To be honest, one of the biggest stereotypes I have about Mexico deals with the safety or lack thereof. All of the news about drug cartels and kidnappings has my parents worried and I’m trying to stay unnerved. Since telling people I am going to Mexico, it has been instilled in me that I most likely will be raped and/or murdered. However, since I have studied abroad before and all of the students who went on the trip to Mérida last year loved it (and are alive), I believe all this fear that has been instilled in me is hype from what others have heard.

              The only interaction I have had with any Mexicans is in the workplace. Many of the places I worked while in high school hired employees who could only speak Spanish. Since I love speaking Spanish it was not a problem for me to communicate with them. I didn’t think they were out to take jobs like everyone else has thought, they worked harder than me most times. From many Mexicans being illegal immigrants, the term “Mexican” nowadays has a negative connotation to it. Before I fell in love with the language, I felt this way too. But I am hoping this trip will prove everyone wrong.

When I am in Mérida I have quite a few expectations, but on a bigger scale, I’m not quite sure what to expect.  Of course, I am looking to improve my Spanish by being around native speakers 24/7, and I am also hoping to take the OPI toward the end of the trip because I believe that is when my Spanish will be at its best. But I am sure this is what most of the students who are going to Mérida wish to do as well. One certain expectation I have is to be more knowledgeable about the Mexican culture; here in the U.S. there seems to be a negative connotation with Mexico because of immigrants. I have been to Spain and loved no only the experience, but also the culture that surrounded the trip. I am looking forward to learn more about Mexico and I am eager to fall in love with this culture as well.

Hoy visitamos el mercado en la Colonia Alemán.  Se llama “el 5 de febrero” debido al día en que se fundó durante la época del Presidente Alemán en 1957.  El lugar nos parecía tranquilo, sin problemas.  Nos recordó de “Flea Markets” en los EEUU.   Hay tiendas y puestos de comida, de carne, de verduras y frutas, donde venden juguetes, de mascotas, y cosas pequeñas para la casa. 

Hablamos con unos de los administradores que nos dijo que los espacios o tiendas más populares durante todo el día son los que venden comida.  La clientela típica es adultos mayores o señoras que hacen las compras para la familia. 

Hay una panadería donde compramos unas donas rics.  En la sección de carnes habia poolo y puerco, pero habia carne de tiburón también.  Un hombre que vende carnes nos dio que la carne más popular es el puerco.  La hoja de chaya es parte de la comida yucateca y cuesta 45 pesos el kilo.  La pepita, semilla de la calabaza molida, también es parte de la comida yucateca y cuesta 100 pesos el kilo  Hay una lonchería en el mercado donde se puede comer por 18 pesos. 

Hay muchas cosas diferentes en el mercado de Alemán. Vimos comido, flores de Chiapas, y muchas otras cosas.  LA gente era muuy simpáitca y cada persona nos enseñó cosas nuevas.  Nunca habíamos visto manteca antes de hoy.  La visita fue muy divertida y la disfrutamos mucho.