Daily Journal
What have I been doing in recent days
Wednesday, 31 January 2001
The first activity today was to go surfing. There is only one family of four and another single guy Andy and myself staying at El Refugio at the moment. Us two went to the main beach break Zicatela with the two staff Ronne and Armando. I got a few barrels as the waves were about 4 foot and very hollow. Not a bad way to start of the ministry. Each day I feel called to stay long term; and not just for the waves.
When we were done a guy came up to us and ask if we spoke English. I said that I did a bit and after chatting for a few minutes realised that we had attended the same schools and had the same mutual friends. I hope to see and spend a bit more time with him (Ben Evans) while he is here over the next 2 months.
The rest of the day we went and painted by brush the entire inside of the new house where the family who are staying at El Refugio will be moving to shortly. It was fun and a great way to learn more words and eat more of that Mexican food that I love so much.
Andy and I went out after dinner into the tourist strip near the beach (the adokin). We browsed the shops and bought a very fine tasting fruit sorbet from the local Italian ice-creamery. I feel in love with them and plan to have them a fair bit in coming months. Another great reason to live in Puerto Escondido.
[ 7:58:18 AM ] +
Tuesday, 30 January 2001
The bus trip from Mexico City to down to Puerto Escondido takes 12 hours and has only 3 stops. They put on two movies that happened this time to be in English. One was good while the other was a B grade horror movie that the Mexicans found to be a comedy. It didnt make the travel sickness get any better.
Upon arrival I caught a taxi to El Refugio and met all of those living there at he moment. Since it was very hot I quickly found my room, ripped off the trousers and shirt and replaced them with shorts and thongs: now I was feeling comfortable and quite at home.
After chatting with my Canadian roommate Andy, we went shopping to get some food and pick up his washing. The best way around the area is on Colectivos which mostly a ute with a blue tarp on the back and carry heaps of people. There are other ones that are small 4 cylinder sedans in which they can fit at least 7 or 8 in. A bit squishy but quite a bit faster.
Every Tuesday evening a meal and then Bible study is held at El Refugio. Many from the local surfing community came and enjoyed the normal Mexican meal and the singing and sermon that followed. It is presented in both Spanish and English as both locals and Westerners can be challenged and grow. The director for the ministry here, Ronne Jones, spoke about being salt and light to those around us in the community. This whole day tried me put so I went to bed as soon as everyone left.
[ 7:57:35 AM ] +
Monday, 29 January 2001
Once again I had a good little sleep in but awoke to find that Cathryn was about to catch a bus to Oaxaca soon. It was good to have her around and for her to get to know well some locals of Mexico. Maybe Ill be able to meet her back in Australia next time I am in Melbourne.
The next part of the day we went to town and tried to buy a few items. I thought it would be very helpful to have an electronic English to Spanish translator dictionary. I found some but they were a bit too pricey. Ill settle with the printed version for the time being. I was able to purchase another set of trousers for an OK price. Finding ones that having enough leg length is the hard thing as nearly anywhere I go I am the tallest person.
on returning home I had dinner with the family again and this time their father was bale to join us. I hadnt yet seen him this trip so the catch up was nice. Before too long it was time to say goodbye as I needed to leave that night in order to get to Puerto Escondido and start the college required ministry.
My friends helped me to the bus station after getting cash out from an ATM. I had tried all day and for whatever reason it had failed. On going to the last bank after trying a few different types I prayed and sure enough it worked. Maybe God just wanted to remind me that I needed to rely on him for everything.
The bus depot at Tasquena was just how I remembered it last time: busy. The buses to Puerto Escondido go about every hour so I didnt have to wait too long for the next one. I farewelled Shane and Martha and then boarded then bus. I found a guy from Germany on the same bus whom I had earlier helped by a ticket. I sat with him for quite a while and we chatted about many different things. There are always opportunities to live Jesus out to those around.
[ 7:56:57 AM ] +
Sunday, 28 January 2001
It is now Sunday morning and I have been having a great time in Mexico City with my old friends whom I meet last time. We are off to church later and then will hang out at some of the many tourist attractions etc. I am planning on leaving this evening for Puerto Escondido but this might once again be delayed. They want me to stay forever.
Later on that night I wrote: The church service was great. We got there a bit late and therefore missed the singing but we had fun listening to the sermon anyway. The church holding about 1200 people was all the way across town so we used a micro bus, the metro and a friends car to make the trek (6 people in a two door Holden Barina sized car is very interesting). It was also noted by me that you can actually do 100km/hour around the local streets if the traffic permits. Anyone and everyone here seems to be a racing car driver.
After the service we had a great lunch at a little shop. For Cathryn it was here second Mexican meal and she loved it. I did go a bit careful on the chillies as I remember from last visit the effects they could bring if ones body wasnt used to them.
When we had all had our fill we went into the town and saw a few of the local sites. In the Z?calo there native Indian were dances doing their thing with big loud drums. This was impressive but was outdone by the lowering of the massive flag that hangs in this square in the centre of town. About 150 soldiers cordoned off a section for those watching to stand behind then more soldiers came and grabbed the flag and wrapped it up as it was being lowered so that it wouldnt touch the ground. The whole process is done in about 15 minutes and it repeated around 6am and 6pm each day. It was definitely worth seeing.
The sun was setting and there was some time for Cathryn to go up the tallest building in the city with Shane and see the city lights. When they returned some time later they shared the same thoughts I had last time that the city is simply HUGE.
Time gets away on you so quickly so I wasnt really going to make the bus that night. (I think Martha and Shane had planned that all along!) When we did finally get home I was feeling tired because my body clock was way out (16 ahead) but I was called to help Shanes mother in Canada try and find some files that had been deleted. Having to think woke me up and I ended up staying up a while longer and teaching Shane a few things about building web sites.
One interesting thing for me though was to go to the local bakery to get some bread fro the next day. It was just down the road and was making lots of fresh bread etc continually. What was interesting was that they were doing some major extensions and possibly repairs to the building as well. I wasnt quite sure if the coating on the rolls was flour or just dust from the construction site. There was no ceiling and the food was quite exposed. Definitely not Australia but I like it very much all the same.
[ 7:56:34 AM ] +
Saturday, 27 January 2001
I didn't sleep as well last night and awoke at 4am and unable to go back to sleep. I utilised the time for a few hours and made an online photo album of my trip last time. This work wore me out again so I finally slept until Martha awoke me at midday so that we could go a sell some shirts at a Saturday market across town. She and her friend go each week to the markets to seel shirts that her husband had airbrushed during the week. They have a good little business since his work is fantastic.
While the markets were on I was shown around by her friend and she was able to assist me in learning a many more Spanish words and revise those I already knew. During the personal tour we went across the street and into the local Catholic Church in which they were holding Mass and some baby christenings. We sat in the back row and observed and learned a few more words.
We were at the markets until about 10pm. Not as many shirts were sold this week as the power and lights went out for about 30 minutes at the usual busiest time. Those who viewed the shirts loved them and bought according to their varying tastes. It was tonight that I ate my first Queseadilla which is a taco filled with very tasty cheese. I will be trying to buy more of these in the future but I suspect that not many will be as good as tonights.
When Daniel came to take us home, he had the Aussie girl Cathryn with him. She was invited to stay with us over the next few days until she left for Oaxaca later in the week. Due to her influence we all went to Reggae music club that evening and didnt get home until 4am, just in time for a quick sleep in preparation for church tomorrow. The music in the club was good although quite loud. The best thing about the activity was eating at the food vendor at the little stall outside. Mexico sure does have some very tasty food.
[ 7:56:04 AM ] +
Friday, 26 January 2001
After a good nights sleep, I had to get up at around midday. Oh the life of a jet setting traveller. I will try and make the most of this short holiday with my friends and get re-acquainted by chatting about life over the past 3 years. Some things and people have stayed the same but many others and friends are now different.
After the first meal for the day we went out to view the town. The transport that many use is the Micro Busses and then the Metro which we too used. Of course since they say there are now well over 20 million in this one city alone, there was obviously many using the transport systems too.
The trip took us to the centre of town and we viewed a few of the shops and markets then went to a Museum. This was one of a kind as it was the Torture Museum. In side we viewed and read of all the disgusting ways that peoples tortured others whom they saw as different. After a while of reading I limited myself to simply viewing the equipment since the articles were quite disgusting.
We were all pretty tired after this trip so we went home after browsing the markets on the sidewalks. I found some trousers to buy as I only had brought one pair and need more since Mexico city was cold and no one (except tourists) wears shorts. When we returned to the flat we chatted for a while about the days events and then hit the sack in preparation for the next day.
[ 7:54:55 AM ] +
Friday, 26 January 2001
After a good nights sleep, I had to get up at around midday. Oh the life of a jet setting traveller. I will try and make the most of this short holiday with my friends and get re-acquainted by chatting about life over the past 3 years. Some things and people have stayed the same but many others and friends are now different.
After the first meal for the day we went out to view the town. The transport that many use is the Micro Busses and then the Metro which we too used. Of course since they say there are now well over 20 million in this one city alone, there was obviously many using the transport systems too.
The trip took us to the centre of town and we viewed a few of the shops and markets then went to a Museum. This was one of a kind as it was the Torture Museum. In side we viewed and read of all the disgusting ways that peoples tortured others whom they saw as different. After a while of reading I limited myself to simply viewing the equipment since the articles were quite disgusting.
We were all pretty tired after this trip so we went home after browsing the markets on the sidewalks. I found some trousers to buy as I only had brought one pair and need more since Mexico city was cold and no one (except tourists) wears shorts. When we returned to the flat we chatted for a while about the days events and then hit the sack in preparation for the next day.
[ 7:44:30 AM ] +
Thursday, 25 January 2001
The trip is going well so far. There are many new things to see and do and you meet many interesting folk on the way. The differences might seem striking at the start but it is necessary to understand that there are often many ways to do the one thing.
After arriving in Tokyo Narita from Sydney (and 9 hours later) I went to the hotel that the airline provides. I was a nice as last time that I remember and just as expensive. There was only a breakfast provided so I had to pay heaps to eat in the hotel restaurant if I wanted an evening meal. I also got hit for watching the movie -The Bone Collector" since it was on a pay TV channel as I had pressed the start-paying button by accident. The room might have been free but they sure know how to get reimbursed by having many extra hidden charges.
During the flight from Japan to Mexico I spent some time refreshing myself with Spanish. I keep surprising myself with what I could remember from the trip 3 years ago. After learning at least how to pronounce the various sounds I felt confident in being able to say what needs to be communicated.
The flights themselves have been on JAL. I did get a surprise to stop for one hour in Vancouver since it wasnt mentioned anywhere in the travel arrangements. I spent this stopover stretching my legs and getting some money exchanged so that when I get to Mexico City I can get on a bus for PE sooner.
I have chatted with a few Aussies on the plane and heard some interesting stories. Although we dont know each other we get along well since we speak the same language. Some are doing surf trips and have known about PE and have said they would like to come a visit. I trust that I can have a good continued contact with the expatriates who I come across. One guy said that he had done some time working in a orphanage for a few months. I gathered he wasnt a believer but just helped out at that place for whatever reason.
Today didn't really exist for me since I was on the plane flying from Japan to Mexico and had to cross the international dateline. It was a very fast day and yet went for a long time. I left Japan at 6.30pm local time and arrived in Mexico the same time on the same day. Weird but that is the life of a world traveller.
Upon arriving in Mexico City I decided to stay the night with a family I met last time. I dropped off a girl from Australia named Cathryn at a local hotel and we will see her tomorrow some time. From the hotel we all squashed back into my mates little yet new car and flew back to his house.
While we were driving around the city tonight I realised how much of a difference there is in the driving styles. Here the style is very fast and what I would consider pushy and un-regulated. I also noted though that there are very few accidents. Maybe Australia could adopt similar driving rules/behaviours and have the high road reduced dramatically.
[ 4:19:13 AM ] +
Wednesday, January 24, 2001
I have arrived in Sydney airport OK and am about to get onto a plane bound for Japan. I should arrive before dinner this evening and might cruise around and see a few sights. It will be quite cold but I have packed a cardigan!
[ 9:09:26 AM ] +
During the holidays I haven't written in this journal much. I will try to over the next few months while I am away in Mexico. The weekend just gone I went to a camp at Mt Tamborine and then left early to get all my things together. I have finished packing now and will be off to bed soon for a couple of hours. I had to change flights this evening since the company cancelled the flight from Brisbane to Sydney. They organised a new flight that should get me to Sydney in time to catch the connecting one on JAL that takes me to Japan for the night. I'll then wait for nearly the whole next day before leaving for Mexico and then arriving 10 minutes prior since I'll be crossing the International date line.
[ 2:11:04 AM ] +
Sunday, January 14, 2001
The past week was good as I was able to get paid for doing a bit of carpentry. I now have enough to get me to Mexico while I count on AUSTUDY to get me home again. We built a few walls and have finished off the inside of the church building. This coming week I will only work the first 3 days and this will be outside and in the adjoining toilet block.
This coming weekend there is a camp at Mt Tamborine and I will be attending and doing a talk. The organisers have asked me to speak on intergrity and then lead a discussion for the teenagers who will be in attendance. I will be needing to leave the camp straight after since I leave a day or so later.
My mate Jeff King has left and should be in Mexico right now. He will be working with WEC in Cuernavaca while I will be heading off to Puerto Escondido to hang with Alternative Missions. I have packed my boogie board since I will be participating in a surfing ministry. The place is beautiful so I am still looking very forward to leaving on the 24th.
The house sitting has been good and quite easy. The people will be home at the end of the week so I'll be sharing the house with them until I leave. I got one card saying they were having a good time. It is good being so close to work but still get there a bit late since I have been out too late visitng friends.
Finally the web sites have grown and I have been able to get a partner to host the Churches Network. I want to be a ble to promote it this weekend at the camp and to have it all happening while I am overseas. It won't be making me very rich at the moment but that isn't why we set it up either. I am pleased that finally another little project is very underway.
[ 12:19:44 AM ] +
Saturday, January 06, 2001
Another working week of my holidays is over. I spent the day at the building site and things went OK. I had to work a lone for part of the afternoon as the other chippy went shopping to get a replacement part for the nail gun. We knocked up a few walls and little sections for plants to sit at the front of the stage. When I go back tomorrow we will be finishing off the stage floor if the materials arrive in time. I will only be working half the day as I have another thing to go to.
In the arvo I will be off to Gympie to attend the wedding of my mate Reuben Buchanan which will be held on his grandparents farm. He is marrying a lovely girl named Cheryl who he met earlier in the year. I only got invited last weekend since the letter got lost in the mail and the family rang me to ask why I hadn't given them my RSVP. I am pleased to attend yet things will be weird by not having Jules at it this time.
I spent the arvo with Jules the other day. Things went sort of OK but it was strange chatting again to someone who hadn't kept in touch for the past few months. We sorted through a few things that needed discussing and then went to her place to divide up the gifts all of our generous friends had given us at the engagement party back in June. I will see if any of the mates and rellies want the gifts back and if not stash them for next year when I have finished college.
Yesterday arvo after work I went to the movies to watch "Meet the Parents". I though it was a very funny movie and laughed the whole way through. James a good mate came with me and then came back to my place for dinner. It was good to chat and catch up. I haven't spent quality time with him for ages but finally we are both free and have the time just to hang. He is moving to Sydney soon with his work so it will be even harder to visit then.
Tonight I had dinner at my parents place but there were a few visitors. Since Dad goes to Thailand in the morning for 3 weeks he and all those going with him had a farewell dinner and then meeting. It was a nice time and I meet a few of the people going; some of whom I didn't already know. They seem like a good bunch and trust that they have a great time.
[ 10:15:23 AM ] +
Mexico should work out OK but there have been a few dramas with the travel arrangements. My travel agent Tony Dennis has done a great job and rebooked the necessary flights since there was some confusion meaning he cancelled the originals. I am still waiting for a flight to get me out of Brisbane on the 24th but the I am confirmed on one leaving Sydney instead. Obviously I would prefer to leave from my home as it would cheaper and far less hassle. I now wait in anticipation for the day I get to live in Mexico again.
Another friend from college is staying with my parents tonight as they will all be going to another wedding tomorrow also in Gympie. I spent a few minutes talking with her before coming home and showed her a few of my photos of Mexico from my first trip. We both liked what we saw and it made me even more keen to get to the beach and catch a few tubes (in my spare time that is!). I dont think things will be the same this time but it will be very interesting to see what God has in store for those 4 months.
[ 1:28:29 AM ] +
Wednesday, January 03, 2001
The holidays are nearly over since I go and work as a carpenter starting back tomorrow. I have had a good past few days and visited a few old friends around the traps. I feel drained a bit so am not writing much now. I expect to write more tomorrow about what has happened in the last week.
I did have a cool New Years party as I got to hang out at a 350 person $200 per head function on the Gold Coast at the Sheratin Mirage resort. Unfortunately I wasn't one of the guests but was watchng all of the action from the sound desk at the back of the room. An old mate named Steve does these sorts of gigs so I went to watch and learn so that when I get to Mexico I have a nit more of an idea since the ministry regularly has concerts in the coffee shop on the beach.
We didn't finish this show until 4.30am so I slept in my car at my mate Daniels place until they came and woke me at 8.30am. The rest of the New Years day was spent watching some local cycling at Robina and hanging with two different groups of friends. Before I went home that night, a few of us went and watch the movie 'The Dish' at the loacal cheap cinema. I found this movie pretty good and very humerous in a very Aussie way. I like the Australia humour and this one was deffinately that. I end up getting home without falling asleep in the car while driving and then slept in til mid day the next day.
[ 10:34:36 PM ] +