I’m now on the bus, writing this in a wobbly way (both literally and figuratively) as I leave Tepoztlan and head back to Mexico City. I say ‘wobbly’ because I really do feel quite emotional about leaving such a beautiful and tranquil place, and I also feel a bit nervous about the fact that I’m really setting out on my own now. At the school I had the comforting companionship of my English speaking classmates, the cheery presence of the teachers and staff, and the cosiness of Socorro’s casa as a base, with her family all around me. Prior to that, I was with Kate, Brian and their kids in another convivial family setting. Now I’m going solo and I just hope I won’t feel too lonely or scared… I’ve made some plans to try to avoid this, though, by contacting some people in D.F. (‘Distrito Federal’ – basically Mexico City) through the Couchsurfing community, and I’m going to meet up for drinks with a couple of them during my stay. Also, I reckon I’ll probably be busy to the point of distraction from any sudden pangs of loneliness or apprehension while I'm in the city. Reading up about what to do in D.F. has been kind of overwhelming. It seems as if there are so many museums, galleries and general things to see and do that I don't know if I’m going to cram it all in. I’ve got some rough plans, though...
The last couple of days in Tepoztlan passed by quickly and enjoyably. Highlights included a cookery class on Thursday afternoon with Emma and Gina (the cooks/housekeepers at the school) in which I learned how to make tamales, and some farewell drinks at Pascal’s last night. Looking back upon my experience at ‘The Spanish Cat’, I really couldn’t have asked for more, and I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone wanting to learn Spanish in warm, hospitable, authenticly Mexican surroundings. Although I was feeling a bit down on myself about my Spanish towards the end of last week, I now think I was just chiding myself for not having been more disciplined with my own study outside of lessons (there was too much else to distract me!). I can’t fault the teaching at the school at all and I know that my classes helped to strengthen the ‘bare bones’ of my knowledge of the language. I’m glad to say that my confidence returned a little bit this morning when I went on an organised hike with Gina’s brother, Adriane (I wanted to snatch a final few hours of mountains and greenery in Tepoztlan before heading to the smoggy city). Without my dictionary I pretty much managed to converse with him all morning, talking about flowers, wildlife, his life in Mexico and mine in England etc., so that felt good.
So, I guess it’s time to move on and out of my comfort zone now. It was sad saying goodbye to Socorro and Dariana this afternoon but, with Socorro’s main preoccupation at present being the ongoing religious ceremonies in her home each evening (which will culminate in a big ‘fiesta’ on Tuesday – I’m sorry I’ll be missing that), maybe it was a good time for me to leave. Also, although her cooking was great (and, I have no doubt, truly Mexican) I am quite looking forward to giving my stomach and coronary arteries a rest and choosing my own meals now. The cuisine of the last couple of days was a bit indigestible and, although I avoided chapulines, I still had to contend with a couple of pretty greasy stodgy breakfasts. Thursday’s was deep-fried tortillas (like poppadoms) topped with fried eggs accompanied by a bowlful of sticky rice pudding. This, I think was a left over offering to the ‘santitas’ (little saints) the night before (and I knew this because I noticed the santitas had been left a bowlful as well at their altar – along with a ham sandwich and a couple of boiled sweets!)! Ah, I hope Socorro will be richly blessed for her benevolence! As for me, onwards I go to the next stage of my journey.
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