¡Hola! My Dream Year with AidCom has officially begun. I have been living in Xalapa, Mexico, for a week – and what a week it has been! Team Xalapa now counts three again, and Ragnhild and I have been very lucky to have Elizabeth to help us get settled and show us around. I worked my first four days here, which was a bit intense but at the same time gave me the chance to really get a hang of the news watch straight away. And I’ve still had time to explore Xalapa and get an impression of how my life here in Mexico will be these next few months.
Every morning, Ragnhild and I wake up to the many sounds of our Xalapa neighborhood: Universidad Veracruzana’s Humanities campus coming to life right next-door to us; the newspaperman showing off his operatic vocals as he shouts “Diariooo!” while wandering up and down the city streets; the guys selling gas who announce their arrival by blaring their unmistakable jingle; our neighbors’ dog below us howling again, in what seems to be a heated debate with the rest of Xalapa’s canine residents; the ringing bells of the garbage man; the whistling steam pipe of an old man’s peculiar entrapment on wheels (I have yet to figure out what exactly he is selling)… The list goes on!
As for more specific experiences, our first Saturday night in Xalapa was certainly one to remember. We started the evening at Teatro del Estado for a show of Mariachi and folkloric dance (picture around fifteen guys in sombreros with ridiculous musical talent, accompanied by dancers tapping the shoes as they twirl around in beautiful traditional dresses).
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| Mariachi! |
As we stepped out of the theater, we were met by torrential rain and spectacular thunder and lightening. We had both luckily brought our umbrellas, but as the streets turned to rivers we sought shelter in a restaurant called Casa de Mama. Following several recommendations from both staff and other guests, we decided to try the seasonal dish known as “chiles en nogada” – a treat that reflects the colors of the Mexican flag with its stuffed green poblano chili covered with a white, creamy walnut sauce and red pomegranate seeds.
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| Chiles en nogada |
Very different – and very delicious. In fact, this past week we’ve tried several different types of Mexican food, and we’ve of course had a taste of Mexican beer, wine and tequila! We’ve also tried to add a bit of Mexico to our own cooking, for instance by frying plantains or spicing things up with jalapeños (which, as the name suggests, originate from Jalapa/Xalapa).
As I write this first blog entry, we are in the middle of yet another thunderstorm. If the weather forecast is true then this weather might continue for quite a few days/weeks, but for now I am still perfectly happy snuggled up in my Angry Birds blanket (nights are cold, blanket selection limited) in our lovely apartment while the rain pours down outside. After one week here, I am left with a very good first impression of Xalapa – sounds, tastes and all. And I still have nearly three months left in Mexico – in other words, plenty of time for fun adventures both within and beyond the borders of this wonderful country!
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| View from the roof of our building |
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