A Touch of Color

Saturday = War.

We woke up, it was raining. I sent the all call on Facebook: "Rain or shine it's paint war time" (it didn't translate quite as well). We had the finishing touches on some shopping to do afterward, a birthday party to crash (okay, yeah, we were invited) and a Bible study to attend, oh, and pack.
We gathered our gear, bumbershoot in hand and went out into the rain and into Lulu's car. Her and Mike came by the house to give us a ride so we didn't have to walk in the mud and try and catch a bus in the rain. It's not exactly on their way in to come and get us; it's actually a 15 minute route in the opposite direction. We are so loved here and we can certainly feel it.
We made it to the church (more or less on time) and only Oti was their waiting on us. We let her in out of the rain and began making phone calls to rally the troops. After an hour or so we were 7. We put on our white raiment and selected our arms (I picked the two I had). There were enough bottles for everyone to have 3 with a couple left over. I gave the rules talk, that there were in fact no rules but there were boundaries. I counted down from 10 and shot a few pictures of the opening madness before joining the fray. Needless to say, 5 minutes later, we were all well painted.
The cleanup (like all wars), took longer than the war itself, but we were all smiles. We took the after shots of the before and after series, and departed in the light drizzle that became a heavy drizzle but kindly stopped there.
Kimb and I footed it through the Llano to the Zocalo, encountered a few of the goods we had in mind, bought some churros, ate some churros and became a grandmaster umbrella maneuverer (I had the height advantage over some of the umbrella toters, but poles, lines, wires, trees, etc. it was still difficult). At one of the stops a man sized up our painted apparel and asked us what we were protesting, I quickly replied, "The lack of color in the world!"
We were tired but had a few kilometers before we could sleep. We caught a bus to Gerardo's and found everyone out in the driveway under a tarp. The tables were set with food and music filled the space in the air that wasn't filled with rain. We were welcomed to seats, painted though we were, and served a magnificent chile relleno de pollo. It was fabulous. We were only able to stay a short while before Flor came to pick us up for the Bible study, but we enjoyed our time and left a gift for Alma Rosa.
Flor came and we went. Miguel and Lulu joined us and Jose Luis was there. We went through the study, and we talked more about the church in general. I gave some other thoughts, and we shared. Lulu and Miguel left (Migue to the nightshift at Santo Domingo), but we stayed for lasagna prepared by Raul and Pepe (Flor and Jose Luis sons). It was delicious. We chatted and exchanged videos, mine from facebook and youtube and Jose Luis from a dvd from a trip to Las Vegas where their heads were superimposed on a set of dancing guys (really funny).
Before we left they gave us the name of a hotel in DF and told us we should check it out. They also told us to use taxi's and how to get to the airport. They then took us to our beloved Cafe a Pan (coffee shop), where we could get a few kilo's for the road. We made it home and began the second fight of the day. We were very tired but made the final push as best we could, clothes mostly in suitcases and gifts and bobbles strewn about with hopes of braving the boarder. We tried to fall asleep but some things aren't meant to be until very, very late. Our last full day in Oaxaca has come to an end.

Gifts, Tacos and Mosquitos.

We have been here six weeks today. And today is the first time we have ventured to the Llano on a Friday. Why is this significant you ask? Because the Llano on Friday is a swarming anthill after an 8 year old kicks it. It's the high school hallway when the 3 o'clock bell rings. It's a festive, crowded, aromatic, and all around delightful experience. We made this trip primarily because I had never gotten to make it before, but also because we had some things in mind that we wanted to bring back to our friends and family to share a piece of what has been a marvelous adventure to Mexico.
We made a pit stop at the church, to meet Jose so that he could show us where the bottle store was. He took us just a few blocks to the miniature equivalent of The Container Store. We purchased tiny little squirt bottles which would become our swords and daggers in the Guerra de Pintura. Jose had to leave to take his raw meat home, and so we parted ways and headed for the park.
En route Victor rode up behind us on his motorcycle, calling out "Sack Attack" (Zach Attack for those of you who might not be able to translate such spanglish). We said what would be goodbye, he wasn't going to be able to come on Saturday or Sunday, and he rode off into... a red light. We passed him (walking on the sidewalk) and waved again. We rounded the corner and there it was essence of taco and the sound of many voices and laughter. There were tents everywhere. Vendors were selling everything from clothes to raw meet to jewelry. Our first stop was a taco stand. Not the average street stand though, this baby was well equip for mass production. There was a guy manning the grill full of huge slabs of beef and pork. Two guys were filling orders, another was fanning the smoke, another two were taking money and orders, and yet another still was chopping veggies and limes. The line moved relatively fast. There were some kids in front of us with school uniforms on, and many families with all ages of children. I had pork tacos, Zach had a few of pork and a few beef. It was DELICIOUS. Tacos are on a small corn tortilla (about the circumference of a wide coffee cup) and have cilantro rice and meat in them. Nothing else. The meat is grilled to perfection and it tastes outstanding just by itself. It is customary to squeeze fresh lime juice over the meet, and pour some salsa on as well. But that is it. Zach ordered a coffee flavored drink that tasted kind of like a frappuccino.
Our first turn out of the stand took us down the only short row of tents. We walked around to where the bulk of the activity was and met a guy from Argentina selling jewelry. He has been away from his family for a year and 8 months just traveling around Central America and now Mexico. He asked us about going to the States, he was thinking he might venture up to California, but at this point he thought it was too expensive. Zach talked to him about the book he was reading, and he was intrigued to hear about Zach's Anthropology background. He was a Spanish speaking Randal Gabriel, in every sense. We browsed around, found some beads for Zach's new Rastas, and some incense and tons of things to look at. Our feet were worn and Zach's Spanish was tired so we decided to trek back to the church to rest before bible study. After not too long the men showed up (just Miguel and Jose) and they studied.
After class we went in the rain with Gerardo, Alma Rosa and Toti for more tacos. Gerardo drives like a bat out of Hades, and can't see worth beans. Alma Rosa and I were giggling at him from the back seat and he asked me: "Kimberly can you see that license plate in front of us" I read him the combination of numbers and letters, to which he replied "Ah, but can you see that Mosquito on the number four." He is quite the joker. We made it safe, dined well, drank a liter of club soda with fresh strawberries, were invited to Alma Rosa's birthday the next day, and even made it through the mud without drowning or getting stuck. Our weary bones laid to sleep with great expectations for the day to come.

Thor's Day

It thundered, it rained. In the few minutes of sunshine around noon we brought the puppies out of the cave for a little bask in the light. They have started opening their eyes, and are very fat. We spent most of this day making sure we had everything in place for our return home. With the help of my wonderful mom and Zach, our flight from Mexico City to Dallas was to be just fine, as long as we could make it to the airport in time to catch the flight around 9:40 Monday morning. Zach found that we could take a bus to Mexico City on Sunday after church, and be there around dinner time. We had only to find a place to lay our heads for the night. And to purchase the bus tickets.

Our day was nice, we relaxed, tried to organize our things and our thoughts, and spent a good day together. Jose had planned to come over and watch Rocky II with us, and he did come over, but was called by a friend a few moments after arriving, and then he left to help his friend with homework (Jose is very bright, and has a degree in physics (I might have asked him for help with my homework too)). After Jose left Zach was going to fix some dinner, but instead learned that the Gas had run out (there would be no stove, oven, dryer, or hot showers for the rest of our stay). He opted for a sandwich, and we settled in to watch Mel try to shave in the bathtub, but unfortunately (or fortunately) learned "What Women Want."

The Anniversary Gift

Today Zach and I have been married for 8 months. That is 243 days (I think. That’s some tricky mental math for this time of day and in this state of mind). We ventured into town for breakfast at Esperanza’s café. She is a wonderful cook, and unbelievably gracious. She would give us all of our food when we came if we would let her, but we always try to sneak a payment by leaving it at the table. We both had a rice milk drink that was really delicious. After breakfast we planned to walk around to go back to the fabric stores. On the way we stopped at a Juicery (ha) and Zach got. . . the Fortifier. It was apple, strawberry, orange, something foreign, and marvelous. We purchased the last of the fabric that the store had, and some more yarn, and then headed back to the church. We had been trying all week to make plans for a movie at the Cinepolis with Jose, but each time it seemed like something else came up. We called him from the church but since it was BOGO day at the movies he opted to stay back since he couldn’t find anyone to come with him. We boarded a bus and got off in front of the Soriana and made a stop for drinks and candy (which we assumed would be cheaper than at the theater) Gummy worms in hand Zach bought tickets for the movie, and we got some popcorn (luckily we didn’t get the chili powder kind). And unlike many other movie-goers, we did not put catchup on our popcorn. We saw Inception with Dicaprio. It was actually really neat. Unlike many movies I have seen, and really stretched your perception of reality. Y’all should redbox this one if you haven’t already seen it. The movie got out at 6 and we were supposed to be at Soledad’s house for the study at 6. We ran through the rain to the bus stop, but to no avail, we still had to stand for a while to wait for a bus. We made it to the study and were able to be there in enough time to catch most of it. (Thank you Mexican watches.) Jose had already begun a little Journey through the experience of Daniel with the group, and we were glad to join in. Cafecito and pan was served and we chatted with everyone. Rosita (Jorge’s mom) informed us that her latest update had been that the family would not be leaving Texas until Sunday, which would put them home Tuesday or Wednesday. We were not concerned, because we had been assured that Lulu would take us to the airport Monday morning if that is what we needed to do. With that contentment, and that of having a plane to take us home when we needed, we got on a bus to go visit, one last time, the Tlyuda lady. The meal would nourish both Zach’s stomach, and dreams. And we got home having spent a wonderful day together. Waiting for us on the phone however, was a missed call from my house. Come to find out, Mexicana Click (the airplane that we were taking to Mexico City for our connection to Dallas) had, along with the company, tanked, and would be making no more journeys. We rested well despite the speed bump, and opted to cross that bridge in the morning.

The Rain came Down and Mud came Up

Date canceled, better postponed ‘til Friday. It rained and rained and rained. We took our last day of rest and prepared to weigh anchor and sail like mad for the rest of the week.

This is the Ride that Never Ends…

Today we fulfill a promise that has gone uncompleted for quite some time. We made it to the church on time, as far as we could tell, and waited. We waited long enough that I had to call and make sure my head was on straight. Yes, Norma was on her way to meet us at the church. We found her and got a taxi to take us to the house. We walked a little ways to get there but it was a nice day. We got there and saw Eric, her son. We all sat at the table and she brought piping hot chocolate and bread. It was the best hot chocolate I’ve had all trip. We talked. Eric and Norma used to attend the church we go to but are going to another Church of Christ closer to their house. It is quite trip, and I don’t blame them. We enjoyed a home cooked meal and continued talking. Norma loves taking pictures, so she showed us a number of photos she has taken over the years. It was a pleasant afternoon. I invited Eric to the upcoming paint war, and he left to go to school. Norma showed us her garden and the rooftop addition that is currently in the works. She walked us down to the bus stop and hailed a bus. She was a bit hesitant because it was one of the routes she told me to take, but asked the bus driver if he would drop us off close to the bus station (which is a block from the church), and he said he would.
We boarded with hope of returning home victorious. And we succeeded, after a time. We were one of the first few on the bus and as it wound around the city and back we found ourselves to be the only ones on the bus. I knew the general direction of the church from where we were but didn’t really feel like walking all that way. The driver pulled up a side street and stopped the bus in the middle of the road. He began changing the little placards on the front window that tell where the bus is going. It has been well over an hour because there was considerable traffic. I finally asked him, if he was going to the bus station, he replied, “Ahorita” which means soon or nowish. We waited and we made it to the station. We stopped by the caseta to make a date for tomorrow with Gerardo and Alma Rosa (since this is our last week). We went home.

Pizza’s Here (Get off the Bleachers)

It’s Sunday, big plans, big events, high hopes, like I hope it doesn’t rain (impossible (I hope it doesn’t rain all day)). To serve communion at church, the person presiding says a few words and reads a little then invites men up to pass the emblems. It’s voluntary, if you would like to help you just get up and go to the front though they only need two. So I jumped up this Sunday and walked down front. I know this is a really somber event for many people and I don’t want to impinge on that but at the same time I would like to demonstrate the joy and thankfulness that also comes during the supper, so I smiled. Made a concerted effort to smile, not that it was hard, being up front and looking out at all of the people who have taken such good care of us, every face a memory of goodness, kindness, patience and love.

After church we mounted the bus, 7 in the first wave with more to come. We hopped off in Tule to get some drinks while Kimb took her first solo trip. She continued on, a whole ¼ mile down the road, to the house so she could get the dough going for the pizza since it takes time to rise and all that bakery jazz. We tromped home, a happy troop and were heartily greeted by Snuki. We showed everyone the puppies and offered drinks, etc. It wasn’t raining, so I went to the laundry room and found the most unlike of items to be located in a laundry room: a croquet set. I passed outside to setup the most ingenious, perilous (but not too perilous), dastardly course in Oaxacan history. It’s easiest to get people involved in something they know nothing about when you put an odd shape implement in their hand, toss them a ball and herd them outside. We had a great time, all of being unpracticed or just unskilled made for great laughs and extraordinary play. The last stretch to the stake had to be traversed with caution and a due since of dread and hesitation as the minelayer had been working at full capacity all morning. The small (and some not so small) shrines looked to be a tribute to Montezuma, needless to say you could smell his revenge if you were to tread on one.

The dinner bell ring and called us in from our second round around. The first pizza was hot and delicious, it was smiles and sauce all around. The second pizza came out piping hot and the festivities continued, through the third, fourth and with the fifth the Mexican juggernaut came grinding to a halt. There was still boasting that the fifth could be vanquished, but it was left mostly unscathed. Then the brownies came. A few asked coffee and a few partook of the brownies, but they were so full. MY PLAN WORKED!! Almost all of the brownies were my!!! Not that I was not willing to share but if they were full and there were brownies left…

We sat and talked, Jesus Ricardo sat in the rocking chair, Mike handed him his glasses and draped an afghan over his shoulders with the nostalgic light filtering in from the window behind him it was a classic (really it put 25 years on him) pic.

We listened to music; I helped Kimb clean the kitchen (because I wanted to help and because I thought it important to show a husband serving in his house). The crowded wandered out into the street and back to their homes.

When the last departed, we sat on the couch in the silence. You know the feeling after a pleasant hurricane of people have filled your house and now it’s just the two of you. It was good; Kimb is a great cook, and she worked so hard all afternoon to prepare the food and clean afterwards. We popped some popcorn and popped in a movie. We were supposed to watch Rocky 2 with Jose but he had to go (it was getting late). No worries, we’ll watch it some other time. We watched Fantastic Four, both having seen it, but enjoyed it nonetheless. We rested or tried at least.

Punctual: To Be or Not To Be

I HAVE DONE IT!!!! I have uncovered Mexico's deepest, darkest secret! I know the answer to the systemic endemic that plagues this entire nation!!!
It all started when we were going to meet Norma (who had previously canceled on us (no problem happens all the time)) at 1 o'clock at the church building. We do our morning jig, and get to the stop in time to stop the bus, on the bus, cruising at the speed of the mariachi's maracas, arriving just before the singer began his 17th attempt to croon his ex-lover back into his arms. We get to the church: no one. Not uncommon. We wait. I walk down, next door ask the time, the lady ignores me, I tap her on the should (I used my bus hailing finger, it works the best), and demand in my most polite spanish accent (somewhere between Antonio Banderas and a lovable Jim Carrey (sorry: big teeth, brown hair, kind of gangly)) for her to tell me what time it is. She says it is 12:15. She was right, I saw her watch, that's what it said. It was so wrong. I walked away passing a gentleman with a watch. I asked him if he had the time. He said he did. 1:30. Thank you. Another field test revealed that it was 1:20 and so on and so forth. Everyone here arrives on time, being as punctual as their northern counterparts; the problem lies in the fact that each has his own time!! Eureka!!!
I got tired of waiting. I called Norma. She wasn't coming. I had neglected to call and confirm (like I said I would (totally my fault)) so she wasn't coming and we should try again on Monday. Okay, very good, we'll do that. So we called Flor to let her know the Bible study could begin whenever they were ready. We went home.
Flor came and picked us up. We had a great study. It was short. We finished talking about submission in regards to the government from Romans (they study Romans so much here). I mentioned Daniel and his dilemmas, and was astonished to hear that none present had heard of Daniel nor were even remotely aware of his story. So we cracked the Old, which I love doing (thanks Dr. Fortner), and began reading, chapter 1, chapter 2, 3 and 4. I added some commentary and background for the story to bring to focus some of the teachings and lessons that could be had. It was a wonderful and fulfilling time of study and inspiration.
Afterward, I showed Jose Luis (who is a photographer by trade) one of my own personal techniques involving change of shutter speed and manual zoom adjustment. We shared bread and coffee and chatted for a good while.
Our chariot sped us home. We arrived and departed, minds leaving the body to explore the world of what could be, perhaps should be and those that never will.