So it was as we came off the plane on November 1st that our journey into learning of the Mexican culture began. It’s not just our ears that will hear different words but all of our senses that will experiences new things, as demonstrated by Ezra’s innocent enough first question when heading out of the airport in our taxi - “What’s that smell?” Now three days later we have all tried new things –
Hilary driving in a bus, taxi and metro without a car seat – she already is a hard one to keep reigned in!
Ezra -Listening to his new friend Isabel talk to her Daddy in both Spanish and English and already learning which way is derecha (right) and izquierda (left).
Rick – As he recalls his former days as a young MCC intern, making the necessary adjustments to work/life in Mexico married and with 2 children!
Jacquie – Deciding to try eating a banana which I typically don’t like and finding out that these small and firm platanos here are actually quite yummy.
A display commemorating "Day of the Dead"
Interestingly, we arrived here in Mexico City(did you know it is one of – if not – the largest city in the world at around 23 million) during a prominent cultural holiday. November 2nd is The Day of the Dead, which as Wikipedia describes it- “a gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.”
We embarked on a journey with our MCC reps to the Zocalo on this day, and we found ourselves among masses of people also making this trek which I tried to capture somewhat in this picture below.
A Walk Down Cinco de Mayo
While there has been much to take in we have also been thankful for the time we have had with our reps learning practical things like taking the metro, buying groceries, and learning about the work of MCC in Mexico. I (Jacquie) have found myself sometimes happy with how much I understand of the Spanish being spoken around me, and at other times frustrated by my lack of understanding and ability to speak. And so I identify with the many before and those with me who feel somewhat unfriendly in a new cultural surrounding because of one’s inability to carry on a simple conversation. Not to worry this is no different than I expected and am sure it will be many more months before any of this feels at all natural. For now I take solace in the fact that I have at least made many attempts to talk to those around me. I am also thankful for the many aspects of life that carry on as normal – playing with the kids, going to the park, finding various new books of interest in the MCC Guest house library, and managing to cook my family some meals
The MCC Guest House Kitchen
(minus the fact that I set the coffee maker slightly on fire while using the propane stove). So we close another day of new experiences unsure of what else lies ahead and thankful that all of our clothes we brought to the “Lavandaria” are being wonder fully washed for us and ready to be picked perhaps “manana.”