No Es Adios, Sino Hasta Luego

Day 322 in Mexico

(title translation: this isn't goodbye, only see you later)

This is it, folks. My last blog from Mexico. It seems like a long time has past since I wrote my first post, and it’s true; eleven months has passed since I started my service with YAGM. Like I have many times, I’d like to thank you all for my interest in my time here and the work that I’ve been doing. I am so looking forward to telling you all about it in person.

I honestly had hoped to get another post out before this one, but these past few weeks have been INSANELY busy. It was the time of getting in a couple last fun things – a weekend trip to Mexico City to see the tourist sites, hitting up markets on weekends to buy last minute items I’ve been eying all year, attending the 4th of July backyard barbeque at the US Ambassador to Mexico’s residence (thanks to Peter being asked to grace the party with his awesome singing talent and perform the National Anthem… luckily he got to bring a guest). It was also a busy time at work, finishing up lessons in the kindergarten and watching them graduate (so cute), organizing and preparing my materials for the next volunteer, and of course, saying my goodbyes. And, you know, there was a World Cup game or two to watch in between. As much as I wanted to keep everyone updated on things as they happened, this was a time to be really living my experiences, not documenting them (as those who’ve noticed less frequent communication from me and the absence of current pictures posted on my Facebook can attest to). But now that I’m done, have said my goodbyes, and am just two days away from reentering the US, it’s probably time for an update.

Like I said, there was a lot of fun activity these past few weeks, but it’s also been an incredibly emotional and tiring time as well. My last week was one, long, extended goodbye, starting last Sunday, when our group of volunteers gathered to host a dinner for our work supervisors and families. It was a really nice way to kick off a week of despedidas (farewells); we got to share a meal and some fellowship for the people who have been kind enough to house us and guide us at work this past year, and in addition say a couple words of thanks to each person and family. Our invitees also got to share some words if they so chose, and it was really wonderful to see what kind of strong bonds have developed over this year and the mutual respect and affection that’s grown between us and our hosts. It seems we’ve come a long way since last August.

I was thinking a lot about my last week of work before it even began; I remember that when I first arrived, the women at La Estación were still grieving the loss of the past volunteer (really, leaving a tight community like this can be tough). They talked a lot about her last week and despedida, how they all cried when she left, how she left them all letters, and so on. I felt a lot of pressure to live up to this image, especially as it started being brought up more as my final week drew near. I finally (thankfully) accepted that my goodbyes didn’t have to be a replay of last year; maybe they’d be less heartfelt, maybe more, but they should be special in their own way. Let me tell you, the ladies at my job did not disappoint. After our weekly meeting last Tuesday, we had a party at the community center. Everyone brought a dish to share, several of the moms brought me goodbye presents (which I was not expecting), and everyone seemed to have a hug and some kind words for me. I had written some things that I wanted to tell the women as a group; I didn’t trust myself to know what to say in the moment, so I brought a prepared sheet to read to them. I stood up in front of the group, starting reading my spiel, and before I knew it I was crying, almost too hard to keep going. I look up and all of the moms are crying too. It was a touching, bittersweet moment, almost gut wrenching to think about leaving these amazing women who have invited me to be part of their community, but amazing to see how much we care for each other, and how much I really had been accepted and loved by them. After I finished, they also had a chance to say some things to me (which made me cry more, of course). It was an emotional morning, to say the least… and this was still three days before my last day of work! Luckily things calmed down, we shared the delicious potluck meal (they made me tostadas with tinga, which is similar to barbequed pork and one of my favorite foods here), and I took pictures with all the women to keep as mementos.

The rest of the week, if not as emotionally exhausting, was just as busy. Wednesday my boss at La Estación and some of her team took me out for a delicious seafood lunch; if you’re celebrating a special occasion here, chances are you go out for seafood. Thursday was the graduation ceremony for the kindergarten, which is a way bigger deal here than in the US (I don’t remember if I even had a kindergarten graduation). All the girls buy a fancy dress, the boys wear suits, and they put on a pageant. The third years, or five year olds that will be heading to elementary school in the fall, dance the waltz (which is not actually a proper waltz, just partner dancing) and the younger kids sing a farewell song to them. There’s also a ceremony where a flag escort from the graduating class hands over the Mexican flag to the incoming third years; Seriously, it was a big deal. Unfortunately, this year it began raining just as the ceremony was beginning, so things got a little more chaotic than usual. Luckily it let up, and the kids were still able to dance. Afterwards, I attended not a few graduation parties at the kid’s homes; it was fun, and let’s just say I didn’t go hungry that day. I couldn’t stay too long though, because it was my last day and despedida at my second job, Casa Tatic. It was lovely as well and more low-key than the tearful goodbyes at La Estación. The kids made cards and drawings for me, something to the effect of “Miss Katy, you are pretty, thanks for giving us computer classes.” It was very sweet. I also got a couple more presents from the teachers there, and a cake, actually my second cake of three that week (I’d call a three cake week a success). I was happy to have the quieter goodbye, and I left feeling a little sad, but content with my ending. Friday was my very last day at La Estación, and I spent it visiting the mom’s homes one last time, handing out thank you cards I wrote for them and the pictures I took earlier in the week. It was nice to be able to express my gratitude individually, say my last goodbyes, and give them something to remember me by. There were more hugs, more tears, but I felt good as I left. Goodbyes can be a tricky thing, and I was very much concerned about “leaving well;” I didn’t want to be plagued by the idea of loose ends, farewells that went unsaid, or a bad ending, But I couldn’t have asked for more; I was so moved at the expressions of gratitude and love, and I sincerely hope all the people I’m leaving behind know how much gratitude and love I have for them as well.

Now I’m all done, having packed up all my things and moved out of my host family’s house; they also had a small despedida for me, and though we didn’t form super close bonds over the past five months I’ve been with them, we ended our time together very amicably. This week is our final YAGM retreat, and all the volunteers – Peter, Sara, Sarah, Katie and I – and our coordinator Andrea are staying together just outside of Cuernavaca at the lovely weekend home of a friend. It’s a chance to spend some time together and reflect on this year, gather our thoughts before we head to the airport on Friday. Though I’m anxious to get home, I’m glad to have this time to relax and reflect, some buffer space between the sadness of leaving and the excitement of going home (and some time to write a blog post as well).

I think this is where I sign off. There may be a follow up post once I get back (reverse culture shock might be an interesting phenomenon to sort through) or maybe not. Again, thank you so much for your interest in my time here; it’s meant the world to me to have your support, and I couldn’t have done this without all the encouragement I received from back home. If you don’t know what’s next for me already, I’ll be moving to Champaign, Illinois shortly after I get back to take a position with Americorps. I’ll be working for the Campaign for Better Health Care as their Communications and Technology Coordinator in the Champaign office. I’m excited about this next step and am hoping for more learning opportunities and adventures as I move forward. I’ll see you all stateside on Friday!

Peace and blessings,

Katherine

Here are some pictures from my last month. Enjoy!

From our trip to Mexico City, in front of the Palacio de Bellas Artes. We also visited Frida Kahlo's house, Templo Mayor (ruins of the main Temple of Tenochtitlan), Xochimilco (an area of the city where canal systems still exist and you can take boat rides), and the Anthropology Museum.

Me and Peter with Carlos Pascual, US Ambassador to Mexico at the Embassy's Fourth of July party.

Me and my host family: from left Hipolito, Alicia, and Mireya (my "host sister")

Me and my good friend Lupita from La Estacion and her kids Ivanna, Sebastian, and Alexa.

At my despedida with another mom, Carmen, and her daughters... tell me we don't look like a family!