My Mom's thoughts

WoW....what a wonderful two weeks I spent in Mazatlan, Mexico, in December visiting Erin, her host family and all the relatives. For those of you who don't know, Mazatlan is on the Pacific Ocean and about half way down the coast, directly across from the tip of the Baja peninsula.

Since I've returned to snow country (Michigan), I've had people ask me about visiting Mazatlan as a tourist; I can't really answer them, though, as I don't feel that I was there as a tourist. The beaches are beautiful, but I only spent about four hours in two weeks actually at the beach! I didn't bring home a tan although I enjoyed each warm, sunny, 80 degree day that I was there. (It's 6 degrees in Michigan today!)

I was fortunate enough to be invited to stay with Erin's host family in a completely residential neighborhood. The first week was a typical week for them with kids in school and at day care and Mom working. Then they went on a two-week Christmas vacation to visit grandparents on the other side of Mexico, leaving Erin and I with the house to ourselves (and the two dogs and three hamsters! There is a story here about one of the hamsters getting loose but that is for another time).

Erin continued to work each day of my visit from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. but then we would spend the afternoons exploring.
-Taking public transportation almost everywhere and being the only gringos on the bus.
-Walking 30 minutes to get to the base of the lighthouse, climbing stairs for another 30 minutes to get to the top...just in time for a gorgeous sunset (although sunsets over Lake Michigan could rival theirs!). The lighthouse is built on a natural hill and is listed as the highest natural lighthouse in the world--now that the other highest lighthouse was destroyed by an earthquake.
-After six years, I got to watch Erin play soccer on the Universidad team and win the municipal tournament; she scored a penalty shot. Her team photo was in the local newspaper...I have a copy! And she will never ever again complain about field conditions in Michigan!
-Taking a City Tour by bus one morning while Erin worked and learning some of the history of the city and area.
-Learning that a settlement of Jewish immigrants donated the money to finish the cathedral in the city central.
-Hearing how important their music is to them. Not being a music person, I can honestly say that I enjoyed the music once the volume wasn't so loud!
-Attending the Christmas Party for the El Cid Hotel employees (where Erin works).
-Visiting the city market (Mercado) where you can purchase meat, fruits, vegetables, clothes, shoes, souvenirs...you name it, and you can probably find it there. Although Wal-Mart was an option, I liked the authenticity of the Mercado!
-Meeting some of the Universidad staff and instructors who helped arrange Erin's work internship...yeah, Adriana spoke English!
-Attending a street fiesta with one of the largest pinatas that I've ever seen.
-Having some free time to actually finish reading a book!
-A day trip into a mining town with Erin and a friend one Sunday.
-But best of all was getting to know the people.

Mimi, the 12-year old was in school every morning by 6:45 a.m. but finished by 12:30 p.m. Apparently they do school in two shifts...morning and afternoon.
Joselyn, the 2-year old was a cute little girl, but as Erin commented, terrible twos are apparently a world-wide phenomenon.
Martha, the single mom, was busy with all the transporting back and forth to school and day care and working at the Universidad from 2-7 p.m.

Families are a very important part of Mexican life and I met Martha's mother (Rosa), her aunts (Sofia & Dora) and uncles, her cousins, etc. We were invited to fiestas, Christmas Eve dinners, birthday parties, etc. and were made to feel at home. At one point both Aunt Sofia and I told Erin that we wished we could speak each other's language as we knew we had many questions to ask and information to share...and much in common.

I was glad that I had taken a few Spanish lessons in the fall but I certainly didn't feel competent trying to converse...insufficient vocabulary and verb conjugation was a nightmare as I had only learned present tense! I am continuing with the Spanish lessons so that when I return to visit all the wonderful people I met, I will hopefully be better able to communicate. Thank goodness for Erin-my interpreter.