The Beginning...

I'm going to try and keep up a blog while I'm on two different exchanges this year. The first, in Campeche Mexico; a historically old city with such rich culture and wonderful people. And the second, in Havana, Cuba; another historically old city famous around the world for its politics and socialist leaders.

Wednesday, August 24th marked the beginning of the first adventure in Mexico. Four other Dalhousie students and I traveled to Cancun for three days of rest and relaxation before coming to Campeche and starting our school work.The resort we stayed at in Cancun was beautiful and the staff were so friendly - they especially liked us after our dramatic entrance after thinking we all lost each other at the airport. To elaborate, Alysse and I were flying in from Halifax together, while the other three girls were flying in from Toronto. We thought we would all be flying into the same terminal, and would meet at baggage claim before cutoms. After and hour and half of waiting Alysse and I asked someone if their flight was delayed, and explained our plan, in which they soon shot down and said that they had flown into a different terminal. After much stress and panic, Alysse and I decided to go to the hotel and hope they were there, or that they would figure out what we had soon and meet us there. The story has a happy ending in that they were there waiting for us - equally freaking out about the situation. How life changes without cell-phones! Since then, we were known as the girls from Canada who like to hug lots.

The rest of our time at the resort was great. Lots of tanning (burning for those of us with lighter skin...), bracelet making, studying, eating, exploring and swimming. A great way to begin a crazy adventure! Yesterday, (Saturday), we got up early and took a bus to Campeche which would be our home for the next three months. The drive was long and rainy, and filled with a lot of anxiety and stress about what our families would be like, how we would communicate, what school would be like, etc. When we finally got to the bus stop in Campeche a lovely woman who Madeline will be staying with greeted us and starting telling us about how wonderful Campeche is and answered many of our questions and eased our anxiety. After some waiting all of our families came to get us and we split up until Monday morning when classes start.

The family I will be staying with is a lovely family of four, living very well off in a beautiful home. Addy Rosa (mother), Rafiel Enrique (father), Enrique (son) and Angela (daughter) welcomed me graciously into their home and gave me a quick tour of Campeche. Enrique and Angela both know a fair bit of English, but quickly told me they would not be speaking it so that I can learn Spanish. After our tour they took me to San Francisco Park where we ate a traditional Campeche dinner outside while listening to traditional Mexican music. When we got back to their home I gave them a small present I had bought in Nova Scotia, a plate with Peggy's Cove painted on it. A little bit tacky, I know, but they seemed to really appreciate it, and the description I had at how significant that lighthouse is for Nova Scotians and people around the world.

Right from the beginning I knew communicating would be extremely hard. I already don't understand half of what they are saying. The family has been so good about repeating things, trying a different way of saying things, and speaking slower which I really appreciate. It is still hard, even when I think I know what they're saying, to respond correctly - or even respond at all. Hopefully my Spanish will dramatically improve quickly so I can have more in-depth conversations.For now lots of hand gestures, easy words, and an English word every now and again will help me to get by.