June 28, 2008
From a cozy bed I hear the explosive sounds of someone setting off loud fireworks. It is 6:00am, and the roosters have been crowing for hours. This is Mexico. Time to let go of my tight American standards and settle into the slower, less rigid Mexican style. I open the curtains and in the field off the deck is a huge hot air balloon readying itself for flight. I look at the fire puffing heat into the silky balloon and wonder who would take such risks. Then I watch it float over the city cathedrals with envy.
June 29
Slow down. The message of the day. From the hot water heating in the shower, to the child sleeping deep into this Sunday morning. It is the day for families to stroll the Jardin.
The local town square is a colorful place, full of vendors selling balloons, ice cream and candy. But today is really about the European Cup. It is Spain versus Germany, or Espana v Alemania. After wandering the streets looking for a place to watch, we settle at Mama Mia’s because they have a big screen TV. Needless to say, the child is patient, but this endeavor taxes her. She is not a big sports fan. We end up getting seats at the bar, and our timing is perfect! The place fills up, with people sitting on laps, passing babies from loving person to person. The windows open to the street and people hang over the ledge to peer in and watch the game from outside. We order beer and pizza and relax. Or, shall I say, try to breathe. Mexico has its fair share of smokers. They will tuck their cigarette off to the side when passed the baby, but they continue to smoke like it is an athletic event in itself. My eyes water, but the game goes in favor of Spain, and we rout them on with vigor. People pound on the bar and groan in dismay. They laugh at the players who fake their injuries, and protest the ref. Spain wins, we pay the bill and spend the walk back to the casa trying to get the smell of smoke out of our clothes and hair with little success. It begins raining in the early evening and at least the air is clean-smelling!
From a cozy bed I hear the explosive sounds of someone setting off loud fireworks. It is 6:00am, and the roosters have been crowing for hours. This is Mexico. Time to let go of my tight American standards and settle into the slower, less rigid Mexican style. I open the curtains and in the field off the deck is a huge hot air balloon readying itself for flight. I look at the fire puffing heat into the silky balloon and wonder who would take such risks. Then I watch it float over the city cathedrals with envy.
June 29
Slow down. The message of the day. From the hot water heating in the shower, to the child sleeping deep into this Sunday morning. It is the day for families to stroll the Jardin.
The local town square is a colorful place, full of vendors selling balloons, ice cream and candy. But today is really about the European Cup. It is Spain versus Germany, or Espana v Alemania. After wandering the streets looking for a place to watch, we settle at Mama Mia’s because they have a big screen TV. Needless to say, the child is patient, but this endeavor taxes her. She is not a big sports fan. We end up getting seats at the bar, and our timing is perfect! The place fills up, with people sitting on laps, passing babies from loving person to person. The windows open to the street and people hang over the ledge to peer in and watch the game from outside. We order beer and pizza and relax. Or, shall I say, try to breathe. Mexico has its fair share of smokers. They will tuck their cigarette off to the side when passed the baby, but they continue to smoke like it is an athletic event in itself. My eyes water, but the game goes in favor of Spain, and we rout them on with vigor. People pound on the bar and groan in dismay. They laugh at the players who fake their injuries, and protest the ref. Spain wins, we pay the bill and spend the walk back to the casa trying to get the smell of smoke out of our clothes and hair with little success. It begins raining in the early evening and at least the air is clean-smelling!
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