Last weekend I went with friends to Mazatlan to celebrate another friend's birthday. It was quite lovely out there. The city isn't very big, but the malecón stretches over 10 miles. I didn't walk the whole way, of course, but enjoyed it at different points. People say that Mexico is dangerous, particularly Sinaloa because it is a harbor for narcotics. I don't know how much truth there is to all that people say, but it seems like people carry on with normal, every day lilfe. Even here in Guadalajara. I'm not under-estimating the level of violence and crime that exists in Mexico. Having lived here a little over seven months, most days life is normal. There have been mass killings, bus bombings, and crimes of similar nature. With the presidential election taking place this Sunday, July 1st, who knows what will happen. Some speak of revolutions, some speak of uncertainty. God knows. I ask people I know if they are going to vote. Some say yes and some say no. And for those who don't vote, someone else can take their vote. There's talk that a certain party is known to give out money to those who will lend them their credentials so they can vote with it. Kind of crazy.
Aside from what's currently going on, like I've said, people carry on with every day life. So now to the every day. I have a couple of friends visiting next month and I am preparing to be their "tour guide." I want them to experience some of the rich culture here in and around Guadalajara, to see Puerto Vallarta, meet and know my friends. I'm excited and feel blessed.
Teaching has been fine. There are students who come through and decide for various reasons that they cannot continue. So the dynamics of the classroom is hardly constant. Students like class because they feel that they are learning, they enjoy their classmates, or the way the teacher teaches. So, as I continue to learn how to be a teacher, I find ways to effectively teach different grammar points, to lead fun games for practice of knowledge, and how to incorporate extra knowledge that will help students be independent learners (for example, teaching cognates).
Me and Fugie found a way to talk for 15 minutes at $1.25. It's been such a blessing to be able to have our long conversations. I'm looking forward to going home, to being closer to him. In the meantime, I'm making the most of my time here with friends, in teaching
