Guadalajara

Choong Sil at Tlaquepaque (outside Guadalajara)

Some of my 'students' Marisol and Lucero

Bonnie, "Bob", and I at Tacos Bobs

About 8 hours after I returned from Guinea I was re-packed, refreshed – kind of – and ready to head out to Mexico. Or so I thought. It is amazing to me that after 8 flights to and from Africa without cancellations or missing luggage I expected the same on my little jaunt down to Guadalajara. How silly of me. In any case, I did end up making it to Guadalajara after a night stuck in Denver – it was just an added bonus to visit my aunt and uncle. It was also nothing short of miraculous that my friend, Choong Sil, was there to pick me up considering that she did not know my airline, flight number, or the city that I was flying out of… and I was a day late. I guess Mexican officials can be sweet talked into giving out flight information on people if you look desperate enoughJ. Now, it would not be completely crazy to be asking why in the world I would plan two ‘overseas’ trips back to back. Well, not only was it easier for me to talk my boss into giving me a large chunk of time off, I was also planning the Mexican part of the trip around the Lincoln School graduation. My French class was graduating and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to see some of my old students as well as co-workers and other friends still living in Guad. I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult physically – considering I was still really sick from Guinea – as well as linguistically. However, the laid back atmosphere and delicious Mexican food cured me of any sickness I may have picked up in Africa, and the language part was difficult at first – with my mind still in French translation mode – but I was quickly able to get back in the swing of things. Being as how this trip was not for tourism, I cannot expound on great travels in and around Guadalajara – although I was able to get out of the city a little bit. What I can say is that my expectations for food and fellowship were all met, and I am considering making Mexico my buffer country for any major African adventures in the futureJ. I had almost forgotten how much I love Mexico. The people, the language, the music, and of course the food. Guadalajara is not really a tourist destination, and I love that. I was able to spend most of my time just relaxing with people that I love and catching up on ‘old times’. I even had a surprise encounter with a great friend, Bonnie, at my favorite taco place. She had just flown in to Guadalajara that day and heard that I was around and she showed up at Tacos Bobs knowing that I would be there. Considering it was one of our favorite hangouts, it was a sweet moment. It was also really encouraging to see what has happened to some of my students after high school. Some of them are studying to become doctors, teachers, engineers, psychologists and more. But more importantly, it makes me so happy to see the men and women that they are becoming. I pray for them continuously and look forward to seeing where they will all be five or ten years from now.
Well, eventually, I had to say goodbye to everyone in Guadalajara and make my way back to the ‘real world’ – if that even exists. I flew in about midnight on Friday night, worked Saturday morning, and then drove to Bozeman to put on a baby shower for my friend Kristy. It also happened to be Father’s Day that weekend, so I was able to celebrate two things in one trip. Now that I am back in Missoula I have continued working at the bank, and am doing my best to enjoy this summer as much as I can. I love summer activities and have done my best to enjoy them all; floating, bonfires, hiking to waterfalls, waterskiing, camping, barbeques, picnics, and much much more - not to mention the record breaking temperatures in the 100's for a week now:). It will make it all the more difficult for me to get back in the academic mindset come Fall semester. However, the summer is not over yet and there is still a lot to do. I am really looking forward to seeing my sister, my brother-in-law, and my little nephew Eli, since I haven’t seen them since Christmas. I am also excited to see my roommate, Jamie, again after her summer in Venezuela.

Oh yeah, my camera is on the fritz and so it only let me take pictures every once in a while...I suppose I will have to deal with mostly mental pictures:)

Melissa, Heidi, Kristy, Jenn, and I at Kristy's baby shower