distance, it might take me 50 minute or so... Walking? Maybe two hours? Well... our hike was almost 3 hours. A great 3 hours at that - but a lot more work than walking 10k!

Lesson #3: Rain Here Can be Intense!

On Saturday night some of us headed downtown to a restuarant that had been recommended to us. it serves tapas and around 11pm, a Mariachi band (see an earlier post) comes and plays. We took a cab downtown, and got out at the specified intersection, not knowing exactly where the restaurant was. Unfortunately it was pouring rain... We hid under a canopy and got someone to point out where the restaurant was. Figuring that the rain was not going to let up, we made a mad dash for the place. We only had to run for about 300metres.. but we were soaked! I actually had to towel myself off in the bathroom. The restaurant felt sorry for us, I guess, so they brought us all a bowl of this spicy chicken vegetable soup. :) People say it doesn't rain often here.. but when it does.. Watch out!