Expectations 

When I go to Merida, I hope that I will learn a lot.  I would like to learn about my Mexican family as well.  I am interested in learning more about the culture of Mexico and Merida in particular.  I expect I will study forms of communication that is popular with groups of different people as well as learn more cultural vocabulary (like about food and music) in Merida.  I would also love to visit the popular monuments and architecture that Merida and other parts of Mexico has to offer.

When I started living in my Mexican home, one grandson lived there.  Eventually the number came to be four grandsons, two granddaughters, one daughter of the host family, and various members coming in and out of the house often.  Needless to say, I learned a lot about my Mexican family!  Through the experience of the excursions and trips to el Centro, and traveling in general, I was able to learn more about the culture that I did not previously know!  My favorite expectation met was that I learned so much colloquial Spanish!  I learned how to talk with strangers, older family members, and lots of people my age!  I also got to see beautiful monuments and architecture that helped me meet my expectations.

Stereotypes

Stereotypes that I unfortunately have are that Mexican men are really flirty with all types of women, but especially blondes.  Another is that the young to middle aged men act really macho and don’t treat women with much respect.  I also feel that middle aged and older Mexican women love to get in groups and gossip about other people’s problems.  I hope I can learn to shake some of these when I actually get to live with, learn about, and enjoy the company of these people.  

In enjoying the time with my family and friends in Mexico, it is funny to say that my stereotypes were not shattered, they were actually confirmed.  It was actually fun to see how flirty the guys can be.  I was pleasantly surprised however, because I learned that machismo exists more in certain parts of Mexico.  In Merida and the surrounding area, I felt more respected and I could see more relations of respect here.  There is a concept here called “sobremesa”  which is basically the conversation that can stretch up to hours after a meal.  I loved hearing the gossip that my family would take part in, and I learned that it doesn't have to be just a thing for women.  The whole family would get together and talk about what is current with other family members and other people in society.  I had fun sharing in the conversations though, and realized that the conversation is not meant to hurt anyone, it is just to keep up with everyone's life.