dios mio, I might never come home.

Somethings of course get lost in translation, and I'm glad they do, because there are more surprises this way. I got a knock on my bedroom door a little before 9 and my little sisters asked me if I wanted to go somewhere. Whatever they said, I just said si and changed into jeans and grabbed my purse. I had no idea I was in for the best freaking open mic night in the world. That's not really what it was, but I don't know how else to describe it. There's this great little multipurpose cultural center right on my street se llama la casa de faldon and earlier today we went to a little magic show for kids that was pretty cute. The concert / open mic night was picnic style like the hollywood bowl - bring your own wine and cheese (we brought popcorn), except way way way smaller and more intimate than the hollywood bowl. Performers from the community played guitars & santoors, sang, and recited poetry. The audience danced in space left between tables, sang along, and clapped. The space was what you might imagine architecture in Mexico to look like, the old Spanish style with yellow and orange paint. It was an outdoor room with shade covering from wall to wall. There was one man that might have been like 150 years old who sang beautifully acapella and recited poetry and I was so moved by how well loved he was by the audience.  They also of course sold delicious food and this whole night cost me 20 pesos which is less than 2 dollars. Because of my lack of a cellphone I pretty much bailed on the other trainees in order to hang out with my familia but I hope they forgive me because I had a much more culturally enriching evening than tomando cerveza until wee hours of the morning. It was absolutely lovely.

Last night the language school, Ole had a welcome party for us which was actually really fun. Our familias provided food potluck style and we were able to meet everyones new moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and siblings. There were traditional mexican dances as well as salsa lessons. I took my little twin sisters and we had a great time. I went out afterward with some friends and it was really hard to wake up this saturday morning for another round of Spanish classes.

This week has been as they say here in mexico, pesado (or heavy). It's been full of classes and trying to figure our way around the city. We have class everyday from 8-6 which leaves little time to get a few chores done because we're also supposed to be home for dinner with our families at around 8, plus I am so beat at the end of the day that even though I may be running low on toothpaste, I'd rather wait until I'm desperate than to go to the store right after school. We already leave for our first field trip on Monday and we'll be gone all week to San Luis Potosi, a state very close to here, to see national parks, rural life, and the capital city. I'll write next week when I get back to tell you all about it.

I drank the water...

... and I'm still alive. That must be a good sign. The water was filtered but from the tap nonetheless, and of course the family washes their dishes and fruits and veggies in the regular water. At some point you just have to throw your hands up and say what the heck! I'm not going to die from the water just may have been a little sick and I really haven't even been sick. But I do feel like that will become a common saying or thought in my life here, to just say the hell with it and go for it; whatever "it" is.

Aside from the water (which I know you all feared for me), everything is good. Since the hacienda, we arrived in Queretaro city on Saturday to meet our host families. We also found out our job assignments on Saturday, so the past few days have been exciting and exhausting.

We'll start with the job assignment. I'll be working in el Parque Nacional el Chico helping to administer a "mountaineering hut" program. Everything is still a little vague (as I beginning to become accustomed to in this Peace Corps life) but it sounds like I'll be living and working in the mountains helping to maintain and create trails and huts for backpackers with the hope that this will create a sustainable livelihood for the people in the surrounding area. I couldn't be more excited. It's like this job was made for me. As one volunteer said, it's hospitality at the most basic level - helping to provide shelter. I start this job mid-November.

My host family is awesome: mom, her BF, 16 year old daughter, and 9 year old twin girls. I went to a boy's first communion on Saturday which was just like all the birthday parties I attended from friends at Il Fornaio, bounce house and all. On Sunday, I went to a Baptist church with the family and the service was almost 3 hours long! We ate some delicious chicken for lunch (which does not happen until like 3pm) and then mom and daughters took me on a tour of el centro. Queretaro is the safest and cleanest city in Mexico and the people are very proud of this. The city has a colonial influence and most of the architecture from the 1800s still stands.

Today was our first official day of training which consisted of 3 hours of Spanish, a big lunch, training in our sector (mine being the environment sector, the other technology), and a lesson on culture shock that I probably could have taught. Tomorrow we have 5 hours of Spanish and some other stuff. It seems like this might be a long 12 weeks of training, but I do appreciate how well the Peace Corps is taking care of us and at the end of the training we will be way better prepared to serve Mexico for the next 2 years.

Pictures will come slowly but surely. Love you all.

La Hacienda del Castillo

We arrived on Wednesday and in the past 2 days we have had lessons in safety and security, emergencies, allowances, and a lot of Spanish. We've also eaten way too much and had the luxury of staying in this gorgeous hacienda on an organic rancho. Today we had a little tour of the ranch.


Traveling was long and exhausting but I'm sure it would be far worse if we were going pretty much anywhere farther than Mexico so I can't complain too much. BUT, we had to meet in the hotel lobby at 1am to finally arrive at our hotel at around 6pm. Lots of hurrying up and waiting. But here we are. Aqui estamos.

I'm really excited about meeting our host families tomorrow and starting real school on Monday. Tonight we have salsa lessons and a bonfire!

I tried to put pics online but there are 38 other PCTs (I'm practicing the Peace Corps acronyms - Peace Corps Trainees) online so internet connection is not the best. Will update pics later.

Here are the pics I promised http://picasaweb.google.com/rebeccajoyb/LaHaciendaCastillo?feat=directlink

It's always better to write on no sleep

All packed with 80 lbs plus carryon luggage and ready to go. I'll get to DC sometime this evening, spend Tuesday at Peace Corps orientation and fly on Wednesday to Mexico. From Wednesday to Saturday, we'll be staying in a hotel and we'll get to meet our host families on Saturday. 


This summer has been a crazy but great summer. It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster getting ready to leave and say goodbye, but right now I am ready. I packed in every bit of goodbye parties I possibly could and if you are reading this and I did not get a chance to personally say bye bye to you, I'm so sorry and I will see you soon (...in 2 years). It was the perfect summer of camping, visiting friends in PA, partying, hanging out with my family and friends, and of course some wonderful dates. 


So family and friends, as the Von Trapp family would say, "So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye," and come visit me soon. I'll keep you updated as often as I can. 


Hasta la vista!