I must say that these thoughts and thanks are in no particular order. I am writing them as they come to me as I reflect upon my time in Guadalajara. A stream of consciousness type format, if you will. I have to thank the College of Charleston for funding a majority of the trip (Thanks Mom & Dad for picking up the remainder of the tab), more specifically Dr. Quesada of the Economics Dept. for being my link to the College's Cheque Book. Miguel my friendly cab driver who never failed to offer his services, the Taco Stand at the corner of Calzada de Los Alamos and Calzada Norte (Delicious), my server at Wing's Army (Restaurant/Bar on Calzada Norte) for his excellent service on Monday's and Thursday's (Two for One Mexican Beer Nights). I enjoyed this guy a lot because he lived in Georgia for a spell and always loved to talk America with me. I have to thank my buddy Sergio for his friendship, as I had few peers to hang with on my downtime. Also, his generous Family for allowing me to attend a very special Quincenera, a party that will not be soon forgotten. Of course, Ekatherine, director of COLABORE, for allowing me to take part and observe the workings of their social work and being a more than accommodating boss. Also, Fernanda and Lorena, thanks for letting me follow you to all of the presentations and company visits. A very special thanks to Laura at CRIT Occidente for giving me the opportunity to spend some touring the amazing, hillside facility and allowing me to spend time with some truly amazing kids, they embody the future of what it means to be Mexican and disabled and their hard work, and the hard work of everyone at CRIT, is beyond admirable. Auntie Carolyn, thank you for the puzzles for my birthday. One completed and one in progress. More importantly thank you for answering my request for puzzles to send for to CRIT to freshen up the puzzle collection there, you're the Best. Dr. Athie, our time in Angahuan was awesome. I love to see how other cultures and subcultures live and your invitation was a highlight of my experience. Also, your perspective I absorbed on our car ride was thought provoking and I greatly appreciate all you showed me. The last thank you that comes to mind is for Juan Jose and the rest of the Cardenas family for offering me an absolutely great place for me to stay during my tenure in Guadalajara. The meals were great and I thoroughly enjoyed the soccer matches set up with the family and their friends. Oh! And thanks for the Birthday Present of Tequila and Hot Sauce, both are delicious and the consumption of both immediately remind of some great times. Now, I am sure their are some important people and places I have unintentionally omitted from this short list. So, I am just going to offer an all encompassing Gracias to the people of Mexico. I took a bit of time away from this concluding post as I wanted the time to recollect the whole experience and really get a sense of how I felt about it after being Stateside for a little more than a week. Like any trip their are parts I miss and parts I don't. For one I miss the favorable exchange between peso and dollar, but I don't miss not understanding the words being spoken to me. But, I will remind you, my Spanish is not good, at all. So that is more of a personal fault. The one thing I will miss more than anything is that feeling that comes from exploring a place you have never been before, particularly when you do it alone. Its a feeling that takes over all your senses, you are truly absorbed in a foreign place doing your absolute best to work your way through it, to have your good times, find those places that become "yours" in a sense, and ultimately find your way back to your temporary home. Simply living outside of your comfort zone. That feeling I miss will never be found again in Gaudalajara. My want for that sense of uneasiness,uncertainty, being the alien, and then being accepted will have to be satiated on my next adventure, whenever and wherever that might be.
