Just another day

I actually have something weighty to post, something that I have been thinking about a lot, but it can wait until tomorrow. Right now I just want to share a couple of things that make life here enjoyable.

1. I have been battling an ear infection and decided to go see a doctor today, so I headed down the street to Clinica Sur. I walked in, gave them my name, birthday, address and phone number, and told them what my problem was. They didn't ask me if I had an appointment, didn't ask for an insurance card or what my co-pay was, didn't make me fill out any forms, and didn't make copies of anything. The power actually went out momentarily right after I walked in, and the receptionist didn't even flinch when her computer screen went black. She started writing down my info on the back of a sheet of paper, to enter into the computer whenever it came back on. The outage ended up being only about 30 seconds, but I got the feeling the visit would have been the same with or without electricity. Anyway, I waited all of about 10 seconds to be escorted to a room, where a nurse immediately checked my vitals, took down a quick medical history, and listened to all the details about my aching ear. She left the room, telling me that the doctor would be in to see me in a minute. I was amazed to find out that she was serious. One minute later a doctor came in and asked me to step next door into his office. After asking me a few questions, he had me sit on the exam table, and checked both of my ears. He then prescribed some drops that will serve as an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic. I paid 241 pesos (a little over $22) and walked out less than 20 minutes after entering. That is what a trip to the doctor should be like! He also told me that if I don't feel better in a day or two, come back and see him. I don't need an appointment. They'll be waiting, just in case. I love that place!

2. I went the the track tonight to run, just like I do most nights. There is usually a good crowd working out at the track, both young and old, and I am getting to know a few of the regulars. Tonight I met a French girl who is always there running, and we carried on a 15 minute conversation - in Spanish. I thought it was great. Neither one of us have been studying this language seriously for more than four months, but we got along just fine. The only thing I couldn't understand was her name, which I must have asked her to pronounce at least five times. I think it is something like Guilmos. Anyway, I am really developing a love for languages. I can't wait to get Spanish down so I can start on another. Right now Arabic is next in line, unless I meet a really hot girl that speaks Italian.

3. For the last couple of weeks, I have been doing my laundry on the roof of my building, using my neighbor Susana's washer/dryer combo. This is not your typical washer/dryer, and the process has given me a great appreciation for technology, and has also taught me a lot of patience. I can put a small load in for 15 minutes on the wash cycle. Next I empty the tub, rinse the soap out of the clothes, rinse the tub, and then put the clothes back in for a 15 minute rinse cycle. Often there is still soap in the clothes after this, so I do as much rinsing by hand as I can. Finally, I wring the clothes out and put them in the dryer, which is actually called a "centrifugo" in Spanish. For five minutes the clothes spin around very quickly, with enough water being removed to hang them on the clothes line to dry. The centrifuge will only dry a few items at a time, and it won't work properly unless the clothes are perfectly balanced inside, so selecting each batch for the centrifuge is something I have turned into an art. Once the clothes are on the clothes line, the drama has just begun. The wind on the roof can get pretty violent, and even though the laundry area is somewhat sheltered, there have been several occasions when I have found the majority of my "clean" clothes scattered on the ground. Today I found myself re-washing an entire load that I had done last night. One other thing - clothes that are dried in this manner in this climate often appear that they have been heavily starched. I am still trying to figure out how to get that "Snuggle" fabric softener feel to my clean clothes. If anyone has any ideas, I am more than open. Also, I have decided to break down and buy some clothes pins the next time I go the store.

4. Okay, I have one final thing. I live in the middle of the city. I am looking out the window right now at the signs for the 24-hour pharmacy and the 24-hour 7-11. I like the convenience. Don't get me wrong, I love to have my space, and would love to have a 100-acre farm in good ole' KY, but being able to leave your home in the middle of the night to get milk for a bowl of cereal and return in less than two minutes is priceless. It's also nice to have a Subway, a great sushi place, 7 taco stands, 5 banks, and a dojo all within 2 blocks. Suburbia is nice, but in Mexico it is just another store. (Seriously, it is a store here.) There is definitely something to be said for living in the city. It forces us to know our neighbors, and not just the neighbors, but guys like Marcario, who shines shoes right in front of my building, or Gypsy Man, who sells all kinds of hand-made crafts and trinkets in front of the pharmacy. The same reason why most people don't live in the city (so many people) is probably the main reason I love it. This apartment was a gift, and I thank God every day that He has put me in this very spot at this very time. For my fellow movie buffs out there, this is what I call a "target-rich environment."