Mexico #4

Scotch, Story of the Year, and the internet... I honestly couldn't be happier.

I got a little lonely today, so I went on CouchSurfing.org and messaged a couple people I found that spoke English to see if they wanted to meet up for a drink or something. Its exhausting always having to talk to everyone in Spanish, so I don't fault myself for looking for a few English speaking friends, just to mix it up a little.

I got another lesson in salsa dancing this weekend. I went to a costume party, where the theme was "mexico". At first I thought this was kinda odd, but it would be like having a party in the US where people dress up like Abe Lincoln... or Britney Spears. Never thought there would be a reason to group those two together, but there you go. It was funny to see Mexican people dress up like, well, stereotypical Mexican people. One guy had this HUGE fake mustache complete with cowboy hat and full getup. They decked me out out in the mustache and wig at one point so I would fit in a little more. But originally I went dressed up as a generic Mexican soccer player. I was going to go with a name/number, but the custom jersey was more expensive. I actually really like the jersey I bought, so double bonus.

Also Mexicans know how to party. It wasn't outta control crazy or anything, but they just don't stop. We got there around 10, and we were pretty much drinking and dancing until we left at 4 am... and we were the first ones to leave... and everybody thought it was weird we were leaving so early! And they had this huge sound system set up in a tiny little house and literally everybody was an awesome dancer... I've never felt so white haha. There was even this one guy who had to be at least 240 pounds and he was absolutely tearing it up. Then they put on some English songs for my sake (I taught them how to moon-walk to Billy Jean (yes apparently I know how to moonwalk)). I also learned how to do the Mexican aiaiaiiaaiia shout that they do (the "grito"). It took me about 20 times before I got it right, apparently the trick is "con aire y sentimiento": with air and feeling. They kept repeating this over and over like it would help me understand, but when I finally got it "right" all I did differently was do it for a really really long time. All the other times I would start laughing halfway through, and they told me I messed up. Not only was it fun to learn, but it also changed my opinion on the shout, which naturally I have heard many times in LA. For a long time, I thought it was annoying, but its not at all, its liberating! Nothing is as cathartic as screaming at the top of your lungs, and how awesome to live in a culture where thats encouraged! We could all do with a little grito in our lives.

And in the time it took to write this, I already got a response from a fellow couch surfer. If you ever want to meet really awesome people in a new area, check out that site. Actually, even if you just have a spare couch I would really recommend getting involved. Its a super easy way to spread hospitality and expand your horizons without ever leaving your home. Basically you can sign up and indicate that you are willing to host travelers in your city for however many nights you want. Good for the soul.

On a parting note, don't eat mac'n'cheese out of the yellow box. Its not the same.

Mexico #3

Back from my trip, and it was awesome. If you want to practice your Spanish, go on a 5 day trip with 9 Mexicans to a small town where your the only white person for at least 100 miles. Definitely a new experience. OK so quick recap, I ate a bunch of tacos, we basically lived off of them the whole trip, celebrated Mexican Independence Day (the Grito is awesome) and danced to some awesome authentic live Mexican music. It was awesome to see fireworks in a place without such strict rules as the US... they were directly above us, and half the fun of watching them was dodging the flaming balls of ash that were raining down on us.

Having said all that, its good to be back home. I finished my work early today and just locked myself in my room and played guitar for about 7 hours straight. Its cool, at times I feel really isolated here, so its kinda become both a relaxing sanctuary and a crazy adventure where everything is new at the same time.

Another bonus, some of the guys I went on the trip with play soccer every Tuesday! So that's where I'll be at 2pm tomorrow.

As to my study (the reason I'm here after all) I had my first day of testing today. I think it went well... its hard to gauge since I'm an engineer and have no experience in the medical world. I just put the pieces together to make the arm and programmed a little black box to measure the angle and play music. I have nothing to go off of to make me confident that it will help people with stroke... but the people that would know these things seem optimistic, so I guess there is that. Oh and if you have no idea what I'm working on, I'll see if I can post some pictures/video tomorrow... might not be able to post a person using the arm due to privacy concerns, but maybe I can demonstrate.

Peace

Mexico #2

A quick update...

I already have 4 stroke patients signed up to participate in my study. Its been going well so far.

Real gorditas are nothing like the ones Taco Bell makes. No surprise there.

Pacifico is better here too. Thought it would have been the same since its an import.

I've only been here 3 days and I'm already leaving on a trip for 5 tomorrow. But its ok cuz its a holiday.

I haven't yet drank the water. Decisions, decisions....

Mexico #1

I woke up, went to the airport, got on a plane, and flew to Mexico yesterday. In two months I will do the same, but my plane will be taking me back to the states. For the time in between, I am staying at the Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia (INNN) in Mexico City to run a study on a new low-cost exercise device for stroke patients that I have had the chance to work on. Woo!

So before now, I've only been to two places in Mexico, a little border town called Mexicali and a tourist town called Puerto Penasco. Mexico City is much different. Flying in, my first impression was, this place is green! My second was that it was huge. I don't remember my third.

Anyway, I had a little trouble bringing the exercise device (a glorified arm support) through customs. Not because I couldn't speak Spanish well, but because they couldn't understand my English. Fortunately the director of the rehabilitation clinic at INNN was there waiting to pick me up, and he is fluent in English, so we worked things out pretty quickly with his help. Then he took me to my apartment at the institute, which is an awesome corner Suite that I'm pretty sure is supposed to house two people instead of one. My first hint was the two twin beds in the bedroom, which I've now pushed together to make an awesome queen (America!).

Then we went out to dinner with his wife at a nearby restaurant called Arroyo (which means stream, according to Dr Hernandez). We had chicharron (pig skin) with guacamole, tortillas con salsa, carnitas, barbacoa, cactus, cebollas (little grilled onions you eat with salt and lime) and some typical Mexican soups. Mine had avacado, cheese, chicken, and chipotle peppers, and it was most excellent. Plus horchata, which I have to say, is better in Mexico. Its a good thing I like spicy foods as well, because otherwise I'd be lame.

We were also lucky enough to have a table of very drunk people right next to us. In America, I know this is sometimes thought of as a bad thing, but in America, we don't have mariachis... well, we do, but most Americans of non-latino descent tend to not like them as much. I will admit, that I wasn't really a fan of mariachis before, and I have to say, they are not better in Mexico. But apparently the fact that they aren't that good is generally ignored due to the mutual drunkenness of both the players and the patrons. Its all in the fun of the meal, and really it just ends up being a good show for everyone around.

Then I went home and crashed for many hours. Today, I set up my apartment, got myself a Mexican phone (pero no voy a compartir mi numero contigo), and stocked up on some food. One of the OTs at the clinic showed me around the city, and at times it didn't feel all that different from Los Angeles, except I knew that I couldn't quickly retreat to the English speaking areas.

But now I'm going to relax for the rest of the night, since I start work on my project tomorrow. I'll probably go hang out in some dark alleys with an American flag and money hanging out of my pockets. Maybe go scope out some druggie hotspots. Who knows? Either way, one of the advantages of travelling is that whatever I do here automatically feels cooler simply because I'm doing it in another country. Nice.