Lessons from the baseball field

Near my house are several baseball fields, and around them is a dirt path that I use to run or walk and watch people. Since it winter and the temperatures are cooler, teams of children have been learning how to play baseball.

I remember when I learned this sport: I had participated in a little league one summer and I also played in the backyard with my brothers and dad. However, I thought that everyone else were better baseball players than I was, and I felt inferior when I struck out or missed a catch. As a result, after a few years playing with my brothers and after just one summer in the city league, I quit.

However, I enjoy watching live baseball, especially here in Hermosillo as it is a very popular sport. I have gone to several games here, and each time I attend, I want to understand it more. As a result, I took note of the children on the fields during their practice. Upon observing them, I was intrigued: their way of learning how to play baseball was much different than how I learned.

What caught me by surprise was that they weren’t playing a game; instead they were practicing the skills, in isolation. In one of the fields, a group of kids were leaning how to bat. An adult would pitch the ball several times so that the little one had several opportunities to bat, regardless of whether or not he/she successfully hit the ball. In other fields, the children were practicing catching. However, this skill can be subdivided, which they did. One group only caught ground balls, and a different group received just pop-flies. In yet another field, the little leaguers practiced running the bases. In each of the groups, the children repeated the same skill almost the entire practice giving them the chance to master it.

Observing them gave me cause to reflect. I had not learned in the same manner as they were when I was a child. Yes, we were taught the various skills, but were given little time to learn them and soon we had to use them in a game. As mentioned earlier, I thought I wasn’t very good at baseball, when in reality, perhaps I only lacked practice.

The lessons given on the baseball diamonds hold application off the field as well. Similar to these children, we as adults continue trying t learn new things or beginning new stages of life; it could be a job change, a move to another city, the beginning of a relationship, a marriage, the start of having a family, etc. With each of these, there are skills or aspects that we need to learn first before we feel comfortable and /or are successful. Sometimes we become discouraged in the transition because we have forgotten that we must learn the parts before the whole. At least, this is true for me. So the next time I try something new or am discouraged in the process, I will remember these lessons from the baseball field.

Who said this was going to be easy all year long?

Last semester, although it had its challenges, was honeymoonish overall and I was pretty easy going in regards to life here.

This semester it is a change in expectations. I want and think that relationships should be better/easier/deeper, but they aren’t. I think and expect that because I have grown a lot in Spanish and have been here a semester that means I should have less of a struggle with Spanish. Hah! I think that school work and balance will be easier. I think last semester was easier. I think that I have forgotten the hard parts of last semester. Last semester I didn’t have many expectations, this semester I do and don’t just accept things or write things off just because “I’m in Mexico!” I expected that once 2nd semester started, things would be back to normal.

This semester is different. My primary social group has left /changed. I have new classes, professor, and some new classmates. I have had four different housemate changes in the last two weeks with people either coming and/or going ( thankfully having a room to myself has not been compromised). This semester I have work for BGSU in preparation of my qualifying exam in August, in addition to University of Sonora homework.

This semester so far has been anything but honeymoon. There has been a lot of negativity, stress, hurt, loneliness. (My aunt said that negativity is a good clue of cultural/life change or adjustment.)

Not to say that there aren’t good things. However, I will save that for another entry. I often like to wrap up things in a positive light, sometimes to minimize the struggle. Today, I’d rather it be a little more raw.

So here are some final thoughts that express my conflicting desires and feelings, specifically on relationships and work. Here they are....

• I want deep friendships, but I don’t want to be vulnerable and share that I am lonely. I don’t want to be lonely, but I am tired of the energy it takes for relationships. Nor do I have the time for all these relationships that I already have or want to have, but I still need and want these relationships.
• I like and don’t like acquaintances relationships: Sometimes I sick of talking about the same introductory things (hey foreigner, where you from, what are you doing here, how are classes, what are you doing this weekend, blah, blah, blah), but some days I am grateful for those conversations and they are just what I need.
• My relationship with the family is deeper than others due to the mere fact that I live with them and so in some ways it is easier to be comfortable, to invest in them, etc. However, it also means having pet peeves, forgiving, giving, or being intentional, especially on the days I would rather not.
• I need to work, I need to relax, I need to play. I need to have balance, but I am a perfectionist.
• I am glad I am in Mexico and a grad student, but I am not sure how to do both.
• One moment or day, all is well: I am outgoing, I am having fun, I feel good about the work I am doing and accomplishing, I am ok with the decisions I have made. The next, I am discouraged, sad, insecure, and /or lonely.

Reverse reverse culture shock

I expected to have culture shock when my parents were here in Mexico as that was what happened when Karen visited in October. There were still various moments when differences surfaced, but I didn’t feel the unexpected shock that I did in October.

The same occurred with Iowa when I returned with my parents to see my brothers for New Years. I expected to feel very out of place and experience reverse culture shock, but I was surprised how easily I slipped back into the norms, rhythms, and routines of life there. Sure, I was more cognoscente and reflective than normal and there were actions and comments to prove it: 1) shouting “They’re so many blues eyes and blond here!” upon finally spotting my friends in the airport, 2) taking pictures of the snow and toy tractors, and 3) to seeing my family’s outings (taking a walk on the prairie or going to a presidential campaigning event) as culture events instead of mere activities. However, these were the exception. Iowa is, after all, a place I have gone to visit for the last ten years. In that sense, it was just another trip.

Returning to Mexico, however, surprised me. And so I have experienced reverse-reverse culture shock. I have been comfortable and happy here overall, so I didn’t expect to have difficulty returning, especially with plenty of work awaiting me to prevent myself from over thinking. However, I felt like a stranger. Is this really my home? Have I really lived here for 4 months? Is the relationship with the family here as good as it appeared when my parents were here? Do I even know people here and do they care if I am back? I know I should have a little trouble switching back to Spanish, but my Spanish is horrible! With the changes for the next semester, will it be like stating over and do I have the energy to going being brave and outgoing and hard core? Overall, I am a stranger here.

There are many reasons for my reverse reverse culture shock. The time that my parents were here was picture perfect, and although true in many regards, was not reflective of day to day reality. The feelings and struggles I had during my hard breakdown weekend still exist because the reasons have not changed: friends have left, school is not in session, there are many changes ahead for the next semester. Leaving my family is always hard because I treasure the time I do have with them. Finally, relationships are the hardest for me, not at the beginning, but going from the acquaintances to good solid friendships that have good depth, trust, and are worth keeping. Finally, my home culture is the US and not Mexico, and though I may fight against it at times, it still is what essentially defines me.

However, acknowledging the reverse reverse culture shock and validating the feelings that accompany it is half the battle. My Spanish is not back to par, but it’ll be back. Regarding people, I have a great family and a great base for developing a stronger relationship with them. I also have many friends and acquaintances here that are worth investing in. It helped tremendously when they were excited about making plans to hang out. Yes, I will still have reverse reverse culture shock and I have many changes and challenges ahead, but there are many many good things here. And knowing I am blessed is what will give me the strength and desire to continue to invest myself 110% in this adventure.

Hard: 2nd round

So, there have been many more times than two that life here has been really hard, but it’s the second journal entry with this name.

Life has been really hard this weekend. On Thursday, I was on Cloud 9, since my work was primarily done and I was on the home stretch. On Friday, I was depressed. I went out in the afternoon and evening and had a good time, but at the end of the night I was still sad. Saturday was the same story. Today, Sunday, I was sad again.

What’s the deal? I should be happy now that I’m on vacation. However, vacation is exactly what’s to blame.

Triggers and Consequential Thoughts: No schedule. No more classes. Not getting the random social interactions at school with the thousands of acquaintances I have. It’s the Christmas season. Too much time to think and reflect. Not having got as much exercise lately. Not having gone to church recently and missing the renewal that brings. Not having a church I really like. Being tired after a semester of hard work. An “expectations communications cultural” conflict with the family the other weekend; (it was resolved and it’s ok, but it was still a no win situation and uncomfortable.) Being reminded that I am a foreigner first of all. Communicating and interacting in a language I still haven’t mastered and in which there are still many things I don’t understand or miss. Knowing I have essays to turn into Bowling Green in August. Wanting to work ahead, but relax, hang out with people, help out in the house, travel, watch lots of movies, and wanting to do nothing, and yet something. Having too much free time. Not having people to travel with. Not being with my brothers and sister in laws during the holidays. Debating again and again about if I made the right decision to stay, or if I should change the plan, and then what I’ll miss out on if I go home. Not having Christmas as I know it and all that entails. Being reminded that I have primarily lots of fun social acquaintances, but not many close friends. Knowing that my social group of Intercambio are leaving. (At least there will be a few who will still be here.) Feeling like I should be in a better spot than I am and shouldn’t feel this way, but knowing that this moment would come. Knowing that it’s part of the process of living abroad, but that it sucks none the less.

Result: I’ve been a wreck. Crying. Trying to remedy the situation and still being down and at the point of tears. Feeling sad, lonely, sad… lonely, lonely, lonely….sad.

Ways I’ve tried to remedy the situation: Exercising, going out with people, crying, calling home to the US, thinking of how to use my time before and after my parents are here (i.e. Read Harry Potter #7 and other books in English to take my brain off things when everyone else is with their family), be intentional about initiating hanging out with classmates that I’d like to get to know more, debating about flying home after my parents are here and the pros and cons of that, and in the end buying a plane ticket (and I'll still have a little over two weeks here in Hermosillo while not in classes).

The good news: Although I will continue to struggle on and off with not having close friends here, I feel much better knowing that I’ll be with my brothers and family over the holiday during the part of vacation which would have been the hardest (post family through New Year’s). Sunday evening and Monday have gone MUCH better!

Karen’s visit…spending a week with a friend here in Mexico

1) Vacation/Visitors

I had been worried about trying to do school and have a visitor. Attending classes helps me understand the topics more, and I also spend a lot of time studying. However, this week was a great week to have a visitor. First, I ended up having a lighter week of classes the two weeks previously due to several canceled classes. This meant I was able to work ahead on school work. Second, we had Friday off for Day of the Dead. I decided that I could afford to take two days off of classes and do a trip with Karen out of town. As a result of all of the above, it was a week of vacation even with two days of attending classes, and it was absolutely fabulous to not have to worry about school work for one week!

2) Jam-packed:

I don’t think I could repeat this week if I tried in terms of the amount of the amount of varied activities that we did. It was fun to have Karen see so many different parts of life here in addition to see various aspects of Mexico.

So here’s a list of what she/we did:

· Experience the heat of Hermosillo (it’s still hot in comparison to the US, but it’s nothing compared to what it was)

· dinner out with my Intercambio (Exchange student) friends

· church

· lunch out with the women of the family

· stay at my house

· visit my classes and the University

· do a mini-self tour of the town and see the Cathedral (that’s about as touristy as Hermosillo gets)

· go to Hermosillo’s Naranjeros baseball game

· take a trip to La Barranca de Cobre/Copper Canyon

· go to the beach (Maviri Beach near Los Mochis/Topolobampo)

· get Mexican hospitality with staying a family in Los Mochis that are friends of Luz Belia instead of staying in a hotel

· try some good Sonoran and Coastal Mexico food: Carne Asada, Tortillas Gorditas “Fatty” style, the pastry Coyota, fresh fish from the sea, and coconut

· try out all types of transportation (train, bus, plane, taxi, feet)

· interact with the people with her Spanish (she has a similar undergrad degree as I do).

3) Barranca de Cobre/Copper Canyon: One of the places I wanted to make sure I got to see this year was Copper Canyon. It is comparable to the Grand Canyon and it is actually deeper in parts. The canyon is located in Chihuahua state between the city of Chihuahua and Los Mochis ( Sinaloa state)and primarily accessible to visitor’s via train. Although it’s just in the next state over, it took us a seven hour bus ride to get to Los Mochis and another 8 hours on train just to get to a town in the middle of the Canyon/train route. We only spent 24 hours at a town (Posada Barranca)in the Canyon, however it was great to be in the mountains, see another part of the country, learn a little about the Tarahumara Indigenous population that live in the Canyon, and be in the cold!

4) Reflection: Karen did a great job of asking a lot of questions about life here. It helped as she had spent a semester in Honduras. She can relate to living abroad in a Spanish speaking country. This brought up many cultural thoughts and questions.

5) Culture Shock: Due to a variety of factors (including the reflections with Karen), I experienced a lot of culture shock this week. This seemed odd, because I have been here for three months. However, here’s why I think I had culture shock: 1) Karen was my first visitor to Hermosillo. She also got one of the best glimpses into my world since she also knows Spanish. I felt many times that I also suddenly was suddenly looking at my own life from an outside perspective (albeit mine). It was like I was a tourist of my own life. So weird. 2) Due to all the reflection, I became more self-conscious about my adaption here. Where am I in the process of adapting to the people and culture? Do I see it the same as Karen? Have I been so not self-conscious here both in embracing the experience but also been comfortable with various differences that I have been oblivious to some cultural differences that I should be paying closer attention to? What areas do I wish we better? 3) Karen is not only a dear friend, but also someone whose presence reminded me constantly of my life in Denver/US and the friends I left behind. Obviously that causes some grief and stress due to that loss. Furthermore, in being in new places and new situations while traveling, there were new situations that caused us to examine what potential cultural differences were going on and I think I became overly sensitive to trying to avoid miscommunication because of those differences. Today, I feel fine. We’ll see how this week goes. I think parts will be extra hard. However, as I have much to do for school in the next month with 3 big projects due, studying will help keep my mind from over-thinking and get me back into the groove of life here.

6) Final comments…

It was a great week. Tomorrow’s Monday and it’s back to Sola in Sonora. Even though it might be hard, what a lucky woman I am that I get to do all this!

Photos from Copper Canyon/La Barranca de Cobre

Karen and I

The train

Copper Canyon/La Barranca de Cobre

Pic for my dad of a "Bonsai" tree.

Tarahumara woman weaving with the basket I bought from her in foreground

Lists 1:

My classes:

1. Mexican Literature II...
   My most difficult class, but best homework (reading short novels!)
2. Español II…
   Easiest class /Most success in this class, Class in which the teacher loves me
   
3. Taller de Redacción I / Writing Workshop I…
   Most directly helpful class (since I have to write a text weekly)
4. History of Mexico/US Relations ...
   My favorite class in terms of content.

Things I miss:

1) Colorado in the fall

2) Chocolate, especially dark chocolate

3) Self – sufficient return transportation at night

4) Comprehension, comprehension, comprehension. (In case it hasn’t been obvious from my other emails!)

5) Friends and family

6) The mountains, of course! In general, just having easily accessible spots to be in nature.

Things I am thankful for…

1. My Chaco sandals

2. Internet (Even though I do a great job of checking, sending emails is a different story.)

3. My scholarship…not having to worry about money.

4. Cell phone

5. My backpack with its Nalgene pockets to hold water bottles!

6. A good place to live.

7. Not having to cook or clean. I am utterly spoiled in this area.

Pet peeves…

1. English television and music

2. People trying to talk to me in English

3. Some of the fatalism I have encountered here (both positive and negative)

The Grito de la Independencia (The Independence Shout)

*Although Mexican Independence Day was a few weeks ago, I didn't really explain it. So here it is!

The date is September 1810. It’s 5:00 in the morning and you are tired. However, the toll of the bell announces that right now a town meeting for the city of Dolores is being held in the cathedral. You arrive late, and although you don’t know what the meeting is about, you realize that it is something important seeing the excited agitated faces of your neighbors and hearing the strong charismatic voice of the Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. You listen: he is talking about the injustice of the foreign occupation of New Spain (Mexico). Soon, you share the rage of the other parishioners and their desire to change the situation. When the Father shouts “Viva the Virgin of Guadalupe” (Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!), you applaud in agreement. Upon hearing “Viva the homeland!” you recognize for the first time that the land where you live and the laws that govern it belong to you and your neighbors, your fellow countrymen, and not to a foreign country. When the Father Hidalgo invites the townsmen to reconvene at eleven o clock this night armed and ready to fight, you accept with “Viva the Virgin of Guadalupe! Viva the homeland!” Yes, you will join him, and although you are a mere farmhand, you will arrive with your machete and your courage to combat this injustice in order to gain your country’s independence.

The date is September 15, 2007, Mexico’s National Independence Day. You are in the plaza in front of the main cathedral. Although it is dark, the world is alive in anticipation, like a child waiting to open their first present Christmas Eve. Banners of red, white, and green (the flag’s colors) hang from the plaza bandstand floating in the breeze and the cathedral is bathed in yellow light in the background. The notes of trumpets joyfully reach your ear. You are surrounded by hundreds of people, snow cones, heat, and sweat. The air is filled with anticipation. Finally, the moment arrives. It is eleven ‘o clock and the president begins the speech. He proclaims, “Viva Father Hidalgo! Viva the heroes of our independence! Viva the Virgin of Guadalupe!” and you respond, “Viva! Viva! Viva!” He shouts “Viva Mexico!” and everyone shouts back in agreement and in unison, “Viva Mexico!” With this final shout, the plaza bursts forth in celebration: released white doves fly upward into the sky, confetti of the flags colors rain down on the crowd, and fireworks light up the night resounding against the cathedral’s walls. And in all of this, you witness the citizens’ hearts and minds gratefully honoring their heroes, who almost 200 years earlier, fought for their independence.

Overdue post

It´s been two weeks since I entered a post, so here´s a very quick one. Sorry if it´s a little scatter brained.

Highlights:
1) Still love living with my family. They are amazing and it continues to be a great place for me.

2) Took a break and went to Mazatlan to see brother Jon and sister in law Toni. They were spending a week doing medical missions, and I got to hang out with them over the weekend. It was great to be with family and take a break. Furthermore, I got to play in the ocean!

My brother the doctor in action!

Jon, Antonia (his translator), and Toni

3) Mexican Independence Day, September 15: In Mazatlán, we went the the Grito, or the shout. Every Independence Day in every town, there is a shout at the end of the day in the plaza in front of the cathedral, when everyone shouts "Viva Mexico" or Long live Mexico. In Mazatlan, accompanying the shout, were fireworks, confetti, lots and lots of people, a program, etc. It was a really neat cultural experience and I´m really glad I got to experience it (plus with Jon and Toni!)

The Grito...See posting on October 7th

4) Went to Kino Saturday with some of the other exchange students. Bahía de Kino (Kino Bay) is the nearest beach to Hermosillo and I´m glad I got the opportunity to go.

Kino Bay Beach

Vero, my French friend, who speaks like a Mexican!

Hard parts:
I feel like I spend all my time studying. I have implemented various strategies and still I struggle. I am also hoping to drop a class if I get the ok. However, that won´t change the amount I study, but it will hopefully give me more time to dedicate to the classes I do have.
The hard part in this is that despite the amount I study there is no much I don´t achieve and I feel like I achieve a basic level of understanding and completion of the work. Furthermore, I also don´t feel like I have time to play, make friends, dive into the culture, relax and just chill, or even respond to people´s emails or write to friends. Taking a break and going to Mazatlan made me realize how much I needed a break, but it´s still hard to make it happen. I know that all this is part of the process, but I´m tired and sick (change of seasons and stress), and I´d like to feel a little more balanced.

Hard

I think the hard part has finally come. The first three weeks went fairly smoothly. Granted, I had my ups and downs. Overall, though, it went much better than expected and I felt pretty good about how the adjustment was going. However, the end of week #3 and definitely #4 (last week) were not so good. So, here are the hard parts of the last week and a half.
Friday the 24th, I came to a new realization about my frustration of my lack of comprehension. I realized that I work hard to understand 24/7. This not only includes school(listening to lectures, class discussions, homework texts), but also fun/down time (hanging out in groups of 3+ people and having conversations) or going to church). So, unless I am emailing or calling home and talking in English, I don´t get much of a break.
On Monday and Tuesday, I freaked out about housing. I thought that housing was taken care of, but an unexpected detail came up, and I ended up re-stressing, re-researching, and re-thinking my plan. At the end of it all, everything ended up working out and the bumps along the way helped direct me to a living situation about which I am really excited. (More details later about my famiy with whom I am living and their house.)
On Wednesday night, I got sick. I think it was something I ate as I ended up having diarrhea and vomiting. However, I think that my stress level and possibly the higher heat (low/ mid 40s) made me more susceptible or worsened the situation.
On Thursday, I ended up crying to a professor about my concerns with the homework (specifically about a homework assignment I had been stressing about the previous two days). He was very understanding and informed me that in reality I had much more time to complete the assignment, which made me feel less anxious.
However, I continue to be concerned about homework in general. I feel like I could spend all my extra time doing it, still not understand very well, and have limited time for friends and no time for exploring the city, state, and country.
Headaches have been too frequent. I think they are a culmination of stress, the heat (although during the day I don´t think it is affecting me), and all the change.
I realized how bad the week had been only when Veronique told me that she had been worried about me during the week.
So, that´s how life is going. I am trying to take one day at a time. (Yesterday I only cried once and it was in the morning, so the rest of the day actually went really well.) I am hoping that now that I have moved, I can get into a good schedule and get more accomplished during the day. I am considering rearranging a class to give me a larger studying block of time. I am more conscious about the amount of sleep I´m getting, and considering getting back into my regular exercise routine. However, everything comes with its advantage and disadvantage and so I´m weighing things out and a good balance is what I´m trying to find.
So, for now, it´s still hard. However, that´s part of the process.

Hermosillo Hospitality

One of the most striking things to me so far has been the hospitality this city has given me. From the beginning, the University´s Education Exchange program has demonstrated a extemely warm welcome. From picking me up from the airport to having a place to live until I find my own place (up to a month!), they have made the transition easy.
Next, I encountered the helpfulness of the locals. As we learn our way around the city, people are always willing to give us directions or help us get to our next spot. (I was initially worried about asking for help as that meant I didn´t know my way around and would feel vulnerable. However, in requesting their help, I have always felt safe and in truth, am probably more safe for asking.)
Then, there is Hermosillo´s hospitality at the University. Every professor, when I have approached them about extra help or to explain the concerns I have with my comprehension, has made me feel at ease with their understanding and willingness to work with me. Furthermore, the students have also demonstrated kindness and helpfulness, be it rides home, copying lecture notes, brining previous course material to catch me up to speed, etc.
The students once again demostrated this past Thursday. When my classmates in Mexican Lit. III found out it was my birthday via Veronique, they all gave me their congratulations. After class, I was talking with two of them while waiting for Veronique. They lameneted the fact that they didn´t bring me a cake. So instead, they suggested going out for dinner to celebrate. So six of them, along with my house mates, and the professor ended up having dinner and drinks at a great local restaurant. One of them, Marta, gave me two books (which is a great gift as it is practical for class, appropriate for my enjoyment of reading, and extra special in the fact that most of our school reading is photocopies of books). They were all students I didn´t know very well and aren´t the ones I have connected with in class. However, despite that, they took me out to dinner and celebrated with me. What a beautiful gift!
As I have reflected on the town´s generousity and hospitality, I have been reminded of how I fail often in this area. Sure, some of you might disagree. However, that´s because you are friends and family and I tend to do a slightly better job because of our relationship. Even so, I have often still respond or act out of self interests or selfishness. With stangers or even people I know, but am not close friends with, I am much worse. I often ignore them or keep the interactions at arm´s length, protecting myself. Here, I am a stranger and yet I have been treated with open arms. I am humbled both as an individual, but also as a representive of the US. They surely have given me a lesson in hospitality. I hope some of it rubs off on me.

Sun-ora

So, it´s hot here! I knew it would be as I had checked the forecast earlier this summer and they had days of 105-115 F. The good news is that it rained last week and so it´s been cooler this week only staying in the upper 90s. However, I don´t know exactly the temperature as it´s Celsius here. Still... Thankfully my temporary housing has AC so that helps. The strange thing here is that everyone wears pants (especially jeans which aren´t very light)...men, women, and even kids. I´ve been watching and I´ve only noticed a few men and women wearing shorts (or skirts for that matter). It´s a little more common to see children wearing shorts, but it´s not the norm. I´ve been wearing shorts and skirts since I came. I wasn´t completely conscious of it right away, the last two days I´ve noticed that I´m very much the exception. I decided to ask Marisol, one of the exchange program staff. She said that people wear shorts to protect their legs from getting burned. When I mentioned that it´s been cool, she said that´s another reason. My mom suggested that it might be also that people work in AC, which might also be true, but there are also a lot of people who don´t work in AC. Anyway, I decided to try wearing light-weight jeans today and I think I´ll switch back to shorts tomorrow. Maybe on Monday for the first day of class, I´ll try capris (mainly because there will be AC in the classrooms.)
Yeah for sunscreen!

I´ve arrived!

Apropriate view, don´t you think?

Hi all...I´ve arrived (on Sunday the 5th). The last week was a rollarcoaster. I really enjoyed being in WY with my family, but since I had no more details to wrap up, I also had a lot of time to worry about the huge adventure I´ve undertaken. So needless to say, I was quite anxious. The day of the flight I was calm in the morning and calm until I got to Phoenix. Then I had to leave security, go to another terminal, get a ticket since it was another airline, and go back through security, and try to grab a bite to eat, all in an hour and a half. Thankfully, the flight was slightly delayed! I arrived in Hermosillo, only to find that my luggage didn’t come. Juan, a university staff who was picking me up, thankfully was still waiting for me an hour after I went to report the lost luggage. After we went to Walmart (who know!) to buy some basic supplies like a toothbrush, I was dropped off to a big, nice, but empty house and had 5 hours to kill by myself. Again, just felt fearful and lonely, but went and bought a phone card and ate dinner. Yesterday, Monday, I met Andrés who is another student who is staying at the house. He waited and accompanied me during the day as we took a tour of the University, went and bought myself a cell phone. So it was nice to have someone to be there, who at least is in a similar situation and doesn't know anyone, but also knows the culture and language better than I when I have a question about how things work. Today is another day of finding things to do. The university said to wait on looking for housing until the other students come, so we have a day of no activities planned. Gives me time to blog! Sorry about all the details!

I definitely might have overpacked. Three suitcases and a bike!