After a crazy ridiculous break, I have finally made it back to Mexico. I wasn't really sure how I would feel coming back. Could I really leave Portland behind? Would I go through culture shock all over again? The entire plane ride I was driving myself crazy with questions like those.
The minute I got into a taxi, all of those thoughts disappeared and I was smiling like a crazy person the whole ride home. Surprisingly, I wasn't just excited, but I felt like I was home. I didn't get to my house until around 10 when everyone was already asleep, but the sound of me failing miserably at getting my suitcases up our enormous staircase (picture below) woke up my host mommy Berta and she came to my rescue. I was assaulted with hugs, kisses, and crazy fast Spanish while I tried to catch my breath and answer all of her questions. After finally managing to convince her that I wasn't hungry, I passed out on my bed and slept through the night for the first time in weeks.
We have a new water heater (and it works! I can take a hot shower whenever I want now!) AND they put a new showerhead in my bathroom (washing my hair doesn't take half an hour now!). The walls inside my closet sort of fell apart so I have a dresser now, which I like a lot better. My clothes don't smell like damp plaster anymore. The house above us that was under construction all last term looks like it is almost done, and the family painted it a gorgeous turquoise color that I'm loving. Lots has changed in the two months that I was gone.
I had my first class today, Contemporary Mexican Literature, which I am really excited about. Our professor teaches at UNAM, Mexico City's massive and prestigious university, but is taking a year of sabbatical and teaching this course in our little university. I knew immediately I would like him when he introduced himself by explaining that one of the greatest joys of his life is writing with fountain pens.
Tomorrow I have to unpack, figure out why my phone is not working, make a photocopy of our 240 page workbook for my lit class, drop by the study abroad office to sign some papers, and buy school supplies. Once I get all of that done, I'm heading to the steps of Teatro Juarez to soak up some sun and celebrate being back.
Our staircase. This is only about half of it. Lugging my suitcases up here while extremely nauseas and exhausted was so fun.
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