Expectations:

In Merida, Mexico I expect to learn and speak Spanish more fluently. In addition, I expect to make new life-long connections with people I have never met in my life (including fellow students, Mexicans, Mayans, Yucatecans, y la familia.) I expect to have a considerable amount of fun while maintaining my grades. I expect to step out of my comfort zone and try something new and exciting. I expect to be able to play ‘la bateria’ (at least once) and make music with Mexican musicians I’ve never met.

Within the three months of living abroad, my Spanish abilities have improved by leaps and bounds! Here, I made some incredible friends and had some unforgettable experiences while performing well in school and having the most fun possible. My comfort zone was tested a few times, but the event was only positive (like spending a day in the Mayan city of San Juan Chamula!) The only expectation I could not reach was playing the drums here with other Mexican musicians – which isn’t too bad to miss considering all the other amazing places/things I have visited/done here.

Stereotypes:

We have all heard stereotypes about Mexico and Mexicans, many are untrue, some are just too peculiar to deny (in our uncultured-American minds.) Here are a few I’ve thought of. All Mexicans have moustaches. Mexicans are usually Catholics. All Mexicans are hard workers (even children), and will work harder for less money. The Mexican police have to be paid off, often for no real reason. Drugs are readily available in Mexico due to their local production. All Mexicans can/will drink any American under the table, regardless of size or “drinking ability.” Mexicans are very sociable, friendly, and warm. Mexicans eat, sleep, and breathe futbol! Mexicans have a fabulous accent. Mexican families have at least 3 children and are very tight-knit. Rice and beans are eaten with every meal. And finally, you never talk about a Mexican’s mother or heritage!

So I’ve learned a couple things here in Mexico about my previous stereotypes (which we all acknowledge are not true), not all Mexicans have moustaches – believe it or not! There IS a very large and dominant Catholic following here in Mexico, and the public are generally very hard workers. The local police were not as crooked as I had once thought, but can be paid off if any problems arose. The stereotype that Mexicans can drink any American under the table is surprisingly not entirely true, unless the challenge involves tequila. The Mexican people are very warm, friendly, and sociable, willing to give you the shirt off their back (depending on what pueblo or city you are in.) Futbol is a very big deal here, and this stereotype has not changed, but why change something fantastic?! Rice and beans are not eaten with every meal, but beans are a staple food here, nearly served with every meal. Mexican families remain close-knit, and yes, you must respect a Mexican mother and the Mexican heritage… or else!

Este fin de semana pasado hicimos nuestra segunda excursión. Viajamos a Chichén Itzá, Ek- Balám, y el sábado fuimos a un cenote, la pasamos bien. Nuestra primera parada fue Ek-Balam, donde descubrimos tres plazas de estructuras. La decoración de las fachadas en los edificios de Ek’ Balam, no las hicieron con figuras labradas en piedras como en Uxmal y Chichén Itzá, sino con estuco o mortero de cal, moldeadas y pintadas de formas distintas. Es interesante que era costumbre de los antiguos arquitectos mayas utilizar estructuras de épocas anteriores como cimientos, para la construcción de nuevas edificaciones. Aunque, las primeras edificaciones corresponden al Clásico Tardío (700-1000 d.c.) y las estructuras superiores fueron construidas hasta el Posclásico (1200-1542 d.c.)

En Chichén, vimos la cancha de juego más grande en Mesoamérica. Cuenta con dos largas construcciones laterales, donde se ubican los anillos de piedra con imágenes de serpientes y escenas del sacrificio de jugadores de pelota. Además, el templo de los Jaguares y Escudos presenta procesiones de señores y escenas de batalla, que ofrecen una viva imagen de la historia de Chichén Itzá. El Castillo y su complejidad están relacionados con el calendario maya y el paso del tiempo.

Pienso que Uxmal es mejor que Chichén porque había demasiados vendedores. Cada minuto, alguien trató de venderme algo. Quería gritar porque estaban molestando mi diversión. La cosa más interesante que escuché fue, que había una ciudad escondida debajo de Chichén Itzá. En Chichén durante siglos separados, hace más de 1.000 años, llegaron los toltecas, e influyeron en la cultura de los mayas. Aprendí y me divertí. ¡Qué padrísimo! ¿verdad?