Ya llegue.

That means "I arrived." This place is amazing- truly. It's more than I dreamed. I sit here, gazing out past the stained black bars that block off our balcony from the cobblestone floor beaneath. I can't yet smell the lemons that are ripened on the trees in front of me. Soon, I suppose....soon. The cool air blows across my sweater-protected body....I am reminded of the bustling city that lies so near....I'm in the middle of Guadalajara....but somehow not. I walk down a small street to arrive at one of the major streets, where I wait for a bus to pick me up and take me to school each morning.

I'd estimate that it takes 30 minutes to complete the process...I am in class from 9-1 and 2-6....my moments of waiting are over. I'll soon be teaching English as a foreign language in a country other than my own. The beauty of living your dream, eh?

Thus far I've experienced many familiar and new things. Can I just tell you how grateful I am to Luis for warning me about the drivers here? He forgot to mention that I'd need to purchase insurance for my neck treatments at the end of my bus-riding experience. I'm pretty sure the drivers forget that they have people on board rather than "vacas" (cows). It's beautiful to stand next to 80 other people trying to get across the city...be the only "gringa" and