Meghan은 간다, Meghan ya no esta aqui

Becoming Accustomed

I was thinking this morning about how some things never change. For instance, the shower in my apartment has stunk forever. It stunk 3 years ago, and it still stinks exactly the same stink. I tried everything to get that stink to go away, and it never did.

That thought led to thinking about becoming accustomed to living in Mexico. In the early days (years ago), coming to Mexico meant packing special things, preparing for the worst, worrying about what could happen, and being nervous the entire trip. Fortunately, that's waned over the years, and I've been thinking about how one becomes used to the every day way of life here in this town, and yet how different it is from living in Portland.

After a while you get used to having to go to three grocery stores to find what you're looking for. You get used to nobody having the brand of milk you're looking for, because obviously the Jersey truck is still due for a trip into town. You're used to the incredibly bumpy, dirt roads that ruin cars, and the incessant dust that covers a newly washed car. You're not quite used to thinking in pesos, but you're getting there. You get used to the trash, and the newly paved highway that's already falling apart. You're used to the warm hospitality of the people, the ocean breeze, the smiles of the children, the really wonderful food.

It's sometimes hard to think about what it must be like for someone coming for their first, second, third trip to Mexico. It's still so foreign, so different, and scary sometimes. They pack baby wipes and hand sanitizer and medicines galore. They pack lots of snacks (in case they can't find any food). They have to write and call home every day. I forget what I felt the first time I stayed here for 10 weeks. Now this place has become home and when I get here I usually breathe a sigh of relief. It's so comfortable.

AND I'm getting used to living in a small town. THAT'S the weird part. When you drive around town and see who's shopping at what store, or you find out who knows who. It's hard to wrap my Portland brain around that.

posted by Meghan @ 10:45 AM