Hello/Goodbye

I've now been in Mexico for about two and a half weeks with no return ticket to Kentucky. I've started work at the Wall Street Institute School of English, and very soon I should have an apartment.

And I'm doing well. I work 40-45 hours (depending on the week) and add anywhere from 10-12 hours to that in public transportation. So when I'm not at work, you'd better believe I'm taking it easy.

At the moment, I'm staying with my friend Eliud and his family. As family ties tend to be very strong in Mexico, they've already begun to count me as one of their own. The other day at breakfast I was given the "we see you as a son" talk, and they asked me earnestly about the apartment I'll be living in, as well as my finances.

On the 4th of July I wanted to grill steaks for everyone. This was cancelled, however, due to rain. In the end, I ordered pizza, but only after Eliud's parents insisted on giving me some money to help pay the bill. I am so thankful to them for watching out for me, but I am also a very independent person. After spending so much time on my own, it's very strange to have such watchful eyes on me.

I am leading the worship music at the church I'm attending. It is nice to be able to play music again and use it for a good reason. I love our little church here where everyone participates in the service and spends a good deal of time praying for each other. It also starts at 5 PM on Sundays, so I get my 12 hours of sleep in on the weekends.

Also, to all of you who are wondering if I'm being safe, the answer is YES. Every step of my commute to and from work is in a well-lit, busy area that either has a huge mass of people or police on all sides. Indeed, it can sometimes be annoying to be surrounded by so many people. It also puts you in rather compromising positions on the subway and bus, almost so much that you're embarrassed to look at the person you were standing next to when you leave at your stop.

Am I adapting to "big city life?" Yes and no. There are things I love about this city (the view from the Cúspide overlooking the valley, all of the events that take place in the city), but at times I miss the uncontained greenery of Kentucky. I see parks here and wonder if people can really feel close to nature in them, knowing that they're nothing more than islands in the middle of a sea of cement. When you have the constant smell of vehicles and industry all around you, you almost miss the smell of hog s*** and skunks.

But I am enjoying myself. Very soon I should be stabilized and on my feet, and maybe then I'll get around to exploring the city a bit better. At the moment I am very confined to my work schedule, and since I don't know many people here, I am also stuck in the house during a good deal of my free time. As I tend to say, though, we'll how things progress.

I apologize for this being something of a short post compared to the time I've already spent here, but it is 2 AM, and I am annoying Uziel (Eliud's brother) with my loud typing. I promise to update everyone soon, as well as post some pictures.

To those of you I call my family and friends, wherever you are, know that you are loved and missed. I look forward to seeing you again. (Maybe even here, if you feel up to the trip)

Love, always,

~Buster