For Crying Out Loud

I know, I am supposed to be writing about Mexico. I'll be getting my pictures back this evening and maybe that will inspire me. At the moment, my thoughts are elsewhere.

Daddy is going with Gramma and Grampa to the VA this afternoon for an evaluation of Grampa. Apparently, he fell while I was in Mexico. He didn't break anything, but has some deep bruises on his hip and shoulder. He is getting more and more forgetful, forgetting that he fell and that is why he hurts. I am anxious to hear what the doctors suggest and recommend. I am glad Daddy is going too, because he will hear what Gramma misses, and ask questions that need to be asked. (I hope.)

So much for that. And on to spring in Cleveland. While we were in Mexico with 80+ degree heat (felt great!), we heard that Cleveland had 8 inches of snow with over 300 school closings (but not Mentor). We came home to cold rain followed by snow on Naw Ruz. Merry totaled her car on the way to Naw Ruz. She was not hurt, thankfully, but it give you an indication of the weather conditions (though I know people who have totaled their cars on warm, dry days). Anyway, Monday was still winter, cold and snowy-blowy. Tuesday was sunny and clear, but still cold (30s). Today, Wednesday, is supposed to go up to 50, but is rainy. This is so typically Cleveland. Even though it is warmer, we can't just have a nice day. But the promise is there. The crocuses (croci?) are in bloom and the daffodils are not far behind. It will truly be spring here soon.

Posted by at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

http://www.lakeland.cc.oh.us/COMEDUC/WOMEN/mexico04.htm

This website will tell you a little bit about the trip, but I promise I will tell you more. And, no, Mensch, I didn't pick up pin worm this year. That is a good thing, by the way. I did drink the water . . . and lived to tell about it.

The trip was for seven days, including get to and getting back from Arizona. I managed the credit aspect of the trip, but the trip was organized by BorderLinks. For more information about them, see this website. http://www.borderlinks.org/bl/index.htm

We were a group of 10 this year, four credit students (including Alana), four non-credit students, plus me and Merry. With our BorderLinks guides, Cecila and Lauren, that made 12 of us in a 15 passanger van -- without a roof rack. Yes, that is important. Why, you ask? Because that means that we had to fit ourselves and our luggage inside the van. Wouldn't be too bad because I had advised everyone to pack light, and they did. But remember that we also each had our sleeping bags/bedrolls with us. We made it, but without too much room to spare. And have you riden on Mexican roads before? The paved ones aren't too bad, but they aren't all paved.

At one point in Agua Prieta Cecila was driving us to or fro and she took a 'new route.' Always an adventure. This road went into a ditch with about an 8 foot drop and back out again in about the space of 30 feet. Okay, maybe 35 feet. We all became very close during the trip, but you get the picture; it was pretty steep. I think Rae had made a comment about sharing danger having that effect on relationships.

I will write more later, but I have to go off and teach about writing a business plan. And Merry totaled her car on the way to Naw Ruz yesterday, so I have to take her to pick up a rental on the way. Never a dull moment. (She's fine, thank goodness.)

Posted by at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

That's right, I'm going to be teaching a credit class. We have only 4 credit students but we also have 4 non-credit students, adults who just want to know more about Mexico, NAFTA and how the economies and peoples interact. I will be back in time to celebrate Naw Ruz.

The weather in Nogales, Sonora is supposed to be in the 70's and 80's. We are also going to Altar, which is predicted into the 90's. I would hate to see what the summers are like. It is a dry heat, so not so bad, but being the desert, the temperature drops by 40 to 50 degrees at night and the homes we stay in aren't heated. As a matter of fact, by American standards, they are hardly buildings. They are made of found materials, so the walls can be cardboard nailed to scrap wood and the roofs might be tin, but with nail holes. I could see the stars through the roof over my head as I lay in bed last year.

A bientot.

Well, folks, this is a temporary good bye. I am going to Mexico on Sunday to 'explore the border'.

Posted by at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)