Culture Shock

So… definitely started this trip off with a bang! First flight was delayed 2.5 hours, which lead to a missed connection, which lead to another delayed flight… typical airport story! It could’ve been a nightmare, but it actually worked out pretty great! Dave was flying back from his meet in Tampa (which he did amazing in and you should all ask him about!), and it just so happened that both of our flights were delayed which put us in the Houston airport at the exact same time. Crazy coincidence, huh? So we had an awesome Papadeaux’s lunch and I got to see my Bud before I left!

But, I’m here in Guadalajara now! Made some friends on the flight who are from Missouri, and Rosa (my roommate, we’re the only 2 UCA students) and I have sort of joined into their school group. They’ve really taken us in! When we finally arrived at the school, our original host family had already left, and it just so happens that their phone service was wiped out by the rain (apparently it seriously rains around here, and it’s the rainy season), so at the last minute we were put with a new family. It’s a sister and brother, Marianna and Carlos, both in their late 20s/early 30s, and they are awesome. They have really gone out of their way to make us feel comfortable, and the house is nice.There is also a housekeeper, Carmen, who we haven’t met yet but will tomorrow. They are very patient with us, speak slowly, and repeat things if we need to, but it is still really hard.

Honestly, we were both blown away by how difficult the language barrier is… you go to all these classes, and study your butt off back in the States, but I can confidently say that nothing can prepare you for the first time you sit around a table with people who are asking you questions and being extremely nice, and all you can do is stare at them. I know it will get better, but you just don’t understand the value of communication until it’s completely interrupted! Learned that the hard way. I think this is going to be an awesome environment to learn in though, it’s just going to take some getting used to… that’s what I keep telling myself.

Still though, when the combination of embarrassment at the realization of my own incompetence, the frustration of not being able to express myself, fear that I never will, and a day of long hard travel hit me in about a minute flat… Hola culture shock! And the small meltdown that comes with it. By the way, a quick sorry to those that I called and worried! Thank you so much for all your words of comfort, though, I felt SO much better. It got easier later that night when it was just Rosa, Marianna, and I. It was just more comfortable… we’ve started the “what’s this? (point) whats this? (point)” game and my vocab is already expanding!

We’ve settled in for the night now… but not after one last discovery of the day. Mexico has huge ants. And they bite. And they like toilet seats. Just a warning! It’s a very clean house, I promise, but just like we get spiders, they get the occasional monster ant that enjoys a bedtime snack of hiney. I miss everyone already… please keep Rosa and I in your prayers for a bit. This next week or so of adjusting will be hard… but I think the shock is already wearing off a little! Adios…