Home for a Visit

As many of you already know, I’ve made my way back to the United States for a couple of weeks. Thinking back on the last four months I find it hard to believe that I did so much in such a short period of time. I still have so many more things to blog about and I think the list just keeps getting longer day by day. I hope you all got the memo that life is wonderful!? Something happens everyday in any given person’s life that is worth writing about.

I’ve come to the following conclusion. Each and every day something spectacular happens. I mean let’s think about it… what is something out of the ordinary that happened to you today? I’m not talking about anything strangely bizarre or extraterrestrial, although I wouldn’t rule those out, but rather something small and simple. Something that you could have missed if you weren’t paying attention. What is it that made your day unique?
In an attempt to illustrate my point I’d like tell you about my experience in the Cancun airport. On my flight home there was a slight “delay”. From the following picture you can see that there was quite a line.



Yep, that is three hours of waiting time right there. I was intrigued by the difference in attitudes while listening to random people’s conversations in line. Yes, I’m a bit of an ease dropper. Many people were very impatient and quite vocal about their disapproval of the airline. Others held their peace and quietly waited without saying a word. Yet there was another kind of group who would open up to their neighbors and start conversations with complete strangers, telling each other about very personal issues going on in their lives.

It was kind of a culture shock standing in that line listening to all the English speakers that I haven’t heard for four months. But I was taught a valuable lesson as I listened to the people. The people who were complaining and being impatient didn’t get through that line any faster than the rest of us. In fact, I’m pretty sure they were miserable the whole time. Yet the people who were starting conversations with their neighbors often learned new things and found out intriguing details about people from a different background and demographic. It’s all about the people! Getting to know the people!

Was this an ordinary travel day and airport line? For some I believe it could have been. For me, I think not! Life is wonderful!

And now the view from the plane!

Double Parking

How ironic life can be at times! Last night Camm and I found ourselves inside of our small one-room apartment with some time to spare. It had begun to rain outside and we had some time to kill. So what did we decide to do? Yep, you guessed it – watch Seinfeld, in the true Camm Clark style. We got to one episode that was almost an exact representation of many of the experiences that we have had while we have been down here in Mexico. We got a good laugh and thought nothing of it. Well, there was one thing about the episode that we hadn’t experienced, until today!

And now I present to you… Seinfeld! The Dinner Party

It just so happens that Camm and I are running some errands today and we go back to the car to fnd THIS!



The white car is the one we are driving of course and the red one is directly in our way!



Look how devastated Camm is! He can’t take it! We even decided to take a video of the action. I had just enough room to do a 50 point turn and squeeze my way out.

In some ways it was a relief that these guys showed up to drive away but in other ways I was very disappointed that I was cut short the glory of showing off my skills. Anyways, I found this very ironic that this all happened the day after we watched that Seinfeld episode. Life is wonderful isn’t it!?

Estancia de Boca Cuban Style

Tonight we went to a pretty fancy and happenin restaurant to eat dinner, Estancia de Boca. We teach English at this particular restaurant so the waiters treat us very well when we come to eat. It’s fun to have some good connections here in Veracruz.

Tonight we kicked back and relaxed while listening to some live Cuban music. We of course had to take a picture with the band.



These guys really know how to play. While we there we also got an unexpected extra show. It’s a little hard to see because of the darkness. I hope you enjoy it!

Look at that little guy dance! He really knows his Salsa! I find it rather funny that he is like 5 and dances better than I probably ever will. That is one of the big differences that I have seen in the culture here. The people here learn how to dance from a very young age and everyone knows how. And when I say dance I mean dance, nothing like most of the dancing you see the youth doing in the States now-a-days.

The infamous “Mini Michael Jackson” as they call him here at Estancia. (Or Luis as his parents call him)



















I’ve picked up a little Salsa dancing myself. I REALLY like it! The other night I went out with some friends and literally danced the night away until the morning hours of 5-6.

Successful Shaving

So I was growing out my amazingly attractive facial hair for the entire month because my dear friend Josh Romero informed me of the unofficial but official Mustache March. I found it quite the opportunity to really test my machismo and see what kind of man I really am. So here are the photos at the end of the month and the current cut. Please enjoy!


The Mug Shots



The first cut is the deepest


The next gets silly


     

Attack of the handlebars



And the final product! I’ve been like this for a couple of days now and have some pretty fantastic pictures. It’s all coming off tomorrow but for the last couple of days I’ve been enjoying the creeper status.



Now that you’ve taken a good look at my mug for the past few minutes I hope that at least you got a good laugh. Just remember kids… March is for Mustaches! (and it's the simple pleasures in life that make it so beautiful)