Day one in San Miguel. . . .
The trip here was long - I didn't sleep much on the first leg of the flight which isn't like me, but I had a squirmy girl next to me that kept knocking me around (after trying to tell me that my seat - seat A - was an aisle seat so she could stay at the window; I think she was irritated that I was right so took it out on me using her joints). We landed in Mexico City around 7am (5am my time) and then my connecting flight was two hours late leaving, making for a 5 or so hour layover. A direct bus trip from Mexico City to my final destination would've only taken 3. When I finally got to Leon airport (smallest. airport. evar.) and got my bags, it was nearly time for the bus I had planned to catch after lunch. Oh well, I'm sure a cinnamon roll and a bag of chips are decent enough fuel to run off of, especially combined with two types of caffeine! Caught a taxi to the bus station; caught the bus to San Miguel. If you're going to come visit; just take a cab direct, or arrange a shuttle in advance. This was a good chance for me to practice my Spanish, which was surprisingly decent, but filled with some blank stare moments where I tried to apply the word they were giving me to the situation and came up empty handed. . . (why does the bus ticket agent keep saying "lugar" to me? Doesn't lugar mean place? I already told him San Miguel. . . . Oh - he wants me to select a seat. . . ). A sweet little puppy escorted me through the pouring rain into the San Miguel bus station (he had a thing for luggage wheels it seemed) and I caught a cab to my new house.
Alan was there waiting for me, and I seriously cannot say enough nice things about this man. He has been emailing me tips as he thinks of them since I told him I'd book his place. Then, he meets me at the house, helps me carry my bags, gives me the grand tour, tells me about all the little quirks and visitors (the semi crazy possibly partially gay man next door that I'm best off just ignoring, and the scorpions. . . . scorpions?!). He gives me an hour to get settled in, which I use to take the above video, then comes back to get me to take me to the big market on the outskirts of town. He sits in a little cafe and waits, while I stock up. Then he takes me to a local restaurant where we have lovely conversation and he gives me some ideas for nightlife (he's quite concerned that I might be the only person under 80 floating about town), and in return I bought him dinner.
On the way through town, he took me the longer way, past the town center (El Parque), and my school (Instituto Allende), AND a Starbucks, a Blockbuster and a Domino's Pizza!! All of which look horribly out of place. I can't wait to take photos to show the town a bit better - I'm so not used to peeking into a shadowy doorway that looks like it leads into someone's home only to realize it's a small shop or market, or gorgeous courtyard.
He has made it clear that he doesn't want to bother me, but that if I have any questions while I'm here, I can shoot him an email. I can't imagine a better welcome to a strange town where I speak the language about as well as a shy 6 year old.
And so now, here I am. Laying low for the evening to unpack and get used to the noises of the house (there are plenty) and see if I have any roommates I wasn't expecting (note to self to shake out towels, pull back blankets on bed, and check shoes before slipping feet in).
Concepcion (the housekeeper plus) comes tomorrow, and Alan said she'll take me to the market to shop for produce and stuff and show me how to clean it so I don't have to deal with Montezuma. He also said she'd cook for me and/or teach me to cook, which, hello awesome.
I think I might get a little case of the lonelies, and I'm definitely wishing Patrick was here since I think he'd enjoy this experience. I'm excited to explore the town tomorrow, and maybe get my P90X on. . .
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