Houston, I think We Have a Problem

Well, not really a problem.  Today was actually a pretty good day, overall.  I'd give it a 3/5 stars.  It started out well enough - with me dragging myself out of bed and going to church.  (Our MM was kind enough to drive us.  She's Catholic, so she didn't go to church with us).  Here's what the church looked like (for my Mormon friends, this is definitely not your average Mormon church building):

There was no AC, but they had lots and lots of ceiling fans that kept us pretty cool.  The only problem was, the noise from the fans made it hard to hear.  And when you can barely understand Spanish, the noise makes it nigh impossible to understand.  However, I was able to understand some Spanish (you may now commence in giving me a pat on the back).  But I think it was about halfway through Sunday School that the motor in my brain sputtered and stopped.  I call it my Spanish overload.  And my brain was like, "I'm sorry, but you've officially reached your Spanish quota for life."  And it went downhill from there.  I struggled to stay awake for the next hour and a half of church (I'm ashamed to say I pulled out my phone) and to not give into my irritation.

At the end of church, our group got together and decided upon where to have FHE.  We then went our separate ways.   For Christina and me, that was going home and straight to our camas (beds) and sleeping.  I think I slept for a good two hours (my MM actually came to wake me up for lunch).  When I awoke I felt slightly better, but still out of sorts.

For lunch I had the same delicious food that I had yesterday :)  And I got to meet the parents of my MM.  Which was a struggle.  They were super kind.  But I was half asleep and my Spanish motor was dead.  I just nodded and smiled, answering basic questions.  I guess MM's dad suffers from the same thing that my Uncle David did - kidney failure.  I'd mentioned to my host family at some point about my Uncle, so today that was brought up.  It was nice to talk about him and how sweet he was.  Even if it was difficult to express my sentiments in Spanish, it was well worth the effort.

During lunch, our friend Conner came over.  Shortly after, Christina, Conner, and I met up at the rest of the group at the Centro.  On Sundays, they have a fiesta all day at the Centro.  With vendors, dancers, and music.  It was super fun.  Here's a video I took of the dancers (they were so cute!):

After a while, I got a little restless, so I got up and explored the Centro, arriving just in time to see the lowering of the flag (that was exciting).  Then, Connor, Christina, and I went to see the Cathedral right next to the Centro.  It was really, really pretty.  They were in the middle of mass, and it was fun to see.  It felt a little eery in there with the re-verb and the singing of a 14th/15th century song, but it was still beautiful and calm.  Here's some pictures:

The Inside of the Cathedral.  SO pretty.

I THOUGHT this was the outside of the Cathedral, but then realized later that it wasn't, lol.  But I think we are going to go explore this building sometime, so stay tuned.

These are the cool little chairs they have in the park.  Great for conversation!
Left to Right:  Christina and I

 After the park, we went home via the bus (now is a good time to mention that all the buses are manual/stick shift.  #legit).  We then ate (eventually) - we being Christina and I - and later, Conner came back to our house and we looked over the tour guide magazines (they were left in our room) to see what we wanted to do for the week.  Then we watched an episode of Avatar:  The Last Airbender in Spanish (now THAT was exciting :P)

I think the coolest thing about being in Mexico is that I know that this is exactly where I need to be.  There are things to see, things to do, ways to grow, and people's lives to touch.  I don't quite understand the strong feelings I had of needing to come here, but I do know that if God asks His children to do something, that there is a reason for it.  And I think that that has been the most comforting thing on this journey.

Another  comforting thing has been being able to feel and to know that God is aware of where I am.  That He loves both me and all the people in Mexico.  I have felt His love for the people here, and I only hope that I can accomplish that which I need to do while I'm here - even if it is just having fun.  (Which, I think I am A+ing that part of this chapter in my life).

I think that this week may be difficult - what with finishing the adjustment to this new culture and figuring out what to do, and where to go, and how to speak - but as I've always been told, the hardest things in life are the most worthwhile.

I'll admit, this trip is not quite what I imagined it.  It's a little less structured than I thought it would be (i.e. I have TONS more free time with no idea of what I should do with it).  Yet, I'm still able to - and am - having fun.  I think that's a lesson to learn while I'm young.  That even if things don't turn out as thought, it is still totally possible to have the best time of your life.

So do not fret, dear readers, I figured the time would come when there would be a little bump in the road during this study abroad (#languagebarrier :)  As we all know, life is not perfect.  But life is good.  And I'm glad I have this wonderful opportunity to be here in Merida, enjoying more of God's creations and getting to know and understand more of His children on this Earth.

It's been a fabulous Sunday, and I know that this upcoming week will be a blast.

'Til tomorrow.

R J Carr