Always one fly in the soup

The Mexicans have a saying that there is always at least one fly in the soup. By that they mean that there is always some kind of problem in your life. Oh boy is that right!

First when I got to my new house, I was greeted by a total mess left by the previous person living there. She had left her furniture, which I knew and am grateful of, but also a lot of other.. stuff. Hard to describe. The fridge was a mess, I found things I didn’t even recognize anymore. Took me five times to clean the floor until it was even remotely clean, the stove doesn’t work and there is not water in the kitchen. But on the bright side, I have a beautiful back yard with lots of flowers and plants (aloe vera!), butterflies and birds.. and tons of insects and dreadfully big spiders!

But that is not all. After I got the house to somewhat livable condition, my car broke down. You see, the house is not exactly on the highway, so a car is a necessity. We fixed the car. It broke again. We fixed it again. It broke down three times.

And in addition to that, I caught some terrible stomach bug only God knows where, and have not been able to eat properly for three days. But hey, I wanted to learn the Mexican lifestyle and culture! So welcome, and enjoy!

But all of those things aside, my new home town is very pretty with awesome beaches and the mountains in the back, gorgeous view of the ocean and most importantly – really good tacos! Maybe in time I will learn to enjoy my soup with a few flies in it. And I prefer flies to bees anyway.

I will try to report my movements and life here in Mexico the best I can. However internet is also hard to come by, so be patient. And please, come to visit!

"Everyone has seen photographs of Mexicans wearing those big sombreros. When you come to Mexico, the astonishing thing is, nobody wears these hats at all."

-Bruce Beresford

Made in China

Grown-up world is often serious and lacks imagination, which makes it sometimes hard to carry. I have had the privilege of being in the company of two intelligent and happy young boys, full of life, dreams and imagination. We have been talking about the most interesting things like the kitchen ghost, who is shy of people but likes to move stuff around in the kitchen so you won’t find anything, and magic dust, which is hard to come by these days; you have to become a member of magic society by completing dangerous tasks.

Both boys are so much fun and the closest brothers I’ve ever known, but completely different characters.  7-year-old Joshua is a thinker and reader, and he often asks difficult (also funny) questions or makes interesting remarks.

I’d like to share some of those moments and remarks with you.

One evening we were having chicken for dinner, when Joshua started telling how previous year at school they had an experiment with farm animals. They brought chicken eggs to class and watched them hatch and grow from small chicks to bigger chicks and eventually they went back to the farm.

Joshua: “Those chicks were so cute! I love them, especially the black one. But she is probably a chicken by now, and has her own chicks.”

Me: “Yes, and we are probably eating her right now.”

(people trying not to laugh, failing epically… Finally dad tried to calm the situation)

Dad: “Yes, it was nice that you had those chicks. Now please eat your chicken.”

Joshua likes spaceships a lot. One day he told me he wants to call NASA and ask if he could use one their spaceships and launch some ants to space.

Me: “what do you think the people at NASA would say to such a request?”

Joshua: “Well they would probably think it’s a joke. But don’t worry, I will explain to them that it is not a joke but an experiment, so I am sure they will understand.”

Joshua: “Helena, are some people allergic to fish?”

Me: “Yes, some people are.”

Joshua: “Awww. So they can’t have an aquarium then.”

Me: “No, for sure they can have aquarium. They just can’t eat fish.”

Joshua: “Oh, I see. Well how about if your grandpa is allergic to fish?”

Me: “You can still eat it, if you are not allergic.”

Joshua: “So you just have to make sure your grandpa doesn’t eat any fish.”

Joshua: “This watch is not original.”

Me: “How do you know that?”

Joshua: “It’s not made in China. All original things are made in China.”

I’ve also had some very funny moments with the younger brother, Sam. With him it’s mostly something physically funny, he tends to do tricks and expressions. Also he is quite the daredevil, climbs absolutely anything in a blink of an eye.

We went to visit aquarium with Sam quite recently and saw some tigers there. A conversation followed few days later:

Sam: “What do you want for your birthday, Helena?”

Me: “I want a tiger. Can you get one for me?”

Sam: “Sure.”

Me: “How do you plan getting it?”

Sam: “I can spend the night at the aquarium and when everyone is sleeping, I will take one of theirs and I can mail it to you to Mexico.”

Me: “Oh, thanks. What do you think the mailman will say about that package delivery?”

Sam: “Ohh, he would probably say he is not gonna deliver it. But his boss will make him do it.”

Me: “Oh, then we have nothing to worry. I will be waiting for my tiger.”

These are just few examples of the moments I’ve experienced and will cherish rest of my life. And today, when I had to say goodbye to the boys, they nicely came to me and handed me a present, gave me hugs and kisses and thanked me for playing with them. And after receiving my present, Samuel sincerely asked me: “so what are you going to give us, Helena?”

Well, I don’t know. My heart you have already stolen. My thoughts and prayers are with you every day. Probably I cannot give you anything compared to what you have given me; and I am not just talking about the present.

Joshua and Samuel, you are the true inspiration of my life.

"Helena, this is your last day here, and I am kind of sad. I wish I could come wherever you go and play with you every day."

Samuel, 5 y.

The last ride

Yesterday I said goodbye to a really close friend. I don’t know when I will see her again, if ever. But this is not the first time I have left her, and I feel sad.

I still remember the first day we met like it was yesterday. It was a cold December day almost four years ago, with tons of snow everywhere. We were introduced by a lady, who told me she was sometimes suspicious of new people but once I would get to know her, she would be the best friend ever.

When I saw her, I felt connection instantly. I knew we would be really good friends. I really wanted to make the effort to win her trust and get to know her well. So we began our friendship. Sure it was rough at first; she was very stubborn and liked to do things her own way – just like me. But I had been right; we had a connection, which soon grew into a profound relationship.

But then, around nine months after we had met, I had to leave. I know she might have not understood. I left with no explanation. Sure, I would be mad about that too.

I saw her briefly almost two years ago, when I was visiting Colorado. She remembered me well. Same thing this time: when I went to meet her about a month ago, she played upset, but couldn’t be angry at me for long. She still remembered all the fun that we had together.

But yesterday was goodbye – again. I didn’t tell her that I am leaving soon. I didn’t have to. She knew. So while the sun was setting behind the magnificent Rocky Mountains, coloring the sky deep orange, there we were, side by side, silently. No words were needed. She understood. She knew I was sad too.

She stood calmly while I groomed her and made her ready for our last ride. She tried to comfort me by gently rubbing her head against my shoulder. And in her eyes I saw, that she would miss me, but she knew I had to go.

I have gone through countless of goodbyes in my life, but this one has by far been the hardest. It’s only once in a million years that you meet such a soul mate. Shoshoni, you will always be the mare of my heart.

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and fire."

- Sharon Ralls Lemon