So just before leaving for the coffee shop today I received word that it would cost $80 USD to ship my camera charger. As I walked in the desert sun beads of sweat dripped down my temples and I slowly began to go insane. All I could think about was how stupid I had been for forgetting my camera charger and how lost I am to be for the next couple of months without it. Suddenly I saw a fedex package sitting outside a car repair garage and considered stealing it. No not because I suddenly find a need to collect car parts, but just for sheer jealousy that they can receive packages and not I. Sigh.
There is a very peaceful and kind relationship between Americans and Mexicans here. After only being used to experiencing relationships between Europeans and Americans, I found this very surprising to me. Something that has stuck out to all of us is how frequently we are approached by strangers on the street simply striking up a conversation, about anything from the weather to how beautiful life is. With that being said, I constantly feel the need to bow my head in shame whenever American music is played... which is ALL OF THE TIME. There is no escaping it, the buses, the clubs, the very cafe I am currently sitting in. Everywhere, oh dear god its horrible. Although from the Mexicans I have spoken with, they do enjoy it, and it is a lot more popular here than in the US, most ironically enough. I have begun watching some Mexican pop music videos... I like it a lot. There is this one guy called, Calle 13, who is actually from Puerto Rico who has some slightly unique to America, rap music. And I like his videos.
I recently had a conversation with another anthropology major that I met about traditional versus contemporary culture. Would you rather travel to a foreign country and listen to traditional folk music or the current music, fashion, and overall lifestyle that currently engulfs that region's culture? It would be ignorant to not acknowledge globalization in areas that we, as Americans see as romantically traditional. Both of us shared similar views on this topic. I believe it depends on the traveler's intentions. Because the United States is pulled from diverse backgrounds, and also only recently, it lacks any traditional culture that can be rooted to a more indigenous, less globalized experience. This is why to the vacationer foreign lands can be so alluring. But if you really wan to grasp your hands on a culture you need to have a firm understanding on both sides of the spectrum. We pulled away from the conversation that if you vacation to somewhere then go ahead, experience the traditional folklore, but to someone studying more long term, you really need to scratch beneath the surface and look at globaliation for what it is.
You can see women wearing traditional fashion on both sides of the traditional and contemporary fashion. I have seen it in a parade for Meridas anniversery, on women asking for money to cars, and even some of the mothers in our host families. But it is slightly more common to see women wearing it for tourists, in hopes of getting them to go into their restaurant, or whatever commodity they have to sell. Is this exploiting their heritage or is it finding a way to make money in a contemporary world, while still uploading one's traditions? This I have yet to find a standpoint on, but I'm leaning towards the later.
Tomorrow will be my first day teaching the computer class. Yo estoy nervosa! We got together a couple days ago, and I am currently waiting for Jess to arrive here to work on it some more. We prepared a lesson plan, but the problem is that this class will be for people who do not speak a single word of English. So not only will our Spanish have to be proficient enough to effectively teach these people, but good enough to sustain them to come back twice a week.
Why are rappers STILL wearing sunglasses in all of their music videos? You'de think their fashion would evolve at SOME POINT....
Weston and I booked our house in Merida this week! We will be staying here for the week of the 20th, in March! I pulled a couple pictures from the website, although I must say that the house is much more beautiful in person, especially because the pictures don't reveal what the high ceilings do to the place. The house is a two bedroom, so if anyone is interested in sharing, let us know!
Casa Alegre! (The house's website if your are interested to know more)
I am starting to get to know my tutor a lot better. We are all assigned Mexican tutors who are students to help us improve our conversational skills, or whatever area we need fit. My tutor's Spanish is very poor, which concerns her, so when we meet, we speak for one hour in English and one hour in Spanish. She is thinking about moving to America for better opportunities to speak Spanish. She has told me that because nobody hear speaks English, it is extremely hard for her to practice. Her mother has even advised her to pull "gringos" off the street and ask if she can practice her English on them. But she says she is too shy for this. Because of the American job market however, she is leaning towards moving to England instead.
From speaking with her, I have found it very interesting how blunt Mexicans can be, or her for that matter. When I told her I had a boyfriend she immediate, point blank asked me if I planned to marry him. When I told her about my once upon a time job she asked me how much money I made. Many questions she asked me startled me, so much that it threw me a little bit off balance, but next time we meet I can tell our conversations are going to go on a much deeper level due to them being more open. I feel that I am learning most about Mexican culture during our tutor time.
Today for lunch I had the most delicious meal. My family was really nervous that I wasn't going to like it and kept telling me I may not, that it looked gross but to try it and if not, etc, etc. Which they have never actually done this routine with me. But it was so good, mole. It was tortillas wrapped and cooked around chicken but then doused in a mole sauce comprised of tomatoes, chocolate, and abunch of other stuff. Muy bien! Alright, well.. time to study a little espanol and prepare for tomorrow's lesson! Adios amigos:)
rachel, your writing is stupendous. wait, thats a positive word, right?
anyway, looks like you're having a great time... WOO!
Haha yes it is I believe! Although its a word full of irony! and GRACIAS AMIGO:)
I am having a great time! HOW'S JAPAN???