Last weekend I suprised myself. I have always thought motorcycles are dangerous and thus stupid I could not understand why people don't just buy a small car instead. That seems much more useful for friends and rainy days. Ever since I’ve met him, Benito has said he's saving up for a moto. Of course I made fun of him and said he should spend that money fixing his dead teeth. Anyway, after last Sunday I can at least understand why he wants them and why people keep Cape Cod Harley in business. We went for a long ride all around town. Cobblestone streets with speed bumps with someone who has scars on his body from a horrific moto accident in the past, yup scary. I cried at one point and tried to blame it on the wind even though I was wearing sunglasses. All in all, I loved it. It was so much fun and made me want a motorcycle. I still maintain that motorcycles are dangerous and dumb, but I can understand that they are lots of fun too. Then we stopped and he asked me if I wanted to learn to drive. Always looking to learn more, I said sure. Then instructions started coming at me in rapid Spanish. I soon realized I was not ready to learn and got back on the back. Fun day. Sorry mom, I know you are made, especially because helmets are unheard of here. Oh and yes, he crosses himself in front of every church even while on the bike. There were some cross moments way out in the mountains too, but I didn't see any church there.
This Sunday I went to a baptismo party for Benito's younger sister's baby. There were tons of Mexicans sitting around eating cake and drinking agua de jamaica (hibiscus flower iced tea). I could understand a good 80% of what they were talking about, but the conversation was way too fast for me to join in. I was certainly the mute gringa in the corner with a stupid smile on her face.Who knows what his family thinks of me. I am much better one on one. When we left, I couldn't stop talking for hours because I had been so quiet at the party.
I think I need to stop drinking so much here- last week was one long party. Sure I am studying lots and getting lots of reading done too, but I mean to spend more time meditating and thinking about what I want to do for a career when I get back to the states. Sangria can help with that right? Ok, I doubt it, but it was nice to see the connection between eating junk food and bad dreams this morning. I usually eat really well, but yesterday I downed cake and beer and ice cream late at night. Then I woke up in a nightmare involving a Mexico City taxi driver. Good motivation to stay away from bad food. I never knew how much it affected my body until I gave it up at yoga camp.
I am off to pick up my clothes from the laundry; hopefully they will all be there. Last week a friend of mine had to bring in the police because the laundry shop tried to tell her they didn't have her clothes. The clothes were hidden in the back. I am comforted by the fact that my clothes aren't so nice and I am taller than almost all the women around here.
