23/04/2014 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico I feel the cool morning breeze against my face as I turn away from the cold, stone wall in my room on the second floor of this gorgeous, hacienda-style house I call home. I reach for my phone and it’s 4:59am, once again my internal alarm is ahead of technology. I lay quietly in bed grateful for another morning as the ceiling fan directly above me tick away while it spins, imitating the second’s hand of a clock. Today is a three shots, six pills morning. Magdalena is the sweet, loving woman who has fed me, housed me, and treats me like a son during my medical trips to Guadalajara. I hardly ever use her name but this is a woman that deserves an introduction. I sometimes call her Sánchez, when she is being stubborn and set in her ways, implying that she gets those behaviors from that side of her family; I will also call her Maleni, what her grandkids call her, when speaking of her to her family. At times, I call her Doña Magdalena in a bossy but joking manner only to break the tension during intense moments. I mostly call her Edgar, as she reminds me of what I imagine my dear friend (her youngest son) to be like when he grows older. I sneak past Maleni’s room quietly to not disturb her much needed, much deserved sleep, to make it to the only functional shower in the house. I forgot to turn the water heater on last night so a quick cold shower it is! I sat quietly in the dinning room logging my meds and sending out a few emails before heading out on my adventure. I’ve packed a small bag with just enough clothes for a few days, my meds and toiletries. In my backpack I carry my medical record (aka my iPad), two books, my laptop and a few electronic accessories. Last night I purchased a bus ticket from Guadalajara to Queretaro to visit some dear friends/family whom I have not seen in many, many, many years. The bus depot is clear across Guadalajara in the beautiful town of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. I am determined to take public transportation all the way to the bus depot so I don’t become a burden to anyone. It’s now 5:55 a.m.; I make my way past the living room, past the patio, past the sleeping kitties and slowly close the white, metal door behind me. It is still dark outside but I make my way east following the sweet smell of bolillo coming from a few doors down. As I walk past the shop, I can see the men cheerfully baking and singing their hearts out, this makes me smile. I continue walking down the dark street observing the sleeping homes and imagining what fun filled adventures live with their walls. At a distance I can hear the screeching gears of the Molino located at the end of the street. The smell of tortillas from the Molino gets stronger as I get closer. As the Molino comes into sight, it’s now my turn to make a right. This street is even darker than the one before with only the OXXO sign illuminating the street ahead of me. Only two more blocks and I will arrive at Federalismo where I will make a left until I get to the next OXXO at which point I will proceed down the stairs, deposit my seven pesos in the metal slot and wait for the green light indicating the approval of my passing thought the gates and onto the light rail. I stand through the eight stops observing everyone around me. Men and women of all ages dose off in their seats but magically wake moments before the trains comes to a stop at their destination, quietly I smile everytime. I make my way off the train at Estación Juárez. I quickly make my way to the next platform to the waiting train that will take me as close as possible to the bus depot at the end of it’s line. This time, I decided to take a seat and read one of my books. I make my way from the Light Rail, to the town and towards the bus depot. La Terminal Nueva de Autobuses de Guadalajara is quite impressive. Immediately I see the big black and white Primera Plus logo. I made it!!! Again, I smile. It’s 7 a.m. and the bus depot is full of life. Outside, yellow cabs line the sidewalks and people are coming in and out the doors. Inside, Lily Allen singing Smile, is heard throughout the bus depot on the P.A. system. I smile, make my way to the ticketing counter, retrieve my ticket then head over to the coffee cart for my café Americano. As I walk out to the departure area, I hand my bag to a nice young man who in exchange gives me a baggage retrieval slip and points me in the direction of a nice leady who then asks for my ticket, hands me a meal-in-a-bag and gestures towards the open door of the bus. I guess it’s time to find me seat. I make my way to seat twenty-eight, settle in, discover a pork and cheese sandwich, cookies and a beverage in my free meal; not kosher but a pleasant surprise, bus tickets come with meals. Now I sit back and enjoy my ride. Queretaro, here I come!!! Life is beautiful and full of wonderful surprises, we just have to teach ourselves how to look for them always! #lifeisbeautiful #travelmexico #Guadalajara #Zapopan #Queretaro #smile
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:15:07 +0000
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