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!