Bittersweet decisions

  Alright, it was only a few days ago that I was offered a job performing at the Viva Wyndham Resort; they were going to house me and have me help with the teaching/ choreographing of their 14 shows... they were even going to try and find an animation job for Abel!  The pay was more than questionable though.  The magazine keeps contacting me too, but -to be honest- most of the work was going to operate in a bartering fashion... fine, if I didn't have pre-existing bills.  ::sigh::  Bittersweet.

  Yesterday, the roommates and I came to a difficult decision- we were going to split and go our own ways.  Two of the four of us had already decided to leave (one of which returned to the Ukraine about a month ago)... it just left a debt too big for two people to take on ourselves.  Job opportunities keep presenting themselves in the US anyways- too good to pass up in this low-tourist season of Mexico.  It is not as common here to get professional photos made- mostly just weddings... and that is mostly out-of-towners.  It's okay, I definitely don't regret any of this.  It is so nice to get a little more perspective in life... walk in someone else's shoes for a while- understand where they come from.

  I've lined up a few photo shoots for when I return to Houston, and I will work the next 2weeks to book even more.  The internet sure is a handy tool.  ;)

  Life is about lessons, and I will try my best to savor what I have learned here.

Job ops

If every step in life is supposed to teach you something, and every chapter in this metaphorical book has a lesson to be learned, I believe Mexico is for patience.  Nothing moves too quickly here... I don't feel that it drags, but you must breathe a little slower to keep the pace. 

I've been here nearly 6wks and have submitted myself to a number of jobs... a few have even responded to me.  Tomorrow, I will interview for a position as a freelance photographer for a local magazine; I will also speak to a resort about choreographing their production shows.  This could mean a lot of possibilities for me: local networking, more experience... or maybe just more experiences.  Either way, everything is worth a go.  Life is worth living and opportunities are worth trying. 

Here we go.

Water, water everywhere...

  Have I mentioned it's hurricane season?  No?  Well, it is.  To be honest, I'm not too concerned about it -just seems like a waste of energy being afraid of the unknown.  It does, however, mean that it's also rainy season.  I hadn't noticed it any more rainy here than it is in Houston- we were getting LOTS of rain before I made the move- but I guess the difference is in how people adapt to the weather.

  In Houston, you really only have to worry about the rain when going to and from your mode of transportation- drive carefully when it really starts to pour.  Most people carry umbrellas for that 20ft dash... In Playa, people are much more pedestrian- cars are completely unnecessary if you are staying in town.  People also tend to travel a bit lighter- there are some umbrellas and a handful of raincoats- but most people just try to avoid going anywhere when the water starts to fall.  Of course, if you really need to go somewhere, you just rough it.

  This is exactly what happened to me and the roomies as we were walking to pay the internet/ phone bill.  The three of us were wearing sunglasses when we left the apt, by the time we were around the corner the sky had become overcast... by the time we'd walked a block it began to rain... it was pouring within moments.  We just laughed and trudged on; what else could we do?  Here are a few photos of the rain we encountered:

La Quinta had a little flooding...

It was past my ankles when we crossed the street!

The sky was beautiful by the beach.

American music & Mexican treats

  As I sit here logging away my daily life here on this blog, there is a party hoppin' in the apt above me.  Michael Jackson's The Way You Make Me Feel plays immediately before Sean Paul's Temperature and then is followed by Nelly's Ride Wit Me.  I can't help but smile... I feel the same euphoria that the party-goers express with their shouts and screams of recognition as each "new" song plays.  Funny that the American culture is so wide-spread... our television, our movies, our music- it's dominating.  Maybe that's part of the reason we can claim the "American dream" phrase; where else could you have such a large opportunity to grow up to become a rock star?

On another note, the day did not escape me without experiencing a bit of the local culture as well.  We always have vendors rolling by the apartment with their 3-wheeled carts, and Abel is always up to experience whatever it is they're selling that day: elote, tamales, oranges, charritos...  Today it was charritos (corn-made "chips" covered in salsa) and snow cones.   We were able to purchase 3 bags of charritos and a peach snow cone for just over two American dollars.  A nice midday treat.

Abel deciding which flavor for the snow cone

Notice how thick and syrupy that "peach" is!

the charritos covered in salsa (and a little lime)

Sorry... that doesn't stream out of the US

  It is interesting that we believe the internet is unlimited in its reaches- why shouldn't we?  It's not until we experience it's limitations that we realize what we've been perhaps taking for granted.

  I have watched very little TV over the past decade of my life; the only show that really captured my attention was LOST.  ::drool::  I am sure that my time in Hawai'i had a lot to do with that... and the fact that my roommate, Tina, was obsessed... and the entire music theatre department of OCU- they held LOST nights and threw big parties every week.  Heh, all to say LOST= good times.  I was able to watch every episode on http://abc.go.com/.  Very convenient given my abnormal work schedules.  Later, I even discovered I could watch Dancing with the Stars, as well!  It was the first time I'd seen the show, and so good to see professionals performing what I was training to do!  http://www.hulu.com/ is a popular alternative for watching MANY shows, and http://www.pandora.com became an instant favorite- allowing me to listen to radio stations based on my favorite artists.  What's my point?  They all stream solely in the US.  Weird, huh?

  Oh well- there are alternatives... there is this program called "mira" that lets you watch many American shows with Spanish subtitles.  I've been introduced to the Big Bang Theory this way and can watch the Family Guy (Padre de Familia) just the same.  There is, of course, the ever-present youtube.  This- fortunately- does stream out of the US, so I'm free to watch all the dance clips I like.  (And Steven Spielberg's Taken- It's broken up into 10 min increments, but well-worth your time!)

  Alright... not so much of a post on culture as it is of a minor discovery.  -Hope you learned something.  :)

A Ship's Life

  It's so interesting to me the things you find out after the fact.  Ya know, like after living a portion of life, someone comes back and re-clarifies what really happened.  I've had a recent experience of this concerning the time I spent working on a cruise ship.

  While speaking with Greta yesterday, we (three cruise ship veterans), explained some of the goings-on that most passengers wouldn't know about while spending a few luxurious days aboard a beautiful vessel: the money, the mafias, the time spent working... she was blown away, and even I was surprised at some of the new-found information.  Here are some of the things we covered:

  Wages- Although my pay was decent (for living on a ship), it was about half of what many waiters were earning.  Apparently, making $4000/mo wasn't unheard of (of course this depended on where you were cruising- nearly all departments make the most money while cruising the Caribbean)
  Time spent working- Most departments will work 12-14hrs a day.  As a dancer -as long as no one was injured, ill or otherwise incapable of performing the shows up to par- can work as little as 5 or so hrs a day.  Keep in mind, we are still required to keep fit (ie Gym time), our work is pretty strenuous for those 5hrs, and there is almost always someone sick or injured...
  Living arrangements-  Most living quarters consist of 2 crew members sharing a cabin about the size of a large walk-in closet (many have 4 to a room though) and windows are reserved for officers (check channel 23 for a view of the outside world- ie a camera mounted off the front of the ship).   I was lucky to have a mini-fridge and clean roommates.
  Mafias- This seemed to be the most shocking to Greta.  On board, there are a series of "mafias": Filipino mafia, Italian mafia etc... These are groups of people who band together to trade goods and services with friends in other departments- the largest of these mafias is, of course, the Filipino mafia.  Although many do not hold the most desirable jobs, sheer numbers makes them such a powerful network.  Imagine the goods/services you could benefit from if you are part of -or friends with- the mafia: Laundry dept (you could be the proud owner of one of the prohibited guest-quality down duvets), food dept (everywhere from restaurants to pizza bar to culinary demonstrations to wine testings -I've seen beautiful birthday cakes specially arranged through this dept), Floral dept (arrangements for that special occasion or someone)... the list goes on...
  Women of the Night- Although tales of such can mostly be summed-up to rumors of hopeful men -approx 85% male crew who spend approx 10mos at a time on board- I was told that after I disembarked my second ship, 2 savvy Ukrainian girls joined with exactly this idea.  (They were sent home after being found out 3wks later... much the richer, might I add)

Greta

  Today I was awakened by the even-squeaking mattress springs of the apartment above me.  What can I say- we all live with the windows open.  This on-again off-again creaking was soon overtaken by the local school band rehearsing for the bicentennial celebration... which I assume is to be taking place soon with the upcoming Mexican Independence Day.

  After some morning stretches and activities, I headed to the beach with Rodrigo and Greta- a fascinating woman whom we met yesterday.  I must say, it was wonderful to speak to a woman with whom I felt I had so much in common with.  We met Greta yesterday at the beach and invited her back to our house after some light conversation.  She had spent the past few months in Guatemala with her "trees and bees" vision, and was headed back to North Carolina after spending a few days here in Playa del Carmen.  She is a yogi, a name-reader, a ski instructor, a studier of Mayan cultures... wow- she fit right in with us!  We found out the Mayan calendar has deemed me a "9" a "very feminine number;" also, my name means something like "ringing out from the earth."  Cool.

  Here are a few pictures of this amazing woman- can I say I fell a little bit in love when she invited me to do partner yoga?

Greta was amazed that Abel meditated before planting his flowers

checking out the Mayan calendar with Abel

intro to partner yoga

my turn!

Rodrigo's turn!

Clean Clean Clean

  After waking up to the usual buzzing in my ear (still can't tell if it's a fly or mosquito- but it wakes me just the same), Abel and I went into another manic cleaning frenzy.  We swept, we mopped, we re-arranged, and left an army of fly corpses in the adjacent room.  (The REAL reason for the cleaning frenzy)  Cooking and beach-going are obvious reasons for the difficulty in maintaining a spit-spot clean home, but living with the windows open makes it an absolute necessity; insects have absolutely no tact- they invite themselves in without asking and stay well-past their welcome with no shame at all.  (Despite Abel trying to reason with them)

the clothesline in our "garden"

  After the clean-up, Abel took his clothes to the lavandaria- for 10 pesos they will wash 1 kilo of laundry!  A pretty good deal, but I still feel guilty about handing over mis chones to a stranger... thus my hand-washing them a few days ago.  I must say- it felt pretty good.. like I was going "back to the basics" ya know- basically scrubbing my clothes clean against a rock and hanging them out on the line to dry.  And just so everyone is aware- I believe the commercials have romanticized line-drying clothes a bit.  I'm pretty sure those fabric softeners and dryer sheets are a huge factor in the "spring-breeze-and-dried-with-the-sun's-natural-goodness" scent... my clothes came away smelling mostly like.. clothes.  Oh well.

drying my knickers the good old fashioned way

Re-defining

  I was talking to my friend, Austin, the other day about why I'm here in Mexico, (a conversation I've had a few times over) and my response to him was, "Life is an adventure... I love that everything is like a test- every chapter of life challenges you to rise up and be better than you were before.  You can truly surprise yourself with what you will and can handle."  I honestly believe that.  I think a lot of people live in a comfortable and familiar way, because they are afraid trying something new and it not working.  I don't condemn those people or think there is any fault in that decision, but -as a Sagittarius- I find it personally confining... I suppose I'm scared to NOT know the unknown.

  Something I've always loved about living with people from varied backgrounds, is that you are constantly forced to better define yourself.  Well-known and "easy" answers are insufficient as they don't hold a whole lot of meaning to those who aren't familiar with your native idiosyncrasies.  Different backgrounds also result in different definitions.  I think this is something I first really realized with my Korean roommate, Luna, in college.  She was always asking me social questions... to this day, her famous quote to me is, "I see that you always wear red lipstick...it is very appealing- that is why red is often the color of whores."  Heh- thanks, Luna. 

  Even though Luna asked me more social questions, my current roomies are always asking me the meaning of particular words.  I find myself having to define the difference between exaggerate and overreact, fainting and passing out- and the appropriate uses for both.  Truth is, I like it.  Words are more meaningful- they have to be properly chosen to explain yourself sufficiently... as it should be.

  It's not just the words that are being re-defined, but when living in ANY new situation, many things are re-defined.  What is a party?  What constitutes as good food?  What is clean?  What is clean enough?  These are particular questions that have been defined again and again over the numerous living situations.  Heh- and you will do yourself no favors by comparing one situation to another on a scale of preference... It is helpful, however, to accept the present definition- to live in the current "truth."

Don't drink the water

  Hah- this makes me laugh.  As soon as I tell anyone that I'm living in Mexico, this is the first piece of advice they give me: "Don't drink the water."  Lol- it doesn't matter if they've been here or not... everyone knows you're not supposed to drink the water in Mexico.  (Thank you Uncle John, Grandma, Aunt Linda, Mom, Luke....)

  In fact, not many Mexicans even drink the water.  We have a 20 liter jug of H2O that sits on the kitchen counter- we refill it every few days.   A man comes by a few times a day riding his 3-wheeled trailer full of huge water jugs... if you have an empty bottle of the same brand he'll trade you for a few dollars. Pretty efficient, if you ask me!

  So no worries family and friends, we use this water for everything: drinking, smoothies, ice-making...  We're good.  I'm good.  The water's fine.  :)

Playa del Carmen at sunset

Quinta Avenida

one of the numerous gelato stands

  One of my favorite things to do here in Playa, is walk around Quinta Avenida (5th Ave) at night.  It is a pedestrian-only street that comes alive with lights, people and music after the sun goes down.  (Hey, a walk is much more pleasant when the cool, night breeze is there to cool you off!)
 
  I love that the traditional mariachis are seen walking right past the new Converse store, t-shirt shops, bikini huts and dozens of pizza and gelato stands.  (A large Italian population means lots of great food.)  There are tons of musicians who traverse this town at night- serenading anyone who lends an ear to listen.  Gosh, I love music!  :)

  Here are a few photos I shot during one of my strolls.

5th Ave Lights

Mariachis on Quinta Avenida

No Blankets Necessary

  Life has a funny way of giving you exactly what you ask for.  I spent the majority of my hot, Texan summer complaining about the AC and how much a loathe being cold.  "I love the warmth," I'd recite all day long as I dreamed wistfully of my days in Colombia- that burning sun that no one else could seem to muster.  I'd look back to my time in Hawai'i and remember how so few places had AC- how it all seemed to work out fine.

  ::smile:: Now I live in Mexico.  It's not that I really mind the warmth, it's just that I miss that feeling of being super-clean.  It doesn't matter what time of day I take my cold shower, that "so fresh and so clean, clean" feeling only lasts so long when you're sweating all the day through.  Much like in HI, sleeping only requires a single sheet to cover up- and not for any sort of warmth-factor, but only to put a barrier between you and the mosquitoes.  (I wouldn't dream of catching any Zzzz's without having the windows open.) 

  It has at least given me an appreciation of air conditioning.  I do prefer to live in the cool breeze of an open door or window, but every time I pass a store that IS equipped with aircon -that blissfully icy air that spills into the street- I can't help but pause a moment longer and hum a note of satisfaction.

Groceries and Personal Space

  So, having been here in Mexico for over two weeks, I've made a few trips to the grocery store... err.. Wal-Mart.  Yes, there is a small market on the next corner, but let's face it- Wally World is only 3 blocks away and it has everything.  Hey... no judging- I've been to the local market quite a few times too.... I have!

   Anyways, here are a few things I noticed:

  Peanut Butter- there are only two brands (one of which is "Aladdin" and neither of which is natural or organic by any means)
  Milk- similar story... there is an impressive -if not disturbing- amount of ingredients contained in the boxed milk options and only one brand is even kept cold: the organic brand that curiously enough doesn't expire for several months??  I've come up with a few theories to explain this 1. Mexican organic milk is of an exceptionally high standard and doesn't need preservatives to conserve it's freshness for months at a time 2. Americans are too conservative with their expiration predictions 3. The milk factory got ahead of schedule with the label-printing but decided to use the bottles anyways
  Limes- they are everywhere.  It is a known fact that limes are a staple in the Mexican diet
  Bananas- you have to be very careful when picking out a bunch- they are very easy to fall apart as they are almost always past the ripe stage (interesting because Mexico is the 9th largest producer of bananas annually... must be a transportation issue)
  Ice Cream- they actually have Blue Bell!!!  (beware the price)
  Salad Dressing- 2 options: Ranch or Italian
  Frozen Dinners- very limited here, it is much more common to see people purchasing the prepared foods at the front of the store

  Well, just a few food observations- I'm sure there are more to come...  As far as other things: the smaller "personal bubble" was made most apparent as I stood in the check-out line.  I'd like to think I'm okay with less personal space (although words of wisdom from Mrs. Sullins, a fellow traveler, are echoing in my brain).  I stood there and watched as the couple in front of me lazily leaned on my basket and their children climbed ever so diligently over the sides... I wasn't offended or upset or worried for the safety of my groceries, but I simply observed the shrinking bubble in silence.

Mosquitoes

  A few nights after arriving here in Playa del Carmen, I was plagued- PLAGUED -by a hoard of angry mosquitoes.  Okay... perhaps they weren't so angry as much as completely obsessed with me, but either way they left me anxious and completely sleep-deprived.  I struggled for over 3hrs in the darkness to evade them.  I covered up, I shooed, I swatted, I attempted to ignore... all to no avail- perhaps they found the fight to be an adventurous challenge.  I don't pretend to know what insects think, but I did decide in that moment -or long string of moments- that something must be done.

  The next morning I researched natural mosquito repellents, and to my surprise found quite the helpful video on www.ask.com.  Fantastic!  I found that eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella, marigolds, lavender, lemon grass, geranium, and witch-hazel all repel these pesky biters without having to introduce any chemicals into the air that I'm breathing.. perfect.  I planned to buy the actual plants, but -quite conveniently- a woman on 5th street was selling incense.  For 25 pesos we picked out a combination of 10 sticks: mint, citronella and lavender.  I'm proud to say the room has been virtually mosquito-free since that very night!  Wahoo!

  Helpful hint #2:  Rubbing deodorant on an itchy bite (before you scratch) will take away the sting!  ::sigh::  immediate relief.

  Sometimes learning the hard way, is the only way.