Five things about Mexico

I’m sorry I have been quiet for a long time now. My life in Mexico has been quite unexpected in many ways. But during this time I have paid attention to few things that for a Northern European might be difficult to adapt at first. Here are some five things about Mexico that I want to educate you about.

Five reasons why you can’t sleep:

1. Your neighbor’s hundred and ten roosters start their morning serenade at 4 am and continue for hours.

2. Wild dogs in the neighborhood host illegal dog fights every night.

3. Somewhere close by somebody is burning a ton of plastic and the smell makes you want to puke.

4. The cute cat babies under your window, where their wild mom found a nest for them, start screaming for food or for their mom.

5. When you’re taking a nap in the afternoon, the local newspaper car drives by shouting in the megaphone how some kid in the next village was killed and his body ripped in parts.

Five things, which are most different from home:

1. It’s okay to drive one-way street to the wrong direction.

2. You find scorpions in your bathroom.

3. Yard work tools include jungle knife.

4. When Mexicans say, “it’s not spicy at all” you will die if you eat it.

5. No warm water in the house (but it’s Mexico, so why would you need warm water?)

Five reasons, why you have to love Mexico:

1. It’s okay to drive one-way street to the wrong direction.

2. Food: tacos from street vendors are absolutely fantastic!

3. It never snows.

4. You get to use jungle knife when working in your yard. Talking about Indiana Jones!

5. If you run out of food, there are ton of roosters running around, waiting to be cooked.

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

Me no speak no Americano

As much as I love the magnificent sight of the Rocky Mountains, the warm Colorado sun which warms up the days long until September, the current exchange rate which makes me a king in America, and the large coffees, when I was asked by a random small talk acquaintance, if I could move to the States, my immediate answer was: no way!

It’s fun to visit, but I would go crazy if I actually lived here. I don’t want to offend anyone, I’m just being honest. And here is why:

1) Americans still believe that having just two extreme opposites in the government is democracy.

2) Americans have absolutely no idea what socialism is. For them it’s the biggest nightmare and the end of the American dream. When the world’s third richest man Warren Buffet publicly stated that the tax cuts for the wealthiest have gone too far, and that they need to pay their share, he was accused of being a socialist. Excuse me?!

3) Whenever I hear the word ‘terrorism’ here I want to puke. Attitude towards Muslims and Arabs is unheard-of.

4) The pure lies spread in the news, mostly in TV. It is true that America has an outstanding record in investigative and war journalism, but they also hold high records in propaganda. It makes me sick to watch some news shows (Fox news, krhm), because of the pure lies, opinions and assumptions that they portray as facts.

5) Many Americans actually truly believe that they are the greatest nation in the whole world. Any nation that lifts itself to such stand, I feel uncomfortable with. Definitely don’t want to live there.

I could continue this list for a long way. My intention is not to insult anyone and I know there are many Americans who do not fall into the category I portray here. But sadly enough, this is the feeling that I have been getting since I’ve been here.

So since I will not be staying here, my future country of living will be… Mexico! Because politics and journalism is so much simpler there! All you have to do is pay the drug cartels for protection. Awesome.

All kidding aside, I will be going back to Mexico and starting to write my thesis there. It’s going to be an interesting ride, so tag along.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

-Earnest Benn

Love is patient, love is kind

Today I have a topic in mind that probably differs from previous texts. You may think it’s not very journalistic, you may think it’s soft, you may think it’s idealistic, you may think it’s nothing but a vague dream. And you might be right. But I’m going to write about it anyway.

I’m talking about love.

When I look at the world today, it makes my heart ache. It seems that human kind is incapable of love. Sure people love each other, they love their children, their parents, their spouses, even their siblings (most of the time). But what does it really mean to love?

The Bible describes real love very powerfully: ”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1^st Cor. 13: 4-7, NIV)

Now think about the people you love. Is this the kind of love you feel? What if you get hurt? Is it easy to dig back up all the old things, things you have forgiven already?

True love does not seek for its own good, true love forgives, true love doesn’t remember the wrong things or the pain. But who can really love like this? Is it even possible for humans?

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who seek to hurt us. His teachings were revolutionary at his time – and they still are today. Now whether you are Christian or not, these words must make you think. Even if you don’t believe in God, maybe you believe in love, or in peace. Peace in the world or in your heart can’t be accomplished without pure love.

I truly believe that the only solution to the problems of the world is to start loving each other. Forgiving the people who hurt you the most, praying for those who seek to destroy you and your family. That is the only way.

Hatred is easy. Love is hard.

It is so easy to become bitter, to carry anger in your heart, to hate others and blame them for the pain. Loving is difficult. Loving your enemy is not easy. It does not come to us naturally. But loving is also a choice. It’s a decision we make.

Maybe it’s idealistic. Maybe it has nothing to do with journalism. But I believe it and I stand by it.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

- 1st Cor. 13:13

Respect the Mountain

Three years ago in August in Colorado, United States, at the Rocky Mountains National Park, I pushed myself to the limits I didn’t know I had and conquered the highest mountain and the most difficult climb (class 3) at the Park.  And I did it all in outstanding time: that was due to the bet I had with my friends, who at the time were laughing at me when I said I wanted to climb Longs Peak in five hours (final time was 4hrs 20 minutes, which for a first timer is really good).

I remember coming down the mountain, my whole body in pain, my lungs screaming for mercy and my muscles aching. Even though the breathtaking view on top of that 14,250 feet (4,3km) mountain was totally worth the pain, I swore to myself that I would never put myself through that much suffering ever again.

Yet there I was, climbing the same mountain exactly three years after.

There is just something amazingly magnificent about mountains. I’ve always been in love with nature, and connecting with it has been close to my heart. I also want to push myself to the limits, to exceed myself.

This time I knew that I was not in as good shape as I was three years ago – back then I trained six months just for the climb. Also my sickness in Mexico had squeezed me out of my strength pretty bad and it was only about three weeks ago that I started training again.

But I still wanted to climb it. Test myself. Test the mountain.

If last time I conquered the mountain, this time definitely the mountain conquered me. With my friend, we were able to climb all the way to the Keyhole, so about 12 kilometers. But the last kilometer to the peak was impossible for us to reach. The weather was drastic, the wind so strong that I could not stand up without being blown away. So we realized that we have to respect the mountain and its powers and not risk it. It was too dangerous. Besides dark clouds were gathering above us and lightings are the biggest threat while on a mountain.

Like I learned in Croatia, at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, nature will always be stronger than man, nature will always win. This time the powerful mountain was too powerful for me to conquer. Respect, Longs Peak! Still it was a good climb, and my body is once again in pain.

Can’t wait for the next challenge!

"You can never conquer the mountain. You can only conquer yourself."

-James Whittaker