Culture Shock.

I think after 3 weeks of living in Mexico it finally hit me. I am not in the U.S. anymore. LET me insight you on the past week.

First of all I have the coolest tan line on my feet. Yes. On my feet. I like to wear my chacos everyday so instead of having a sock line and my feet being really white, they are really tan. So if anything I'll come home with Tan Feet. Cool right?

Recently we discover the roof of the little Mexican house we live in. I mean we finally figured out that there is a difference between the street view and the roof view. Both very beautiful but both very different. Its like a really big picture- When you step back you can see the whole picture, but you can't really see the detail. So the street view is when you step closer, the closer you get the more detail you will see. BTW. We aren't allowed up there anymore...

Another thing, Walmart. There is a Walmart in PACHUCA and unlike any other Walmart in the U.S., this Walmart has a WHOLE aisle dedicated to Rice and Beans. No Joke. I mean in the U.S. we have a whole aisle dedicated to Potato Chips, so I guess that's the same thing? Different countries just have different priorities?

Every day of my life I have done my hair down, its ALWAYS down, until I started teaching English in Mexico- So going back to the first day of class I wore my hair down- that was the first and probably last day that will ever happen. The little kids played with my hair, I mean I don't blame them, they probably have never seen blonde before. Anyway, after that first day I decided I would wear my hair up everyday. So with that really long introduction I will tell you the story I was actually trying to get at. The other day in class, the older kids asked if they could talk in English the whole class time instead of doing the activity. I'm kind of a sucker, If they ask me things in English I can't help but say yes, so for a solid 25 minutes they asked me questions and talked the whole time. One of the things they asked was to see a picture of me in the U.S. I pulled out my phone and showed them a picture and they couldn't believe the picture I showed them was me! They literally lost it! "Teacher that's not you!" Yes kids. I used to wear my hair down before I met you all. After 10 minutes of trying to convince them that,

they still didn't believe me. In fact I still don't think they actually believed me. Haha. Maybe I might have to wear my hair down just for that class.. Maybe. 

We adventured up to the Statue of Christ, IN MEXICO. Yes. Who knew there was an Awesome Statue right in Mexico. Yeah its no Rio de Janeiro, but it will do for now. The view was AMAZING. We were able to see the Big picture again, it is just so inspiring to be on the top and see everything below. The more of the City I see, the more I want to stay here forever. 

So I don't think there are actual car laws - I mean all 5 of us ride in a Taxi... I'm usually sitting on someones lap, yeah. Instead of using blinkers, they either have their hazards on the whole time or just honk. If someone wants to turn where someone else is turning, NO BIG DEAL, they just turn with them. It actually amazes me that I haven't seen one wreck since I've been here. I'm dead serious, people drive everywhere, wherever, and however. So I will forever be convinced that there are no laws in Mexico. 

FYI. If you ever get the chance to go to the Mexico City Temple, please do. It is by far the Largest Temple I have ever stepped foot into, and So Beautiful- inside and out. There are hand knit doilies and hand crafted pottery inside. Each Temple is so very special. Also, the Spirit speaks ALL languages. I don't understand a lot of Spanish, so I didn't think I was going to get much out of the trip, but the Gospel is True and the Spirit has the gift of tongues. I was blown away when I realized I understood everything that had the gospel incorporated into it. It inspired me to learn Spanish and read the Book of Mormon in Spanish. One day I will have the gift of tongues.

Speaking of Mexico City... That is one city I will never forget. It was the first time for a lot of things. lets just say I saw A LOT of Big City Culture. I saw my first Sky Scraper, and other things....ALSO I learned that people really know how to party here. The night we got back from Mexico City, the big House just down the Street was having a Fiesta until 6 am. Mexican Life= Party.

Fun Fact: Mexico City is the 2nd most populated city in the WORLD. You know China is the first, you don't need a fun fact for that one. 

So Teaching English? I LOVE IT. It was really rough at first, but look at these cute little faces! Instead of actually listening they just put a million of my stickers on their faces. If they get anything out of my lessons they know how to put stickers on their faces because the kid next to them went free style on the stickers instead of listening to the ABC song. Do I blame them? All I have to say is, Good things stickers are cheap. Now that I am the teacher, I finally understand why I was never put in the same group as my friends in school. But hey despite all the craziness, they really are learning the Language. Even in the past three weeks I have seen Impeccable Improvements from ALL of them. Its absolutely CRAZY to think about kids and their ability to soak everything in. 

Well. There you go. There are my ramblings from this last week and a half. One last Also, I have been writing this blog post for three days now... Its about time I post this already. #enjoy.