Lovin life in Mexico!

Ah yes, my life is great!

I live with Iris (mum), Eduardo (dad), Lalo (9 year old son), Juan (8 year old son) and Iris Jnr (7 year old daughter) in Naucalpan, Satelíte; 3 minutes walk from the family house. I have a large warm room with tv, dvd player, desk, and private bathroom. I get to practice a little Spanish with the family, but they mostly like to practice their English with me!

Most days on my walk to the family house, I disturb a lizard or 2 sunning themselves on the hot concrete. They are black or brown, and scuttle very quickly into the cracks in the uneven pavement when I come too close. And there is the little brown and white dog who barks his head off when I walk past. But as soon as he can’t see me, he is silent again. Sometimes I try to sneak past to see if he won’t see me but he always comes charging out barking.

I usually get to the family house about 11am and check emails and chat for a couple of hours. Then Emelí and Emelí Jnr come home from school. I have lunch with Emelí J while mum picks up Gustavo Jnr. After lunch Emelí J and I play, draw or make something for a couple of hours.

Emelí (mum) returns with Gustavo Jnr from school, and Gustavo (dad) come home for lunch about 2.20pm. After their lunch, I either keep playing with Emelí J, or play x-box with Gustavo J (our favourite game is Lego Star Wars!). About 3.30pm we all do homework (Spanish and English), and then more playing. I catch a ride home with Emelí at 6.30pm as she returns to work for the evening (she is a dentist).

I usually walk to the supermarket at 9am Saturday mornings, before the crowds hit. I quite like the supermarket; some quiet time (with my mp3 player) to walk the isles, look at new products and try new foods, and dance with my trolley.

Saturday afternoons are usually spent at Emelí’s parent’s house for lunch, which is always good. I get to try more new foods like home-made mole and other traditional Mexican dishes. And in the afternoon, Emelí’s father asks if I want a tequila, which I politely decline, but it is always fun.

The majority of the people I come across in Mexico don’t speak English. It is all Spanish at the supermarket, at the Club where the kids play tennis and ballet, the shopping mall, the Rio Pollo chicken house (love their chicken!), the bookshop, the dairy, the cinema, everywhere. The one place where I have found an English-speaker is at the local Subway. He is great. I get to practice my Spanish but he helps me out when I get a little stuck. But I am proud to say, now I can order my entire sub in Spanish!!

And it is English in the family house (but not with the maid). And 50/50 English/Spanish at Emelí’s parents place. Nazdhira and Gabriel (Emelí’s sister and brother) speak English well, but the folks only speak a little.

On Sunday’s I usually walk to the mall for a look around, or walk somewhere new. Or catch up with Gabriel, Nazdhira or José. José is the only person I know who isn’t related to the family. Jenny (from London) gave me José’s name as someone to know in Mexico, thanks Jen!

It is winter in Mexico. We have had a few chilly days and the odd day of rain, but generally the weather is good. It is warm but not stinking hot, and where I live there isn’t too much pollution around, which is nice! Mexico City is famous for its pollution, but it is getting better.

I have been to a few places around Mexico – Acapulco was fabulous, and the ruins at Teotihuacán were great. In a few days I am off to Puebla for Christmas, and some more exploring around there.

I am having a great time in Mexico. My typing skills are down to about 45 wpm, but I don't mind; I get to play x-box and make Christmas cards for a job!  My hair colour is getting lighter and I have a nice tan.  I wear t-shirts and jandals every day.  I am exploring a new country which is always great. Life is good.