Mexico

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to write more on both Mexico and Missouri in the next two weeks, but here's a brief description of what I've done thus far.



Tonight, Hannah and I are spending as much time as possible at the nearest internet cafe (which, by the way, has no food, just computers - but it's still a cafe) so that we don't have to go to 'Youth Club' to socialize with the insufferable youth group here. They're basically the source of Hannah's misery here, and will only sometimes acknowledge my presence. However, the family that lives here at the church seems extremely nice, especially the mother, Yolanda (it was the pastor's family, particularly the daughter, that was giving Hans a hard time). Yolanda keeps feeding me, though, and is very offended if I don't clean my plate. She's a great cook, but thinks that I should eat about as much as my father. If I return ten pounds heavier, you can blame her.
We have gone so many places and done so many things! I've seen the most priviledged families and beautiful buildings, only to return to the 'lower middle class' La Mancha district, where we're staying until Sunday. The lower middle class here can only dream of the luxeries offered our lower class; here, I shower on the roof and Yolanda's four-person family inhabits one room. I've never seen so much blind wealth in such close proximity to destitution. Never let me complain about being poor ever again.
I've burned quietly under more cat-calls and objectifications than any human being should have to endure, and I've only been here three days. If women here don't move farther in this world, it's because they're reminded every thirty seconds that they are animals.
I've stood inches away from walls touched and transformed by Diego Rivera and the very worktable where Frida Kahlo dreamed and planned paintings that would change the West's views of Latino intellectualism forever.
I've blown my nose only to see that what came out of it was the color of exhaust.
I've walked and walked and walked and rode and rode and rode over and under so much of this massive city.
I've watched the sun set on the tiny little houses, potted plants, dirty cats, and bright orange lights that make up La Mancha.
And I've only been here four days.