Mexico
Did I ever tell you God is really smart?
He is!!!
I mean, when I had to come back to Mexico it seemed like the worst idea one could think of...come and leave my children behind?
I remember that at the airport I was asked what I was carrying in my bags- my life I said.
It was that hard. I had to leave all things behind. I was allowed 60 kilos of luggage. After 11 years in one place you have all sorts of meaningful things.
I had to give all away. But I will talk about that someother day.
Today I will tell you of how nice is to be back. No wonder missionaries get to go home for a year after being away 6 years. (in some missionary organizations). It is a healing experience.
It has been so for me.
No need for special therapy. I walk down the streets and hear people, they are so much noisier here in Mexico, and I smile. I am no longer odd for my loud laughter.
When you are out you will most likely hear people laugh or joking around.
It seems to me people here celebrate life.
We are strange, even in the midst of tragedy we manage to laugh.
In october during the celebration of all saints, people place the offerings for their dead,
but during these days one can buy chocolate skull or sugar skulls, with the name of your friend
written on their foreheads. They are decorated with colors. And are a perfect gift for a friend.
Strange, ¿no?
But I mention it because it seems to me that it expresses the mexican heart so well,
we somehow manage to laugh at death. And if you can laugh at death, well, then you can
enjoy life- and laugh at most anything, and in most any circumstance.
People here are quick with words. And it is fun to hear them, even when they fight.
One day I was on the bus, an old man got on and the driver was rude to him. A man sitting in the back called his attention. The driver answered back. The man told him "remember you will be old too, and by the looks of it- it will be soon!" the driver acted as if the words had no meaning and only grunted. So the man in the back added "or who knows if you continue to be so evil, you most likely won´t get that far!".... and then everyone on the bus clapped.
I smiled. I had missed that sort of daily events.
Buses can be a torture during rush hour, but at other times they can be quite an adventure. After teaching an afternoon class I get on the bus. Tired and glad to be on my way home. Everyone had the typical "after a hard day's work" face. Then a young man hops on the bus, he holds a guitar on his hand. He walks down the aisle with new radiance all over his face. He stops in front of me. "My dear lady...what kind of music do you like?" So I chose a piece and to my surprise he calls out: "Hey, everybody the lady would like this song...what do you all say?" A man at the back answers "Give the lady the song she wants" I smile. A woman across the aisle looks at me and we smile at eachother. The boy sings the song. Then he looks at me and says: "Lady I stole your smile...I could have stolen your watch....would you please give me a hand?" I smile again. And give him some coins. As I get of the bus I think that he honestly deserved a whole lot more...he had done the impossible, he had made us all friends for a fraction of time. And he had definitely given our day a special touch.
I arrived home with a huge smile on my face.
I had missed this kind of stuff.
The guy that rings the bell to sell strawberries: "Princess would you buy some strawberries?"
I can't hide the smile.
"Where am I?" I sometimes can't believe it is real.
I watch the lady selling candies in front of a school. Little children all around. I observe her closely for a while. She couldn't have a better job. She felt so complete, knowing the little kids by name and asking them about their sister or father or vacation. She simply enjoys life.
Do not want to give the impression that this is paradise. It is not. Mexico is part of a fallen world. There is corruption, poverty and all of that.
People are not easy to get near to- hard to cultivate real friendships in Puebla...other cities are
different. But I am in Puebla.
There is smog and the volcanoe is constantly throwing ash so it is hard to breath.
The warm weather is getting stronger, and for me it is getting to be too much.
I mention this things so you dont think I am so much in love with Mexico that I am blind to its faults. I am not blind.
But today I am understandig why for me it is so simple, so natural to enjoy life: I am mexican
and today I am thankful for the present time. I know I will not stay in here forever, but it has been a nice rest. It has been a good change. One desperately needed in order to regain strenght.
God is so smart.
He knew how thirsty my soul was for this "dumb" things.
The things I grew up with, and are part of my soul.
I love Mexico. It is good to be home- for now.
He is!!!
I mean, when I had to come back to Mexico it seemed like the worst idea one could think of...come and leave my children behind?
I remember that at the airport I was asked what I was carrying in my bags- my life I said.
It was that hard. I had to leave all things behind. I was allowed 60 kilos of luggage. After 11 years in one place you have all sorts of meaningful things.
I had to give all away. But I will talk about that someother day.
Today I will tell you of how nice is to be back. No wonder missionaries get to go home for a year after being away 6 years. (in some missionary organizations). It is a healing experience.
It has been so for me.
No need for special therapy. I walk down the streets and hear people, they are so much noisier here in Mexico, and I smile. I am no longer odd for my loud laughter.
When you are out you will most likely hear people laugh or joking around.
It seems to me people here celebrate life.
We are strange, even in the midst of tragedy we manage to laugh.
In october during the celebration of all saints, people place the offerings for their dead,
but during these days one can buy chocolate skull or sugar skulls, with the name of your friend
written on their foreheads. They are decorated with colors. And are a perfect gift for a friend.
Strange, ¿no?
But I mention it because it seems to me that it expresses the mexican heart so well,
we somehow manage to laugh at death. And if you can laugh at death, well, then you can
enjoy life- and laugh at most anything, and in most any circumstance.
People here are quick with words. And it is fun to hear them, even when they fight.
One day I was on the bus, an old man got on and the driver was rude to him. A man sitting in the back called his attention. The driver answered back. The man told him "remember you will be old too, and by the looks of it- it will be soon!" the driver acted as if the words had no meaning and only grunted. So the man in the back added "or who knows if you continue to be so evil, you most likely won´t get that far!".... and then everyone on the bus clapped.
I smiled. I had missed that sort of daily events.
Buses can be a torture during rush hour, but at other times they can be quite an adventure. After teaching an afternoon class I get on the bus. Tired and glad to be on my way home. Everyone had the typical "after a hard day's work" face. Then a young man hops on the bus, he holds a guitar on his hand. He walks down the aisle with new radiance all over his face. He stops in front of me. "My dear lady...what kind of music do you like?" So I chose a piece and to my surprise he calls out: "Hey, everybody the lady would like this song...what do you all say?" A man at the back answers "Give the lady the song she wants" I smile. A woman across the aisle looks at me and we smile at eachother. The boy sings the song. Then he looks at me and says: "Lady I stole your smile...I could have stolen your watch....would you please give me a hand?" I smile again. And give him some coins. As I get of the bus I think that he honestly deserved a whole lot more...he had done the impossible, he had made us all friends for a fraction of time. And he had definitely given our day a special touch.
I arrived home with a huge smile on my face.
I had missed this kind of stuff.
The guy that rings the bell to sell strawberries: "Princess would you buy some strawberries?"
I can't hide the smile.
"Where am I?" I sometimes can't believe it is real.
I watch the lady selling candies in front of a school. Little children all around. I observe her closely for a while. She couldn't have a better job. She felt so complete, knowing the little kids by name and asking them about their sister or father or vacation. She simply enjoys life.
Do not want to give the impression that this is paradise. It is not. Mexico is part of a fallen world. There is corruption, poverty and all of that.
People are not easy to get near to- hard to cultivate real friendships in Puebla...other cities are
different. But I am in Puebla.
There is smog and the volcanoe is constantly throwing ash so it is hard to breath.
The warm weather is getting stronger, and for me it is getting to be too much.
I mention this things so you dont think I am so much in love with Mexico that I am blind to its faults. I am not blind.
But today I am understandig why for me it is so simple, so natural to enjoy life: I am mexican
and today I am thankful for the present time. I know I will not stay in here forever, but it has been a nice rest. It has been a good change. One desperately needed in order to regain strenght.
God is so smart.
He knew how thirsty my soul was for this "dumb" things.
The things I grew up with, and are part of my soul.
I love Mexico. It is good to be home- for now.
posted by thisfool @ 9:36 PM
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