Mi mama

What a day. A long, crazy, wonderful day. It began with an early morning jog in the park with my friend Sarah Jene, a grad student at Indiana University. We ended up joining a 7am class full of locals that was a mix between zumba and cardio funk---what a hoot! We left the hostel after a delicious breakfast and went to our school. After our Spanish placement exam we met our host families. What a treat!

Mi mama is incredible. She is a joyful, loving, woman full of energy and kisses. She is likely between 60 and 70 with dark skin, gray hair, and a warm personality. She found a way to communicate with me, calling me her hija (daughter) all day despite my VERY limited conversational skills. Mariana is her name but mi mama is much easier and more appropriate for me. Her friend, Yolanda is hosting mi amiga from Franklin and Marshall, Emilia. They drove us home where I was greeted by a household filled with random people whom I struggled to figure out their relationship. My room in on the second floor of the house and I share a bathroom with the majority of the inhabitants, true family style. I was pleasantly surprised with how nice our house was given the fact I was interviewed about my reaction to bed bugs and my willingness to get up at 5am to do household chores. However, after visiting my neighbor, Wick, who is living 3 blocks away with his host mother Lucia, I realize that my accommodations are modest compared to some other situations. While the material comforts are simple, my house is filled with activity, family, and love---just the way I like it. Mi mama is the mother of six and grandmother of 10 ninos. I have met half and cannot even begin to keep straight their names. They have all been unbelievably hospitable and patient considering my meager attempts to communicate. The language barrier is PAINFUL for me because I LOVE to talk and learn about people’s lives. I have never been so frustrated with my inability to communicate and I have never felt so helplessly inadequate. However, I am still having the best time and learning at such an accelerated rate. I always want to stop time and the perfect and desired discomfort I have experienced thus far have made time stand still.

I am loving making friends with locals and other college students in my program. I was lucky enough to have Elizabeth Smith join my family tonight for dinner. I am so thankful I have her to process this whole adventure with me. I am tired and getting up at 6:30 tomorrow to read, drink coffee, enjoy local fruit and make the 30 minute walk to school through town with my neighbors Emilia and Wick. What is my life? This is truly beyond words.

Hasta luego,

Cate