MEXICO

When I last left off, I was on my way to Los Cabos. The rest of my Mexican experience was so outrageous, I don't think words will be able to adequately express how much I adore that country.

Los Cabos:
I arrived in Los Cabos, where we learned our cast would be split between Cabo San Lucas (the resort area) and San Jose del Cabo (a more residential, less touristy area). I was allocated in San Jose del Cabo... with a wonderful family and their 6 year old daughter, Yoalli. Yoalli is such a special little girl... I have so many stories of our giggle sessions... I could write forever. Although my family didn't speak English - my time in Cabo will always bring back amazing memories of touching moments. I had deep conversations with my host mom... sometimes lasting for hours. We talked about love, and life, and people, and my reason for leaving my world behind to embark on this journey. Yes. I know... she didn't speak English. I don't speak much Spanish... but somehow, when it is forced, one finds a way to make things work. I don't really know how to explain it, but as was similar in most of my cities in Mexico... language becomes a seemingly insignificant aspect of communication. Smiles, tears, and exaggerated gestures transcend all languages... and compensate for those awkward silences that you can't find words to fill. And even though neither party speaks the other's language perfectly... its as if you reach a mutual understanding, if from nothing else... the respect you gain from knowing how hard everyone is trying. In Cabo... I saw sea lions while on a cast cruise, watched a sea turtle peek up out of the water...and so much more. I drove across the arroyo (riverbed) with my host dad each morning -a bumpy ride considering it was an unpaved area full of cacti, vacas, roadrunners, and crater sized potholes. Fortunately for us... obstacles don't really matter - because ... in Mexico things just are the way they are. If something is in your way... you go around it... there are no right and wrong things in terms of traffic... everything just goes. Oh. Also in Cabo, I ate fish tacos in the morning, tried enfrijoladas (which quickly became my favorite Mexican dish), and drank lots of agua de jamaica. And... to top off an awesome week... I watched Yoallis very first loose tooth lodge itself in her hamburger while we were out to dinner... and then caught her reaction on video! Cabo was difficult. The juxtaposition between the rich and the poor was heartwrenching. We went to the invasiones... which is basically a squatter camp of *homes* constructed of a piece of plywood with ripped sheets stapled to the sides for a wall. We played with the games, and I learned that true happiness is a matter of perspective not possessions. They had nothing. Literally... nothing. And yet, they smiled, and laughed... because they saw themselves as rich... surrounded by their families - with something to call home. That philosophy, which permeated every city in Mexico... is something I found particularly beautiful about their culture... and will definately influence the way I live my priveledged life back in the States.

Tepic:
Tepic was totally different then Cabo. The area was lush in green vegitation.. but it wasn't coastal. We experienced a lot of rain while we were there (which became a haunting theme of our Mexican tour... to the extent that we contrived our own rhyme we'd sing each showday "rain rain go away, come again another day... viva la gente wants to play... rain rain go away!")... and of course, the streets flooded. We were welcomed into the city in the most fascinating way... OUR OWN PARADE. Yes.. our host families had dropped off costumes for us at the local mall.. which practically shut down for our arrival. Everyone (I'd say like 1,000 people) gathered in the center of the mall around a catwalk. There were men on stilts, and people juggling.. and a chinese dragon... etc... all for us! We then had to wear these fantastic costume collages and strutt our stuff in front of the ENTIRE CROWD to crazy music. Our host families could then identify their students by which outfit they wore! In Tepic, I lived with an older woman and her 2 adult daughters. They were awesome, and doted over us every chance they got. My host mom was a sweetheart as well. Unlike in Cabo, in Tepic I actually had a roommate. Her name was Rina.. and she is from Finland! We got along well... and it was great getting to know a castmate who I hadn't previously spent much time with. With our sisters, we went shopping, out to dinner, clubbing, and even on a boatride to a lagoon (created by a volcanic crater). We swam there... and it was awesome... the water was cool and refreshing... as was the free Corona (in a can!!!) that each person got as a complimentary gift with a boat ticket. Sweet.

Culiacan:
Culiacan was my most emotional experience in Mexico. While there, we worked with children with cancer... taking them to a beach, building sandcastles, and teaching them to swim. They were so spirited, and full of life, even though some were probably staring death in the eyes. I learned from them -that ones life should be measured in its quality, not quantity. They too were happy although acutely aware of their sometimes grim situations. They were our biggest fans... and when I had to hug some of them goodbye after spending a week getting to know their little personalities... I cried. It was hard, as we stood 107 strong on stage (as cast B)... to come to the realization that for some of these innocent children, this would be the last performance they'd have the chance to see. It was subsequently one of our strongest shows to date... full of energy and emotion - so that they'd remember us, and the feeling of that night.
Also in Culiacan... my absolutely amazing brother Jorge. He and I became so close over the week... he was one of those people I just connected with. Since he spoke English, I could more effectively communicate with my family... because he could translate. Also, I could have deeper cultural conversations - as we could communicate verbally. It was such a relief to be able to express myself. I learned so much through our late night conversations... which extended often into the wee hours of the morning. We went clubbing, and I was introduced to a lifestyle that I was largely unfamiliar with. His friends became my friends, and together we had bunches of fun. Saying goodbye was so difficult. I know we will continue to keep in contact... but still - it would have been nice to stay a while longer - We were told the city was dangerous. And to an extent, I suppose it could have been/was. But behind the *danger* was this incredible place, full of people who were so excited to have us there - as messangers of positivity and peace.

Hermosillo:
Ah... Hermosillo. Totally different from Culiacan... though not different bad... just... different. In this city, I was allocated with Paulina... she is from Mexico.. and speaks English super fluently. Again, this made conversation between my host family and I much easier, as my limited phrases could be elaborated on by someone who actually knew how to conjugate and make sense of my jibberjabber. In our home, we had four little siblings, all under age 10! There was Omar (9) and Natalia (7), and the twins Camile and Ximena (both a year old). The kids were adorable. Our dad would sing us banda music on the way to drop off every morning. The kids would take turns reading out of a prayer book, to ask for safety on our journey. We would drop them off at school, then stop by dad's tortillarilla (tortilla shop) prior to heading to our drop off destination. On my free day, I had the opportunity to help make tortillas in the tortillarilla... and I got to watch and cheer on my host siblings as they competed in a swim meet! It reminded me of the times when I got to watch Nikki swim back home... except I only saw like one blonde child at the whole pool ;-)
With the one little one, Ximena... she was so funny. Everytime I'd be exasperated and utter my authentically Mexican "Ay ay ay"... I'd hear a little echo from the next room "ay ay ay!!!" and then a sweet giggle. She'd then poke her pigtails around the corner to see if I had heard her. Adorable. Oh. And Camile, her twin... had an infatuation with me and Paulina's luggage. She would be fascinated by our clothes, and continually rummage through them when given the chance. At one point she even snuck into my room, and emerged wearing my #1 shoes (my most fancy)... they are like 3 inch high black heels. So cute!!!

Other things that made Mexico memorable...
~The heat was BLAZING. Over a hundred almost every day. Our venues were outdoors... which meant lots of hot performances under a setting Mexican sun. Wouldn't trade that for the world... that's for sure!
~Driving is CRAZY~!!! Seriously.. traffic laws and signs are merely regarded as suggestions. It is nothing to drive up on a sidewalk to avoid a hole in the road. Stop signs mean yield to the traffic that you KNOW got their ahead of you... or gun it to go ahead of those who arrived at the intersection with you. Vacas (cows) are all over the roads. Very few roads are paved... and the ones that are, generally are too busy to be taken. There are speed bumps in the middle of all roads... randomly. Its quite interesting. Oh... and there aren't street drains most places, which means the few times it rains, it pours - leaving drivers waist high in waters that they patiently wade through until the waters subside.
~Mexican time - is not on time. We started every show so late... because if we had started remotely close to the time that was scheduled, we'd have been without an audience. At first, I found this particular cultural difference difficult to get used to. And yet... as I spent more time with my host families there... I began to embrace it as something that reflects the priority they give to PEOPLE. If they see a friend... they talk. If they miss someone, they visit. It doesn't matter if something is scheduled. Life can wait... but people take precedence. What a neat quality, ey?
~Toilets. Honestly, I have never experienced a greater frustration in life than I did with my Mexican bathroom issues. Firstly, let me say that sometimes you have to pay to pee. That's right. There are tolls on the bathrooms, so you pay 2 pesos to go potty! Furthermore, this price does not include toilet paper. NO bathrooms in Mexico... unless the place is an Americanized anomoly... have toilet paper in the stalls. Instead, you must remember to constantly carry a roll of toilet paper on your person (in your purse)... unless you want to be stranded. And of all this toilet paper drama... most interesting is that due to the old plumbing systems in the majority of Mexico... you ARE NOT.. under any circumstances... allowed to flush the toilet paper in the toilet. It is disposed of in the waste basket in the bathroom. This is fine in families where the bathrooms are maintained... but in public places, you can imagine the stench. No me gusta.

Also in Mexico;
I played with sea turtles (baby ones!) as we prepared them for their release into the sea (there were hundreds and they were only a day old!!)
I had my passport checked more times than I could count
I thought I was going to die on the windy roads with cliffs on each side
I painted stadiums
Experienced the Mexican Independence Day (which is a pretty fantastic celebration)
Met important people (like governors and such)
and interacted with locals (IN SPANISH) daily.
I ate foods raw (shrimp!)
And learned to appreciate 50 cent Coca Colas.

Overall.. my Mexican experience can be summed up in one sentence
"So incredible, I know I'm going back."

I have many homes in Mexico... and can't wait to visit.