Its the nighttime commute home on a shaky, graffiti covered bus. I have come to realize that Merida (well the northern part) is actually a very safe place. From my own observations as well as those of the American from my Spanish class who has lived here for two years, Merida is actually much more safe than Chicago. Or thusfar it seems anyways. This is not to say I'm not careful or that there have not been times where I thought i was in the process of being kidnapped or something of the sort... but I guess I'm wondering if it is at all okay to have my netbook out on the bus? My morning or nighttime commute is pretty long and usually when I have the most reflective thinking. But when I try to write in my journal it is extremely unlegible as Mexican buses are EXTREMELY bumpy. Recall the childhood joy of sitting on the back of the school bus and raising your hands in the air just as it were about to go over a speed bump. Now multiple that by the highest number you can think of.


The most striking difference between the Yucatan and American culture lies within the people's kindness towards one another. Taxi cab drivers actually enjoy talking to you and many will be the first one to strike up the conversation. In the ladies room at nightclubs girls smile at one another and all seem to be friends. Wheras in Chicago I often dread going to the bathroom because of the death stares I always get. I have yet to meet one person who isn't happy to strike up a conversation, regardless of age, gender, or class. Life here is much slower placed. Meeting times are general and always understood to be flexible.

I have yet to experience any real culture barriers, as I feel as though the culture here is much more fit for myself than that of America. The only thing I am having trouble with is at the dinner table. People here don't ever wait for everyone to sit down before eating. In restaurants they bring out each person's plate one at a time, often with a 5 minute span between each one. At dinner I absolutely can't stand to start eating before everyone, especially because I get served at least 5 minutes before the rest of the family. "Empieza" they will demand to me, "start!" But I just feel so weird doing so. What can I say mom, you raised me right. Well according to American customs anyways. I'm still loving the fact that lunch is the main meal of the day and dinner is light. It is so much more healthier not to mention many other benefits that I would develge into if my busstop weren't soon approaching........

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