It's been a long two weeks since I've been here. Much has happened that I will forget to write on here, but I'll at least include a little bit.
Interesting fact of life I have to mention: The sewer systems here are so "crappy" (haha) that they cannot handle anything but human waste in them...so that means that any toilet paper that you use must avoid the bowl and be placed in a waste basket beside the toilet. Often the baskets are not closed-topped and so everything is visible and smellable. Surprisingly, though, the bathrooms don't smell. I don't know if the air ventilation is enough, but so far it seems to be working. You'd think that they would have updated their sewer system to handle toilet paper, but oh how you'd be wrong. I feel I now have a good story to tell my kids at camp when they don't want to clean the toilets..."Well at least here you get to flush your used toilet paper!" :)
While I've been here I've noticed how different lifestyles are lived and also how much I can miss people and comforts from home. I've made good friends here, and they've been very inclusive of me by inviting me almost everywhere with them, but it's just not the same as being here with family or friends I know from home. This is obviously not the only time I've traveled, nor the only time I've been "alone" and on my own, but it just seems that today is one of the "sadder" days I've had (maybe it's in part because it's Valentine's Day...and although I'm not dating anyone, I'm missing people at home who are doing things together to celebrate the day).
Lately I've been hanging out with a group of people very different from me. They're very kind people (the ones I mentioned above) and have included me in almost everything they do. When I'm home, I don't spend time with people who openly drink and use "foul" language as often as these people do. They're not trying to be rude or anything, they're just being themselves. I appreciate how they've included me yet also respected me by not forcing me to drink with them. I enjoy being their "designated walker." I figure I can have almost as much fun as them and yet stay sober, and leave the restaurant/bar with close to the same amount of money as I went in with. Also, there are some fantastic fruit drinks here (like watermelon smoothies). I don't even really know why I'm writing this all down, but it's something relatively "new" to me. I've been around people who drink before—and I remember telling myself that I don't want to NOT have friends just because they drink—I want to be able to be their friend, spend time with them, and yet refrain from drinking.
I've been finding some great places to eat here in Xela! I've been to the Indian restaurant (called "El Sabor de India") at least 3 times and have been to this place that makes pupusas (filled tortillas—I get mine filled with beans and cheese) almost 5 days in a row. Generally, food is cheap and good. Not always, but most of the time I can eat and be full on about $5 a meal...and that's if I choose to eat out. I get "free" meals at my home, but often they're small and I could eat more. I got a chocolate covered banana a few days ago and it cost me 1.50 Quetzales...about $0.20. Beats going to the fair and paying probably $3! :)
Today I bought a few CDs of artists I normally wouldn't spend money on back at home, but since I can get them so cheap here (10Q=$1.50 US) I bought a Michael Jackson CD, Shakira, Nelly Furtado (who sang at the Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver), Yanni, and some Spanish singer I've never listened to. I'm importing them now and they seem to be legit :).
Yesterday I went to Las Fuentes Georginas which is a really nice hot springs about an hour away from the school. The water was really warm and not very sulfery. I enjoyed just relaxing there for a few hours, getting all pruny. I still love Ritter, though, so this was just a nice little "snack" to help me make it till the next Ritter reunion :).
Well, that's all I feel like updating for now. :) More another time.
