Wednesday 11 July
I learned how to make tortillas. I asked if Lolita could show me. It is quite simple. This is my last day here and I am kind of sad. It has been an amazing experience. I have really appreciated being able to get to know Olga and Pepe much better. I have been able to do so much. A very productive summer if you ask me ☺
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday 10 July
Tuesday 10 July
I went with Olga to Sams club and and the store and other errands. We went downtown because Olga needed to ask for something at the hotel they had stayed at when they were looking for an apartment. We came back to the house and then ate. After that we went and walked around Polancito. It was a really nice day. We sat for a while in the huge playground and watched all the little kids playing. It was cute. I got basically everything packed up. I am quite proud of myself for that.
I went with Olga to Sams club and and the store and other errands. We went downtown because Olga needed to ask for something at the hotel they had stayed at when they were looking for an apartment. We came back to the house and then ate. After that we went and walked around Polancito. It was a really nice day. We sat for a while in the huge playground and watched all the little kids playing. It was cute. I got basically everything packed up. I am quite proud of myself for that.
Monday 9 August
Monday 9 August
I went with Olga on her errands. As we were in line, Olga’s friend called and said that she was at the house. Olga had forgotten that she had made a date with her friend. So Olga called Lolita to offer her something, then we just rushed back to the house. He name is Shamama. She is from London, but originally Indian. Her husband is Indian. Her husband also works for Slumberger. There is a group for the spouses of the people who work for the company. She and Olga are a part of it. We got to the house then walked to a small café in Polancito. I love that English accent. Just hearing it makes me want to talk like that. She gave me the names of some schools in London. I really enjoyed talking to her. And I was glad to have a relief to speak in English. Then we gave her a ride home. Olga then wanted to go to visit her mom, but I think she preferred to go alone. So she dropped me off at the house. I goofed off for a bit but my head started to hurt so I laid down and fell asleep. I don’t really know how long I slept. I woke up because Pepe got home. He then told me that I should have gone out. I talked to him for a while. Then Olga got home. Pepe gave me a whole lesson on how American’s are wasteful and how to cut a pineapple to use every part. We had merienda together then I had to say goodbye to Pepe because he was going to Costa Rica until Thursday night.
I went with Olga on her errands. As we were in line, Olga’s friend called and said that she was at the house. Olga had forgotten that she had made a date with her friend. So Olga called Lolita to offer her something, then we just rushed back to the house. He name is Shamama. She is from London, but originally Indian. Her husband is Indian. Her husband also works for Slumberger. There is a group for the spouses of the people who work for the company. She and Olga are a part of it. We got to the house then walked to a small café in Polancito. I love that English accent. Just hearing it makes me want to talk like that. She gave me the names of some schools in London. I really enjoyed talking to her. And I was glad to have a relief to speak in English. Then we gave her a ride home. Olga then wanted to go to visit her mom, but I think she preferred to go alone. So she dropped me off at the house. I goofed off for a bit but my head started to hurt so I laid down and fell asleep. I don’t really know how long I slept. I woke up because Pepe got home. He then told me that I should have gone out. I talked to him for a while. Then Olga got home. Pepe gave me a whole lesson on how American’s are wasteful and how to cut a pineapple to use every part. We had merienda together then I had to say goodbye to Pepe because he was going to Costa Rica until Thursday night.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday 8 August
Sunday 8 August
I was woken up by the bells from a near by church at about 7. It felt like someone was clanging a gong right next to my ear. It just kept going and going and going. Rosalia knocked on the door to see if I had woken up yet around 8. I took probably the quickest shower Tanya will probably ever have in her life. I was ready by 8: 45 and we were going to leave at 9:30. I sat in the kitchen drawing and listening to my iPod (no one else was in the kitchen). Rosalia and Jose built a small building with two apartments right next door. Their son is using the one on the second level and Pepe and Olga stayed in the one on the lower level. It is very small but nice. Then there is a tower that is on the roof so we took a trip up there. It was like a gazebo. Then we went back to downtown. We went to mass at the cathedral. It was a mariachi mass so it was beautiful. The cathedral is a different cathedral than the ones we have seen. It seems older. The inside is a lot simpler. The walls are still painted with the original paintings. We got very good seats, in the fourth row. Something I found interesting is that they sang the creed. I had never seen anyone do that before. Then we went to breakfast at Los Colorines. There were 3 men playing live music. Two were playing different guitars and the other was playing the violin. I really enjoyed the folk songs. I had enchiladas with chicken and it had beans on the side. I think my spicy tolerance is growing. I realize that I do really like spicy food. Olga gave me some soup that was made from a bean like legume. I think it was called haban or something like that. Then we drove to Tepoztlan, a small town near Cuernavaca. We walked on the main street to the market. It was packed with people. It felt like a lot of people come from Cuernavaca for the weekend. Olga and I walked down the main street and the cerro just kept getting bigger and bigger. The colors were beautiful. Then we drove back to Mexico City and got to the house.
I was woken up by the bells from a near by church at about 7. It felt like someone was clanging a gong right next to my ear. It just kept going and going and going. Rosalia knocked on the door to see if I had woken up yet around 8. I took probably the quickest shower Tanya will probably ever have in her life. I was ready by 8: 45 and we were going to leave at 9:30. I sat in the kitchen drawing and listening to my iPod (no one else was in the kitchen). Rosalia and Jose built a small building with two apartments right next door. Their son is using the one on the second level and Pepe and Olga stayed in the one on the lower level. It is very small but nice. Then there is a tower that is on the roof so we took a trip up there. It was like a gazebo. Then we went back to downtown. We went to mass at the cathedral. It was a mariachi mass so it was beautiful. The cathedral is a different cathedral than the ones we have seen. It seems older. The inside is a lot simpler. The walls are still painted with the original paintings. We got very good seats, in the fourth row. Something I found interesting is that they sang the creed. I had never seen anyone do that before. Then we went to breakfast at Los Colorines. There were 3 men playing live music. Two were playing different guitars and the other was playing the violin. I really enjoyed the folk songs. I had enchiladas with chicken and it had beans on the side. I think my spicy tolerance is growing. I realize that I do really like spicy food. Olga gave me some soup that was made from a bean like legume. I think it was called haban or something like that. Then we drove to Tepoztlan, a small town near Cuernavaca. We walked on the main street to the market. It was packed with people. It felt like a lot of people come from Cuernavaca for the weekend. Olga and I walked down the main street and the cerro just kept getting bigger and bigger. The colors were beautiful. Then we drove back to Mexico City and got to the house.
Saturday 7 August
Saturday 7 August
I got up around 7 because Pepe said to be ready by 8:30. We didn’t leave until after 9:30. Traffic was pretty bad coming out of the city. It went by really fast. I didn’t realize that we were going to stay with some of Pepe and Olga’s friends. To get to cuernavaca you have to go into the mountain. So right above Cuernavaca we were in the clouds. You could not see very far and occasionally where there was a break you could see above the clouds. It was an incredible view. Then all of a sudden, you come down the really steep hill and just keep going down and down. Apparently it goes down hill all the way until Acapulco. So we got lost coming into the city and it took a while and many stops to ask people to find the area where their friends lived. Pepe and Jose were in the engineering school together at UNAM. Both of them and another guy were inseparable when they were in school. So we went to the house and I was starving. They talked for a while then we went to downtown. We went to the cathedral and a wedding was going on. It was a Zoo. It was full! So we snuck in and watched the newly weds walk down the isle. I think they must have been famous or well to do or something because they had some crazy paparazzi. As they walked down, a mob of people was in front of them just taking pictures. And with the heavy duty good cameras too! Then we walked through downtown and made our way to a castle where they had a museum. We were in there for at least an hour and a half. My allergies were set off like crazy. The sun was really strong and I was burning. I really liked the museum though. They had a really cool collection of the pictures from the Mexican revolution a century ago. Then we drove to the restaurant where Rosalia and Jose’s daughter and husband met us. I got a cocacola do drink because I saw they had the glass bottles. They got tostadas with cheese for the appetizer. None for me though. I got enfrijoladas with chicken. They were really plain but I was starving. I finished every last bit. I also tried agua de guayaba. I liked the flavor better than that of the guayabana. Then we made a quick stop at the house. We made our way for a tour of Cuernavaca. A few months ago, the narcos put a message online saying that there was going to be a fight between the different drug lords and the military in Cuernavaca on a certain day and it was better if everyone stayed inside their houses. The whole city shut down and no one was on the streets. Rosalia and Jose showed us the upscale side of town where two major drug lords lived right behind a senator! Then we went back to downtown. There was a big market and mariachi festival. Pepe bought me one of those bracelets that has my name on it. I was really grateful for that. Now I have that bracelet on that hand and the esclava on the other. If anyone saw that, they might think I forget my name often! That was really cool to see all these people in their mariachi outfits. Then there was this little square where there was people dancing a Danzon. It was soo cute because they were mostly old couples. Then there was a group of women dancing folk dances. Right by there, there was a huge stand selling bread. It smelled intoxicating. Then there was a group of people performing this indigenous ceremony with incense and all. I really enjoyed it. I felt at ease. We stopped by a restaurant next to the danzon outside called Los Arcos. I got a limonada with agua mineral. The wind was blowing and my allergies were driving me insane, then my face was itching really bad, but I was really trying not to touch my face. So by the end I was really restless. (Probably a long conversation about the various insects residing in Cuernavaca did not help either). We went back to the house and I stayed in an extra room that had a bunch of storage. The first thing I see is an enormous spider on the wall in the corner. I asked Jose to kill it. Then in the bathroom I found 3 spiders. I just did my business quick and got out! I decided not to let it bug me (no pun intended). And I went to sleep. It started to rain and it seemed extremely loud to me.
I got up around 7 because Pepe said to be ready by 8:30. We didn’t leave until after 9:30. Traffic was pretty bad coming out of the city. It went by really fast. I didn’t realize that we were going to stay with some of Pepe and Olga’s friends. To get to cuernavaca you have to go into the mountain. So right above Cuernavaca we were in the clouds. You could not see very far and occasionally where there was a break you could see above the clouds. It was an incredible view. Then all of a sudden, you come down the really steep hill and just keep going down and down. Apparently it goes down hill all the way until Acapulco. So we got lost coming into the city and it took a while and many stops to ask people to find the area where their friends lived. Pepe and Jose were in the engineering school together at UNAM. Both of them and another guy were inseparable when they were in school. So we went to the house and I was starving. They talked for a while then we went to downtown. We went to the cathedral and a wedding was going on. It was a Zoo. It was full! So we snuck in and watched the newly weds walk down the isle. I think they must have been famous or well to do or something because they had some crazy paparazzi. As they walked down, a mob of people was in front of them just taking pictures. And with the heavy duty good cameras too! Then we walked through downtown and made our way to a castle where they had a museum. We were in there for at least an hour and a half. My allergies were set off like crazy. The sun was really strong and I was burning. I really liked the museum though. They had a really cool collection of the pictures from the Mexican revolution a century ago. Then we drove to the restaurant where Rosalia and Jose’s daughter and husband met us. I got a cocacola do drink because I saw they had the glass bottles. They got tostadas with cheese for the appetizer. None for me though. I got enfrijoladas with chicken. They were really plain but I was starving. I finished every last bit. I also tried agua de guayaba. I liked the flavor better than that of the guayabana. Then we made a quick stop at the house. We made our way for a tour of Cuernavaca. A few months ago, the narcos put a message online saying that there was going to be a fight between the different drug lords and the military in Cuernavaca on a certain day and it was better if everyone stayed inside their houses. The whole city shut down and no one was on the streets. Rosalia and Jose showed us the upscale side of town where two major drug lords lived right behind a senator! Then we went back to downtown. There was a big market and mariachi festival. Pepe bought me one of those bracelets that has my name on it. I was really grateful for that. Now I have that bracelet on that hand and the esclava on the other. If anyone saw that, they might think I forget my name often! That was really cool to see all these people in their mariachi outfits. Then there was this little square where there was people dancing a Danzon. It was soo cute because they were mostly old couples. Then there was a group of women dancing folk dances. Right by there, there was a huge stand selling bread. It smelled intoxicating. Then there was a group of people performing this indigenous ceremony with incense and all. I really enjoyed it. I felt at ease. We stopped by a restaurant next to the danzon outside called Los Arcos. I got a limonada with agua mineral. The wind was blowing and my allergies were driving me insane, then my face was itching really bad, but I was really trying not to touch my face. So by the end I was really restless. (Probably a long conversation about the various insects residing in Cuernavaca did not help either). We went back to the house and I stayed in an extra room that had a bunch of storage. The first thing I see is an enormous spider on the wall in the corner. I asked Jose to kill it. Then in the bathroom I found 3 spiders. I just did my business quick and got out! I decided not to let it bug me (no pun intended). And I went to sleep. It started to rain and it seemed extremely loud to me.
Friday 6 August
Friday 6 August
I went with Olga to her zumba class again. I got up at 5:40. Then she warms up for thirty minutes before the class in the gym. So we were on the elliptical. I tried not to push myself too much because one time I did and I almost threw up afterwards because I was not in good enough shape. Tim went SOO slowly. I hate that you constantly see the time on the machines. Then you just stare at it the entire time. Then I did one arm machine and then stretched. I was not feeling all that motivated. Then we walked to the Zumba class. It was so fun. I really enjoy it. It wasn’t as exciting at the first time, but it still was. He just used a different set of music that was a bit slower this time. We went back to the machines to now cool down. I stretched for what seemed like forever. Then we went back to the house. I got ready and I made myself some delicious eggs with turkey. Then we went to the house of Olga’s mom. She had Polio and diabetes and just old so she does not have very much movement left. She can only be in a wheel chair. So we were going to take her to the Basilica of Guadalupe. We had a hard time getting her into the front seat. Her two servants went with us. One was named Irma, but I don’t remember what the other one’s name was. It took us a while to find the right parking lot. In the end, we still got in the wrong one. The parking attendants were being completely unhelpful. Even though they knew we needed a handicap parking space, they would not let us in. Finally a nice attendant let us in. They let us go to the first level where there was a handicap elevator. Esperanza (Olga’s mom) went with the two ladies and Olga and I had to go all the way down to the fourth level to get the car parked. We then got out of the building, but then we couldn’t find them. Finally we did and we went in to the church. There was a bunch of people. We got there right on time for mass. We sat in the front row on the very side. A man was the cantor who was pretty good. I was impressed. Then after Mass, we walked below the cloth. You know how they have the conveyer belts so nobody stops for too long. Instead, people just stop at the end of the conveyer belts. All of the people from the mass crowded in. People were pushing from behind while there was just a wall of people in front of you just avoiding getting their feet stuck in the end of the belt. We were all freaking out. With the wheel chair it was horrible. There really was no way of stopping it. So we rammed the shins of the wall of people in front of us because we couldn’t even budge the chair. It was really scary. Finally a lady pushed forward yelling “silla de ruedas!” People got out of the way. Finally we got off the belt and went to the corner where it was not as tight. Then we had to wait for at least 10 minutes for the crowd of people to diminish. We went to the car and had to go through the whole ordeal of getting back to the first level again. While Esperanza and the two ladies were in the elevator, it broke down. The man managed to fix it quickly, but still that is scary. Then we drove back to the house of Esperanza. Getting her out of the car was easier. Olga and I left and walked a few blocks from there to a repair stand. She needed to get a different blade, top, and seal for her blender and a seal for her pressure cook pot. We drove by and picked up Pepe from his work. Then we went back to the house and ate. Then some workers came by to drop off a shelf that they had repaired. I was playing piano, but they asked me to stop. I had thought I would be out of the way in there, but I guess the noise didn’t get out of the way. Then I thought we were only going to get ice cream. We ended up going to the mall and seeing Inception. Olga really liked it too, but Pepe thought it was Mafufada like On the way there, they told me that we were going to Cuernavaca for the weekend. So that is why I didn’t give you guys a warning because I didn’t get one. Abuelo thought. While we waited for the movie, we got ice cream. I got a paleta de guayabana. It had huge seed stuck in it, so I was walking through the mall, struggling to keep a hold on all the black seeds that I had sucked off the paleta. Then we just sat on a bench in the middle of the mall for quite a while. We didn’t get home until midnight. Then I tried to figure out what I needed for the little adventure.
I went with Olga to her zumba class again. I got up at 5:40. Then she warms up for thirty minutes before the class in the gym. So we were on the elliptical. I tried not to push myself too much because one time I did and I almost threw up afterwards because I was not in good enough shape. Tim went SOO slowly. I hate that you constantly see the time on the machines. Then you just stare at it the entire time. Then I did one arm machine and then stretched. I was not feeling all that motivated. Then we walked to the Zumba class. It was so fun. I really enjoy it. It wasn’t as exciting at the first time, but it still was. He just used a different set of music that was a bit slower this time. We went back to the machines to now cool down. I stretched for what seemed like forever. Then we went back to the house. I got ready and I made myself some delicious eggs with turkey. Then we went to the house of Olga’s mom. She had Polio and diabetes and just old so she does not have very much movement left. She can only be in a wheel chair. So we were going to take her to the Basilica of Guadalupe. We had a hard time getting her into the front seat. Her two servants went with us. One was named Irma, but I don’t remember what the other one’s name was. It took us a while to find the right parking lot. In the end, we still got in the wrong one. The parking attendants were being completely unhelpful. Even though they knew we needed a handicap parking space, they would not let us in. Finally a nice attendant let us in. They let us go to the first level where there was a handicap elevator. Esperanza (Olga’s mom) went with the two ladies and Olga and I had to go all the way down to the fourth level to get the car parked. We then got out of the building, but then we couldn’t find them. Finally we did and we went in to the church. There was a bunch of people. We got there right on time for mass. We sat in the front row on the very side. A man was the cantor who was pretty good. I was impressed. Then after Mass, we walked below the cloth. You know how they have the conveyer belts so nobody stops for too long. Instead, people just stop at the end of the conveyer belts. All of the people from the mass crowded in. People were pushing from behind while there was just a wall of people in front of you just avoiding getting their feet stuck in the end of the belt. We were all freaking out. With the wheel chair it was horrible. There really was no way of stopping it. So we rammed the shins of the wall of people in front of us because we couldn’t even budge the chair. It was really scary. Finally a lady pushed forward yelling “silla de ruedas!” People got out of the way. Finally we got off the belt and went to the corner where it was not as tight. Then we had to wait for at least 10 minutes for the crowd of people to diminish. We went to the car and had to go through the whole ordeal of getting back to the first level again. While Esperanza and the two ladies were in the elevator, it broke down. The man managed to fix it quickly, but still that is scary. Then we drove back to the house of Esperanza. Getting her out of the car was easier. Olga and I left and walked a few blocks from there to a repair stand. She needed to get a different blade, top, and seal for her blender and a seal for her pressure cook pot. We drove by and picked up Pepe from his work. Then we went back to the house and ate. Then some workers came by to drop off a shelf that they had repaired. I was playing piano, but they asked me to stop. I had thought I would be out of the way in there, but I guess the noise didn’t get out of the way. Then I thought we were only going to get ice cream. We ended up going to the mall and seeing Inception. Olga really liked it too, but Pepe thought it was Mafufada like On the way there, they told me that we were going to Cuernavaca for the weekend. So that is why I didn’t give you guys a warning because I didn’t get one. Abuelo thought. While we waited for the movie, we got ice cream. I got a paleta de guayabana. It had huge seed stuck in it, so I was walking through the mall, struggling to keep a hold on all the black seeds that I had sucked off the paleta. Then we just sat on a bench in the middle of the mall for quite a while. We didn’t get home until midnight. Then I tried to figure out what I needed for the little adventure.
Thursday 5 August
Thursday 5 August
I got up and Olga had to go the dentist so I went with her. We got there around 10:30 and didn’t leave until about 12:00. Waiting really didn’t bother me. I read some magazines and then I read about half of my last book. I was actually surprised when Olga came out because I thought it would last even longer. Then we stopped at the store. I wanted to check out the mall Palacios De Hierro. So after eating at home, we walked there to check it out. First we walked to a printing store because Olga wanted to print some pictures. We didn’t walk for long because we didn’t have a specific reason to look in all the stores. There was a church across the street so then we went to daily mass and said the rosary after. It was very peaceful considering there were only about 8 people total. It was good though. Then we walked back home. Planco is the upscale end of town so we walked by a whole street with Chanel, Louis Vuitton and all the other huge brands. I really wanted to walk into Chanel because… well you know me ☺ . But we were on the opposite side when we walked by. Pepe was at the house when we got there. He treated us to ice cream later. I just got nieve de limon. They make it much differently and I figured I needed to get it at least once. But I got all tongue tied when I asked for it because I forgot the word for cup. So frustrating! The guy looked at me like I was crazy. Olga then laughed and hugged me. Ah well, happens to the best of us right?
I got up and Olga had to go the dentist so I went with her. We got there around 10:30 and didn’t leave until about 12:00. Waiting really didn’t bother me. I read some magazines and then I read about half of my last book. I was actually surprised when Olga came out because I thought it would last even longer. Then we stopped at the store. I wanted to check out the mall Palacios De Hierro. So after eating at home, we walked there to check it out. First we walked to a printing store because Olga wanted to print some pictures. We didn’t walk for long because we didn’t have a specific reason to look in all the stores. There was a church across the street so then we went to daily mass and said the rosary after. It was very peaceful considering there were only about 8 people total. It was good though. Then we walked back home. Planco is the upscale end of town so we walked by a whole street with Chanel, Louis Vuitton and all the other huge brands. I really wanted to walk into Chanel because… well you know me ☺ . But we were on the opposite side when we walked by. Pepe was at the house when we got there. He treated us to ice cream later. I just got nieve de limon. They make it much differently and I figured I needed to get it at least once. But I got all tongue tied when I asked for it because I forgot the word for cup. So frustrating! The guy looked at me like I was crazy. Olga then laughed and hugged me. Ah well, happens to the best of us right?
Wednesday 4 August
Wednesday 4 August
Olga had been wanting to find out where to go to be able to walk around the lake in chapultepec. So we walked to the forest of chapultepec and walked around there. We went around 9am so there wasn’t a lot of people around. We didn’t really find the big lake, but we just walked around the parks. The sun started to come out and there was a light breeze, it was so lovely. I really liked how there was different little sections with random sculptures and different trees. It was just so peaceful. After walking, we came out in a different section, and took a taxi to have breakfast. We ate at Bisquits de Obregon. Oh I really wanted a biquit, but no such luck for me. I had a really savory plate of chilaquiles with red sauce and a sunnyside up egg on top. Then we got to the house and took a shower and stuff. Then we picked up Pepe at his work. We drove for about an hour to get to the south of DF. We went to a mall where Pepe had to go for an eye appointment. Meanwhile Olga and I went to a restaurant to order so that when Pepe got there, the food would be served. We didn’t have much time because Pepe had to be at UNAM for a faculty meeting or something. So we ordered off a menu that was specifically for if you didn’t have much time. You got 2 items before the main meal and then the main meal. The only two things I could eat were soups. One was mushroom and flor de calabaza with lentejas and the other was consume de pollo. It really perplexed the waiter that I wanted two different kinds of soups. Then for the main meal I got chicken fajita. I had forgotten what a fajita was. I though it was like floutas. But it was delicious. On the side there was nice fat potatoes (Mexican French fries essentially). All in all, I was kind of full by the end. Then we drove to UNAM. Can you believe that there are over a quarter of one million students attending UNAM there in Mexico City? I can’t even fathom. The campus is enormous. They need buses running constantly. They had to build a bus station just for the buses for the University. So we got to the Engineering building where Pepe needed to be. We got lucky because there was a taxi right there in front, so we took it to get the cultural center where the art museum was. The art building was really neat. We went in and it was very similar to the Rufino Tamayo museum. I thought I understood, but I don’t. I didn’t even take pictures. That is how uninspired I felt. Then we walked around a bit by the buildings and Olga showed me where the big auditorium was. She and Pepe both went to school there. Then we took a bus to get to the main station, then took a bus that was on the right route to take us back to the Engineering building. The first bus got really packed! But we managed. Then we just waited and waited for Pepe to be done. Olga and I had quite a fun time playing with her new phone. We fingured out how to send an email from her phone. Then it started raining so we moved inside a lounge and just sat there for a while. Both of us ended up falling asleep. Finally we left and came home.
Olga had been wanting to find out where to go to be able to walk around the lake in chapultepec. So we walked to the forest of chapultepec and walked around there. We went around 9am so there wasn’t a lot of people around. We didn’t really find the big lake, but we just walked around the parks. The sun started to come out and there was a light breeze, it was so lovely. I really liked how there was different little sections with random sculptures and different trees. It was just so peaceful. After walking, we came out in a different section, and took a taxi to have breakfast. We ate at Bisquits de Obregon. Oh I really wanted a biquit, but no such luck for me. I had a really savory plate of chilaquiles with red sauce and a sunnyside up egg on top. Then we got to the house and took a shower and stuff. Then we picked up Pepe at his work. We drove for about an hour to get to the south of DF. We went to a mall where Pepe had to go for an eye appointment. Meanwhile Olga and I went to a restaurant to order so that when Pepe got there, the food would be served. We didn’t have much time because Pepe had to be at UNAM for a faculty meeting or something. So we ordered off a menu that was specifically for if you didn’t have much time. You got 2 items before the main meal and then the main meal. The only two things I could eat were soups. One was mushroom and flor de calabaza with lentejas and the other was consume de pollo. It really perplexed the waiter that I wanted two different kinds of soups. Then for the main meal I got chicken fajita. I had forgotten what a fajita was. I though it was like floutas. But it was delicious. On the side there was nice fat potatoes (Mexican French fries essentially). All in all, I was kind of full by the end. Then we drove to UNAM. Can you believe that there are over a quarter of one million students attending UNAM there in Mexico City? I can’t even fathom. The campus is enormous. They need buses running constantly. They had to build a bus station just for the buses for the University. So we got to the Engineering building where Pepe needed to be. We got lucky because there was a taxi right there in front, so we took it to get the cultural center where the art museum was. The art building was really neat. We went in and it was very similar to the Rufino Tamayo museum. I thought I understood, but I don’t. I didn’t even take pictures. That is how uninspired I felt. Then we walked around a bit by the buildings and Olga showed me where the big auditorium was. She and Pepe both went to school there. Then we took a bus to get to the main station, then took a bus that was on the right route to take us back to the Engineering building. The first bus got really packed! But we managed. Then we just waited and waited for Pepe to be done. Olga and I had quite a fun time playing with her new phone. We fingured out how to send an email from her phone. Then it started raining so we moved inside a lounge and just sat there for a while. Both of us ended up falling asleep. Finally we left and came home.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tuesday 3 August
Tuesday 3 August
So I got up at 7. I had eggs with beans on tostadas for breakfast. I said goodbye to Lili and then we were getting in that car. Abuelo kept telling me if I checked everywhere to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I thought I checked, then Lili came back outside with my tennis shoes. Ooops. I thought I checked. Then Chata and Abuelo drove me to the bus station. It was sad. Then I said goodbye to them. Before I got on the bus, I had to pee really bad so I paid my 2 pesos to go to the bathroom. They have those turn stalls to pay, go in, then leave. Well it took me a while to figure out which was the exit one. I remembered that time I was with mom and a poor man had to go to the bathroom so bad that he didn’t notice that he walked into the women’s bathroom. Then I said good bye to los abuelos. I listened to my ipod for the first half of the ride. I was kind of worried that it was going to be a rough ride because there was a mentally ill man with his family sitting in front of me. Before we got going he was talking really loud and moving around a lot. But as soon as we got started, he calmed down and was fine for the rest of the ride. One thing that drove me crazy though was that a man behind me was playing with his phone and he would not turn the sound off so for at least an hour and a half I listened to bleeps and boops that were just killing me! For the second half of the ride I watched Father of the Bride. It was subtitled and I really like that movie. The ride went by really fast. I left at 8:45 and got in at 12:20. I was really worried though because I had told Olga 1oclock. So I had no idea what to do, so I just stood in the ETN waiting room for over an hour until Olga came. Apparently there was some crazy traffic and she took a taxi, and they were stopped on one street for 30 min. Then we walked outside, hoping that the taxi she had taken, was still there, but no such luck. We had to walk back inside to get a ticket for the taxi. Remember that one time when we saw that group of nuns just piling into one tiny car, well on all the taxi’s they said there was a person limit now. It must have been a funny sight because Olga walks really fast and then me jogging behind to try and keep up with my luggage and a heavy plastic bag. She wouldn’t really stop for me to catch up so I have some bruises on my leg, because I had to just haul the luggage up and down steps quickly. We got on the taxi and finally made it home. Then we had something to eat. The only meat was milanesa (breaded) so I couldn’t eat it. Instead I had rice with deli turkey and potatoes. We didn’t do anything after that. I went to bed and slept!
So I got up at 7. I had eggs with beans on tostadas for breakfast. I said goodbye to Lili and then we were getting in that car. Abuelo kept telling me if I checked everywhere to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I thought I checked, then Lili came back outside with my tennis shoes. Ooops. I thought I checked. Then Chata and Abuelo drove me to the bus station. It was sad. Then I said goodbye to them. Before I got on the bus, I had to pee really bad so I paid my 2 pesos to go to the bathroom. They have those turn stalls to pay, go in, then leave. Well it took me a while to figure out which was the exit one. I remembered that time I was with mom and a poor man had to go to the bathroom so bad that he didn’t notice that he walked into the women’s bathroom. Then I said good bye to los abuelos. I listened to my ipod for the first half of the ride. I was kind of worried that it was going to be a rough ride because there was a mentally ill man with his family sitting in front of me. Before we got going he was talking really loud and moving around a lot. But as soon as we got started, he calmed down and was fine for the rest of the ride. One thing that drove me crazy though was that a man behind me was playing with his phone and he would not turn the sound off so for at least an hour and a half I listened to bleeps and boops that were just killing me! For the second half of the ride I watched Father of the Bride. It was subtitled and I really like that movie. The ride went by really fast. I left at 8:45 and got in at 12:20. I was really worried though because I had told Olga 1oclock. So I had no idea what to do, so I just stood in the ETN waiting room for over an hour until Olga came. Apparently there was some crazy traffic and she took a taxi, and they were stopped on one street for 30 min. Then we walked outside, hoping that the taxi she had taken, was still there, but no such luck. We had to walk back inside to get a ticket for the taxi. Remember that one time when we saw that group of nuns just piling into one tiny car, well on all the taxi’s they said there was a person limit now. It must have been a funny sight because Olga walks really fast and then me jogging behind to try and keep up with my luggage and a heavy plastic bag. She wouldn’t really stop for me to catch up so I have some bruises on my leg, because I had to just haul the luggage up and down steps quickly. We got on the taxi and finally made it home. Then we had something to eat. The only meat was milanesa (breaded) so I couldn’t eat it. Instead I had rice with deli turkey and potatoes. We didn’t do anything after that. I went to bed and slept!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Monday 2 August
Monday 2 August
My last day ☹ so SAD. So it was cleaning day again. This time we finished really fast, but Lili didn’t let me do much. I dusted and swept one of the patios. I really wanted to mop and she didn’t believe me. Then I wrote los Maron´s a note, and I walked to their house. No one was there, so I left wedged in the door. Then we called Chucho and invited them for merienda. Then Pati called me and invited me over for merienda. I said no obviously but thanked them for everything. Over rice and beans, they analyzed how all three of us sisters are different. Conclusion = I am the happy medium. Hahaha. After eating, then Abuelo went to bed and Chata and I watched a movie that had Johnny Depp and Leo DiCaprio when they were super young. Then we went to the store to buy tostadas for merienda. Chucho got there and we played Memory. I got my butt whooped. My pride hurt a bit because playing with Lili and Chata I did quite well. Oh well. Then we ate tostadas with frijoles. Chata felt really bad because she had started to make chicken for me instead of cheese, but to add flavor she added cream. I just put lettuce and tomatoes on mine. After Chucho left, none of us wanted to mention that I was leaving on Tuesday. I felt really sad. So we were just talking about such and such. Then Chata and Abuelo gave me a present. They gave me an esclava with my name on it, and I was so touched that I cried like a little kid. I felt really loved by them because I will always have something that will remind me of them. Lili said that looking at pictures, reminded them that they are my godparents.
My last day ☹ so SAD. So it was cleaning day again. This time we finished really fast, but Lili didn’t let me do much. I dusted and swept one of the patios. I really wanted to mop and she didn’t believe me. Then I wrote los Maron´s a note, and I walked to their house. No one was there, so I left wedged in the door. Then we called Chucho and invited them for merienda. Then Pati called me and invited me over for merienda. I said no obviously but thanked them for everything. Over rice and beans, they analyzed how all three of us sisters are different. Conclusion = I am the happy medium. Hahaha. After eating, then Abuelo went to bed and Chata and I watched a movie that had Johnny Depp and Leo DiCaprio when they were super young. Then we went to the store to buy tostadas for merienda. Chucho got there and we played Memory. I got my butt whooped. My pride hurt a bit because playing with Lili and Chata I did quite well. Oh well. Then we ate tostadas with frijoles. Chata felt really bad because she had started to make chicken for me instead of cheese, but to add flavor she added cream. I just put lettuce and tomatoes on mine. After Chucho left, none of us wanted to mention that I was leaving on Tuesday. I felt really sad. So we were just talking about such and such. Then Chata and Abuelo gave me a present. They gave me an esclava with my name on it, and I was so touched that I cried like a little kid. I felt really loved by them because I will always have something that will remind me of them. Lili said that looking at pictures, reminded them that they are my godparents.
Sunday 1 August
Sunday 1 August
So I got to sleep in because I couldn’t sleep all night. I wanted to go to the 10:00 mass with the nuns. But we got up too late. Oh well. Then I after breakfast we were looking at pictures. I got to see the pictures from los abuelos wedding. Chata looked so beautiful. I really enjoyed that. And I just asked them questions about that. We lost track of time and got in to Mass at the Gloria. When we got out, we thought abuelo was going to pick us up. So we waited and waited. Meanwhile I asked Chata about her parents. She said she was really spoiled. If she wanted to go to the movies, they would take her, etc. etc. So she thinks that is why she was so strict with her kids. She told me that when she was in the 6th grade, she didn’t want to go to school anymore, and her Dad was fine with that, but her mom made her. Then she didn’t want to work, but her mom wanted her to. If she hadn’t worked then she would not have met el abuelo. Her dad worked on commission selling canned foods to the grocery stores. Finally, we got tired of waiting and walked home. We found abuelo asleep on the couch. He didn’t realize we thought he was going to pick us up. Then we ate. With fresh tortillas (so YUM). Then I raided La Michoacana again, paleta de coco again. The lady there definitely recognized me. ☺ Then Lili did my nails for me. She had those stickers with shapes on them and you paint over. I have little white moons on my nails, then she did them French style. ¡La araña, la araña! Haha. Then we had merienda with mom and dad. That was lovely.
So I got to sleep in because I couldn’t sleep all night. I wanted to go to the 10:00 mass with the nuns. But we got up too late. Oh well. Then I after breakfast we were looking at pictures. I got to see the pictures from los abuelos wedding. Chata looked so beautiful. I really enjoyed that. And I just asked them questions about that. We lost track of time and got in to Mass at the Gloria. When we got out, we thought abuelo was going to pick us up. So we waited and waited. Meanwhile I asked Chata about her parents. She said she was really spoiled. If she wanted to go to the movies, they would take her, etc. etc. So she thinks that is why she was so strict with her kids. She told me that when she was in the 6th grade, she didn’t want to go to school anymore, and her Dad was fine with that, but her mom made her. Then she didn’t want to work, but her mom wanted her to. If she hadn’t worked then she would not have met el abuelo. Her dad worked on commission selling canned foods to the grocery stores. Finally, we got tired of waiting and walked home. We found abuelo asleep on the couch. He didn’t realize we thought he was going to pick us up. Then we ate. With fresh tortillas (so YUM). Then I raided La Michoacana again, paleta de coco again. The lady there definitely recognized me. ☺ Then Lili did my nails for me. She had those stickers with shapes on them and you paint over. I have little white moons on my nails, then she did them French style. ¡La araña, la araña! Haha. Then we had merienda with mom and dad. That was lovely.
Saturday 31 July
Saturday 31 July
We went to the store. Then we saw Inception. I really really liked it. I want to see it again. The plot was so tight. I bought the goodies again. I got chata caramel popcorn, then I got a medium caramel with chile popcorn mixed for Lili and I and we both got some Cocacola. We got there a bit late so we got in the second row. ( The theaters are not like there, The second row would be like the first row in the second section there). I was very happy with it but no one else liked that. Chata and Abuelo felt too crowded there (considering they always go to the very back). None of them really liked it, but I did. We got back and they were not too happy, but I was. I tried to go to bed early but it backfired and I couldn’t sleep at all.
We went to the store. Then we saw Inception. I really really liked it. I want to see it again. The plot was so tight. I bought the goodies again. I got chata caramel popcorn, then I got a medium caramel with chile popcorn mixed for Lili and I and we both got some Cocacola. We got there a bit late so we got in the second row. ( The theaters are not like there, The second row would be like the first row in the second section there). I was very happy with it but no one else liked that. Chata and Abuelo felt too crowded there (considering they always go to the very back). None of them really liked it, but I did. We got back and they were not too happy, but I was. I tried to go to bed early but it backfired and I couldn’t sleep at all.
Monday, August 2, 2010
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