Why is it that Fresh Baked Bread Always Makes a House Smell Like a Home?

I was woken up by beautiful singing at about 5 a.m. this morning. (Better than the extremely loud fireworks we have heard each morning for the past couple of weeks during the Festival of San Pedro.) I looked out our bedroom window and saw a small parade of people carrying candles as they sung and prayed their way down the street, approximately 8 feet and one wall between us. At the end of the parade of people were two priest, their robes and collars lit by candlelight. It was a beautifully serene moment.

Our time is quickly running out in San Pedro Tlaquepaque. I am sad to be leaving. I feel like now is when my Spanish learning would really take off. We have been trying to cram a lot into our last few days. We took another trip to the balnearios on the 4th of July and experienced a new kind of Independence. We splurged with an extra $2 U.S. and entered the spa area. We took a mud bath. First time! I made a joke in Spanish about it to the natives at the spa. I said, "No mas Rubia." Loosely translated translated means "I am no longer a pale whitey!" The joke seemed to translate.

That was actually my second joke in espanol, I think? The other night at the coffee shop, a woman selling cologne came in and spritzed a little something on the hand of the barista. I grabbed his hand to smell it and it wasn't so attractive. I didn't want to be rude so I mimed "so, so." His colleague smelled it and didn't try to hide her adverse reaction. This was my chance! I said, although I couldn't remember whether I was supposed to use "por" or "para," "Por un viejito!" Loosely translated means "For a much older man!" They laughed but it could have just been at me.

One day this week Pablo, Guadalupe, and cousin/neice/Azlyn's babysitter, Claudia came to "Casa Contenta" for a lesson in baking bread. We made my favorite Hearty Multi Grain Seed Bread. It was a very special day. One of my favorite singer/songwriters, Brooks Williams, was playing on my laptop. Guadalupe had spritzed up the house by adding new throw pillow and arranging my favorite type of flower, which she had purchased a huge bouquet of for me, all over the house! The smell of fresh baking bread and laughter permeated every crevice of the house. For a moment, I felt like I was absolutely home. I felt as though "Casa Contenta" was actually my home. Claudia, who loves to cook, and I agreed that if I returnd, we are going to open a cafe called "Claudia y Vashti's."

When the bread finished baking, we made the absolutely most delicious sandwiches I have ever had. Another day of blissful carb-loading.

During the course of the day, Pablo told me about getting pulled over by the police for running a red light. He admittedly did it intentionally. He and the police officer were amiable with one another. The cop let Pablo know that he couldn't overlook the ticket because it wasn't an accident. He informed Pablo that the ticket would be $600 in pesos (about $60 U.S.) When given a ticket in Mexico, the offender has several days to take the ticket to a bank and pay the fine. Pablo said to the police officer "What would my other option cost me?"

The police officer replied "The economic situation is very hard right now."

Pablo said "How about $100 pesos?"

The officer agreed and they happily parted. Yes, I am talking about a bribe. A very common situation here. Pablo told me that police officers aren't paid enough to live on and the only way they make it is by this method. Yet another example of the difficult economy of Mexico. I felt a lot of compassion towards this police officer. What are his other choices given the situation here?

The police officers have all been extremely friendly, which is good because there are lots of them and they carry very large, machine gun looking guns. (What do I know about guns?) From my experience, this is a peaceful place with little crime. I don't really look at the bribe situation as corrupt.

Tomorrow is our final day here. The girls and I spent today shopping with Guadalupe for supplies for our big fiesta tomorrow. We are having a "Going Away Party." Turn out is expected to be good - around 30 people - Chad's colleagues from H.P., friends from the school, Pablo, Guadalupe, Claudia and their family and friends, the people who gave us the ride home from Zapopan, Lorenza from the puesta de pan and her family, Angelica and her family, and probably a few more! I have a pork roast slow cooking right now. We purchased a beautiful, large pinata and other party favors. Pablo will bring a sound system and possibly a DJ. Tomorrow Guadalupe and I will bake two cakes and make fresh salsa. I, of course, plan on taking a large group photo.

After all of the shopping was done, Lorenza and her family arrived for some conversation practice. We popped popcorn and chatted for a while. We then went out for Posole and fried tacos. She took us to a very authentic, local place where I was eaten by mosquitoes. I ended-up with about fifteen bites. The cook told me that the mosquito bites were free of charge. Lorenza mothered me by placing lime juice on all my bites, a sure cure in her mind. The father in the family who owned the restaurant noticed my problem and came over and told us about a special cream that I needed to buy. Everyone was very concerned. I was fine. As we left, the father wanted to know my name and wanted to make sure I knew his - "Rudy." He also wanted me to know that his son was born in Oklahoma. This fact was very important to him. Somehow, positive association with the U.S. is very important here. I can't understand it when so many U.S citizens are less than compassionate towards Mexicans. I listened to his story and thanked him profusely for the lovely evening. Lorenza, once again, insisted on paying. We were very uncomfortable with this.

I then suggested "Let's go out for ice cream, our treat!" Once we got our ice cream she used her superior dual language abilities and cunning ways to pay. And again, we were uncomfortable. I expressed this to her and she told me that I have know idea what our friendship has meant to her and that we have made them feel so special. I don't understand it and I really don't understand why we are so special in her eyes. She is one of the most vibrant, humble people I have ever met. In just 4 short weeks, I have really grown to love this woman and her family. Her oldest son is the one I spoke of in an earlier post that wants to be a veterinarian. She told me that he seems depressed and is afraid he'll give up on his dream since his brother was on the list of students accepted to the University of Guadalajara and he isn't. I am going to try to do some research and see if I can help him find a way to go to school....somewhere. I have to try. They will be at the fiesta tomorrow and I plan on greeting them with a gift. Perhaps, with a framed photo of her family I took, or, of all of us together.

We have just finished the beginning stages of our packing. As Jaydn climbed into bed she said "I am really sad to be leaving here and to be leaving all of our new friends!" Mission accomplished. Jaydn has enjoyed and learned enough from this cultural exchange that she will miss it.

I know that tomorrow there will be a few tears in my tequila as I say "good-bye" and try, inadequately as it will be, to express my gratitude for all of the kindness extended to our family. Some many friends made in four short weeks. Guadalupe put it something like this - "The personal relationships that human beings form with one another are the only path to understanding and peace." I can't wait to give this more thought while making new friends at the beach. I need to go have a good cry now.