Another two/three weeks have passed sprightly here in Mexico, of course some days quicker than others in the undulating hot haze that Vallarta has to offer. In saying that l feel most days l am starting to acclimatise (a bit) to this tumultuous weather. Although l still enjoy a good complain with the rest of the population when we hit the high 80-90% for humidity it just doesn't seem quite as assaulting as when l first arrived. The enormous afternoon rains continue 'almost' daily bringing some brief relief and complaints can be heard when they do not occur. Below is some footage of our street in a typical 'illuvia' taken from our living room window.
Since the last post, a routine was beginning to settle here in Vallarta. Proyecto Pitial in the mornings until around 330, then coming home, going for a run and then hanging with Ivan and his family or going out with friends from the project. The weekends have continued to be fabulous and filled with new adventures, and amazing hospitality and generosity (more of that later). I was finding myself having surprise moments where l realised there was a time when l understood conversations and what was going on around me. Where l wasn't generally always quiet for listening so hard my eyeballs hurt, and that the bumpy bus ride to and from the project wasn't the way it has always been. I think because in the first month everything was so new, exciting and at times hard that the yearning for home and loved ones was not as noticeable, and during these weeks l found myself pinning a little more for home. However, as my mother would say, when in need the universe will provide, and it did! The second project started (CAM 21- School for Children with Disabilities) and the whole process of learning a new place, new people and finding a new role began.
The
school was founded more then 30 years ago and supports children and
young adults with predominantly intellectual disabilities, however there are a wide range of diagnosis' at the school. Supposedly this school was the first school in Vallarta that was opened specifically for
children with disabilities. Since then the number of schools and centres for this population in Vallarta has grown and there are now many. So many that on December 3rd (National Disability Day) all the schools/ centres go to the Malacon to showcase their school and sell goods to raise funds for their programs.
We have decided that l will be in the class for the oldest 'kids' (some of whom are 29, 36 and even 40 years of age). This is what we would call a transition class, with the hope of building up life skills to live as independently/ contribute as much as possible to the family household. It also has the ideal aim to try and find suitable employment, and there has recently been two classmates that are now in supported employment in Vallarta! Therefore, in this class literacy and numeracy are a big component so that they can have an increased opportunity to participate in work and home life The semester has only just started and so the focus is on evaluation and goal setting is, which is a good opportunity for me to get to know the 15 or so 'kids'.The children have been very welcoming, however all are pretty rapid speakers and often it's a pretty stilted conversation!
Back at Proyecto Pitial we have been discussing setting up an afternoon activity program for the older kids to try and achieve some of the same goals as CAM 21 of increasing independence and skill sets and increase overall engagement. As finances are a constant pressure we are also going to start making goods with the children to sell at National Disability Day. With the children who are less able we are going to look at bringing in more structured activities and sensory programs that are appropriate, as at the moment due to the number of children and the demands on the staff many are in wheelchairs/ seats unoccupied for long periods of time. We are also going to look at splinting as many of the splints currently being used are 'off the shelf' and quite inappropriate for what the specific child needs. So in regards to the project the OT is starting to come out more and more, and as my Spanish slowly gets better l am able to better express ideas and brainstorm with the other staff. The other day the physiotherapist, manager, doctor and l sat and had a great chat discussing what we could develop at the project. Obviously it was mostly in Spanish and l understood maybe 25-30%, it was really exciting to feel collectively passionate about making sustainable improvements for these children. In saying that a big issue we discussed, despite the lack of appropriate resources and funds, is how do we increase participation and occupation of the children without increasing the workload of the staff who are already stretched thin. This is something that l have seen in Australia and am sure occurs all over the world. So slowly we have begun the big task of trying to execute all these great ideas!
Outside of the projects, l think the real highlight has been starting to form better friendships and pushing the breadth of conversations that people are often still needing to dumb down for me. I spend a lot of time on the weekends at people's houses and with their families and going out for dinner and drinks, to parties for baptisms and dancing. The hospitality is overflowing here and every time l try to offer some money/ cook some food/ contribute somehow...."no no....we invited you" or "you can buy the ice". So, I haven't been spending much time on the Malacon as am now exploring the Vallarta far from the tourist district and it has been wonderful! I haven't been to the beach for nearly 2 weeks even though it is at the end of my
street?!
Again l will let the photos tell the stories!
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| Micheladas.....hmmm so this is the first l tried and l have vowed to try another, but then that may be my last. After a long day at the project where it had been hot, the kids had been a little unruly and in the course of the day l was bitten, scratched, pinched, pushed and wrestled (all in fun....) l strongly requested a Friday afternoon beverage with my compatriots......this is what happened. So inside is two beers, clamato (tomato, clam juice, Tabasco, chilli, salt, lemon, and l think that's it). On top is a seafood cocktail with tomato, lime, chilli, avocado.... in Spanish it's what l call RARO or WEIRD but FUN! |
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| I was invited to Mariana's house for lunch and a few beverages. After an hour bus ride north of downtown Vallarta a great day/ night was had of music, dancing, chatting in Spanglish and enjoying the simple things in life. This is Jamie (pronounced Hymie) the professional Ecuadorian pan pipe player giving us a few tunes! Some of which were traditional and others were renditions of ACDC, Celine Dion, Willie Nelson and many others. |
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| Herman from Argentina accompanies a few songs as Mariana shows me how to dance. That night l slept on a massage table, it was one of the best sleeps l have had in Mexico! |
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| Monday Night Games Night with Ivan. Scrabble, Ivan in English and me in Spanish (l cheated as used a dictionary). However these are the letters that l finished with.....hmmmm.....no....not possible in any language me thinks! |
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| Games Night also included this Mexican 'bingo'-esque game for kids, which is quite complicated when tired, however great for learning Spanish! |
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| Greta and I at Las Carmilitas, an amazing little restaurant above the tunnel in the hills above Vallarta. It is on acres and acres of beautiful lushess green private property. Many of the hotels have been trying to buy the owner out to build a big monstrosity of a hotel however we are very thankful that he is holding firm. A great night with Greta, watching the sun set, chatting with the owner about Mexico and how it's language and people are changing and again just enjoying life. I listened quietly and hard in this conversation maybe picking up a mere 30%, wishing l could of understood more, regardless a fabulous experience. Below are pictures of the wildlife around the restaurant, the pig almost came up to our table and some of the fabulous views from our table and above the restaurant. |
Dinner at Las Carmilitas was on the Friday night, then on the Saturday night some of the ladies from Proyecto Pitial and l went out dancing.... ooh lordy! So as you walk into 'Nitro' you see a typical nightclub with techno-pop music, flashing lights, a dance floor in the middle of the room and many tables and chairs surrounding said dance floor. I was happily sitting watching the crowd, sipping my Sex en la Playa when l was dragged on the dance floor. Here l forgot how to dance and I looked like an epilipetic fawn off it's medications. At one point l just started jogging on the spot as peoples feet were moving so fast that this was the only way l could problem solve the situation! After a while l got my groove on but it really did take a bit, and l was quite concerned l had lost said groove for good.
Then.... the lights flash on and off, a curtain draws back and there is a stage, and these guys with horns, drums and matching jackets come out. This is 'Banda' and it sort of felt like having a whole lot of brass instruments yelling at you. Then the real dancing begins, it is close, it is fast, there is a lot of twirling and dipping but most of all it's close! I sat back down having sincere fear for the toes and backs of the ladies and watching people nearly twirling off the lip of the dance floor. I tried to explain to our little possy that this way of dancing is a little different and awkard for me, as in Australia generally dancing in such close proximity to another is reserved for novios y novias (boyfriends and girlfriends). Everyone laughed hartely, and quite frankly asked "why?" I have learnt (confirmed by further investigations) that everyone from siblings, friends, uncles and neices, grandparents dance like this.
I was quite happy enjoying another free beverage (due to Gratis night for the ladies on Saturdays from 11-2) when one of Marta's friends decided to take pity on me..... l have a feeling however this was under direct orders from Marta..... and then began two plus hours of sweaty humilation. So l put my Australian prudish ways under my drink like a soggy napkin and did what a McLellan does best in these circumstances....try and rise to the occassion!
After about two hours of being twirled, marched and dipped large amounts of lacto-acid were building in my legs and l had to STOP! I think my dance partner was relieved to finally go and find someone that he could really get his dance on with, as l took my rightful spot on a seat close to the dance floor. I felt weak as the other ladies continued on and danced for close to four hours solid! They asked me why l wasn't dancing, was l drunk they asked? Surprisingly, 'no' l responded (we had danced through much of Gratis Saturday), l was solely tired and had nothing left in my legs. Shaking there heads in disbelief they marched back out into the frey.....
So that's it, much has happened especially in the conversation department but those moments need a little longer to ponder and collate. Those grand reflections will come all in good time. Another couple of weeks lie ahead of getting settled at the school, new and exciting efforts at the Project and more weekend frivolity. Then it will be meeting up with my boyfriend and seeing friends for the first time in three months. I think this will come at just the right time and what better way to celebrate than with Mexican Independence Day!
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Just to
reaffirm to family and friends that l am still alive, safe and well and
for some reason only tanning on my chin and forehead?! I shake my fist
at you Scottish heritage! So...... Take Care All, Much Love xox |
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