Mérida, México: Amanecer Nuevamente

Today with my Spanish class we had one of our field trips and this week we went to Amanecer Nuevamente (the new dawn/new beginning), a home that cares for patients with mental disorders. My professor Ana's sister lives there so we took a visit to talk with her and see the residency! As I've learned, many people here in Mexico are much more open about things that in the States we would consider incredibly private information. Maria (Ana's sister) is 58 years old and began her battle with bipolar disorder when she was 20 years old, after her best friend committed suicide and their uncle was killed in a car accident the following week. Thankfully, due to treatment, medicines, and therapy, Maria is very stable now. Unfortunately, three years ago Maria was diagnosed with cancer and it has been attacking her body ever since. It has spread to her bones, and put her in a lot of pain. Amanecer Nuevamente was a beautiful place, out of busyness of the city, covered with fruit trees and flowers, private rooms, gathering spaces, wonderful architecture, and most importantly a wonderful and kind staff. Ten years ago a wealthy man used this space as a stable and pasture for horses. His son would ride his horses there. In 2000, when he was just 20 years old, the son committed suicide at the stable. The family then learned of his mental illness. The father used his money to start up this refuge for patients like his son, to give them hope and a future. Mental health has an awful stigma in Mexico, and the facilities are usually overcrowded, understaffed, and very outdated - so Amanecer Nuevamente is especially unique. Also the man has used his wealth to cut costs for the patients, by charging them a very affordable amount. We got a tour of the area, talked with a psychologist, and then visited Maria. Wow what a wonderful lady! Kindness and sweetness runs in that family - as we told Ana after (they are both out-of-this-world loving and caring)! Ana said that since Maria has started to lose some of her teeth due to the cancer in her bones, she can be a little shy when it comes to talking - but we didn't experience this AT ALL. She wanted to speak in English to us because she never gets to practice it. Talk about amazing English - perfect pronunciation and confidence. Maria is an intelligent woman, with her Masters in Psychology (interesting, right?) and knowledge about the world and life that exceeds many. She wanted to talk specifically with me, and kept repeating "God bless you for your interest in psychology" and wanted to tell me what special work I have the ability to do. I really enjoyed our time at Amanecer Nuevamente, and the director continually reminded us that we're always welcome back!

Since I didn't get to go to Sol y Luna yesterday, I went today. It was such a fun day! First of all - Silvia added the finishing touches to our Bambi mural and it looks AMAZING! So that was exciting. Then it was just a really good day with the kids. Jessie explained to me that Chucho is her boyfriend and proceeded to hug and care for him the rest of the afternoon. Chucho gave me a big body language "NO" when I asked him if he was her boyfriend :) Young love. Tough love. We read stories, worked on fine motor skills, ate lunch, practiced counting and pronouncing vowels, and did the story of the Three Little Pigs (which three kids ended up falling asleep during...). Óscar continues to steal my heart with everyday I'm there. Today he went around and hugged and kissed everyone there before he left with his mom!!

Went with Katelynn to get ice cream and agua fresca today (since we've gotten out of routine from going on our usual Mondays) and the workers there were getting a kick out of us - I guess we were hyper or something... And we ask a lot of questions! Then we went to Central, worked on some homework, I took a a little nap, then we had dance class! We are getting down to business! Veroníca explained that we'll perform our nine dances for our final (only three more classes until the big recital)!! Now it's time to get serious, practice extra, and memorize memorize memorize! Yet another good day in Mexico :)