Domingo en Mexico

Sleeping in once again, I felt myself needing to catch up as it is a little difficult to sleep in the warm weather at times, and I am still adjusting to the time zone I think. So, I woke up and it was already quite warm outside. I decided not to write about yesterday, because I was not feeling like it, and I do not want my writing to feel like a chore. I want to write about my days, and so if I don’t have time, I will not write. Today, I sit here in the courtyard, spending the last few hours with my newfound German friends, as well as my Mexican host. At first, it was a little uncomfortable being in such close proximity with these new people who I knew nothing about. We spoke different languages and at times, it felt a little awkward, having trouble understanding each other. Very quickly though, I have gotten more comfortable, and we have all spent lots of time together.

Today, I went to the beach with one of the other renters, and we met up with the rest of us, all enjoying the sunset together. Then later we visited the grocery store together, and planned out some meals for the coming days, and looking for good deals. Wrapping the day up around 10pm, I was still hungry, and decided I would still go out and find some cheap tacos. I asked if anyone wanted to tag along, and my host recommended that I should try Tlayuda, which I had never heard of. We took a taxi down the road a few blocks, and went to a small place where they made Tlayuda, which is basically a large tortilla, made a special way supposedly only by indigenous people. There is then a layer of black beans spread across, with Oaxacan cheese, and tasajo de rez. We put on salsa verde y rojo, and made it very spicy, but it made it so much better. By the end, my lips were fiery, and I needed water badly.

This however, was not the highlight of my day. When we returned, we all sit around showing pictures of our lives at home, sharing family and locations we have been, girlfriends and friends, talking and laughing. We put on music, and compare our differences, and share our similarities as well. Then, we put on music, and I practice salsa and reggaeton, learning the steps, and how to guide the direction with my hands. I had never danced like this and it was extremely enjoyable. I did not feel embarrassed and just went with it, and could not help but keep a smile on my face. I sit back down, and we talk about various things. One of the Germans sits, and rolls himself a joint, and talks of how he grows weed back in Germany that is very healing.

We are still sitting in the courtyard, and the German goes outside to light up. Typically, if someone wants to smoke, they might go up on the roof. We assume he is just smoking right out on the street for a second, and then coming right back in. As we continue to talk and relax, the other German gets a text, “The police got me, get the cheri lady!” We think he is joking. Also, the cheri lady, is because of the song, Cheri Cheri Lady, because our host owns a cherry orchard, so this is what she was nicknamed. We run outside, and down the street there on the corner, the police are talking to our friend, taking his weed, and trying to get a name from him. Our host runs to them, being the translator, and pleading that it is medicinal, and it is no crime. The other German and I stand by the door, letting out laughter, and he keeps saying “Unbelievable story, you write about it no?” We could not help but to laugh and just be so surprised that he was actually getting in trouble for this. Assuming the police would let him off with a warning in exchange for maybe a few pesos, we continued to have a laugh. We assumed wrong once again. As the Cheri Lady returns, she explains to us that the police were very rigid, and explained that our friend will be staying in the Mexican jail overnight. We continued to laugh. Not because we did not care, just because we could not believe this story to be true, and I continued to hear in a strong German accent, “unbelievable story!” It was indeed, an unbelievable story, and will be still continue to be. The German has to pick up his friend in the morning, and from there, who knows what will happen. One thing is for certain, it makes for a good unbelievable story. The German claims that his friend must be the very first tourist to get arrested, “for a fucking joint, en Mexico.” Best of wishes to him, and I will advise anyone who smokes to be careful where they may partake. Thank you all. :)