Seb and I arrived in Mexico tired and out of sorts. We'd spent two days either laid over in airports or in bumpy planes and then when we got there we were stung by the effects of being in an altitude three times higher than home. We were like zombies for the first few days and could only get things done in three hour spurt before being called to nap in our deluxe hotel. Needless to say we ate a lot of meals in the hotel restaurant by the swimming pool.
We didn't get to see very much in the few days that we were there but we saw enough to know that this will be an exciting, crazy, carefree three years that we are going to absolutely love. The weather was divine and the area is known for having the most perfect weather in the world. Lots of people told us this before arriving in SLP but when we got there we totally understood. "Did someone say jacket? No way who needs that! Oh wait yes I did order that lite morning breeze, ahhh how nice." We were so spoiled with the weather that we questioned how we'd be able to go back to France after three years and suffer the agony of bouncing temperatures, freak snowstorms and rainy months on end again.
The poverty shocked us. And the trash piled by roadsides made us feel privileged for even noticing it or caring about it. We imagined that the locals usually overlooked it and felt that it was just part of their daily life. We thought it spoiled the city somewhat and wondered whose job it was to clean up the city and why they weren't doing it. I guess living in Thonon and Evian we are spoiled to an extent. While we were gone they changed the flowers around the lavoir at the end of our street....again. This is the third time this Spring. It's an obsession on the part of the city but it certainly has us looking at the world through rosy glasses.
About 50 percent of the city and outlying areas look like this. The whole city is not this bad though. This is the other side of a housing complex that wasn't too bad. I wonder if mil will come and visit if she see this photo. Better not show her all of these!
Driving outside of San Luis we began to see beautiful desert landscapes and lo and behold our mountains. We love mountains and to us that's home so we felt secure all of the sudden. It was quite pretty and I look forward to seeing the sunset melting over the desert horizon several times over the years we spend there.
6 comments:
Beautiful pics!! It looks like you two had a wonderful time~ and you look wonderful~ you almost glow!!!!
Glad you two had a nice and safe trip~ glad to have you back!!
Monnie
How exciting! I'm sure being there made it seem all the more real.
What an exciting adventure! And to be in Mexico and learning another language. And learning to drive in another country (hee hee). And the new experiences for your child. Wow.
And the FOOD! Fresh tacos, guac, tortillas...
I am very envious.
I was a little nervous to hear your reaction--Mexico is one of those places you either love madly or really dislike. I'm relieved to hear that you're going to enjoy yourselves, despite the bummers (poverty, trash). You never get used to these things, but you learn to live with it and enjoy all of the beauty the country has to offer. What a rich place! And what an interesting and altogether different culture and history from what you're used to.
I can't wait to talk with you more about it, especially when you're there!
Wow. Can I visit? ;-)
Aly I can understand why everyone warned us now that we would be shocked and may not like it. I mean it wasn't that shocking but like I said in my post, for a French person I think it's shocking. We had a run in with a corrupt cop and some other little side adventures that may have scared off the typical expat. We overlooked it because it's all part of the culture. We just have to learn to fit in.
Hey Nichole! That would be great if you came down (or over...) for a visit. At least we'd finally get to hang out together!
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