As soon as the sun went down on my first evening in Morelia, I found myself reflecting on the events of the day and my first impressions of this old colonial-style city, which will be my home for the next few months.
Upon arrival in Guadalajara, a bus ride from there to Morelia with Primera Plus, one of the first-class bus systems in Mexico, took about three or three and a half hours over the rather new autograph (highway) that connects Guadalajara and Morelia with Mexico City. The trip was a wonderful, comfortable experience compared to traveling on Greyhound buses in the United States. In addition to good food and a new release film, one of my fellow tribesmen shared many interesting things about Morelia that I can see and do when we arrive. It helped me relax a little and feel more relaxed. However, nothing would have prepared me for what I would have experienced immediately after our arrival.
The journey from Morelia’s central bus station to the city center (city center) usually takes less than five minutes and less than ten blocks away. That is, if you do not take a taxi ride with a driver who knows that you are in unfamiliar territory and gives you a stage round trip to grab more than a passage than he is entitled to. The trip, which was supposed to cost me from 10 to 12 pesos (1 - 2 US dollars) maximum, cost about 250 pesos (25-30 US dollars). Needless to say, one of my first purchases in Morelia was a city map. Thus, I know exactly where I would always be, and did not take up the “trip” again.
However, my dinner and hotel room more than made up for any frustration and anger I might have felt initially. I honestly don’t remember the name of the first restaurant I ate in Morelia, but the food was great. My room at the Mintzicuri Hotel was just an amazing amount of $ 8 per night. Now, how good can such low rates be? He was not only comfortably furnished and clean, he even had cable television!
Apartment accommodation, neighborhood and people
Although I will not say that everything I experienced was pleasant, for the most part I really liked the places in which I lived and the people who were my neighbors. At first, a few local residents in the area of my apartment on Padre Llored were a bit antagonistic to me, because I was a foreigner, an outsider. I remember, sometimes called “guro”, which, as I can say, means “white boy” or “white-faced boy” or something like that. Now that I remember, this is ridiculous - I was a very white person during the first few weeks when I was there! Then, fortunately, my skin began to darken, and my Spanish improved significantly.
From the very beginning, I got to know the locals well, going out into the street around my apartment and getting acquainted with the shops and people who owned or bought them. One of these places was a local grocery store, which was about a block from where I lived. The man who ran after him and his niece quickly became a good friend for me. The local grocery store in Morelia is more than just a place to shop - it is a place for friends who want to socialize. At least this one was. Once one of my callers came in by name and asked: “Hero, why are you here? These are all my friends! & # 39; Alma, the niece of the store owner, quickly spoke and said that they were all his friends! So why don't you calm down or leave? & # 39; This was the last time I ever encountered a problem in the area. Even my caller has become more pleasant and almost friendly.
In appreciation of Alma’s great benevolent act, I suggested teaching her in English during my work hours from teaching and learning at CMI (Centro Mexicano Internacional). She turned out to be a great student. Sometimes the Spaniards have problems with some sounds in English. The “th” sound, as in “thank you”, is one of the most difficult to learn. Alma was determined though! One night we sat for at least 3 hours doing word exercises to understand the sound. I even Alma carefully looked at my mouth to imitate the way I held my teeth and lips to form a “th” sound. It will be more like you. However, Alma never received that night, but once when I turned to leave the store; she shouted to you many thanks! She practiced.
My next apartment was at least two miles from a side street from Padre Lloreda on Calle Vincente Santa Maria. My beloved man was my mistress Amparo, affectionately known as “Amparito” to all her “boys” in their apartments. She was warm and gracious, but at the same time letting you know the "rules of the house." There has never been loud music, wild parties or any funny things, at least in this house! However, our neighbor, located to the north of us, liked to roast a little and sing loudly until there were frequent mornings at that time.
This area was very friendly. I had 3 grocery stores in the corner, a beer store, a tortilla factory, a hairdresser, a restaurant and a laundry within a radius of four or five blocks. I didn’t waste time getting to know most people based on a name, and I never experienced any prejudice.
Shopping - merkadny style
I did most of my shopping for clothes, food, and household items at Mercado Independencia on Avenida Lazaro Cardenas near Vincente Santa Maria or other stores in the immediate vicinity. This mercapol occupies a huge area of the city block - more than 3 or 4 blocks here in the USA. I have never experienced anything as unique as the style of the merkada. Everything under the sun looks here. I could go and get fresh fruits, vegetables and meat here, eat dishes in the style of a restaurant on one of the many front tables, buy leather goods, get school supplies, etc. Food stands are basically a long stand with chairs. and cooking objects. The food is simple and nutritious and usually costs about $ 2, but not more than $ 3 or $ 4.
One of the funniest events I had in Morelia was on this merkade one afternoon during a break in my classes. I decided to buy a pair of corn ears to go along with my spaghetti dinner that evening. Now I have always studied the Spanish word so that corn is maiz (my-eece). When I first asked for some maiz, one of the vendors went and got me a jar of corn from a nearby seller. Then I tried to draw the ears of corn and explain that they were using gestures and other descriptive words - to no avail. Finally, one of the little children looked at me with big eyes and said: “Eloth, elot!” Si! Elote! I really wasn't sure what elite is; however, I decided it was worth a try. So, the girl returned me, yes, fortunately, the corn. I have never forgotten the Spanish word elote.
Another time, when I was shopping at the Mercado, I learned another lesson in Spanish, which I will most likely remember for the rest of my life. I said something to one of the young women in the store who, in my opinion, for some reason embarrassed her from the answer she gave me. I had no idea what I could say, but I tried to ask what it was and apologize. So, I tried to remember what can be a Spanish word for embarrassment. Now many Spanish words are similar to their English counterparts. To make the end of a word in ed (embarrassment - confused), you add ado. So, I added that I was not embarrassed and asked the lady if I had made her embarasado, to which she adamantly said: “No, not senor!” Her face said differently, or, as I thought. I asked again: “No, not senor!” She answered immediately. Now I was very confused. I dug my backpack and found my pocket dictionary. Imagine my horror - I asked if I made her pregnant. Fortunately, she realized that I stumbled over the words, and we both laughed. By the way, the Spanish word for embarrassment is averganzado. I do not think I will ever forget this word.
One of my favorite stores in Morelia, Milano men's clothing, was right across the street from Mercado Indepencia on Avenida Lazaro Cardenas. I never paid more than 10 dollars for any shirt and pants that I bought there. Within a few months, after moving to Morelia, I lost more than 40 pounds from all the exercises that I received every day from going back and forth to school and the city. So, I bought a new wardrobe. The quality of clothes in Milan was wonderful, and at prices I could easily afford. I even had my own clothing purchase assistant who met me and would help me match the colors on my outfits.
Sounds of morelia
It was one of the other things I learned about Morelia. From roosters walking around the city at the height of the dawn, which marked the beginning of a new day for providers and various service providers on the streets, each of them would have its own sound. For example, the trash bin had a unique sound whistle that he struck when he broke through the streets of the quarter. Typically, when you heard the first hint of a whistle, it would be about 5 minutes or less to make sure that any unwanted litter was on the side of the pickup truck. Trucks loaded with gas for cooking and heating had a special beep. And, on most weekdays, the streets were teeming with traffic sounds and people when they were in a hurry about their daily activities. A weekend would bring fiesta music (parties) when people got together and talked. When the Morelia football team played football in a neighboring city and won, the sounds of jubilation could be heard when people pushed up and down the street whistles or made other noises and shouted “Morelia, Morelia” at the top of their lungs.
Making Morelia my home
I never wanted Morelia to be just a place to visit, study and work. From the very beginning it became my home. I knew that I must learn to communicate effectively in order to fit and succeed. The teachers at my school, CMI, played a big role in helping me learn how to combine Spanish verbs, but these were the people I spoke with daily, which helped me build my vocabulary and learn how to communicate well. Very few of them know English. So, in order to eat, make purchases and other daily activities, I needed to speak Spanish well enough so that they could be understood. It took me one to two months of trial and error to learn to speak fluently.
My students were another part of what made me feel at home in Morelia. I have never seen people so eager to learn. For many of them, English opens up a whole new world. For many, traveling, living and working in the United States was a dream or goal. I tried to memorize this by teaching practical linguistic customs that would make it easier for them to adapt to the new culture and land. Many of my students liked to read books and magazines, surf the Internet and listen to American music. Therefore, I would use each of these methods to make learning enjoyable for them. Learning is a two-way street. My students could always understand that I really cared. However, to this day, I feel that they have taught and helped me more than ever.
Learn the language, make mistakes, but keep your sense of humor
So you want to live in Morelia, huh? The best encouragement I can give you is to learn the language to the best of your abilities, surround yourself with good friends, maintain a strong positive attitude and try not to lose your sense of humor when you make mistakes. And since you do not want to be tied to your vocabulary or other language tools, keep them handy just in case you come across one word or words that you are not sure about.
If you like history, culture, adventures and people, by all means - go to Morelia!
