The Riding Adventure That Never Was

Once upon a time, a family of 10 decided to go on a half day horse back riding trip. Each member of the family woke up excited for their days adventure, but Uncle Rob received a call that Goldilocks lost her bears and they were clogging traffic on the 2; Therefore, the expectant family would have to take a longer route around the mountain and delay the trip by a few hours.

Undeterred, the adults, Uncle Rob, Aunt Teffany, Kevin and Amber, jump in the mini-suv, and the children,Cody, Wyatt, Kendall, and Chelsea, pile into the truck being piloted by Tim and Katie. Off they go on what they expect to be a wonderful journey.

Through the mountains from West to East Glacier, Uncle Rob begins to worry about the rain and ever decreasing temperature. With the motto: "We are going to have a good time God dammit!" ringing throughout the adult vehicle they push on. "What would make a better story, that we rode some horses or that we rode some horses in a storm?" said Uncle Rob in an effort to deflect any ill humor that maybe mounting. After stopping to acquire cold weather gear, a funny thing happened.

The family of 10 drove right on out of the mountains into the prairie where Laura Ingles may have lived. The fate of the 10 travelers was cemented when Rob calls the riding company. As his temper mounts, an ominous air travels from car 1 to car 2. An uneasiness as thick as fog rolls in and in a booming voice the uncle announces, "Talk to her before I fucking explode!" at which point cousin Kevin wrangles from the company that they are in never-never-gonna-make-it-in-time land, because the place is still 2 hours away.

Vowing that this day shall not be ruined, the men push on as the women make fun in the back ground, "Well what makes a better story, that we ride horses or that we end up in Nebraska trying to ride horses?" responds Amber in an effort to avoid any ill humor that may be mounting.

The children in car 2 are slightly disappointed, but the group stops to dine in a lovely local at the base of Glacier and with a round of beers, for the adults, the trip is salvaged. What could have been possible disaster for the motley crew turned into an adventure in one of natures greatest wonderlands.

Move over National Lampoons

Being on vacation with my boyfriend, Kevin, and his uncle, Rob, is like being on vacation with Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne.
These two have kept me in stitches for the past 4 days. They are more like brothers, and it's kind of creepy how alike they are.

On the first day together we managed to meet every single person we encountered between Kevin chatting it up with Park Rangers and Uncle Rob displaying his Good Samaritan skills. I think each adventure with these two should be it's own blog; however an examples of their shenanigans goes as follows:

From The Horse Riding Adventure

Teffany, Rob's wife, and I are walking along behind Lloyd and Harry when we here, "Hey Teff, Look a Badger" exclaims Rob praying upon his wife's blindness for comic relief.

"Where?" asks Teff squinting into the distance.

"Right there!" Kevin directs.

"Badger, I need to get my glasses fixed, because that looks like chicken to me." I say bewildered by their obvious confusion of the two animals.

These two almost pee their pants at this remark, while Teff is still searching for the badger and I'm lost in the confusion of what's so funny.

We realize Lloyd and Harry are making a joke on poor Teffany because she can't see, and for the last 4 days they both say, "Look it's a badger!" Every time we pass the shack where the chickens live.

I should start calling them the Hardy-Har boys.

These two characters are not the only ones to have brought laughter on our vacation. Each of us in our own way has contributed, and at times the laughter was needed. Like when the hot water heater went out, the time(s) we left the stove on all day and the topic of my next blog, The Riding Trip That Never Was.

Far Far Away

I'm in Montana now, and my friends and family put up a brave front about me leaving but I know you all are sad to see me go. Look on the bright side - Jessica's dad has an airplane! Geoff Prose was never so popular before, huh?

A rare happening has occurred this morning. Bubba and I are the first ones up. We have the quiet of the still house to ourselves this A.M. The sliding door is open for the dog and I can hear the rustle of leaves out back. I think this will be a great place for my creative side.

I've got a room for an office right off the kitchen and the big windows over look the lake. I'm going to put a desk in there, and hopefully it will be where all my Great Creative Writing takes place. Maybe I can talk Kevin into getting me a chaise lounger where all my Great Creative Thinking can happen.

I'm going with Kevin and his family up to Flathead Lake, near Glacier National Park, this weekend; where we will be on vacation for a week. Activities include: White Water Rafting, Horseback Riding, Hiking, Biking, Lounging, and The Great Amberican Cook Off of '09. I asked Kevin if there were washers ( What does Lisa Hitch call it? Peanuts or something...) or horse shoes and he called me a redneck. Can you believe that? Guess what I said, "You can take the Girl out of Texas but you can't take Texas out of the Girl."

Serenity Now

The past month has gone by too quickly even though the daily pace was slow and tranquil. I'm reflecting on all the things that have happened and what I've learned. I'm sure there will be many more posts concerning my Mexico trip despite the fact that I'm home.

I wish I could have taken the courtesy and serenity of San Miguel and put it into a pill for distribution to my fellow travelers. Once I arrived in Houston, the long lines and high tempers of tired travelers in the customs department threatened to diminish my peace of mind. I just smiled and nodded, but others around me sounded like angry cattle stamping and snorting. I was afraid of a stampede. It seemed like I was standing still and the world around was chaos. It took a while for reality to set in, and then I realized this isn't another dream about going home. This is the ugly side of a traveling life, and it seem to be saying, "Welcome Home, and get the hell out of my way."

Not Enough Room

Today is the last day of my intensive Spanish course. Instead of heading out the door I'm writing this article. I know she's going to make me think and my head is so full that I can't even spell in English. But that's normal for me right? Like my laptop, my brain is fried. I think there might be smoke coming from my ears. You can definitely hear the gears grinding after my four hours of instruction.

My teachers, Philipa and Elvira, have been wonderful. I came here barely using the present tense correctly and now while I can say I'm comfortable using the imperfect tense I am far from perfect in my speaking ability. It's been well worth the money and I know I've learned alot.

With a few exceptions I'm no longer struggling to try and translate what is being said to me. The meaning is just there. It is amazing. I can't really describe what's it's like. It is no longer a foreign language. When some one asks you in English, "do you need to go to the bathroom?" You don't have to think me, bathroom, toilet, pee. No It's just there in your head. I'm getting there, but I am still not sure if my taxi driver last night asked me if I was getting tired or married.



My Teachers Philipa and Elvira. The third lady is my friend Francis.

The Last Cucaracha

My Mexican vacation is coming to an end. I've said goodbye to two of my friends, Javi and Thelma. Before parting, we returned to our place, Catzo y Charleys, for one last cucaracha. Catzo y Charley's was nothing like Carlos and Charley's, don't get that impression. It was generally empty while we were there and the waiters knew us on site. We knew we had found a home when we entered one night and the waiter calls out "Tres Cucarachas!" before we even make it up the stiars. The view from c&c's was great, the music was always loud and we were never short of conversation. Some people might have called our place a dump, but to me it was great.

After paying the check each night, the waiter would bring a bonus cucaracha which Thelma and I generally left to Javier, but Tuesday night El Cucaracha del Fuego, my luchador name for Javi, was done and the honor was all mine. The night ended in knuckle bumps and the conquest of my street vendor phobia. I don't know if it was the mounting hunger or the flaming drink pictured above, but for the first time I indulged in street food. I dare say it was FANTASTIC.

Without Javi and Thelma my trip would not have been near as much fun. I wish them well on their upcoming wedding and hope that their last cucaracha was as memorable as mine.

From SanMgl

Sights in San Miguel

Click on the picasa symbol at the bottom right hand corner then click on the
sanmgl hyperlink to go to web album.

Love in the Time of Economic Depression

Paris, the city of love? I think not. Every where I look in San Miguel love abounds. I come across this out pouring of affection daily in SMA. I see couples snuggling by the fountain, young lovers and stolen kisses on a darkened side street, The husband embracing his wife and tenderly caressing her swollen pregnant belly, mothers and fathers dancing in the twilight to the Mariachi music. Today I saw a mother's love, a baby suckling on the street.

YesterdayI recounted my sightings to Javier and Thelma, jokingly telling them it was difficult to be without Kevin with all the public display of affection. Do I need more proof than the engagement of my two new friends to prove that love is in the air?

As destiny would have it, I have not had to miss out. After seeing the mother breast feeding her baby, I was planning what to say in my blog while walking up Correo when I was approached by a boy who couldn't have been older than 15, if even that old. He asked if I was lost. That was a reasonable question since I had taken too long deciding which street had the better view. I told him I was not lost and just sight seeing. At this he introduced himself and stuck out his hand. I shook his extended hand, but didn't quite hear what he said (he was standing on my left, deaf, side). I turned to put my good ear to him and he tried to pull me close for a kiss. Aye Carrumba! I was a bit shocked; however, I assumed this was a cultural misunderstanding. How was he to know I was deaf in one ear?

Awkwardly, I walk on and Juan never flags. He is right there step for step telling me how beautiful the jardin and the churches are and I keep saying, "Yes, I know. I've been here for a while." Not knowing how to get rid of him ( I have not learned the Spanish words for - Thank you, but you are making me uncomfortable and wish you would leave me alone) I think: Maybe if I give him a tip he will go away. He says thank you and we part at the corner of San Francisco and Barranca.

It is here, my friends, that I wish I could end my story; however, there is more. Oh so much more. My friendly tour guide quickly comes back, and turns into the most enterprising Don Juan. He begins by asking what I thought was: "Will you be my girlfriend?" to which I smile and reply "I'm sorry I have a boyfriend." Juan continues:

"Would you like to give me a kiss?"
"No, gracias, mis besos son para mi novio solamente. No thanks my kisses are only for my boyfriend." I try to walk faster.

"You are so pretty, you have nice hair." To which I think:Did he just say I have nice hair, I'm not sure better ask. On clarifying himself, I learn that while yes my hair may be pretty it's my breasts of which he is particularly fond . He is in fact so enamoured with "the girls" he asks to play with them.

Those of you that know me can picture my face at this point. I look around searching for a store to duck into and up head I see la policia. Juan must take my silence as misunderstanding, he continues his quest and asks me point blank if I want to make love, "Querias hacer amor?" I've decided that this has gone way too far and so quickly too. I drop the good-natured, stupid tourist act and pointedly look at the approaching police officer and back at Juan. With a smack on the shoulder and a sharp look in the eye, I drop the smile and raise my voice and carefully enunciate: "ADIOS, JUAN!"

I'm not exactly sure what was the deterrent for my passionate little friend. Maybe it was my I'm- going-to-kick-you-in-the-huevos look or the prominence of an authority figure, but I was relieved to see him go. Quite fittingly our separation took place right outside a store that sold sexy lingerie. The name of the store: SEXY. Is that Irony or coincidence? I don't know, but it sure tops my list of "Most Outrageous Encounters", and I can now say I was almost loved in San Miguel.

Malfunction

San Miguel has proved to be a technological deadzone for me. At first my computer would not connect to the wifi, but now it is totally defunct. I can't send or post pictures because I have no way to get them to the public computer. Sorry you all will have to wait for when I return to the states for the pictures. Yesterday, I had to leave class early because of ¨the revenge¨ and I had read all my books, couldn't use my internet or the dvd player on my computer. My ipod is down and the cable on my mexico tv was out for some of the evening. The lights shut off for a while right around dark and my shower had lost all water pressure! Talk about boring/frustrating, good thing I was in the bathroom most of the day. With the exception of yesterday, I have greatly enjoyed my first two weeks here in SMA.

Today I am back among the living, and it is a gorgeous day, a bit hot, but in the shade there is a nice breeze. My goal for today is to find a juvenile spanish book so that I can practice reading in the language.

This afternoon, There is suppose to be a parade for the new Mayor of San Miguel, Lucy Nunez. Elections were held on Sunday and Sra. Nunez is the first femal mayor of San Miguel. My teacher Elvira is really happy/excited about the change.

I´m thinking of going to the botanical garden this afternoon or tomorrow after class. There is so much to see and do in and around San Miguel. I won´t have time for it all.

Fourth of July

San Miguel is a city of celebration. Everyday is an excuse for a festival. Because of the multitude of cultures that converge on this small city, both religious and secular holidays are celebrated. When a group of people live in San Miguel their fiestas are adopted. For example, the 4th of July, tomorrow there is to be a chili cookoff down town and I wouldn't be suprised if there were fireworks.
Fireworks seem to be a part of life here, as if they are saying: "Hooray, it's Friday," or "Thank Guad"* we lived another day." Maybe it's just an effect of the tequila, I don't know. On my first day here we passed a small family fiesta and they were letting off noise makers and what not and my driver turned to me and said, "Welcome to Mexico, Amber".

* There is a bumper sticker here that reads: In Guad we trust. Guad being the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Waterfall

It's the rainy season here and that means most afternoons and some evenings it rains. Some times it pours, and then sometimes a quick shower. The last few days we have seen rain on the heavy side. I walked to dinner tonight around 7:30 as the dark ominous clouds were rolling in. Each of my footsteps echoed with booming thunder. Just as I was turning the corner from Jesus onto Cuadrante, it started to rain. Luckily, I had my paragua and the restaurante, La Grotta/The Grotto, was only steps away. You can go either up or down once you get into the restaurant but I like the downstairs because you are looking up at the people and cars on the street and it seems as if you are below the rain and the traffic.

Once I was seated and had placed my order, I became lost in the rain. The drops were fat and heavy drowning out the sounds around me. It was as if I were completely alone even though all of the other four downstairs tables were taken.

By the time I finished eating, the rain had slackened, and was barely noticeable. It was a fine night for walking even though the cobble stone streets become very slick and dangerous after the rain. I'm strolling along taking in the refreshing breath of the newly cleaned air. With the moon glistening off the puddles and drops of rainwater the park glitters like a field of diamonds. I am half way from my apartment and the restaurant. It's here that the water converges from the two parts of town to make its gurgling retreat into the runoff grate. The rain has driven everyone back in and the night is calm and quiet. The only sounds are the slip sliding of the water along the smooth stones, far away a dog barks and some where a car turns down a street. I'm lost in a gentle reverie. I feel like a movie star, but suddenly I'm awashed in reality. That car is on my street. That car is passing me. That car is driving through the slip sliding water sending a waterfall of recycled rain down upon me. If that isn't something from a movie, I'll be damned; however, my mood could not be washed away, because inside I was still afloat on waves of happiness, you see I was thinking about Kevin and our life together in Montana.

Live Well

There is an abundance of life here in San Miguel. It flows from behind the ornate wooden doors into the quaint cobble stone streets and shaded central parks. It’s lived in the open. Life vibrates through the sound of the church bells ringing in the new day and most nights burst forth in a spectacular array of colors as a celebration of having lived another day. Life walks the street in pairs, groups and families. Life sings, dances and smiles.

My teacher, Elvira, says that Mexicans don’t think about the future much. They have been taught to live each day well, and to be glad to be alive because no one knows what tomorrow may bring. Ironic, because I came here hoping to foresee my own future to try and plan a strategy for what may come.

I still have no clue what job I may hold; however, each morning I will think of the church bells, and remember to celebrate that which I hold dear - mi familia, mis amigas, mi novio - Mi Vida.