Today was the first day of orientation and my first real day in Mexico. To anxious to sleep I woke up at 6am to get ready. I had the unfortunate surprise of a cold shower. My host family has a hot water take fueled by solar power and it had been cloudy all week which equals cold water. This only being my second day in Mexico; I was constantly thinking don’t drink the water or open your mouth in the shower. The image of Charlotte in the Sex in the City accidently opening her mouth in the shower in Mexico and getting sick is fresh in my memory. I dread the day that I forget that I can’t drink the water.
I woke up to fresh squeezed orange juice and a delicious breakfast sandwich made by mi Madre Mexicana, Marcia. She even drove my roommate and I to our bus stop. There we waited for a bus to take us to our final destination. As we waited students from all of the world gathered like a United Nations conference. There were students from France, Morocco, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, US, Denmark, Australia, etc. When all the students arrived we headed to the new campus. The bus was buzzing with conversation in a variety of languages. I sat in amazement catching on to bits and pieces of language far from my native tongue.
We arrived at the campus and it was beautiful. It was even better than the pictures in the pamphlet, which rarely occurs. We took a tour around the campus and it was more beautiful at every corner. There is an amazing garden in the middle of the campus. The architecture of the building is something you would see in the Jetsons. We went through the usually orientation things; school policy, how to be safe in Mexico, cultural differences, registering for classes. I registered for Spanish basico 1, Social and cultural history of Latin America, Mexican Culture and thought, and Citizenship. The funniest part of orientation is the cultural difference in personal space and time. Mexicans are not very punctual and they like to be very touchy feely as well. The best part of orientation was getting to see all of the international students and get to know everyone. Its funny how in a week you can make so many friends so soon; having the fact that you are new in common makes it easier. I’m hoping the friendships I’ve started last a life or at least a semester. So far this week I’ve learned how to use the ruta our local bus system, use a taxi, and that Mexican food is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I’m looking forward to getting better at Spanish, learning how to tango & salsa, and making so life long bonds.
  
  
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