How to Play Memory in Maya

June 12th, 2009

This morning was spent entirely in anticipation for today’s exam. After reviewing my notes and eating breakfast I arrived at class for the two hour long assessment of aspect makers, reflexive verbs, and imperatives. Allison quickly translated the Spanish phrases into English, a task that proved quite necessary for any amount of success. As each student completed the exam, Ismael reviewed their handiwork, adding a “Jach ma’alob” after glancing over my own. Soon only Connie was left with an exam, her voice echoing through the room as she realized she had forgotten page two, which left us waiting for her to complete the remainder at her own pace. As she handed her paper to Ismael, she threw her hands up in the hair and said, “I give up,” in a huff completely unbecoming for a women of her advanced age. It truly felt as if a three year old were in our midst.

After the exam Ismael set up a memory card game in Maya and we took turns flipping over the cards to complete a match. In fact, Mark never actually completed a match himself but let everyone else tell him which cards to turn over instead. Laughing quite a bit, the stress from our tedious morning melted away with each match. In addition, there was a bit of friendly cheating to encourage our classmates, but in the end I had a seven set matching streak emptying the board and winning the game. I don’t think this pleased Christa at all, but we all do know my uncanny ability to win.

My favorite part about today was an impromptu call to Cherylie and Joe. As soon as her cute little voice recognized mine I couldn’t help but break down into tears. Of course I didn’t realize that I was on speaker phone until I heard Joe chuckling in the background to my list of strange ailments and complaints after the last two weeks. When I got off the phone I could already feel a shift in my mood for the better. It certainly was exactly what the doctor ordered. The remainder of the afternoon was spent at Ana Rosa’s pool, an excursion that always leaves me feeling completely refreshed, if only for a few short hours.

Our evening plans brought us to Buenas Aires City, a rather fancy restaurant a few blocks from the general region of everyone’s current living arrangements. I am sure that our bunch stuck out like a sore thumb dressed as grimy tourists as opposed to sophisticated diners. A few of us enjoyed a glass of wine, my pinot grigio being the most expensive item on the menu at one hundred and eleven pesos, about ten dollars for the glass. I ordered a ham and cheese empanada, which was absolutely delicious and well worth the energy to go out as a group. It was refreshing to talk outside the classroom for once about our travels, education, and significant others. Tomorrow Mark and I will venture to the beach to escape the heat of Merida.

June 13th, 2009

I actually managed to sleep in this morning before packing my bag and heading to the beach. Mark and I decided to take a taxi to the bus terminal in el centro and so after stopping for water and a strawberry granola bar at the nearest Oxxo, we were on our way. The bus ride was uneventful and upon arrival Mark realized that he had forgotten his swimsuit so he quickly purchased one on the way to the beach. Stepping onto the sandy beach we positioned ourselves under the shade of a vacant palm.

After some time spent soaking in the gentle waves I let the saltwater dry on my body as I collected some of the tiny shells speckling the beach like confetti before laying out my towel and bathing in the rays of the sun. The breeze was so refreshing and barely twenty minutes on each side before I relocated to the shade of the palm leaves while Mark enjoyed the beautiful soft waves of la playa.

Later that afternoon we choose a shaded table at Los Henequen’s on the Beach where I ordered a delicious plate of garlic shrimp sprinkled with tiny pieces of toasted coconut. The remainder of the afternoon was spent chatting with Mark under the thatched roof of Los Henequen’s until an orangish sun starting bouncing off the water, indicating that it was nearly seven o’clock. The pleasant breeze rolling off the ocean suddenly picked up, the sand stinging our legs like sandpaper and we knew it was time to return to the city. The entire trip was made easier by our choice to hire a taxi from the bus terminal instead of walking the many blocks to the San Lucas Express which would carry us home. After today I have a wonderful red glow and cannot wait for it to fade to brown tomorrow for my return trip to Progreso.