Bitter Sweet

Today was bitter sweet. It was the last day teaching here in Cancun. I will miss the students and the people here, but today being the last day also means that I will get to come home soon.

I do admit, I am home sick. There are just so many little things that make life nice and comfortable in the US that we take for granted.

Today to celebrate for lunch the Rotarians took us to the Port of Juarez for lunch. I learned a very valuable lesson. I do not like Whiskey. So please add that to the list of liqours I will not drink.

Tommorow we do not teach, and I plan to see the beach at sunrise. I have seen the sun set across the lagoon in Cancun, now it is time for a sunrise. I will meet Marta, a Roatarians wife to go shopping and then I will start packing.

Saturday, our plan leaves at 6:00pm and then I will back in Dallas about 9:00. Then home to AC, mutliple pillows and most importantly my family. They are the backbone in my life and I seem to be a stronger person with them in my life. (Yes, even though I do complain every once and a while)

I am sorry I do not have pictures for the last of the activities. However, I will add them once I get home.

Thank you all for following my blog and I will plan to keep writing once I am back in the states.

I drive a boat like I drive a car......BADLY!

I know it has been awhile since I have updated, but you know life is busy.

On Saturday, I took a tour to go see one of the 7 Wonders of the world, Chichen-Itza. By gosh, this Mayan Ruin was amazing, and they are still finding more parts to it. It was just breath taking. I ended up taking a tour and meeting up with this intersting guy. He teaches English all over the World. He has taught in Tailand, Burma, Brazil and he is about to head to South Korea. The way his agency works is that they school (usually private) pays for you lodging and gives you a good salary. However you have to commit to 2 years. He has holidays and summers off and gets to travel around the world. Chichen-Itza was his last stop on seeing all 7 Wonders of the World. I wish I had photos to share of this, however I ran out of memory on my camera. After 360 pictures I guess it was about time. So I put all of them on my computer!

On Saturday night, my Advanced English class invited me to the Club Coco Bongo. Okay I had a BLAST even without a drop of alcohol. Coco Bongo is a mix between a Las Vegas show and a Night Club. We stayed until 4:30 in the morning, and the party was still going on.

Sunday......Well Sunday was a rough day. I got up and booked a Jungle Tour. I had about 2 hours to kill so I went on a bus to get some food. The bus was crowded and I let down my guard. When I went to pay for my food I realized my wallet was gone. It must have been picked while I was on the bus. Thank goodness for the kindness of starngers who gave me phones to cancel my cards. And even a dollar for the bus to get home. Since, I had already paid the jungle tour I went ahead and attended. The jungle tour was a lot of fun. Actually through the whole thing, I kept thinking that my brother Matt would have loved this. You get to drive your own little speed boat about an hour through the Lagoon to a reef. Then you snorkel for about an hour. Then race back in your speed boat. I am not very good at driving a boat. As soon as they backed me out of the dock I hit 3 boats. Then they had to puch my boat in the proper direction since I couldn´t do it myself. It sort of reminder me of my first day of driving. On my 16th birthday, my first day of driving on my own, backing out of the bakery I hit a Volvo. Yep I drive a boat like I drive a car....BADLY. (Sorry no pictures they are on a waterproof camera)

I only have a 5 more days until I am back in the States. Not that I am counting down or anything, but I miss simple luxuries, like air condidioning, baths, and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches from Wendy´s!

Would you like some tequilia...YES!

The past two days for lunch, we have been treated by two very unique members of the Rotary club.

Yesterday, Alex took us to eat Chinese. He has traveled all of the world, including being in boarding schools in Virginia. His Uncle was Mayor of Mexico City for 17 years. He works for the city councilman.

Today, we were picked up by Javier. Javier is the personal driver for Victor, the city councilman who is also a Rotarian. We were taken to Victors house which was just beautiful. However, while we were waiting for lunch to be served his wife asked..would you like some tequilia. Of course I said yes. So me and the councilman sipped our tequilia while we waited for lunch to be served. Lunch here is the big meal of the day and usually about 3:00. Victor was very funny and his son Peter spoke great English. However, I made the mistake of asking for a Coke. They sent there maid to go get me one before I could even realize what was happening.

The food was great on both days and it was fun seeing an upincoming politician like Alex and a established one like Victor.

Unitl Next Time-Jill

PS. I think it is rude in Mexico to turn down tequilia.

I found Heaven in Mexico.

I do not have much to report about this weekend. Except that I was tired of no air conditioning, only having one flat pillow, having a roommate bringing lizards into the apartment and having to wear my flip flops everywhere. I when I mean everywhere, yes this does include the shower.

So, I did exactly like they did on Troop Beverly Hills. I checked myself into a Hotel. I got to sleep in a beds with lots of pillows with the AC on freezing, watch the news and yes I took a bath. Yes, heaven in Mexico is at the Marriott. I laid out by the pool, drank Strawberry Daquiris, and ate a pizza.

I have decided that there are two different Cancun´s. The Hotel Zone and the rest. The Hotel Zone is exactly what you see on TV about Cancun, however the rest of the city is the real Cancun.

Who knew that I would miss pillows and baths the most from America?

T-I-G-R-E-S Tigres Tigres Rah Rah Tigres

Yesterday, I had a great opportunity to go to the local baseball game with the president of the Rotary club. Yes the game was the same, but man there are so many differences between an American ballpark and a Mexican ballpark.

First of all, the concession stands...if that is what you call them are full of traditional homemade Yuctan and Mexican dishes. Not only are they in every nook and cranny possible. Then even try to sell you food as you leave the stadium. A bunch of the Rotarians have season tickets in a box together. Once we got to the box, a tennis ball with slits of paper was thrown up to us. You grab the slit of paper and put money in the tennis ball and throw it back to a guy with a blue vest. It is random bets. Your bets usually last for the first two innings and then you can rebet the nest two. You bet on who is going to hit a RBI and or a run first, but you bet my position.

Next, I was asked if I wanted a beer. Of course the answer was yes, however I was then asked if I wanted to try a special Mexican beer. I know I should have guessed it was going to be interesting. What I recieved was a beer with chili powder and something else in it. It wasnt too bad, except the texture got to me. Then we had "sandwiches" basically small hame and cheese pastries that had been fried. All of this is called for down out of the box and then brought to us.

The Tigre (yes it is how you spell it in Spanish) mascot was the best mascot I am seen in a long time. He got the crowd chanting and yelling, not to mention he was always diong a skit or making fun on someone. He even plays catch with the outfielders in between innings. I do not think a mascot in the states could get that close to the field.

All and All is was a great evening. Oh yeah the Tigres WON!

Hard Boiled Egg Enchilidas AGAIN!!!

Okay I know this is a traditional food of the Yutcan, but I can only eat so many eggs in a week. This time however it was made with liquidized pumpkin seeds. Which helped the taste a little bit. I even like eggs, but I don´t think I will eat one for a VERY long time. I think I may even go to Applebees and have chicken tenders and fries tonight! There I can even watch the All-Star game!

Unitl Next Time-Jill

Where to begin......

I had several titles picked out for my blog. I thought about Mango Margaritas are great in the Rain, British Invasion and Service for one. However, I wanted to talk about all the aspects of my weekend.

I went to Xel-Ha on Saturday I natural water reserve. You could snorkel, float down a river, go biking in the jungle and it was all you can eat and drink. I saw several live Iguanas just walked around. You have to be careful though, there is some Iguana droppings on the trail. I was supposed to leave at 2:30 to go to Telum a Mayan Ruin. However, I meet some people from Texas and we were floating the river together. Then a summer rain came and we ran to the nearest bar and began drinking Mango margaritas. Well I missed the bus, but it was okay. I will try to go to Telum this weekend. But to Jeff, Dawn, Melinda and Bob from Crowley and Joshua. Thank you for letting me hangout with you all day. It was nice to have the company and you guys crack me up!

Afterwards, I met a few people from New Zealand. I was supposed to meet them at 10:30 at Margaritaville, however I do not think they knew about Mexican time. You are always running late here. I arrived late due to a bus not showing up for 35 minutes and missed them. I ended up meeting some British bloks who were just finishing university. They were quite the drama, I guess one was dating the other´s sisters…..and I guess what happens in Cancun may not stay there. Then I meet up with some more Irish and Brits at Carlos and Charlies. They all meet each other at the hotel. They were a blast. I could have hung out with them all night. But at 3:30 I needed to go home because I was being picked up for church in the morning. Oh another valuable lesson learned on Saturday. My bus stops running at 2:00 am. Thank goodness there are about 5000 taxis in Cancun and not enough tourists to fill them at 3:30am.

Yesterday, I went to church. John the Rotarian who is also the Anglican priest picked my up. Well, I am glad he did. I was the ONLY one at church service. This really is a mission church. There is nothing scarier than having to say a lot of the church responses by yourself. I also was promoted to lay reader and altar guild by necessity. After the service I laid out at the beach and the pool at the Marriott.

On Sunday after I had enough of the sun, I ended up at the bar at Outback, they were playing the Ranger game, I could see the tv from the sidewalk. It was my fault they lost. I shouldn´t have watched the game. They were doing so well without me.

School was okay today the students are very nice and we are getting new ones daily. I am learning a lot about there culture from my advanced class. Such as they eat quesadillas for breakfast, and there is a random selection for required military draft. You are unable to get a passport if you do not serve. But they enjoy learning and want to learn. That is the best part!

Until next time-Jill

It Looked Good!

So today as always a Rotarian picked my Teaching partner Anita and I up for lunch. Juan Jose picked us up today. Juan Jose is a very interesting man, he is the type that I could sit and listen to for hours because his stories are fantastic and he has led such an interesting life. Juan Jose is fluent in Spanish and English, but all of his children speak at least 3 languages.

He gave us a tour of Cancun complete with History!!! For example until 50 or 60 years ago there was little communication between the Yuctan Penisula and the rest of Mexico. The Cancun most of us know has only been around about 30 years. The Hotel Zone of Cancun was built on a very narrow piece of land and they had to truck in dirt to build the hotels.

Juan Jose is very traditional, since his wife is out of town he eats most meals out. Actually his wife is in Las Vegas with his son who flew in from Dubai. So he took us to a traiditional Yuctan Resturant. I followed his recommendations on ordering. This meal he said was very good. It even showed the picture on the menu.

Well, what made me take the picture was that a lot of food I have eaten this week has looked like this. The top white slivers are usually either an Onion or cheese. However, on this occasion it was a hrad boiled egg. Then I took my fork and cut into the enchilda and there was more hard boiled egg. Yes, today I ate hard boiled egg enchildas with green sauce. Hey at least it looked Good!

I am going to get Fat!

Okay, so I have been trying to watch what I eat and do my P90X at night. But the food we are being served for lunch is just out of this world. Just wait till you hear about dinner.

Yesterday, we went to a Rotarian´s house for lunch. Like most Mexicans his whole family was there and home for the midday meal. He has 4 children and he as sent all 4 of the children to do the Rotarian student exchange in other countries. Only 1 of his children in not fluent in English since his exchange was in Brazil. This family has also hosted several exchange students. One ven being from Norway. So for lunch we had enchildas with chicken and green sauce which was all homemade right in front of us. And of course after lunch we watched the Micheal Jackson tribute.

Today, we were taken out to eat by John, he is the American Rotarian who lives here in Cancun. Of course the menu was in Spanish so I ordered what I thought was grilled chicken. No it was breaded chicken stuffed with ham and cheese. I am not going to lie, it was delicious!

Dinner on the other hand is a different story. Down the street is this amazing quesidilla place. For 1.83 in US dollars you can get a quesadilla and a coke. Not bad, plus I can walk there and the price is more than perfect.

Tonight however is the Rotarian meeting. A full buffett with appetizers, cheese trays and the almost everything you want. However, I am glad we are not staying for the traditional poker game afterwards. I am afraid a lot of cervezas are consumed there.

So, Courtney......I may need your help when I get back!!

Till next time-Jill

First Day of School

Being here in Mexico has already been an adventure. Upon arrival we were taken to a Rotarians son´s brithday party. Then we were allowed to settle in to our apartment. It is a nice three bedroom apartment in a cutre little area. We have a grocery store with in walking distance and a park across the street. Later that evening we went back to the evening portion of the same birthday party and meet a lot of the local Rotarians. The Rotary members in Cancun are a fun bunch, they love to give each other nicknames. The American Rotarian who is also an Episcopal Victor ( sorryI can´t spell it) arranged for me to go to his church the next morning.

On Sunday, I was picked up by Joan who is as Brit and we went to church. The Cancun Episcopal Mission Church meets in the Hotel Zone it the Marriott. There were a total of 5 people there. The two other tourists besides me were from Allen. They were Catholic, but enjoyed the service. Once returning back to the apartment my teaching partner and I went to lunch and then Walmart. One custom I have learned so far is that the waiter will not bring you your check until you ask for it. I went to the beach in the afternoon and walked around the Hotel Zone. It is only a dçfew pesos to take the bus that stops right by the apartment to get to the Hotels. If you are planning a vacation soon, please think of Cancun. Also I hear you can get great deals.

Today was our first day of school. We are teaching at a technical high school. Most students have graduated from the program but because of Swine Flu and the ¨crisis¨ that is the Economic Crisis they are having trouble finding a job. Actually some resturants have temporarily shut down because of the lack of tourism. The classes went well. We had 31 in the morning session and 15 in the evening. We are supposed to have 87 total, so we have a feeling that tomorrow we will have a lot more show up. Each day for lunch a different Rotarian will take us to Lunch. Today the President Edgar took us to meet his family. They were the most gracious hosts. And the fish we had. mmmmmmmmmmm It was fantastic. It had this hint of lime taste to it that was fabulous. We also had the pleasure of seeing the Cancun Rotarians in action today. The provided a wheel chair for a local child. To see how happy his mother was spoke volumes even though I didn´t understand a word.

Speaking of Spanish, I am slowly learning and picking up words. I understand a little more each day. I am really enjoying my experince here......oh I am learning to live without A.C. Keep me in your prayers and I will try to write soon!

Off to Mexico

Today I leave for Mexico, I still have no clue where I am staying. But once again that doesn't seem to bother me. My biggest concern at this moment is trying to figure out how to get all of my teaching materials on the plane with everything I will need for being gone a month. I have about three more hours before my flight to figure this out.

All I ask that as I go on this trip that you keep me in your thoughts and your prayers. Please also pray that I touch the lives of the students that I am teaching for the better. That has always been my main goal for this trip.