A couple of saturday’s ago a big group of us went out to our friend Ayanti’s family’s cabin in the foothills of an inactive volcano called “La Malinche”. It was his birthday so we stayed the night, nearly froze, and drank a lot of booze. In typical exchange student fashion we were so concerned about what kind and how much liquor to buy that no one thought to load up on things like water or food. The next morning found us all littered around this cabin with bottles of tequila spread all over, plastic cups thrown about, and a wood burning stove top caked in mustard and ketchup from our drunken attempts at grilling hot dogs on it.
After cleaning up and eating a breakfast of fruit salad and tamales, that Ayanti’s parents so graciously provided, we all went on a walk around the mountain. It was incredibly green and beautiful.
Before coming down here i had it set in my mind to make the most of my time here and not fall into the comforts of drinking and partying that seem to plague every foreign student that does a semester abroad. Contrary to what pictures may be posted on facebook, that’s still my number one priority. This first month has been pretty well painted with nights of tequila and trips to Cholula (a small city about twenty minutes from Puebla that i equate to Norman, except with way more clubs that play shitty American music) but at the same time I’ve been falling in love with the city i live in and the people around me. I’ve seen a lot here and the reality of the history that belongs to this place is a lot more powerful that i could have read in any book.
I start my community projects at the end of this week and i’ve got a feeling that’ll spark a little more of a cultural emphasis on my experience here. I’ll be teaching painting and drawing at a kids home in downtown Puebla as well as a class for some elderly folk through the schools outreach program. I’ll also be painting a mural with or for the kids at some point, which I’m really excited about. I’ve never done any of that before but i feel i’m prepared for it. My spanish is improving and i’ve had a few really great art teachers whose techniques i intend to imitate. Up till now i’ve had it pretty easy as far as school goes. I’ve adjusted to only hearing spanish and my writing skills are improving. I’ve had plenty of free time and have even been so inspired as to draw lately. These new projects are sure to make my life more busy and complicated but i’m ready for that.
