mi familia y mi casa

My host family is amazing and I truly feel like part of their family here in Mexico. Vico Sr. and Coco have three children all in their late 20s or 30s, Manolo, Gaby, and Vico Jr. Manolo has two children and Gaby one. Vico Jr. lives with us and Gaby is down the street and right around the corner. I can see how family is a large part of the Mexican culture because all the children and grandchildren have been at the house every evening this week. I enjoy it. I have been talking with the seven year old granddaughter, coloring pictures, watching television, and also playing handheld Nintendo with her. She is very cute. The family has a dog named Candy and it likes to be scratched on the neck and behind the ears. I find it weird that I have been talking to a dog in Spanish. Never thought I would do that!

The family takes great pride in their culture and has been introducing me to some of the daily routines. In Mexico, they eat a medium sized breakfast. I eat at 6:30 a.m. before school, but I think they eat a little later. There is then a meal between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., the largest meal of the day. Around 8:00 p.m. we have a light meal or what I would call a big snack. My host mom cooks very good meals. Sometimes I am not really sure what I am eating, but it is delicious nonetheless.

The Mexican culture is much more "relaxed" compared to the United States. There is no hustle and bustle trying to get everything done in one day. I think I have watched television every night since I have been here. In Wisconsin, I can go weeks without turning on the t.v. Also, I am pretty sure they don't make "to-do" lists here in Mexico. It is more go with the flow.

My house is beautiful, as you can see from the pictures. Very orange and you can't miss it. My bedroom is sunflower heaven and my bathroom is blue. I have a nice view of the garden and mountains from my bedroom window. There is even what I would call a water fountain in the house. Crazy! My host mom really likes flowers and plants as they are everywhere. This makes me feel at home considering there really is no yard or grass outside the house.

I feel a bit spoiled here. I have yet to help with the cooking or washing of the dishes. My bathroom is already cleaned every day when I return home from school. In the evening, if we are watching television together they bring the meal upstairs to me so we can watch and eat at the same time. Oh, and my host family likes the television series Dr. House.

I got my first glimpse of rain last night. The sky turned gray, but it almost looked like it was going to be sun and rain simultaneously. My host mom says that happens often. The gray clouds came overhead and it rained hard for a short time. Otherwise, it has been nice weather here - sun, sun, and more sun. Since Morelia is at an altitude of about 6,500 feet, the sun is intense and very hot, for me at least. It is a little cooler is the mornings, but I could still go without a jacket or sweater. People here walk around with jackets, sweaters, and scarves when I could wear shorts. I told the students it snows in Wisconsin and some didn't know what it was or have never seen it. I will have to get some snowy pictures from Wisconsin to show the students.

My host family has been talking of all the places they are going to take me while I am here in Mexico. They say they are places I can't miss and must experience. As the weeks go by, I will be sharing my stories and photos of the miraculous places I visit. Suspense I know.

Ten un buen fin de semana,

Stephanie