Week One: Es caliente?

They say that anticipation is worse then actually doing something.  Well in this case they were right.  I was very nervous for my exchange.  But now that I am here I am very happy and enjoying it.

The first day was quite the mix of emotions.  The trip here was pretty uneventful, besides the fact that when I got to Houston I had to take a tram to another terminal and go to this tiny little corner in less than 45 minutes!  The plane to Morelia was tiny!  There were only 40 people on it and one side didn't even have an overhead to put bags.  Flying in was wonderful, it was all mountains that were beautiful and a lush green.  I arrived at the airport and we all had to walk a good half mile to the airport.  When I arrived all of the lights were off and there was only 4 people working there, I got my bags and went through customs (a guy looked at my sheet put my bags through a check and let me go).  I came out the other side an looked for my family.  I didn;t see them, so I headed for the door-but someone touched my shoulder and said "Maria" "Mariah-yes"  It was my host mom.  She gave me a kiss on the cheek (custom here when you see someone-every time!) and a hug then my younger host sister Regina and my host dad.  We arrived at my house- which is in a gated community (yes Jaclyn! haha).  The house is beautiful!  It is very modern and quite huge.  (I will have pictures soon).  I am sharing a room with my host sisters for now, and when Favio (my host brother) goes to America in 2 weeks I will get his room.  Isaura I hadn't met yet because she was in Madrid with her friends on a trip for her birthday (she came home on Wednesday)

My Family: Isaura is my host mom, Favio is my host dad, Favio (who I will refer to as Favio jr) is my 17 year old host brother, Isaura (who I will refer to as Isaura jr) is my 15 year old host sister, and Regina is my 11 year old host sister. 

Then I met the two maids!  Yes maids!  They are really nice.  I'm not sure of their names, but I think one is Marie.

After the tour of the house, they took me into central Morelia.  It was sooo beautiful!  The cathedral and all of the shops!  Then we got tacos and headed home.

The next day I woke up and had eggs with salsa for breakfast.  Later that day we went to the club.  It is like a country club exclusive for people who live in Tres Marias (the gated community) and I am proud to say that I am now a member!  They have everything from spinning classes and pilates to a swim up bar and spa!  Wow!  Then Isaura and I went to the Candy Market and some other stores (quite the place to shop).  After that we checked out come dance studios (jazz and flamenco-but flamenco was closed).  We went to my school-which is on top of a huge mountain and has quite the view of Morelia!  My school is huge and blue! haha 

We then returned home and we all made banana cake (which is basically banana bread) and I found out that Favio wants to take me to the theater here to a show that is all "double meanings" but he is going to wait until I understand more.

I woke up sick the next day, but was better after I took some medicine and slept for another hour.  It wasn't anything serious just an upset stomach from the different food and time.  Isaura told me it was the salsa on the "torta" I had eaten for lunch.  Then Favio said we were going to his brother's house.  I met a whole bunch of relatives, then Isaura jr and I went back to the house and met her friend Edna. 

The next day Isaura jr woke me up and said that we had to go.  Turns out Favio jr Isaura (host mom) and I had a rotary breakfast.  I met some other rotary students and I got to know Favio more- it was a nice breakfast.  We all went to the school after that and I found out that I will be in the highest grade and the others are two grades below me!  I am scared but happy that I will be with people closer to my age.  I also got to try squash seeds-they are pretty good.  Thne Edna and Isaura jr asked me to go to a movie, Isaura said we would leave in 10 mins which ended up being 30, but we left eventually.  We stopped at an apple store first, then we got smoothies met some of their friends, then we went to Starbucks and they talked for forever.  Finally we went over to the plaza (the mall) and after more chatting with EVERYONE (they use the mall as a social gathering place rather than a shopping center) we went to the theater.  We spent 3 mins looking at movies.  Isaura jr said she was hungry and we left, I still to this day don't know what happened to the movie.  But we went to Mikono (I wasn't sure what this was so I just followed), well it turned out being a Sushi restaurant!  I told them I had never had sushi, so Edna ordered for me.  It came and it was rice, shrimp, avacado, and cheese-I think.  Well I tried it and I liked it!  Yes ladies and gents I actually consumed and enjoyed sushi. (Derek this is for you).  But what I found most interesting was a Japanese man speaking spanish-haha quite the adventure.

Fany Isaura's friend spent the night so when we all woke up we went to Fany's house beofre going school shopping for them.  Then after lunch and a quick trip to the plaza we were leaving again.  I asked Isaura jr where and she said to her cousins house.  We got there and I met a million girls all about my age and a woman came up to me and asked "Are you Maria"  I answered yes (They can't pronounce Mariah very well so I have to live with Maria-no Luke that isn't a free pass sorry).  She said I am your aunt.  Well right after that we were moved to the dining room-which was covered in decorations, I didn't know what it was for but before I could ask we were pushed into a corner and told to be quiet.  Then some girls walked in and they blasted music, it turns out it was a going away party for a cousin, she is going to sweden.  I met some more people and then we left.

The next day we spent at another aunts house and I met even more people.  Oh and I'm sure you will love this dad- I ate grasshopper!  Yes grasshopper, I saw and ate a leg!  Yikes, but surprisingly good.  

Today we hung out for a while I talked to Julia on skype and showed her the house and some of my family.  Then Isaura jr, Carla her friend, and I went to Starbucks and hung out with some of her friends.  It was nice- they are very helpful with spanish.  Then we returned home.

Tomorrow I am going to try spinning and pilates!  And eventually (hopefully) a dance class!  I am still trying to get used to the language and the food!  They speak really fast and slur their words, most of the time when I ask them to slow it down by the second try I can get it.  I have realized though now that I am starting think is Spanish and I am starting to treat spanish as I would treat English!

Sorry this is so long-there is just so much to say!

I miss you all!  Talk to you soon!

Mariah 

PS: "Es caliente" is the big joke in my house.  I was trying to ask if something was hot (like spicy) but it is picante NOT caliente so now Isaura jr always says caliente and laughs.  It is quite amusing!