May 18, 2016
Getting to the end of my exchange I realize I should probably write
another "monthly report". I don't know what kept me from writing them. I
have so much to write about. But for some reason it is difficult to put
these experiences on paper. Since the last time I've written I have
done so much so this might be a bit long. I've gone on 2 trips, one of
which I was able to see me real mom, I have switched to a new house from
a family I loved to a family I love, and I have made many new
friendships, Mexican and international.
My second family had the best food ever. This is partly why I fell in
love with them. My host father loved to cook so in the morning before
school I would wake up to an omelette with my favorite salsa and beans
or pancakes (hot cakes here). For lunch we ate chicken a lot but every
Sunday he would make special lunches which consisted of some of the best
meals I have tried in Mexico. Including enchiladas, chimichangas, fish
tostadas and TACOS. Another reason I loved this house is because I had
to keep my room clean and wash the dishes. I hated it at first but I
learned to love it because even now I keep my room clean making
everything easier, and when I washed the dishes I talked to my host mom
helping us get to know each other better and making me more comfortable
in the house.
While living in my second house I went on a trip with my real mom in
February. We were planning on just spending a week in Mexico City but my
host family suggested we travel to a city about 2 hours away so we
stayed there for 2 nights and I'm glad we took their advice cause it is a
beautiful Mexican colonial city with beautiful churches and cool
markets to walk through and look at the traditional Mexican candies
designs and lots of souvenirs. The rest of the time we were in Mexico
City and since I love big cities so of course I loved Mexico City too.
The architecture, parks, museums (especially the Frida Kahlo museum) and
monuments in the middle of the streets were some of my favorite parts. I
also liked that I acted as a kind of guide to my mom who speaks 0
Spanish. My Spanish now is a lot better but in February I was able to
communicate and ask questions when we needed help which was cool.
In April I changed my house for the last time and 4 days later I left
for the big, month long trip through Mexico called The Ruta Maya. It was
the best trip of my life and I'm not sure any vacation I go on in the
future could beat this one. 50 students from all over the world for 30
days in the most beautiful places in Mexico. My best friends during the
trip were some Italian girls, a Korean girl and some Brazilian girls,
including the one from my city. I enjoyed being with them because we
spoke almost always in Spanish. Before the trip I thought I was going to
speak in English the whole time but was pleasantly surprised to find
that I was able to practice and learn more Spanish while away. A cool
thing about one of my Italian friends is that her aunt lives in
Philadelphia and will visit her for 4 days before returning to Italy and
we made plans for me to visit her before the leaves. Some of my
favorite parts of the trip were: Mexico City (again), a mezcal (stronger
tequila) factory in Oaxaca, rafting in Veracruz, las cascadas de agua
azul in Chiapas (blue water waterfalls), the ruins at Tulum and the
beach at Tulum, also the beaches in Playa deal Carmen and Cancun. The
water was clear as you entered then when you were fully in looked like
you were swimming in blue Gatorade. I didn't want to leave any of these
places but I know that someday I will definitely go back.
When I returned to my city, Navojoa, I had to get used to living with my
third family. This family has 4 children (one of them is in Brazil on
exchange). A 17 year old girl, 14 year old boy and a 6 year old boy.
They are a loud family that spends a lot of time with their extended
family, reminding me of my own family. I have never had a sister so I
hope we become good friends. I spend a lot of time with my 6 year old
brother and I think he has been my best Spanish teacher, so far. He
loves to help me in Spanish and always makes sure I'm understanding and
if I don't understand he is happy to explain the meaning of a word. I
watch movies and play with him and even went to see captain America with
him at the movie theater. My 14 year old brother listens to a lot of
music in English and asks me a lot of questions about the pronunciation
of the names of songs or the meaning of the song. My sister and I have
gone to the gym together and gossip sometimes which I imagine are some
things normal sisters do together.
With only about a month left I've been thinking a lot of what I want to
do before I leave, some things I want to bring back with me and what I
will do when I get home. I miss my family but I don't want to leave all
my friends and families here because I don't know when will be my next
chance to see them. I hope I can return in a few years. But instead of
thinking about that too much I'm going to enjoy the remaining time I
have.
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