Monday thoughts with Jorge Drexler and Caifanes

The first week of the second session is already over. This session I am taking two classes: Literature and Culture, and Contemporary Music. I have class from 11 to 3 everyday and the same professor teaches both classes. Luckily, he is probably the best professor in the program at la escuela de idiomas. Carlos' passion and excitement for both subjects makes class worthwhile even though I have a lot more work this session. I especially like my music class and can now recognize artists and songs I hear on the streets. Music is everywhere in Gto, one of the endless reasons I could stay here forever.

The new ISA group is, to put it nicely, different. I have missed the old group and my friends from the first session very much. The new group is a little older in age but lacking maturity. Last friday was a chaotic day because one of the new girls decided to never return home at night on thursday, nor go to class friday and failed to tell anyone where she was the entire time. After Alma the director made hospital and police phone calls on friday, a student from the group saw her walking on the streets and pulled her aside. Guanajuato is a safe city most of the time and ISA knows that the students go out at night. However, like any city there are problems and unsafe areas. I have had 7 weeks to learn which mexican friends I can trust and how to stay smart when out and about. Furthermore, having a señora like Maria that worries 200 times more than my own mother, I have learned to ALWAYS let her know when or if I will be coming home. Silly dumb girl. Hopefully she learned her lesson after getting her ass chewed out.

Mariah, my roomate and I have become new friends with the movie theater. It is a nice 20-30 minute walk to the mall and only costs 3-4 dollars to see a movie. On saturday night we saw La Era del Hielo 3 (Ice Age 3) with my best mexican friend, Kittel. It was dubbed over in spanish and even funnier and cute that way. We were surrounded by families with little kids who talked the entire length of the film. I am usually annoyed by this but it was the cutest thing. Kids had constant questions about the plot and what every little thing meant. Not only was the movie cute, it was also another chance to witness the culture.

This past week I got sick and knew I needed medicine. However, having the señora I do, I did not want to tell her I should go to the doctor for fear she would put me in the hospital for a week. Instead, I reacted as a Mexican would and went to the farmacia. Pharmacies here function a bit differently than in the US. If you know what medicine you want all you have to do is ask the pharmicist. No perscription needed. I paid about 6 dollars for all of my medicine and could have even had a consultation at the pharmacy with a doctor for only 2 dollars. I love Mexico.

All in all it was a low key week for Allison. No worries, I plan on redeeming myself this week, keeping in mind that the first tests and essays are due on friday. Hope all is well. I wish there was some way to really describe and show everyone what my life is like here. You should probably just come visit....just an idea. One month left. Sigh.

cuidense mucho. besitos.