The Longer I'm Here

 The longer I’m here, the more I feel that I'm a part of an old episode of Sesame Street.  One of these things is definitely different, and it frequently gets asked if it’s from Canada.  The first time that happened, I thought it was hilarious.  Then it started happening on a regular basis, whenever I left my site.  The last time I said no to that question, the stranger asked me “then why are you so white?”  To be honest, I had no idea how to respond to that question.  I use a lot of sunblock?  I’m inside most of the day?  I lived in Seattle for 8 years before I came here and, apparently, I have a long warm-up period for tanning in my old age?

With the rain, comes rainbows!

I definitely appreciate the rain more after living with the dry season for a good 8 months.

I love the trees and the mountains here.

The longer I’m here, the more familiar things become.  I don’t think twice anymore about seeing people standing up in the back of trucks while roaring down the highway.  I have no fear when it comes to eating meat sold from a stand on the sidewalk.  And although I still don’t want to ride any horses, I have no fear seeing them pass me at the intersection in front of my house.  However, one thing that still jumps out at me is job advertisements.  Many jobs posted in storefronts request the following type of employee: females only, between the ages of X and X, single, no students, etc.  The first time I saw one of these ads I was surprised and thought “You can’t say you only want young, attractive women to work here, can you?”  Maybe not, but I did actually see that qualification once.  

The longer I’m here, the better I can tell you exactly how long a bottle of shampoo, a bottle of lotion, a tube of toothpaste and a bar of soap lasts.  When you only have one of each, you are much more aware of their life span.  FYI - a bar of soap lasts a really long time and I'm on my third tube of toothpaste.    

I really, really love homemade salsa.

I don't eat meat that often, but when I do, I like it barbecued.

The longer I’m here, the more I can identify what I want in my life moving forward.  Here’s what I've identified thus far for my future wish list: to be close to family, my cat back, a really comfortable bed, to drink water from the tap, a bathroom with strong plumbing, seats on ALL toilets, to travel more, the ability to occasionally buy prepared food (not just in restaurants), to see the ocean and go hiking in the mountains on a regular basis, and to eat a donut once a month, preferably with white icing and sprinkles.  Sprinkled donuts definitely deserve a promotion in my life. 

The longer I’m here, the more I can see how much of my identity is wrapped up in my role as an employee and how much I value being an effective, productive worker.  It took a full year before I started to feel some semblance of my former professional self coming to life and providing value here.  Everything takes longer and things are just plain ol' harder operating in a second language and a different culture.  Patience be thy middle name.  Actually, we're in Mexico, where four names are common, so Patience and Humility by thy middle names. 

 Lovely tree in my friend's yard. 

 I love those mountains.

The longer I'm here, the more I watch Youtube videos and get hooked on Netflix series.  One Saturday night I binged watched The Good Wife until 4:00 AM because I miraculously had internet access in my bedroom for hours on end.  I must face the fact that I am just like all those people back in the US - fully addicted to my electronic devices.

The longer I'm here, the more I realize that although I can be ready to go do something at a moment's notice, I would rather know about plans the day before.  One of my coworkers is always rushing into the office and asking me "don't you want to come with me to this community two hours away?  Right now? For the next 5-10 hours?"  I felt frustrated every time this conversation took place, and I realized it's because I like to mentally (and sometimes physically) prepare for a trip into el campo.  I feel a little guilty for saying I want advance notice of plans whenever possible, but ni modo - that's just a part of who I am.  I'm a planner.  I've relaxed my planner tendencies A LOT here but I can't quite let it all go. 

The longer I'm here, the more I appreciate not-quite-right translations.  No toilet soap for me, thanks.

The longer I'm here, the more I see the value in taking a mid-career sabbatical.  If you hire an employee who took a sabbatical, I can guarantee you that they've really thought about what it is that they want from their future job, office, team of coworkers, location, etc.  If they're willing to give up the awesomeness that comes with traveling and living in another country, they really know that they want you and are ready to commit. 

The longer I’m here, the more comfortable I am around dogs.  I’m not saying I want a dog, cause I definitely don’t, but I’m not terrified of them anymore.  So, I will reluctantly say thanks Mexico for making me spend a lot of time with random dogs in every possible setting. 

The longer I'm here, the more sunsets I get to see.

One of my favorite sunsets.

And lastly, the longer I'm here, the more connected I feel.  Yesterday on my 10-minute walk home I ran into 12 people I know and either exchanged a big smile and wave with them or had a conversation and a hug.  There are lots of things that I miss about the US - toilet seats, water fountains, carpeting, magazines, quiet spaces and anonymity.  Some days I really miss that anonymity, but I have to admit that there are a lot of positives associated with losing it.  I am so grateful for this experience and for being pushed to grow and see things in new ways, and for the friendships I've made here. 

People have started asking me what I'm going to do when my service ends and if I'm going back to Seattle or if I'm going to stay in Mexico.  I honestly don't have a clue at this point.  I'll start getting serious about next steps after the Christmas break, but for now, I just want to live in the moment, search for sunsets and enjoy all the beauty that Mexico has to offer.