Apartment

Just some pictures of the new apartment

Mall

We went to a nearby mall today and saw this lovely gem


yep... that makes sense...

Copying Keys

So after moving the furniture around the new apartment (pictures to come) we needed to make copies of our keys. Since I´ve been delegated "roomie-with-the-best-Spanish" I hopped out of the car to get copies made.

I approached a cute little key copy shop near my house (On the off chance anyone needs a place later or me in case I get locked out of the house: Cerrajería La Lomita Álvaro Obregón 1019 Sur Colonia Guadalupe Tel: 712-134-0269) it is probably the size of my office and held 5 men.

When I approached the shop I gave my usual smiling "Hola" and received a few "Holas" back. I did not however receieve anyone who asked what I wanted or if they could help me. In fact the man closest to me kep his head turned away the entire time. So I continued in Spanish (but for my non hispanohablantes I'll translate) "Whom should I talk to?" I asked, one man told me the man nearest me (the one who was still not facing me) I put the keys I needed copied down on the table and said, "OK, I need two copies made of these three keys" he turned his head slowly and took my keys handing them to the man sitting next to him, "She needs two copies of each" he said (a bit briefer but essentially exactly what I had said).

That man handed them to the next man and in a perverse game of telephone my keys (and requirements) were handed down through the five men until it reached the last man (closest to the machine).

I had to wonder if the men exchanged positions regularly so that the one taking the order would eventually work his way over to making the keys, or if it was a promotion based gig (the ones who simply sat did seem to be older). Nonetheless in the end I got all of my keys for 92 pesos (about $8 by current exchange rates).

I believe the plan is to move in on Saturday, but there's really no rush.

Getting there is half the battle

Well before I could get to lovely Culiacan I had to well…get here. I woke up early to make sure I remembered everything important (note I forgot: PJ pants, PJ shorts, and my blue purse) while it is still before 6 am I run and take my last American shower for a while.

Eventually my parents wake up (I don’t eat because my tummy gets nervous sometimes while flying…not always but enough that I don’t risk it). My parents wake up and get the car packed and we get to the airport.

Now, I am taking an international flight, but I am leaving from the San Diego commuter terminal. Like so many other times that means that the person in charge of me checking in will undoubtedly be unaware of visa requirements.
This time they were convinced I needed a round trip ticket to go to Mexico. This is not the case and eventually they figured it out as well, but it always leads to a slightly nerve wracking 15 minutes as I wait trying to figure it out (that’s why I am always early to airports people).

After I get to go through security I got to experience the “machine that takes a picture of you naked or whatever to make sure that you aren’t hiding things (yet I still have to take my shoes off).” I was OK with that, and my baggage made it through unscathed as well.

Quick puddle jumper over to Los Angeles and I wandered around aimlessly trying to find where the hell AeroMexico was. I finally found a place and when checking in (entirely in Spanish mind you) was told they have no idea where my baggage is and my name is not on the list. Well, I was thinking a few choice words in Spanish (Joder being one of them) but I settled on an Ottie like head tilt and something very elegant (like a mix between a grumble and a mumble, a mumbled grumble?) after a good 15-20 minutes of her talking with her boss she seemed to find my bags and print out a boarding ticket.

I can again only repeat my support of early airport arrivals (including layovers). My next flight was pretty inconsequential. I sat next to a bigger lady (so I could not put my arm rest down) but managed to get moved during the flight (just not during take-off or landing). When we landed in Hermosillo there was a torrential downpour and the pilot advised we stay in the plane for another 10-20 minutes to avoid getting wet.

We did and when I went through customs I only got a quick, “Vivas en los Estados Unidos?” I almost answered, “No, es que el año pasado vive en España y antes de este en Hollanda, pero si he vivido en Los Estados Unidos” but with customs I find shorter is better so my response was simply, “Sí.” I then got selected for a random bag screening (literally you press a button if it turns red you get checked) they search your bag. It looked like every other bag was searched. Mine was found acceptable if anything it was very dull (though the person after me was questioned as to the amount of clothes they had packed for their trip they seemed to think my two bags were fine). Due to the rain my flight was delayed for an hour and a half so I finished a book and stalked a person who said they were also headed to Culiacan.

One last take off and finally I had my last landing in Culiacan. I grabbed my bags and met up with John and his wife (Mickey) and was led to my new (temporary) home sweet home.

Mexico...let´s go

"Dear Ms. Peck:

I am pleased to offer you the job of instructor of English at the Sinaloa Campus of Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey."

What's the job?

• Commit to a one-year contract (with possibility of renewal).
• Start work on July 25, 2011. (Classes start August 8.)
• Be on campus 40 hours a week (teach 4 different classes for 4.5 hours each which means 18 hours a week).
• Teach in high school and university divisions.

And what do I get?

• Salary of 23,000 pesos per month (that is about 2,000Euros/month)
• Paid airfare from point of origin to Culiacan, Sinaloa
• Paid airfare from Culiacan, Sinaloa to point of origin at end of one-year contract (and paid return to Culiacan if renewing contract)
• Paid housing (homestay) during first two weeks in Culiacan
• Assistance in finding apartment
• Five weeks’ paid vacation per year (two at Christmas, two in the summer, one during Easter week)

Why I am super excited?

• I am really excited to be back to working with older students
• I am super excited about being in a Spanish speaking country again
• I am thrilled about the weather (yes I know gross humidity, but my hair rocks humidity anyways)
• I am closer to home (actually be able to fly home for holidays or maybe even weddings!)
• The pay is enough that I can actually save again (wohoo!)

Ooooh Mexico!

Oh Mexico! So I've recently taken a job in Sinaloa, I am off to my current job now to teach the Ants go marchign one by one :) but I wanted to quickly give some videos