unsettled settling

I think a part of me is in Tijuana still. I wonder if she will ever catch up with me here in Cuernavaca.

I couldn't ask for more than what this week has been for me. I have met with staff here, lolly-gagged around Cuerna, gone on several invigorating walks, slept A LOT, and had time for reading and writing postcards. I even have had conversations with friends and family back home. It's strange for me to have time and space for such. Yesterday I went with the current intern (who was the intern for my class), to Zempaola, a really beautiful national park. I enjoyed being in good company, hiking a little trail, and sitting on a rock bridge, gazing at a lake surrounded in pine trees. It was soothing for me. I also liked riding through some trails on horseback! 35 pesos for 30 minutes...it's a hundred for half that to stroll along the beach of Rosarito. I'm still amazed by how low prices are here.

I would say that my emotional state is still fragile. Like my lungs adjusting to the elevation change I find myself out of breath quickly and at the slightest exercise. So it is for me emotionally...They're adjusting still, processing everything of Tijuana and trying to come to terms with being in Cuernavaca again. A little bit of pressure or fear and I could burst into tears. But when I'm not feeling sad, I feel quite flat-lined. Not that I am not enjoying myself, but like I said...there's some sort of wound or space within me that needs healing and I haven't quite figured out what will help. I guess time will tell.

Off for a day in Amátlan, an indigenous pueblo north of Cuerna. It is feast day of the patron saint: Mary Magdalene. Mass will be good for me...How much do you want to bet that I will burst into hot tears? Pienso que sí...I miss my buddies from Tijuana, and I miss the parroquía and the priest we had. I've already heard several horror stories of uber-conservative priests here, and that could be a problem for me. Everything has changed. And I have to start anew again.

Peace,

aly