August 5, 2012 - The skies are greying and the distant sound of thunder reminds us it is still rainy season here at Casa Madera Bed & Breakfast in Nuevo Vallarta. Last night we had a doozy of a storm. 3 or 4 inches of rain and spectacular lightning. It takes your breath away watching it and now it looks like we are going get to enjoy it again.
Today we decided to do something different with the blog and Heather has taken the time to put her thoughts into cyberspace. We hope you enjoy it!
Watching the Olympics - Heather Wood
To say that we have felt removed from "real life" since we moved to Mexico would be an understatement. We do listen to the daily news on CKUA radio, which gives us the highlights, and honestly that is about all I have ever really been interested in. I have made it a habit since I began living on my own to not watch the evening news. Call me silly, but I always felt it emphasized the negative, rather than the positive aspects of the world in which we live. However, even without my daily dose of the evening news, I was still able to have an idea of what was going on in the world, thanks to everyday conversations I would have with friends, co-workers and family.
Now, by our choice, we live in a different country whose first language is Spanish, not English. We can watch the evening news, if we choose, and we can choose to buy several newspapers, in Spanish, at any street corner with a traffic light. That does not mean that we will be able to understand everything spoken or printed. Even though our language skills have improved 200% since moving here, we still have a long way to go. Fully understanding a newspaper article or Television broadcast is still far into our future, I am afraid.
Which is why I was so surprised when my friend who lives in the UK started commenting about the Olympics in her Facebook posts. I used to take major news events like this for granted. Things like this were something everyone was talking about on every corner, in every newscast, and it was written somewhere in every newspaper for months leading up to the big event.
Perhaps it is the same way here. I really don't know, for reasons already stated. :)
I can tell you that we are watching the Olympics daily and that I am having a difficult time picking a country to cheer for. I am torn. Of course, I will always cheer for Canada, my homeland and where my heart lies. But, I have a soft spot for Mexico as well. I am and always will be, a proud Canadian. I also remember that Mexico accepted me and my husband when we decided to experience life away from the 9 - 5. With that acceptance, comes a certain pride in my adopted country and its achievements.
I am loving watching the Olympics and consider myself very lucky that Mexico and Canada will not battle it out for the medal in all events.
GO TEAM CANADA!!!
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