starting school
Beginning a new school year is always filled with hopeful anticipation. Still, this year, as the kids donned their uniforms (I LOVE UNIFORMS) and filed into a crowd of kids as the only foreigners, I held my breath a bit longer than usual. I kept my phone nearby all day, anxiously anticipating some call from the school. I played all the nightmare scenarios in my mind. I had visions of Reid getting angry and physically reacting inappropriately. As for Madeline, I scared myself into thinking she was cowering in some corner, sobbing alarmingly. As a recovering anxiety-ridden schoolgoer myself, I worked through those visions, and I realized that my focus should not be on the "worst case"; instead, it should reframe to the wonder-filled, brave journey they were willing to start in the first place. In a nutshell, as I picked them up and could read the tentative expression on Madeline's face and grabbed Reid's assured hand, I was just proud. Don't get me wrong, the kids are working through what it means to be the new kids and outsiders, and it is not all rainbows and sparkles, but overall, we had a good start to the week.
CDMX
At the beginning of the week, Ryan flew to CDMX (the hip way of writing Mexico City) for orientation for his program. He hobnobbed with other Fulbrighters and got a better sense of what lies ahead. He was bummed to miss out on the first days of school for the kids, but he got to visit the Museo Arte de Popular, the National Archives, and see a Lucha Libre. Unsurprisingly, the kids only wanted to hear about the latter. With CDMX being the largest city in the western hemisphere, it shouldn't shock anyone who knows us that Merida, with its more laidback feel, is more our style, and we are lucky to be here.
biciruta
Both our Airbnb host and an expat we met at the immigration office recommended the Biciruta as a must-do. Biciruta is a city-wide movement initiative along the most prominent, fanciest street called Paseo de Montejo, happening every Sunday morning and some Saturday nights. The city closes off the main drag, and several bike rental stations are set up along the 3-ish mile stretch that goes all the way to the central plaza. All sorts of people are on bikes. Entire families, gossiping senior citizens, and young flirty people putting out their vibes ride back and forth and then stop for a bite to eat along the way. Basically, for a little over $10 USD for a couple of hours, the four of us were able to take advantage. The added bonus is that you don't have to worry about cars or any appearance, and honestly, it is the best old-fashioned fun we have had riding a bike in a long time. The kids were troopers in the heat, and having a Coke and coconut ice cream along the way back couldn't be beat.
witness some micromanaging of bike riding in live-action!
Megan, you were a born blogger! I smile every time I see there is a new entry. Glad to hear everyone has started off the school year so well.