First Day of School. Eww.

Mon. January 12, 2008 11:47 pm

I had a long day today. Woke up at 6:15 am for class at 8. I went to school without any real expectations. You know me, I was like "I'll figure it out when I get there" kind of deal. I figured I'd go to as many classes as possible to see what they're like, then decide.

This was the first day of classes, and the first day that all the Mexican kids were there. So it was cool and a little bit imposing to see them laughing and greeting each other after a month's break. But one thing I did not realize was how many more gringos there actually are at UADY (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán). There are quite a few more besides us! I don't know what the Mexicanos feel about us, but I'm afraid it's bad. I mean, I would feel a little bitter and mean towards the outsiders, but maybe that's just me...

My early cultural anthropology class had a very clear-speaking teacher, which was good for my foreign ears, but the topic doesn't seem to be too enthralling. I feel like I already know much of the social anthro theory that was being presented. After the class ended, I decided hey, why not go to the Yucatanean/Indigenous Literature class (I don't remember what it was). Laurie and Megan were going to the class as well, but when the professor didn't know up after half an hour we were like "Ok. Lunch time," and we sat in the classroom talking.

After my small lunch, I went to Literature of Hispanoamerica in the 19th Century. The atmosphere was almost riotous because the teacher is pretty young (and cute). They all seemed so relaxed with each other, and it's rather intimidating. That class was ok, but I really want to take the "Boom" era literature class. It's more recent material, and I fucking hate learning about romanticism and naturalism. Fuck that shit.

Then we had like 3 hours to waste, so Gustavo and I went to the library, which is connected by a sidewalk through the desert, like I said before. (I don't know what the arquitect was thinking. He was probably like "This is a great idea." Asshole.) We found ourselves at the IFSA-Butler office and talked with Diana, the program director. It was the first time I'd really talked to her one-on-one, and she's really really nice. I just said really three times in one sentence. Wow. O_O

I asked her about clubs and groups on campus, and she told me that once I get my schedule finalized, she'll bring me to the place to sign up for them? Apparently the chorus is auditioned, and that unnerves me because I have basically no formal training. Eh.

Then I went to the special class for IFSA students, History of the Ancient Mayan Civilization and Culture. It's a three hour long class once a week, and I did not fall asleep once! I am so proud. O:) I understood nearly everything the professor said and am looking forward to this class. Yay!

Upfalls: It will apparently be easy. The teacher knows that we don't speak Spanish fluently, so we don't feel embarrassed to say we don't know a word or understand a concept. The kids are from the program, so I know all of them and it's fun with them.

Downfalls: It's a long-ass class. And I'll be with the IFSA kids. I say this as a bad thing because it's time that I could be spending with other Mexican kids. I came for cultural immersion, right? Not to hang out with kids from Wisconsin, Los Angeles and Michigan.

Anyway, I'm taking too long with all the boring shit. On the way home, we took the strangest bus. We're not exactly confident of our bus-taking skills just yet, I think. Finally, Gustavo motioned and we got off on the other side of Plaza Fiesta. (Thank God, or I would've been doomed.) I remembered that I needed to buy a newspaper for my homework and exchange some monies. So we walked down the street, and to our surprise, there's a lot of shit close to our houses! Plaza Fiesta isn't a plaza the way I thought it would be, like with a fountain and a park and stuff. No, it's a commercial center. We went into the supermarket hoping to find a paper, and to our surprise, on the other side was an entrance into a wonderland of stores. My American consumerism was chomping at the bit. We ended up spending an obscene amount of time in that maze of stores (1.5 hrs?).

It was the first time that I had hung out with people during the daytime outside of class, and it felt so natural. I feel the same way with a lot of these kids, and it's odd that we've come so far in so short of a time. Last week we just met. Last week. And now, the orientation seems so far away. It was a trial that we had to go through, our rite of passage that instilled a feeling of communitas in us.

This will be a fantastic semester. I just know it.

Clearly an anthropology major,
-Me