My parents have been to Mexico!
Trip Start
Aug 05, 2007
1
16
17
Trip End
Aug 05, 2008
Mexico City,
Mexico
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Hope you all well! I have so much to say as I have been pretty busy the last couple of months, it is difficult to know where to start, I should do a blogg more regularly!
Since my last blogg I have moved house. I am now living in a flat with one other volunteer from Japan (Hiromi). It is much better than my last house as I have my own room now. There are still things to be done before it is homely but as I have learnt these things take time in Mexico, a long time!! patience is a nessecity here! I now have a bed, a wardrobe and a camping stove after waiting three weeks. I live abit further north of the city so it takes me longer to get to work but it is much better as it is quieter so I do not mind traveling the extra distance. Hiromi is really nice and she does not speak English so another positive my Spanish is going to improve.
When we first moved into the flat Canitias gave us a mouse each. But now they have decided to move out now as they have eaten all our food, ha! They must have had parties when we were out because according to Hiromi they were getting fatter. Hiromi used to see them more than I did as they took a liking to her room! They preferred it than mine, I was not offended though!
I have been doing a bit more traveling and now I have the bug to see the whole of Mexico! Before my parents came I went to Puebla, Cholula and Tonantzintla. I saw lots of amazing churches in Puebla as it is more religious than in D.F. That is another thing I am learning that each part of Mexico is so different and has its own culture. I have now worked out how to put my photos on line so they are their way.
As many of you are aware mum and dad came to Mexico for two weeks which was wonderful! It was so nice to see them and show them around. We spent a week in the city site seeing and went to Xochicalo which is just outside of the city. It has floating gardens so you go on boat and admire the scenery whilst listening to music and having something to eat on a boat, very good!
I took them into Pro Ninos, the boys were very well behaved and polite. I think they were shocked they were street boys. They love having visitors into the centre, I think it is because they feel accepted and it is nice for them to talk to someone different and also they are fascinated in hearing about England. They can no believe it is cold! I try and assure them everytime, ha! Dad sent me a picture of frost, is it that cold????
The second week my parents were here we went to Acapulco for a week to chill! The hotel was wonderful, the best hotel I have every stayed in! One of the best parts was being taken up to our room in a pink jeep! Ah it was great and very hot of course so now I am a little brown. I will not say too much about it because I make you all jealous! all this sunshine!
When in Acapulco we saw the famous cliff divers which was abit hairy. The divers dive from 30 metres into shallow water. There are alot of rocks so they have to time their dive with the wave so that they do not hit the rocks. 5 people have died doing it so as you can imagine it is nerve wracking to watch.
I am sure you will see the many photos of our adventures that dad took with his new camera! They both liked the city although the food and crossing the roads was not an enjoyment. In Mexico cars do not stop at red lights and the roads are very big and busy, nothing like Taunton. I am used to it now but I am sure mum is still having nightmares about crossing the roads now, she did really well gripping onto mine and dads arm, on some occasions she ran, I am sure out of fear, bless!
They went home on Wednesday so I have only worked two days this week. I am still working on the street and I think I will be until I leave which is great as I prefer it than working in the centre. You have the best of both worlds working on the street because you get to see the city and spend a little time in the centre. You get to understand more about their circumstances and obviously you see where they live which is shocking at times! I am learning more about the problems Mexico has with children living on the street. Drug use (Glue) is obviously a big problem and many of the boys prostitute themselves to get money for glue and food. One child sold his kidneys, these are just some examples, as you can imagine they go to extremes to get money.
It is very rewarding when you meet a child on the street and they come to the centre. Because they are able to shower, eat and play. I do not recognize some of them when we are clean. They behave different in the centre than they do on the street, well most of the time! I think it is because they respect what we do, helping them to leave the street, if that is what they decide.
The weather here is getting warmer, the past couple of days it has been about 37 degrees and even hotter on the metro. I have been told it will get a little hotter so I think I will have a nice tan by the time I come back.
Must go and download some photos now, and do some shopping so that I can cook a meal on my little camping stove, should be interesting!
Miss you all,
Gemma x
