April 9th, Veracruz

I went to the grand ole city of Veracruz today. I tagged along for a doctors visit with Felix (the English Teacher in Tecolutla) and his friend Fernando (who drove and speaks no English). Its about a 4 hour trek from Tecolutla to Veracruz so there was some good napping on the way there, and much listening to my new found love..Marc Anthony. Fernando played a CD of his in the car and then put on some awful Mexican music (I probably think it's awful because the people who live next to my cabin play that crap into the wee hours of the morning, every morning.) When the CD had finished, I told Fernando I really liked the first CD, whoever it was. He had a nicer voice. Needless to say, I'm now obsessed with M.A.
We stopped about 2 hours into the trip at the eatery they regularly eat at when they go to Veracruz. It's on the side of the road next to a speed bump (I HATE THOSE THINGS) and has checkered plastic coverings on the tables. Thats all you can really say about it. I wasn't hungry though, but not being Fernando or Irma and understanding my eating habits, they insisted. I ate spicy quesadillas (everything is spicy even when you ask for it without spicy). My stomach is still re-cooping from in's infection so it took the quesadillas, but not happily.
Felix and Fernando wanted to drive around before going to the hospital so I could see the area. There was this amazing billboard for Coca-Cola and a ton of boats. Oh and soccer nets on the beaches. I took a picture of the billboard so I can put it up here when I figure out how to do that. And when I say amazing, I mean God awful. It's a bunch of drunk girls with their tongues out and sporting really trashy club outfits. Good work Coca Cola. I thought it was silly, especially to be displayed on a giant billboard. Oh and for those who are not familiar with the map of southern Mexico, like myself, Veracruz is south of Tecolutla which means it's considerably hotter. Let's just say I was sweaty all day.
Now for the hospital scene. If I had known how un-organized and frustrating the hospital was going to be, I would have insisted on some beach time prior to the visit. To sum things up, we sat in a hallway with about 40 other people, and waited for 3 hours. I watched at least 100 nurses walk up and down the hall going to lunch or going home. They have a very strange way of working things down here. It makes me grateful for our hospital system (you know..the make the appointment, show up for appointment, go home). Here, the doctors all get to the hospital around 3 so you have mass amounts of people getting there 3-5 hours early, like ourselves, in order to secure a good spot when the doctor does finally get there. Right before he does arrive, however, a nurse asks for your slips which you had been given when you checked in. Everyone rushes to a door and waits in that line to have their actual name put on an ordered list to see the doctor. Then you go back to your seat and wait some more. Oh and Ps these aren't cushy comfy chairs. I'm talking a wooden bench, and some plastic seats. Naturally, not everyone can sit down though. There isn't enough room. When the doctor starts down the hall to the examining room, everyone visibly perks up, eyes following his every step. Then there is a little bit of a sinking feeling. you have at least 4 other people in front of you to be examined. SO you wait a little bit longer.
Surprisingly, with all this waiting, people are in generally good spirits. Not dancing and singing, but smiling and talking with one another. (Ps as I'm writing this, it has just hit the midnight spot on the clock. My wonderful neighbors have started what sounds like Kareoke. C'MON)
Anyway, back to the people. They are pleasant. They all look out for one another, making getting into lines and reserving your place not as cut-throat as it could possibly be. It's a pleasant environment.
During the 3 hours, I talked to Fernando and Felix, and then got really bored. I listened to my iPod and tried to change the mood of people walking in crowded masses up and down the hall with each song. Hotel by Broken Social Scene was lovely, as was Cowboy by Kid Rock.
When it was Felix's turn, I would guesstimate that he was in and out of the room within 15 minutes.
Afterwards, everyone, except myself, was really hungry. We went to a fried chicken stand with homemade tortillas and crunchy dry soap in the bathroom (seriously, as least this place had soap. THE HOSPITAL DIDN'T HAVE SOAP IN ITS RESTROOMS!)
After dinner, which took place around 4 30pm, we left to get back to Tecolutla. I like car rides. This one was great. Fernando let that Marc Anthony CD from heaven play at least 3 full times. When I recognized he was only letting it play for my personal enjoyment, I realized what a wonderful car of people I was with.
But Somewhere between sitting and pondering for 3 hours at the hospital, and sitting for 4 hours and pondering on the way home, I decided I really needed to go home, regardless of what I was doing here. My family is currently coping with the loss of my Grandpa (Dad's Dad). We lost him on Tuesday the 8th. My family also lost another grandparent, My Bubby, on Saturday, March 30th. Both deaths were caused by inoperable Cancer.
Since that Saturday I've wanted to be at home with my family, but knowing my cause down here is great has kept me going and kept me strong. With my Grandpa gone now, I need to go home to my family. I plan on returning to Tecolutla before Katie Davis (is working with TTPP) arrives in May, but right now I need to be at home with the people I love most in the world. With the people who gave me this opportunity in the first place.