6 months living in Guadalajara

Photo: Surrounded by my students in the couryard of our language school (I'm in red-striped shirt in front row)

Here I sit in my comfy reclining chair... acabo de...no, time to flip the switch back to English now... ok then-- just a couple of days after returning from living for the past 6 months in lively, energetic, pulsing, and never dull Guadalajara, Mexico. Returning to my own country has been a culture shock. A weird feeling settled in my stomach as I sat in the Phoenix Airport watching a couple eating lunch across from me hardly speaking a word. He was on his lap top probably surfing the web and she was on her 10th consecutive text message on her cell phone. I found myself watching the couple in silence longing the brotherly camaraderie of the 7 million inhabitants of my Mexican home. In January, leaving my country on my own I found myself, as most solo travellers do, hoping not to feel strangely alone in a foreign country. Often the prospect of taking a buddy or a group of friends sounds appealing as to guarantee that at least I will have someone to make me feel more comfortable. But this trip was different...I was going down on my own, trusting the good which God had in store for me.

Photo: The 500 foot Chivas Flag covers nearly 1/4 of the stadium

As far as doubts about friendship...Boy was I barking up the wrong tree. The friendly, festive, and fun-loving Mexican culture gobbled me up and I soon found myself searching out quiet time during my days rather than hunting for friends.

Far different from my other ventures beyond U.S. borders,

which consisted of a good clip in order to see countries such as Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama in 2 weeks and Thailand, Cambodia, Loas, Myanmar, and Japan in 1 month, I found myself called to stay in Guadalajara. Rather than bust my tail to see as many Lonely Planet recommended "hot spots" as possible, I felt guided to set up shop in this classical Mexican city with the idea to hone in on the Spanish language, almost treating the time as a "hand-chosen semester abroad". This decision truly enabled me to dive beneath the surface of the lifestyle and cultural of the heart of Mexico. Hundreds of hours spent with friends and locals helped to bring me onto the "inside" of life in Guadalajara. At the end of my stay in this cathedral-dominated town known as the "most Mexican of all Mexican cities" a plethora of local people were not mere acquaintances, but friends. My English conversation class of Mexican students which started as 10 students in March and grew to 25 by June never ceased to bring laughter and joy into my life. Eating meals and spending time with my Spanish teacher, Isabel, with whom I spent nearly 5 hours a day in the classroom Monday through Friday, showed me the patience and consistency which the Mexican women possess in raising a family.

Photo: El Expiatorio towers over downtown Guadalajara reminding the locals of who power really belongs to Jogging with hundreds of runners each morning in one of the hot, almost tree-less city's four major parks made me truly grateful for being able dash out of my front door, running of course, at home without worrying about 10 foot deep potholes or 20,000 city buses which might obstruct my route. Going to a bundle of Chivas futbol games, each of which was an adreline rush... with thousands of rabid fans whose happiness for the entire next week lay in the balance of the 90 minute soccer game was. I enjoyed getting my laughs in sunday afternoon with the colorful crowd which packed in to witness Lucha Libre...or Mexican wrestling, which features high-flying acrobatics and plenty of drama. Hearing our salsa dance instructor call out "Who's turn is it to dance with "guero," or whitey, taught me that No! We North Americans do not know how to dance, and that Yes! Latinos seem to have been born moving their hips!

Photo:El Volcan del Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas...and yes we did see smoke whisping up from up above its cone-shaped peak Among anyone who enjoys exploring new regions of the globe, the question is always posed...what was your favorite part? And the answer for me must be... the people. A church is just an old, brick structure, a park is a group of trees and a narrow dirt trail, a school is comprised of eerie, echoing hallways, and a street market is simply a series of garage-like stalls. However when filled with vibrant, laughing people, who always have time to befriend you, a city really comes to life. I will miss all of the people who's smiles brought Guadalajara to life and made this special place truly feel like my home.