Day 11

Dang it... Have you ever read one of those "Cat Diary of Captivity" things? If not, Google it my friend. If so, I tried to make this post start like that, but failed to find how I am "captive" in Monterrey. Oh well, it's still a funny read. So when was the last time I wrote here? Got me. Wow, day 11... and to think, those first few days seemed to take FOREVER, and now time is moving along okay.

For everyone who hasn't known me previously, I was ridiculously busy before coming down here. Not Dr. Fletcher busy, but still busy. Working 10-15+ hours a week, training for my athletic events, SigEp, and other stuff, and class, kept me very well occupied to the wee hours of the morning. But here, there is less of that other stuff... No work, I'm still helping out my Chapter as much as possible (from 2000 miles away), and I'm still training. Tec de Monterrey (remember, T-e-c, not "tech". Tech is the English abbreviation, Tec is short for "tecnologico"), or Tec, has 2 pools on campus. There is the indoor Domo Acuatico (Acuatic Dome (don't you love cognates??)), and the outdoor pool in the middle of all the Residencias. I've been to the indoor place once, it's nice. I plan on going there 3 or 4 times a week to prepare for another summer of triathlons, plus conditioning my injured shoulder. Given this greater amount of free time, I plan to use it to go on several Adventures put on by a University group that does those things. These adventures should include: Bungee y cola de caballo (Horsetail Falls), Cerro de la Silla (Saddleback Mountains, climb to the top of it), and some cave diving, and maybe mountain climbing. I'm not really afraid of heights, but bungee jumping kinda worries me, so we'll see how that goes.

Over the past 11 days, I've had the opportunity to meet other international students from across the world. These countries include: Australia, Sweden, Norway, France (there are over 150 students here this semester from France), Germany, China, Japan, Canada, multiple countries within Central America, and the US. Everyone speaks a different amount of different languages. The best situation of communication thus was was on Friday night when the iTeam ( student organization set-up to help the international students) had their semesterly party in Barrio (Barrio Antiguo, literally old buildings, it's some of the oldest buildings in the city that were converted into the central night life) at the club called ART. At the end of the night, I was outside with the guy from Australia (speaks English and a little Spanish), a guy from France (French, English, and Spanish), a girl from Sweden (English and some Spanish), a guy from Texas-raised in Mexico (English and Spanish), the French guys friend (French and some Spanish, no English), and myself (English and Spanish). The conversation went in circles and that every 2 or 3 sentences it would switch languages with the fellow from France and his friend exchanging sentences every so often. So I finally realize that we keep switching languages like this and start laughing at the humor in near all of us just flip-flopping like that.
The best group of students living with a family is this: Australia (real name is Sam, so English and a little spanish), a French-Canadian girl (Canadian-French, a little English and a little Spanish), a guy from Mexico (Spanish and hardly any English), and a girl from France (France-French, some Spanish, and hardly any English). According to Sam, it's the funniest thing because everyone has a hard time talking to everyone else. After hearing that I'm kinda sad I'm in the dorms.

Residencias! Here we go. Most of the housing units are clumped together. There are maybe 3 or 4 buildings for the men, and an equal amount for the women. And the newest building, 3 (I'm in that one), is co-ed. But it's completely separated by sex! Boys aren't allowed to go near the girls dorms, and vice versa. In 3, there are 2 elevators, 2 stairways (you know why). The boys elevators and stairs can't even access the girl's floors because the doors are locked or the elevators are programmed to not go there. Because of this, no one of the opposite sex is allowed in your room at all. Also, no smoking in dorms (okay, like LTU). AND, no alcohol in your room, period. here is the part of the student guide for you...
"Articulo 44: Queda prohibido a los residentes y a sus visitas tener en sus cuartos, conservar consigo, hacer circular o consumir dentro de las instalaciones o viajes de Residencias bebidas alcoholicas. En el caso de eventos de Residencias, se debera presentar una autorizacion por escrito previo registro del evento con Desarrollo Estudiantil, la Direccion de Area correspondiente y el Director General, donde se especificara el lugar, la hora, el motivo y la cantidad de bebidas que se podran consumir durante dicho evento. "
Okay, end result, immediate expulsion could happen if you are found to bring alcohol into the Residencias areas. Not like LTU, eh? That was a little interesting for me to find out when I got here. But, if you like off campus or in some random apartment complex, go nuts! They may have their own rules about noise levels and times, but not on the possession of it. So, go across the street to Oxxo (similar to 7-11), buy a Tecate, drink it as you walk back across the street to the front of Res 3, place the empty bottle or can into one of the hundren blue recycling bins, and walk inside, now full of 1 drink of alcohol. I haven't met anyone to do this though. Everyone goes to the clubs, or the bars, or some good restaurant and gets what they want, then comes back on their own 2 feet, walking *nearly* straight, and has no problems. Slightly different from the US. Theres another thing, I can use this as a time to talk about the US's laws on alcohol. Back in the 1920's, there was Prohibition. The attempt of the government to stop the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol. This was a horrible horrible failure, but did show the US that people are going to drink regardless. Remember, the ancient Greeks would pour libations to the Gods every time they drank, a show of thanks. Those Greeks drank a mixture that was less-potent than todays drinks because they considered it a bad thing to be intoxicated. Like most of Europe and the rest of the world, the consumption of alcohol is seen as a casual, social activity. In Mexico, and when dealing with Mexican companies (takes notes here), to not drink is seen as a very odd action. If you go to dinner with representatives from a Mexican or Latin American company, you should know what to order. Okay, not all Mexican late teens and 20 year olds follow this exactly, but going out and having fun sans the consumption of a stupid amount of alcohol is normal. Hell, clubs don't check your ID for your age, they check you for weapons (fine by me!). You go in, ask for a Dos Equis, pay your 20 or 25 pesos, and go back to yelling at your friends because the music is so damn loud. Although I must say, that michelada at Sierra Madre was quite tasty. It's responsibility and this thing that the culture grows you up with. Go ahead and live, but don't drink til your beligerent and inable to function.

Hm, this has been a lot more fun to write than the first post (thanks Allie). Dr. Fletcher, you know that I respect you and everything you do! We all just know you're busy. Okay, I'll try to write again in a few days. Until then, if you're my friend, you'll be able to see the photos I've posted of the campus here, and the surrounding backgrounds. I have one friend from Ortonville who is trying to come here in mid March, and if anyone else has the money for a plane ticket, you can stay in housing for really cheap!!! As is said, Monterrey es una ciudad chido. Nos vemos.

Best regards,

Ian Williams