When I moved to Mexico, I hit the ground running. I wanted to push my comfort zone, meet new people, not sweat my Spanish and just take it all in. I made it about a month until all the effort I put towards being positive and enjoying every moment of this experience toppled. I'm homesick. I'm a little bored. I've started to watch a lot of t.v.
I feel like the homesickness hit me all at once. I woke up on Saturday, September 16th wanting to cry. And that feeling has been living in that space where your tongue meets your throat and creates a tightness that turns your voice into a croak and seeps out from behind your eyes no matter how hard you think you're smiling. I take longer to get out of bed and also to fall asleep. In the spaces where I once felt comfortable in my inexperience and obviously foreign accent, I feel myself retreating.
Yesterday I went to the Sierra Gorda and Bernal with my co-worker Lucy and a guy she's been talking to, Paco. They have just started to get to know each other and are not quite dating but are headed in that direction. Robert, the other Fulbright grantee in Querétaro, was supposed to come with us but came down with the flu and had to cancel at the last minute. I was faced with spending the day alone in Querétaro or getting out of town for a few hours with Lucy and Paco. I felt so awkward tagging along but couldn't bare the idea of staying behind either. I taught myself the word for third wheel, sujetavelas and interjected myself into their day date. The funny thing about the second language is the worse you feel, the worse you speak. Holding back the tightness I quietly tried to join the conversation from the back seat and got stuck in a self-correcting loop of babble. I leaned against the window and listened to Lucy's music drown out their flirtatious teasing.
The landscape was beautiful, a vibrant green covering the rounded, rolling mountains. Paco took us to a short waterfall hike where the light blue water flowed through the sienna rock bed. The waterfall was extra strong from the recent rains and as it crashed into the pool below it sprayed mist, the word I had tried to describe to my English students the day before with an amateur drawing on the white board. Mist, fog, overcast, cloudy, trying to help them expand their vocabulary in preparation for their Cambridge exam. It was such a beautiful place and I was so lucky to have been driven there by the wonderful and generous Paco, yet all I could think of was Jamai, my partner in adventure and my sense of home, miles and miles away watching a slow bike race in the Golden Gate Park. The tightness clenched in my throat and I squinted eyes, trying to hold back tears as snapped a few close ups of the waterfall's mist to show my students.
Today I woke up to the frantic beats of the spinning class music, shoved ear plugs into my ears and slept for two more hours. I lingered in my room uploading photos and figuring out how to rotate a video I took on my camera. Robert and I met up to go sign up for a Spanish class together. We laughed at our daily blunders and our overly dramatic descent into apathy. Together we made jokes about the man that gave me a hard time when I asked where Avenida Tecnología was when it's really called Avenida Tecnológico. I looked at another apartment I don't want to live in and bought a couple books. Tomorrow I'll wake up before spinning starts and head to the CutOut Fest office and keep looking for the humor in this silly part of the process of getting used to a new place and another language.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Getting to know: Hello Seahorse!
Hello Seahorse! is kind of a big deal in Mexico. They've joined together with CutOut Fest to hold a contest for an artist to create a music video for this song, Frontera. But for now, just enjoy their trippy melodies and haunting vocals.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
FOOD!
Mexican food has been one of my favorite types of food for a while. Since moving here, it has been a struggle to get myself to eat at home when there is so much to try. This week Querétaro has been celebrating La Fiesta de la Exaltación de la Santa Cruz, a local remembrance of its history and ancestry (which I will discuss in a later post). Because of this, there was a TON of food in La Plaza de La Cruz, the center of the fiesta. I was thrilled when I came across all of the food tents and walked up and down the aisles as I struggled with indecision until I came across a woman selling pozole.
I've been battling a cold this week and steaming bowl of pozole rojo was exactly what I needed. Two women were already sitting at the stand when I arrived and expressed how valiente I was as I added in some spicy chili sauce to help clear my congested head, which made me feel like I'm really learning to hold my own here in Mexico (and not to brag or anything, but last night at a BBQ someone else was impressed by my ability to eat and enjoy the hotter of the two salsas.). I then went to a stand where a woman was making gorditas, tacos, quesadillas and sopes all with blue corn flour tortillas. I asked for a gordita, one of Querétaro's specialties, and froze when the woman asked what I wanted in it. There were literally over a dozen ceramic bowls full of possible fillings in front of me and I didn't know what any of them were called. I stuttered "¿tiene flor de calabaza?" because I'm still kind of excited by the idea of eating flowers to which she replied "solo en las quesadillas" and showed me a quesadilla with zucchini flower and melted cheese. The blue corn tortilla added an excellent flavor to the cheese and flower combination. I also listened closely as others ordered gorditas so I'll be prepared next time.
I wandered back through the tents considering which of the sweets I should try. I had seen one that looked like a sweet potato latke at one stand went back to find out what it was.
I chose the latke-looking sweet, a dulce de leche and a lime rind filled with candied coconut.
The latke look-a-like turned out to be fried coconut. Good but not as exciting as I had hoped. The coconut-filled lime rind was my favorite. It took me a minute to realize I could eat the rind as well which added a nice tangy, citrus flavor to the sweet and smooth coconut. That was by far my favorite of the desserts.
And as I left the food fair, I decided I hadn't eaten enough vegetables and stopped for an elote on my way out. Because obviously mayonnaise and cheese covered corn is an important part of a balanced diet.
I've been battling a cold this week and steaming bowl of pozole rojo was exactly what I needed. Two women were already sitting at the stand when I arrived and expressed how valiente I was as I added in some spicy chili sauce to help clear my congested head, which made me feel like I'm really learning to hold my own here in Mexico (and not to brag or anything, but last night at a BBQ someone else was impressed by my ability to eat and enjoy the hotter of the two salsas.). I then went to a stand where a woman was making gorditas, tacos, quesadillas and sopes all with blue corn flour tortillas. I asked for a gordita, one of Querétaro's specialties, and froze when the woman asked what I wanted in it. There were literally over a dozen ceramic bowls full of possible fillings in front of me and I didn't know what any of them were called. I stuttered "¿tiene flor de calabaza?" because I'm still kind of excited by the idea of eating flowers to which she replied "solo en las quesadillas" and showed me a quesadilla with zucchini flower and melted cheese. The blue corn tortilla added an excellent flavor to the cheese and flower combination. I also listened closely as others ordered gorditas so I'll be prepared next time.
I wandered back through the tents considering which of the sweets I should try. I had seen one that looked like a sweet potato latke at one stand went back to find out what it was.
I chose the latke-looking sweet, a dulce de leche and a lime rind filled with candied coconut.
The latke look-a-like turned out to be fried coconut. Good but not as exciting as I had hoped. The coconut-filled lime rind was my favorite. It took me a minute to realize I could eat the rind as well which added a nice tangy, citrus flavor to the sweet and smooth coconut. That was by far my favorite of the desserts.
And as I left the food fair, I decided I hadn't eaten enough vegetables and stopped for an elote on my way out. Because obviously mayonnaise and cheese covered corn is an important part of a balanced diet.
Why Mexicans are basically the best
- I was walking behind a group of teenaged boys who were shuffling along the narrow sidewalk after school got out. I was thinking to myself "jeez, could they walk any slower?" when one of them noticed I was behind them and then told all of his friends to move aside so I could pass. TEENAGED BOYS ya'll!
- Caro got dumped and insisted that she cook for me!
- When I couldn't find the street for the migration office, I asked an older woman who didn't recognize the street's name. She then brought me into the shop behind us, asked the woman behind the counter where the street was. When that woman didn't know, the older woman insisted that the shop worker call the office for me. She then noticed I was going to migration and knew exactly where it was (just didn't realize it was on that specific street) and walked me to the street, gave me her phone number and made me promise that I would call her if I need absolutely anything at all.
- When I say "gracias" to someone who has just provided me with a service they pretty much always respond with "gracias a usted". Sometimes it becomes a ridiculous game of thanking each other, but either way it is extremely sweet.
- I noticed a small boy of about 7 years old and his even smaller sister of about 5 years old walking together in their little school uniforms. She was pulling a little backpack on wheels. The brother took the bag and pulled it for her.
- You should see how patient they are when they teach me how to dance! I am usually super embarrassed to dance but here, everyone is so sweet and understanding of my lack of experience, I feel totally fine as I struggle with basic steps.
- Basically after meeting anyone knew, they always say "if you need anything at all, if you have any questions, we are here for you!" It can be that sweet lady I met in the street, the bartender, the yoga instructor, or the friend of a friend of a friend. They say it sincerely as they offer their friendship and support.
- Caro got dumped and insisted that she cook for me!
- When I couldn't find the street for the migration office, I asked an older woman who didn't recognize the street's name. She then brought me into the shop behind us, asked the woman behind the counter where the street was. When that woman didn't know, the older woman insisted that the shop worker call the office for me. She then noticed I was going to migration and knew exactly where it was (just didn't realize it was on that specific street) and walked me to the street, gave me her phone number and made me promise that I would call her if I need absolutely anything at all.
- When I say "gracias" to someone who has just provided me with a service they pretty much always respond with "gracias a usted". Sometimes it becomes a ridiculous game of thanking each other, but either way it is extremely sweet.
- I noticed a small boy of about 7 years old and his even smaller sister of about 5 years old walking together in their little school uniforms. She was pulling a little backpack on wheels. The brother took the bag and pulled it for her.
- You should see how patient they are when they teach me how to dance! I am usually super embarrassed to dance but here, everyone is so sweet and understanding of my lack of experience, I feel totally fine as I struggle with basic steps.
- Basically after meeting anyone knew, they always say "if you need anything at all, if you have any questions, we are here for you!" It can be that sweet lady I met in the street, the bartender, the yoga instructor, or the friend of a friend of a friend. They say it sincerely as they offer their friendship and support.
Monday, September 9, 2013
#gringamoments
- Every time I take coins out, I had to study them closely, front and back, to make sure I'm choosing the correct ones. Just like my second graders last fall.
- Crossing the street is like my own, self-imposed, game of Frogger in which I take one step into the street, one step out of the street, two steps in, two steps out. Eventually a local crosses and I follow inexcusably close behind.
- I have botched so many greetings! Mexicans kiss on one cheek when they greet but sometimes, sometimes! they hug, too. I can't tell when. (Ellen, if you're reading this, this #gringamoment is dedicated to you.)
- I accidentally said "I pooped" when I meant to say "she (the new puppy) pooped"......
- I brazenly assumed La Corregidora (a revolutionary hero) and La Zacatecana (a local murderess) were the same person and wondered why the woman that worked at the Zacatecana museum was clueless about La Zacatecana's other house in La Plaza de las Armas. Turns out it was La Corregidora's house and the museum employee does, indeed, know her shit.
- I forget to disinfect my vegetables and then must do without.
- I forget my vegetables in their disinfectant bath for many hours when 15 minutes will suffice.
- I walk around in a tank top, skirt, and sandals and pass people in jeans, sweatshirts, and boots. I sweat a lot, they seem to be just fine.
- Crossing the street is like my own, self-imposed, game of Frogger in which I take one step into the street, one step out of the street, two steps in, two steps out. Eventually a local crosses and I follow inexcusably close behind.
- I have botched so many greetings! Mexicans kiss on one cheek when they greet but sometimes, sometimes! they hug, too. I can't tell when. (Ellen, if you're reading this, this #gringamoment is dedicated to you.)
- I accidentally said "I pooped" when I meant to say "she (the new puppy) pooped"......
- I brazenly assumed La Corregidora (a revolutionary hero) and La Zacatecana (a local murderess) were the same person and wondered why the woman that worked at the Zacatecana museum was clueless about La Zacatecana's other house in La Plaza de las Armas. Turns out it was La Corregidora's house and the museum employee does, indeed, know her shit.
- I forget to disinfect my vegetables and then must do without.
- I forget my vegetables in their disinfectant bath for many hours when 15 minutes will suffice.
- I walk around in a tank top, skirt, and sandals and pass people in jeans, sweatshirts, and boots. I sweat a lot, they seem to be just fine.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Translation Station at the CutOut Fest
This past week I started volunteering with a festival called CutOut Fest at their pretty office in the city center. I met the founders, Bianca and Miguel, through a mutual friend at a bar last week, emailed them on Friday and started on Monday. The festival was created to fill the giant gap for animated film and art here in the Americas. Apparently, there are very few festivals of this kind and many animation artists must travel to Europe to show their work. The festival is in its fifth year and the staff is seriously dedicated, organized and motivated. I met with the Head of Programming, Daniella, when I first arrived and she gave me the run down on the huge need they have for English translation. The artists come from across the world so CutOut wants to ensure that the information is understood by the widest audience possible.
I started by translating a brochure needed to attract British businesses to the festival. CutOut has partnered with an organization called This is GREAT to attract creative talent from the United Kingdom. It took me about two hours to write the first draft of the translation and by the end, I was so fried, I could barely even speak English, let alone Spanish! A funny thing about translating is that you start to forget how to say things in your own language. I can spend many minutes on four word phrases, wracking my brain to remember how we normally say "debuted at number one on YouTube" ( I had to ask myself, "is it 'debuted as or at?'"). I spent 30 minutes trying to translate the tagline for a music video contest. Given, it was a weirdo artsy farsty musiciany phrase that started with "hear with your eyes", but 30 minutes nonetheless. A few of my friends who are innocently on gchat while I'm at CutOut Fest have fallen victim to my messages asking them "does this sound normal to you?" with various different translated sentences to follow.
I'm really happy I found this gig. It's really challenging in a fun way and I think it'll ultimately help my Spanish as well. Plus, I've never felt like as much of an expert as I do as the sole native English speaker in an office full of Mexicans. Not to mention, I want to be BFF with all the people there, hip creative types in their cool boots and wearing pretty lipsticks. And there's a cute dog that comes in everyday, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)