Studying Law

For one of my one-on-one's last week I attended my first official class here at the UNAM. A neat way to show interest in, and to genuinely learn about, some of the students I meet with is to attend one of their classes with them. So, Karina (pictured above, second from the left) who is studying Law, took me to class with her. The professor was this spunky older woman who seemed just like a law professor from the movies. Even though Karina had previously told her I would be there, about half-way through the class noticed me and said "Where do you come from?". She proceeded to have me introduce myself; then regularly throughout the rest of the class would ask if I was understanding everything okay. I very much enjoyed the whole experience, but I am glad that I did not study law!

La Carniceria

On Sunday I went to "La Carniceria" (the meat counter) in Wal-Mart. I was planning on making Stir Fry for dinner and I needed some meat. I walked up to the counter and asked if they had any "Bistec" (really basic red meat). The older man working there looked at me blankly and said in an annoyed tone "of course we have bistec, we are the meat counter". I apologized for asking such an apparently obvious question and told him it was my first time in a "carniceria" in Mexico. A smile immediately came across his face and he loudly said "well, welcome to Mexico!!!". He then proceeded to give me a rather extensive summary of ALL the services offered by the carniceria, as well as show me many of the meats they had for sell. Once he was done with his "orientation" he happily went to get my cut of bistec and assured me that he had picked the very best one they had just for me.

Moral of the story: Sometimes being a foreigner suits me just fine!

Differences and Statistics

Things that are different here in Mexico from in the U.S.:

-squirrels are black, not gray

-used toilet paper goes in the trash can next to the toilet, NOT the toilet itself

-10% is a GOOD tip

-refills on drinks are NOT free

-red lights are only obeyed if there are actually cars coming the other way

-toilet paper is never provided in bathrooms... you bring your own (even in the seminary where I live)

-when both arriving and leaving any place you much great or say goodbye with a "kiss" on the cheek to everyone in attendance (otherwise you are being rude)

-lunch is served at 2:30/3pm

-when entering into any store you must "check" all belongs (except for money) at the front counter and you my pick them back up when you leave

-when ordering "water" at a restaurant you will receive flavored water (usually flavored by fruit!), non-flavored water is referred to as "agua simple" (simple water) and only comes in a bottle

-"lechera" (sweetened-condensed milk) is used on pancakes, NOT syrup.... and it's good!!!

-you pay as you go with cell phones, cell phone "plans" do not really exist

-I can talk in English and no one really understands :)

A few personal statistics:

-I have seen the moon 6 times and a total of 11 stars

-I have eaten 99 tortillas since August 31st